Growth of Bivalves at Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents Along the Galápagos Rift

Direct measurements of shell growth of an unclassified mussel from active hydrothermal vents along the Galapagos Rift reveal growth rates of approxmately 1 centimeter per year for mature specimens. The largest mussel collected (with shell length of 18.4 centimeters) was estimated to be 19 ± 7 years old at the time of sampling. Recorded growth rates are among the highest documented for deep-sea species .