A community of seep tubeworms (Lamellibrachia) was discovered at the rocky foot of the West Florida Escarpment near De Soto Canyon

A community of seep tubeworms (Lamellibrachia) was discovered at the rocky foot of the West Florida Escarpment near De Soto Canyon. These tubeworms thrive on chemical nutrients (e.g., hydrogren sulfide) seeping through the sediments below them. This tubeworm bush hosted anemones, Alvinocaris shrimp, hydroids, white octocorals seen on the tubes, and galatheid crabs and mussels (dead).

Photo Location: Gulf of Mexico, West Florida Escarpment
Photo Date: 2012 March 24