In this video footage, we share the view from the DSV Alvin as it peeks around a Primnoid coral to see a large aggregation of brittle stars. There are at least two families of brittle stars represented here, as well as crinoids and a few other invertebrate species. We can only speculate as to why there is such a dense aggregation of life on this rock; one possibility is that strong currents around this rock bring high concentrations of food, making this a favorable habitat for these filter feeders in spite of the low dissolved oxygen level in the surrounding water. Download largest version (mp4, 3.2 MB).
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