Two New Caridean Shrimps (Bresiliidae) from a Hydrothermal Field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Abstract
Rimicaris, a new genus, and two new species of caridean shrimps, R. exoculata and R. chacei, are recorded in swarms from a thermally influenced site in the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26°08.3'N, 44°49.6'W, 3,620-3,650 m depth. The shrimps appear to be the predominant macroinvertebrates in heated waters (at least 1.0°C above ambient, 2.37°C away from vents) on black sediments and layered rocks with the appearance of polymetallic sulfides precipitated from black smoker-type vents. Characters of these species indicate placement in the family Bresiliidae which is distributed in surface to mid-ocean depths. A key to the 7 bresiliid genera is given.

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