The Abyss

1
The Abyss
2
Characteristics

• Three quarters of the ocean is in the abyss and
  hadal zones (300 million square kilometers)
• Depths below 3,000 meters
• Temperature 2 degrees C
• 300 to 1,000 atmospheres of pressure
• Animals have very low metabolic rates

3
Inhabitants of the deep sea floor

• Echinoderms (cucumbers and crinoids)
• Polychaete worms
• Isopods
• Amphipods
• Some bizarre fish

4
Characteristics of deep sea creatures

• High species diversity
• Suspension feeders on DOM
• Most are infaunal deposit feeders engulf
  sediment and digest bacteria and DOM.
• Some are scavengers and predators

5
Anglerfish
6
Chimera
7
Fangtooth
8
Gulper
9
Overbite
10
Vampire Squid
11
Deep Sea Starfish
12
Tube Eye
13
Viperfish