The research submersible vessel Alvin that we use to collect animals from hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean for studies of the biology of vent larval forms (see paper by Marsh et al. 2001 on larval dispersal at vent sites).
Donal Manahan shown holding an adult worm collected by Alvin. Eggs and sperm are removed from the adults to start cultures of embryos and larvae that were reared under high-pressure conditions (~ 250 atm. pressure).
Adult vent worms, Riftia pachyptila, photographed at ~8000 ft from inside Alvin by Donal Manahan.
Contact Details
Professor Donal T. Manahan
Department of Biological Sciences
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371
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