1,500 meters below the surface of the ocean, off the island of Vancouver, a unique spectacle is available to scientists of peaches and Oceans Canada. An underwater volcano, long considered extinguished, is not only active but also the theater of an exciting biological phenomenon. Hundreds of thousands of eggs in white Pacific rays have taken up residence there, transforming this extreme environment into a gigantic natural nursery.
An unexpected nursery in sea depths
Underwater exploration sometimes reveals extraordinary surprises. This is exactly what happened when the researchers scrutinized the sides of an underwater volcano extending over 2,000 square kilometers. Initially, the team expected to discover a cold and inert environment. Reality has proven to be any other.
This underwater mountain, culminating at 1,100 meters above the floorfloor oceanic, continuously releases hot fluids loaded with mineralsminerals. These particular conditions create a habitat conducive to the development of various forms of life, in particular corals adapted to the depths.
The real surprise came from the observation of many white rays of the Pacific (Bathyraja very spinoso) Using this site as a laying area. Cherisse du Preez, biologist involved in this discovery, believes that hot water ” Probably accelerated the gestation period, thus offering better chances of survival to juveniles ».
Colossal eggs for an unknown species
The White Raie of the Pacific remains one of the least studied ray species, usually evolving between 800 and 2,900 meters deep. These creatures can reach impressive dimensions, some adult females measuring up to two meters in length.
The most remarkable characteristic of this species lies in the exceptional size of its eggs:
- diameter around 50 centimeters;
- oval form recalling a cushion or ravioli;
- structure adapted to incubation in volcanic environment;
- sufficient nutritious content for four -year embryonic development.
This production of disproportionate eggs represents a considerable energy investment for females. On the other hand, this reproductive strategy seems effective since estimates advance dizzying figures: between several hundred thousand and more than a million eggs would be present on this unique site.
Adaptation strategies in an extreme environment
The massive presence of these eggs in a volcanic environment is not the result of chance. Similar observations made in 2018 near the Galápagos Islands had already suggested that these lines operated the heatheat volcanic to optimize the incubation of their eggs.
The Canadian submarine volcano offers several advantages for these lines:
- Geothermal heat accelerates embryonic development.
- The relatively shallow summit is a protected environment for young lines.
- Fluids rich in minerals promote a nourishing ecosystem.
- Relative isolation limits predation.
This reproductive strategy proves the extraordinary adaptability of these marine creatures. By exploiting geothermal energy, these lines transform an environment a priori Hostile in a significant evolutionary advantage, thus compensating for the unusual length of their incubation period.
Towards a better understanding of abyssal ecosystems
This exceptional discovery highlights the importance of in-depth underwater explorations. It attests that even the most extreme environments can house a biodiversitybiodiversity unsuspected and sophisticated animal behavior.
The interaction between geologygeology Marine submarine and biology revealed by these giant eggs opens up new research perspectives. It invites scientists to reconsider the role of underwater volcanoes as natural incubators and shelters for certain specialized species.
This unique volcanic nursery testifies to the countless mysteries that remain hidden in the ocean depths, waiting to be discovered by future explorations.
