Bathymodiolus mussels

Bathymodiolus mussels are deep-sea bounties that thrive near hydrothermal vents and cold seeps on the ocean floor. These mussels have a special relationship with bacteria living inside their gills, which convert chemicals like hydrogen sulfide and methane into energy. Unlike typical mussels that filter feed on plankton, Bathymodiolus rely on their symbiotic bacteria for nutrition in the nutrient-scarce deep sea environment. They play a vital role in these unique ecosystems, supporting a diverse community of organisms around hydrothermal vents and seeps.