Tube synthesis and growth processes in the hydrothermal vent tube-worm Riftia pachyptila
Ravaux, J.; Shillito, B.; Gaill, F.; Gay, L.; Voss-Foucart, M.F.; Childress, J.J. (1998). Tube synthesis and growth processes in the hydrothermal vent tube-worm Riftia pachyptila. Cah. Biol. Mar. 39(3-4): 325-326. https://dx.doi.org/10.21411/CBM.A.6D61BBD1
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094
Also appears in:
(1998). Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Biology: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 20-24 October 1997. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 39(3-4). Station Biologique de Roscoff: Roscoff. 219-392 pp., more
Vestimentifera and Riftia pachyptila in particular, are representative of the communities associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These organisms, unusual in their anatomy and gigantism, live in tubes which have a skeletal function and allow them to open out in the fluid's proximity. A significant part of Riftia's growth is accounted for by tube production. This tube, which has impressive dimensions (up to 2 metres high), is composed of chitin associated with proteins (Gaill & Hunt, 1986). To understand the tube growth process of Riftia, subcellular structures and morphological aspects of worms and their tubes were studied. Moreover enzymatic activities involved in synthesis and degradation of the chitinous tube were investigated.
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