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Women describe life at sea.
These marine animals, which include tube worms, shellfish such as mussels and clams, and gastropods such as snails and limpets, have two distinct life cycle phases. We are mostly familiar with the adult phases, but most of us would be hard-pressed to recognize the equally important larval stages, which look nothing like the adults. Unlike the adults, which lie on the seafloor, these microscopic larvae rise up into the water column and drift in the currents for weeks, months, or even years. They eventually settle to the seafloor, and if the conditions are right, develop into adults. Lauren and her group are investigating how these microscopic larvae are able to find suitable habitats and then colonize them.