biostudies-literatureChen CNatural Environment Research CouncilEuropean Commission62https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5333402biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)<h4>Background</h4>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 enlargeBMC evolutionary biologyBy more ways than one: Rapid convergence at hydrothermal vents shown by 3D anatomical reconstruction of Gigantopelta (Mollusca: Neomphalina).PMC5333402H2020-MSCA-IF-2014-655661NE/DO1249X/1bas0100036Linse KUematsu KChen CSigwart JDfalseBy more ways than one: Rapid convergence at hydrothermal vents shown by 3D anatomical reconstruction of Gigantopelta (Mollusca: Neomphalina).<h4>Background</h4>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 enlarge2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Mar2026-06-14T08:52:36.732Z2026-06-14T03:17:17.101ZS-EPMC53334022824956810.1186/s12862-017-0917-z