By more ways than one: Rapid convergence at hydrothermal vents shown by 3D anatomical reconstruction of Gigantopelta (Mollusca: Neomphalina).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extreme environments prompt the evolution of characteristic adaptations. Yet questions remain about whether radiations in extreme environments originate from a single lineage that masters a key adaptive pathway, or if the same features can arise in parallel through convergence. Species endemic to deep-sea hydrothermal vents must accommodate high temperature and low pH. The most successful vent species share a constrained pathway to successful energy exploitation: hosting symbionts. The vent-endemic gastropod genus Gigantopelta, from the Southern and Indian Oceans, shares unusual features with a co-occurring peltospirid, the 'scaly-foot gastropod' Chrysomallon squamiferum. Both are unusually large for the clade and share other adaptive features such as a prominent enlarge

SUBMITTER: Chen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5333402 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature