Cameron in the Deep
On an expedition for National Geographic, James Cameron made it to the deepest part of the ocean. It’s hard to overstate the personal challenges of this feat: To spend hours alone in a cramped space, with temperature veering from a hundred degrees F down to near freezing, pressures threatening to bubble nitrogen from your veins. And all for the chance to photograph alien life. In 3-D of course–for us all to see next year on the big screen. 🙂
Cameron didn’t seem too enthused about the amphipods he found so far. Perhaps that’s because he already used one as the basis for Alien queen. Perhaps he’s hoping for a toothsome anglerfish. But my favorite amphipods are those found at thermal vents–symbiotic with bacteria that oxidize hydrogen sulfide in their blood. Thermal vents support other sulfide-eating life, including tube worms, crabs, and giant clams.
Which denizens of the ocean deep would you most like Cameron’s film to show?
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Ultraphyte 
Beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.). Any time you have a whale that’s only known from a skull or two washed up on a beach, it’s obvious we don’t know enough about them.
They do look interesting. And they’re sighted all over, but rarely. Feeding on squid–quite a diet. Perhaps it’s good for them they stay under.