Peniagone Sea Cucumber
Peniagone Sea Cucumber (likely Peniagone vitrea) This small sea cucumber is abundant at the base of Axial Seamount, and many different species
May 18, 2023
Author: Mike Vardaro
Moseley’s Sea Cucumber
Moseley’s Sea Cucumber (Pannychia moseleyi) First discovered in the 1800s, Pannychia moseleyi, also known as Moseley’s sea cucumber, are often found at
May 18, 2023
Echinothuriid Sea Urchin
Echinothuriid Sea Urchin (Tromikosoma panamense) The Tromikosoma panamense sea urchin has been seen at the base of Axial Seamount (2600 meters) and
May 18, 2023
Unknown Sea Urchin 1
Unknown Sea Urchin 1 This is easily the most common sea urchin found on Axial. It is often observed hiding among the
May 18, 2023
Spinophiura Brittle Star
Spinophiura Brittle Star (Spinophiura jolliveti) The lava rocks at Axial Seamount are typically covered with many members of the brittle star species
May 18, 2023
Henricia Sea Star
Henricia Sea Star (tentative ID) This species is also fairly common, often seen lounging on the basaltic lavas of Axial. They have
May 18, 2023
Mediaster Sea Star
Mediaster Sea Star (likely Mediaster tenellus) This sea star (shown to the left of a brittle star) has been observed on several
May 18, 2023
Blue Ciliates
Blue Ciliates (Folliculinopsis sp.) These deep blue, single celled protists reside on basalt substrates and are very common surrounding hydrothermal vents along
May 16, 2023
Sea Spider (Pycnogonid)
Sea Spider (Ammothea verenae) Sea Spiders are not Arachnids but belong to Class Pycnogonida: spider-like marine Arthropods. They have four pairs of
May 16, 2023
Unidentified Lithodid Crustacean
Unidentified Crustacean (Lithodidae sp.) A deep-sea crab from the family Lithodidae was seen crawling around the equipment and on the pillow basalts
May 16, 2023