Riftia pachyptila

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Riftia thrive in clusters near deep sea hydrothermal vents, where they've adapted to conquer extreme conditions of hydrogen sulfide, cold temperatures, and fluctuating oxygen levels. Their vibrant red bodies are packed with haemoglobin, which enables them to extract sulfide and oxygen from the surrounding water with ease. Riftia can only feed by relying on symbiotic bacteria that live inside them - these bacteria convert hydrogen sulfide and oxygen into a carbon-rich food source for their host. As a result, Riftia have earned the title of the fastest growing marine invertebrates on the planet. This model was designed specifically for the Schmidt Ocean Institute Artist-at-Sea program, which drew inspiration from the #MicrobialMysteries expedition. For more details, visit https://schmidtocean.org/