Growth and predation activity at deep-sea hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift.

Growth rates of unclassified mussels collected from these hydrothermal vents (2500 m) are among the highest recorded for deep-sea species. Mature mussels have mean growth rates of c.1 cm/yr, comparable to growth rates of shallow water mussels. Growth rates of mussels depend on their location around the vents and may vary by factors of 2-3. Food concentrations appear to be the major limiting factor for growth. Mussels from one vent area synchronously change their growth rates every 6-10 months, which may reflect changes in vent activity on this time scale. The vent decapod Bathograea thermydron may inflict damage to mussel shells, particularly those below 2.0 cm in length. The mussels may obtain a refuge from predation by growing rapidly to a size larger than 2.0 cm.-from Authors