Jon Cohen - SMSP Spring Seminar Series 2026

Jon Cohen

Abstract: Hydrothermal vents are dark places. Consistent with this lack of light, endemic vent shrimp species have reduced or lost the stalked eyes common in shallow-water and mesopelagic shrimp. Rather, they have “dorsal eyes” on their backs. I will discuss how these eyes are thought to work, and share new results from a recent cruise to vents at Lucky Strike on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge suggesting the story of vent shrimp vision is even more interesting than expected.