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Are vent shrimps blinded by science?

Nature volume 398, page 116 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

The exploration of deep-sea hydrothermal vents has depended on the use of manned submersibles, which are invariably equipped with high-intensity floodlights. But the eyes of many deep-sea crustaceans, which are exquisitely adapted for the dim conditions at such depths, can suffer permanent retinal damage as a result1,2,3. We suggest that the use of floodlights has irretrievably damaged the eyes of many of the decapod shrimps (family Bresiliidae) that dominate the fauna at vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge4.

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Figure 1: Eyes of deep-sea shrimp.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southampton Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK

    Peter J. Herring

  2. Department of Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, LE1 7RH, Leicester, UK

    Edward Gaten & Peter M. J. Shelton

Authors
  1. Peter J. Herring
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  2. Edward Gaten
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  3. Peter M. J. Shelton
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Herring, P., Gaten, E. & Shelton, P. Are vent shrimps blinded by science?. Nature 398, 116 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/18142

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