The ‘extremophiles’: Pompeii worms
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The Siren
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Formerly, the Sahara desert ant was believed to be the most heat-hardy creature, foraging briefly in the desert sun at temperatures up to 55° C (131° F). But in 1980 the Pompeii worm which could bear a temperatures as high as 80°C (176o c), was discovered.
They can reach up to 5 inches in length and are pale gray with red tentacle-like gills on their heads. Perhaps most fascinating, is that their tail end is often resting in temperatures as high as 176 °F (80 °C), while their feather-like head sticks out of the tubes into water that is a much cooler 72 °F (22 °C). Scientists are attempting to understand how Pompeii worms can withstand such extreme temperatures by studying the bacteria that form a "fleece-like" covering on their backs. Living in a symbiotic relationship, the worms secrete mucus from tiny glands on their backs to feed the bacteria, and in return they are protected by some degree of insulation. The bacteria have also been discovered to be chemolithotrophic, contributing to the ecology of the vent community. Recent researches suggest that the bacteria might play an important role in the feeding of the worms.
These bacteria are of particular interest to industry because they may harbor enzymes that are useful in such high-temperature applications as processing food and drugs, making paper, and dislodging oil inside wells. By learning more about the unique biology of the Pompeii worm and other “extremophiles” — organisms that thrive in extreme temperature and pressure conditions — scientists may open the door to beneficial new products and processes.
