Scientists have recently discovered that deep-sea worms Laminatubus and Bispira have been feeding on bacteria found in deep-sea methane seeps as a means of meeting each other's needs in a symbiotic relationship.
[The scientists] found that bacteria belonging to the Methylococcaceae family have been hitching a ride on the feathery plumes that act as the respiratory organs of Laminatubus and Bispira worms.
As it turns out, the worms slowly digest the hitchhiking bacteria and thus absorb the carbon and energy that the bacteria harvest from the methane. That is to say, with a little help and some extra steps, the worms have become methanotrophs themselves.
(Image credit: Alvin/WHOI)
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