Thread by @SchmidtOcean

A crustacean on a chrysogorgia soft coral, seen while documenting an unexplored seamount.
Scientists have known for a long time that certain species of crabs, brittle stars, worms, and shrimp live on (or within) the branching structures of deepwater corals. 1/4

Diverse deep-sea fauna seek to move up off of the seafloor – and onto corals and sponges – in order to surround themselves in nutrient-rich currents. Only recently have we learned just how specific these coral-invertebrate associations can be. 2/4

These highly specific relationships have led to fundamental questions about how these invertebrates living on corals disperse and locate their coral host. How have these specific relationships formed? 3/4

And how might the diversity of life be affected if the coral habitats are lost to variations in ocean chemistry, temperature, fisheries and other activities?
ROV footage from #PhoenixIslandsCoral expedition.
4/4

More info about research: schmidtocean.org/cruise/discove…