As environmental conditions in the ancient oceans changed, seamounts remained a stable refuge and the creatures eventually became marooned on their underwater peaks. Other primitive species found, including an early type of hermit crab and a sponge, will provide clues as to how some of these major groups of animals evolved. In the 24 seamounts studied, very little overlap of species exists from one chain of seamounts to another. Pictured here is a basket star. However, seamounts are a magnet not only for sea life and scientists.
Fishermen reap their riches with the help of trawling gear.
Once depleted, they require decades, if not centuries, to recover since species take longer to grow and reproduce than those of shallower water. Orange roughy, for example, can live for more than 100 years. Comparing samples from pristine versus trawled seamounts, Koslow found that the number of species was almost 50 percent greater. In spite of fishing restrictions later established, the armorhead is still commercially extinct. Others are beginning to follow suit.