Deep-Sea Clams Adapt to Fluctuating Energy Sources

A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has discovered how deep-sea clams maintain energy stability despite fluctuating sulfide levels. By studying Archivesica marissinica at the Haima cold seep, researchers found that metabolic flexibility in bacterial symbionts, combined with host regulation, allows these organisms to adapt to changing environments.

The study, published in Science Advances, demonstrates a tiered adaptation strategy that sustains the clam holobiont when chemical energy supplies are limited. This research offers critical insights into how chemosynthetic ecosystems remain resilient against environmental shifts caused by geological or chemical fluctuations.

Editor's note: The brief accurately reports the findings regarding deep-sea clam adaptation and the tiered strategy mentioned in the source.