Danielle Dodge: Known to be a suspension feeder, the ophiuroid (brittle star) pictured here during Leg 4 Dive 10 is taking advantage of the height of an Iridogorgia coral to reach into an area of higher current for food such as organic material. When living in a sparse area like the deep sea, organisms must adapt to the limited food supply and take advantage of their surroundings when available. The current mission has allowed for further insight into deep-sea interactions and how organisms are able to survive in such harsh conditions. Remote observations allow for scientists to overcome the challenges of depth, pressure, extreme cold, and darkness to explore features of organisms that have never been seen before.
Brittle Star
Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2015 Hohonu Moana. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).

Danielle Dodge: Known to be a suspension feeder, the ophiuroid (brittle star) pictured here during Leg 4 Dive 10 is taking advantage of the height of an Iridogorgia coral to reach into an area of higher current for food such as organic material. When living in a sparse area like the deep sea, organisms must adapt to the limited food supply and take advantage of their surroundings when available. The current mission has allowed for further insight into deep-sea interactions and how organisms are able to survive in such harsh conditions. Remote observations allow for scientists to overcome the challenges of depth, pressure, extreme cold, and darkness to explore features of organisms that have never been seen before.

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