Giant tube worm

Riftia pachyptila, commonly known as the giant tube worm, is a marine invertebrate in the phylum Annelida (formerly `grouped in phylum Pogonophora and Vestimentifera) related to tube worms commonly found in the intertidal and pelagic zones. R. pachyptila lives on the floor of the Pacific Ocean near hydrothermal vents, and can tolerate extremely high hydrogen sulfide levels. These worms can reach a length of 3 m (9 ft 10 in), and their tubular bodies have a diameter of 4 cm (1.6 in). Ambient temperature in their natural environment ranges from 2 to 30°C.

Its common name "giant tube worm" is, however, also applied to the largest living species of shipworm, Kuphus polythalamia, which despite the name "worm", is a bivalve mollusc rather than an annelid.

R. pachyptila was discovered in 1977 on an expedition of the American bathyscaphe DSV Alvin to the Galápagos Rift led by geologist Jack Corliss. The discovery was unexpected, as the team was studying hydrothermal vents and no biologists were included in the expedition. Many of the species found living near hydrothermal vents during this expedition had never been seen before.

At the time, the presence of thermal springs near the midoceanic ridges was known. Further research uncovered aquatic life in the area, despite the high temperature (around 350 – 380 °C).

Many samples were collected, for example, bivalves, polychaetes, large crabs, and R. pachyptila. It was the first time that species was observed.

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