New Zealand-Caribbean

[Geoff Read]

>   Just because Bathymodiolus species are hydrothermal vent specialists
> (at least as adults) does not mean that their larvae cannot be
> transported in ship ballast water.

True.  However, I don't know that there are  vents spewing away in the
shipping ports  where most ballast water has been exchanged in the past,
or even that the larvae make it to the sea surface elsewhere and are
ready to hitch a ride. Rather, I suspect Bathymodiolus spp. get about all
by themselves quite efficiently. One 1998 report I have to hand based on
genetic data suggests one or two thousand kilometre ranges for
Bathymodiolus thermophilus  planktonic larvae are quite feasible.


--
   Geoff Read <gread at actrix.gen.nz>