Snake Pit Research Articles

A bifurcation integrates information from many noisy ion channels and allows for millikelvin thermal sensitivity in the snake pit organ

A bifurcation integrates information from many noisy ion channels and allows for millikelvin thermal sensitivity in the snake pit organ

A bifurcation integrates information from many noisy ion channels and allows for milli-Kelvin thermal sensitivity in the snake pit organ

In various biological systems, information from many noisy molecular receptors must be integrated into a collective response. A striking example is the thermal imaging organ of pit vipers. Single nerve fibers in the organ reliably respond to milli-Kelvin (mK) temperature increases, a thousand times more sensitive than their molecular sensors, thermo-transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. Here, we propose a mechanism for the integration of this molecular information. In our model, amplification arises due to proximity to a dynamical bifurcation, separating a regime with frequent and regular action potentials (APs), from a regime where APs are irregular and infrequent. Near the transition, AP frequency can have an extremely sharp dependence on temperature, naturally accounting for the thousand-fold amplification. Furthermore, close to the bifurcation, most of the information about temperature available in the TRP channels' kinetics can be read out from the times between consecutive APs even in the presence of readout noise. A key model prediction is that the coefficient of variation in the distribution of interspike times decreases with AP frequency, and quantitative comparison with experiments indeed suggests that nerve fibers of snakes are located very close to the bifurcation. While proximity to such bifurcation points typically requires fine-tuning of parameters, we propose that having feedback act from the order parameter (AP frequency) onto the control parameter robustly maintains the system in the vicinity of the bifurcation. This robustness suggests that similar feedback mechanisms might be found in other sensory systems which also need to detect tiny signals in a varying environment.

‘Lewd, pornographic filth’: Managing Culture through Local Film Censorship in Britain, 1948–1968

Film censorship in the UK is predicated on a two-tier system whereby the British Board of Film Classification (formerly British Board of Film Censorship Censorship) (BBFC) recommends a classification for a film and this classification is then implemented by local authorities. In cases where local authorities disagree with a BBFC decision they can change the classification or ban the film entirely. Conversely, they can also screen a film which has no BBFC certificate. This local decision-making is permitted under the powers granted to local authorities to oversee cinema exhibition and licensing. Using The Snake Pit, Rock around the Clock and Ulysses, and offering a broad historical and geographic sweep, this article explores local council archives and local press reporting to map local censorship across the UK, drawing attention to inconsistencies in different areas and how councils justified the decisions they took on specific films.

A novel and dual digestive symbiosis scales up the nutrition and immune system of the holobiont Rimicaris exoculata

BackgroundIn deep-sea hydrothermal vent areas, deprived of light, most animals rely on chemosynthetic symbionts for their nutrition. These symbionts may be located on their cuticle, inside modified organs, or in specialized cells. Nonetheless, many of these animals have an open and functional digestive tract. The vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata is fueled mainly by its gill chamber symbionts, but also has a complete digestive system with symbionts. These are found in the shrimp foregut and midgut, but their roles remain unknown. We used genome-resolved metagenomics on separate foregut and midgut samples, taken from specimens living at three contrasted sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (TAG, Rainbow, and Snake Pit) to reveal their genetic potential.ResultsWe reconstructed and studied 20 Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs), including novel lineages of Hepatoplasmataceae and Deferribacteres, abundant in the shrimp foregut and midgut, respectively. Although the former showed streamlined reduced genomes capable of using mostly broken-down complex molecules, Deferribacteres showed the ability to degrade complex polymers, synthesize vitamins, and encode numerous flagellar and chemotaxis genes for host-symbiont sensing. Both symbionts harbor a diverse set of immune system genes favoring holobiont defense. In addition, Deferribacteres were observed to particularly colonize the bacteria-free ectoperitrophic space, in direct contact with the host, elongating but not dividing despite possessing the complete genetic machinery necessary for this.ConclusionOverall, these data suggest that these digestive symbionts have key communication and defense roles, which contribute to the overall fitness of the Rimicaris holobiont.FJvM6igKFE6x_yqS3roQ38Video

Integrated Study of New Faunal Assemblages Dominated by Gastropods at Three Vent Fields Along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Diversity, Structure, Composition and Trophic Interactions

To date, two main vent faunal assemblages have been described on active sulfide edifices along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (nMAR): one dominated by bathymodiolin mussels in low temperature areas and the other dominated by alvinocaridid shrimp in warmer habitats. In this study, we describe the ecology of new types of assemblage, dominated by gastropods, that are recurrent in several nMAR vent fields, from ~830 m to 3500 m depth. We assessed and compared the composition, abundance, diversity and trophic niche of these assemblages from three vent fields (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike and Snake Pit) and characterized their habitats in terms of key environmental conditions. These assemblages, first seen during the Momarsat cruise in 2012 at the Lucky Strike vent field, were investigated during several subsequent cruises. They appear to be widespread along the nMAR, forming two distinct assemblages, one dominated by Lepetodrilus atlanticusat the shallowest vent field Menez Gwen, and the other by Peltospira smaragdina at the other investigated fields. Our data seem to indicate that these gastropods dominate an intermediate habitat at MAR vents and may play an important ecological role in these communities.

Geochemical Analogy Viscosity of Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt as an Indicator for Determining the Location of Seafloor Hydrothermal Fields?

Many achievements have been made in the exploration of seafloor polymetallic hydrothermal vents, however, it needs to further study how to discovery more potential new hydrothermal or massive sulfide fields. In this study, we collected 9818 major-element geochemical data sets of basalt samples from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR, 78°N–53°S) and the seafloor topographic data for eleven known hydrothermal vents (e.g., TAG, Snake Pit, MAR 22°30′N, Lilliput). Based on the different spatial distances between basalts and hydrothermal vents, we classified all the basalts into three categories: 1) basalt near known vent (focal objects of the research, 29 samples), 2) basalt around known vent (observed objects, 155 samples), and 3) other basalt of the MAR (as background basalt). Meanwhile, we used major element components of basalts to calculate the analogy viscosity and analyzed the possible correlation between analogy viscosity and the spatial distribution of seafloor hydrothermal vents. We found that the analogy viscosity of basalt near known vent fall into a narrow medium value range (∼46.8–68.5 Pa s) contrasted with the range of background basalt values range (∼4.0–356.0 Pa·s). It infers that these basalts on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with the medium values of analogy viscosity favor the formation of hydrothermal vents. However, due to the complexities of magmatic activity and fault structure, as well as the multi-stage water-rock reaction, whether the analogy viscosity of basalts can be used as an indicator for determining the location of seafloor hydrothermal field or not needs further verification. Hence, this paper provides a possible rule (the variation of analogy viscosity estimated by major element components in the basalts) for exploration the location of hydrothermal vents rather than a fully developed method.

Population structure and reproduction of the alvinocaridid shrimp Rimicaris exoculata on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Variations between habitats and vent fields

The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata is the most conspicuous component of vent communities developing around hydrothermal fluid emissions below 2000 m on the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (nMAR). Its high genetic connectivity suggests a remarkable ability to produce dispersing larval stages. However, so far brooding females have been rarely observed and reproduction remained enigmatic. Spatially complex population structures related to the heterogeneity of local habitat conditions are described for many vent species, this information being fundamental to gain a better understanding of their life history. Here our aim was to assess such complexity along with reproductive development in R. exoculata populations within two vent fields, TAG and Snake Pit (3620m and 3470m depth respectively). We compared samples collected in January–February 2014 among visually distinct assemblages with different degrees of exposure to vent fluids. Dense aggregations located near active venting included mostly females and immature individuals, while inactive peripheries harbored low density assemblages of large males. Small juveniles gathering around low temperature diffusions belonged to another species, Rimicaris chacei. One third of the sexually mature females were ovigerous at the two vent fields during our sampling period, with lower fecundities and egg sizes in the TAG population. Overall, the observed shrimp distribution patterns were consistent across both vent fields, although a high degree of heterogeneity in population structure was observed locally within dense aggregations, probably reflecting micro-scale variations in environmental conditions. Our results thus highlight spatially complex population structures where R. exoculata females brood eggs within dense aggregations exposed to vent fluids, while peripheral inactive areas may be important mating grounds for adults. In addition, we suggest temporal variability in reproductive activity, increasing in the winter season, which questions potential seasonality in a deep-sea species.

Population structure and environmental niches of Rimicaris shrimps from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Among the endemic and specialized fauna from hydrothermal vents, Rimicaris shrimps constitute one of the most important and emblematic components of these ecosystems. On the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 2 species belonging to this genus co-occur: R. exoculata and R. chacei that differ in their morphology, trophic regime and abundance. R. exoculata forms large and dense aggregations on active vent chimney walls in close proximity to vent fluid emissions, whereas R. chacei is much less conspicuous, living mostly in scattered groups or solitary further away from the fluids. However, the recent revision of Rimicaris juvenile stages from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge shows that R. chacei abundance would be higher than expected at these early life stages. Here, we describe and compare the population structure of R. exoculata and R. chacei at the Snake Pit and Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) vent fields. We show distinct population demographics between the 2 co-occurring shrimp species with a large post-settlement collapse in R. chacei populations suggesting high juvenile mortality for this species. We describe important spatial segregation patterns between the 2 species and their different life stages. Additionally, our results highlight distinct niches for the earliest juvenile stages of both R. exoculata and R. chacei, compared with all other life stages. Finally, we discuss the potential factors, including predation and competitive interactions, that could explain the differences we observed in the population structure of these 2 species.

Extending the dataset of fluid geochemistry of the Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow, TAG and Snake Pit hydrothermal vent fields: Investigation of temporal stability and organic contribution

The Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow, TAG (Transatlantic Geotraverse) and Snake Pit hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were revisited and resampled for geochemical investigation during the BIOBAZ 2013 and BICOSE 2014 research cruises. Geochemical analysis of the major and minor elements of the hydrothermal fluid and concentrations of gases extends and complements the existing dataset. Our results are consistent with values previously reported and fall within the range of the analytical error. This indicates that the hydrothermal vent field system has remained relatively stable over the last few decades. However, some differences were observed and (i) suggested a recent eruption at Menez Gwen, (ii) supported the occurrence of low-temperature serpentinisation in this same site, (iii) supported a change in the reaction zone or axial magma chamber (AMC) depth at Lucky Strike, (iv) an increase of the temperature at depth at Snake Pit and (v) supported the hypothesis of large seawater entrainment through the TAG hydrothermal mound. Besides, it is possible that small temporal and spatial scale processes may control a significant part of the geochemistry, owing to the fact that some variations in the data could not be interpreted. However, our investigation of the organic geochemistry represents a pioneering addition to research for Menez Gwen, Snake Pit and TAG and a much more comprehensive study for Lucky Strike and Rainbow. Concentrations for a wide variety of semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) were obtained for the first time at all sites. Our results showed that a great part of the total organic carbon (TOC) could not be allocated by the total SVOCs studied here, suggesting that other processes/sources of organic carbon remain to be identified. The TAG organic geochemistry seemed entirely based on thermogenic processes whereas mixed processes may occur at the other vent field. The presence of n-alkanes suggested the contribution of a low-temperature fluid at all sites. An additional high-temperature organic matter degradation component was likely present at Menez Gwen and Lucky Strike. Our results also indicated that both abiogenic and biogenic processes produced organic compounds. Therefore, we suggest that a portion of the fatty acids at Menez Gwen and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at Rainbow may be derived from abiogenic processes, whereas biogenic processes could be responsible for the presence of n-fatty acids (n-FAs) at Lucky Strike and Rainbow. Moreover, organic geochemistry data appeared to be helpful in understanding some inorganic processes.

Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge Hydrothermal Habitats: A Systematic Review of Knowledge Status for Environmental Management

Highly specialised biota occurring at hydrothermally active vents on the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (nMAR: from south of Iceland to the Equator) have been the subject of numerous research projects over the 36-year period since these habitats were first discovered in the region. When hydrothermal activity ceases, biota endemic to hydrothermally active habitats are lost, and a new biota colonise these sites. Little is known about the biota colonising hydrothermally inactive sulphide habitats on the nMAR, although these sites may be the target of deep-sea mining within the next decade. In this review, we seek to clarify the current knowledge of biological communities colonising hydrothermally active habitats and inactive sulphide habitats on the nMAR. To achieve this, we (1) used a systematic review process to update the species list of benthic invertebrates associated with hydrothermally active habitats, (2) conducted a regional biogeographic analysis of hydrothermally active vent fields on the nMAR, (3) undertook a comprehensive literature review to provide a descriptive account of biological communities, and (4) identified key knowledge gaps in the current understanding of nMAR hydrothermally active and inactive ecosystems. Our updated species list increases the number of benthic invertebrates recorded from hydrothermally active habitats on the nMAR to 158 taxa. Our regional biogeographic analysis separates nMAR hydrothermal vent fields into distinct clusters based on depth/latitude and chimney composition. Vent fields close to the Azores (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow) formed a separate cluster from those at greater depths south of the Azores (Broken Spur, TAG, Snake Pit, Logatchev, and Ashadze-1). Moytirra, located north of the Azores, clustered separately, as did Lost City with its unique carbonate chimneys. We present detailed information on the biological communities at hydrothermally active and inactive habitats in this region, and discuss the information available on the diversity, ecosystem function, trophic relationships, connectivity, temporal variability, and resilience and recovery of these communities. Many knowledge gaps still exist, with detailed information needed on all aspects of the biological communities at hydrothermally active habitats and inactive sulphide habitats on the nMAR to understand and predict impacts from natural and human-induced disturbances in the region.

The Snake Pit: Mixing Marx with Freud in Hollywood.

In 1948, the motion picture The Snake Pit was released to popular and critical acclaim. Directed by Anatole Litvak, the film told of the mental illness and recovery of one patient, who survived overcrowding and understaffing and was treated by a neo-Freudian psychiatrist known as Dr. Kik. It was based on a novel of the same title by Mary Jane Ward, who had been treated at Rockland State Hospital in New York. Building upon exposés of horrid hospital conditions in the press, The Snake Pit helped motivate reforms in the treatment of the mentally ill. Via unpublished correspondence and drafts of the film's screenplay, this article explores the populist and antifascist themes in The Snake Pit, which came from the director, screenwriters, and the politics of the immediate post-WWII era. It also describes the case history of Mary Jane Ward and her treatment by Gerard Chrzanowski, the real "Dr. Kik." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Deinstitutionalization Through Optimism: The Community Mental Health Act of 1963.

Deinstitutionalization Through Optimism: The Community Mental Health Act of 1963.

Niche partitioning in the Rimicaris exoculata holobiont: the case of the first symbiotic Zetaproteobacteria

BackgroundFree-living and symbiotic chemosynthetic microbial communities support primary production and higher trophic levels in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata, which dominates animal communities along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, houses a complex bacterial community in its enlarged cephalothorax. The dominant bacteria present are from the taxonomic groups Campylobacteria, Desulfobulbia (formerly Deltaproteobacteria), Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and some recently discovered iron oxyhydroxide-coated Zetaproteobacteria. This epibiotic consortium uses iron, sulfide, methane, and hydrogen as energy sources. Here, we generated shotgun metagenomes from Rimicaris exoculata cephalothoracic epibiotic communities to reconstruct and investigate symbiotic genomes. We collected specimens from three geochemically contrasted vent fields, TAG, Rainbow, and Snake Pit, to unravel the specificity, variability, and adaptation of Rimicaris–microbe associations.ResultsOur data enabled us to reconstruct 49 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the TAG and Rainbow vent fields, including 16 with more than 90% completion and less than 5% contamination based on single copy core genes. These MAGs belonged to the dominant Campylobacteria, Desulfobulbia, Thiotrichaceae, and some novel candidate phyla radiation (CPR) lineages. In addition, most importantly, two MAGs in our collection were affiliated to Zetaproteobacteria and had no close relatives (average nucleotide identity ANI < 77% with the closest relative Ghiorsea bivora isolated from TAG, and 88% with each other), suggesting potential novel species. Genes for Calvin-Benson Bassham (CBB) carbon fixation, iron, and sulfur oxidation, as well as nitrate reduction, occurred in both MAGs. However, genes for hydrogen oxidation and multicopper oxidases occurred in one MAG only, suggesting shared and specific potential functions for these two novel Zetaproteobacteria symbiotic lineages. Overall, we observed highly similar symbionts co-existing in a single shrimp at both the basaltic TAG and ultramafic Rainbow vent sites. Nevertheless, further examination of the seeming functional redundancy among these epibionts revealed important differences.ConclusionThese data highlight microniche partitioning in the Rimicaris holobiont and support recent studies showing that functional diversity enables multiple symbiont strains to coexist in animals colonizing hydrothermal vents.-8nav1G8-_VNYjLQa3sKayVideo

Soft Matter Mechanics and the Mechanisms Underpinning the Infrared Vision of Snakes

Summary Pit-bearing snakes (vipers, pythons, and boas) have the extraordinary ability to “see” and accurately locate their prey and predators in total darkness. These animals use the infrared radiation emanating from objects that are warmer relative to the background environment to form a thermal image. Although enormous progress has been made to identify the key physiological features that enable the infrared vision of these snakes and a few other animals, the precise thermoelectric transduction mechanism that mediates the conversion of infrared heat to processable electrical signals has remained elusive. In this work, we quantitatively outline how cells in the snake's pit membrane organ act as apparent pyroelectric materials and convert infrared radiation into electrical signals. Despite the exceptional simplicity of our proposed mechanism and model, we are able to explain many central experimental results pertaining to the transduction process.

COVID-19 and Sensationalizing Inpatient Psychiatric Settings

COVID-19 and Sensationalizing Inpatient Psychiatric Settings

Soft Matter Mechanics and the Mechanisms Underpinning the Infrared Vision of Snakes

Pit-bearing snakes (vipers, pythons, and boas) have the extraordinary ability to see and accurately locate their prey and predators in total darkness. These animals use the infrared radiation emanating from objects, that are warmer relative to the background environment, to form a thermal image. While enormous progress has been made to identify the key physiological features that enable the infrared vision of these snakes and a few other animals, the precise thermo-electric transduction mechanism that mediates the conversion of infrared heat to processable electrical signals has remained elusive. In principle, the presence of a pyroelectric material would explain many of the idiosyncratic features of the snakes' infrared vision. However, pyroelectricity is a rare material property and restricted to a small set of hard crystalline materials not found in any of the animals with infrared vision. In this work, we quantitatively outline how cells in the snake's pit membrane organ may convert infrared radiation into electrical signals. Despite the exceptional simplicity of our proposed mechanism and model, we are able to explain many of central experimental results pertaining to the transduction process.

Representation of women in the literary and medical discourse of the U.S. prose

The purpose of the study is to develop a typology of female images in American literary works on medical topics. Research methods: narratological, theory of receptive aesthetics, feminist literary criticism. The object of research is the prose works of American writers of the late XIX - early XXI centuries. Scientific novelty. The article analyzes for the first time the narrative configuration, the author’s artistic intentions and the role of the reader’s reception in the medical literary discourse through the prism of the historical role of women in American society. Conclusions. During the study, it was found that female images within the analyzed material are divided into several categories. We examined the role of a female doctor in the novels “Doctor Zey” (1882) by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, “Under the Glass Dome” (1963) by Sylvia Plath, “Doctors” (1988) Eric Seagal, “Operation Wandering Soul” (1993) by Richard Powers , “Nothing Lasts Forever” (1994) Sidney Sheldon and “Harvest” (1996) Tess Gerritsen. In addition, we found features of the image of women as nurses in the works “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (1922) by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, “Arrowsmith” (1925) Sinclair Lewis, “Johnny Got a Rifle” (1938) Dalton Trumbo, “Snake Pit” (1946) Mary Jane Ward, “Flying Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1962) Ken Kesey, “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Physicians” (1968) Richard Hooker, “House of God” (1978) Samuel Shem, “Critical Condition” (2002 ) Peter Clement. Finally, we examined the narrative role of patients in the novels “The Snake Pit” (1946) by Mary Jane Ward, “Under the Glass Dome” (1963) by Sylvia Plath, “Interrupted Life” (1993) by Susanne Keysen and “Prozac Nation” (1994) Elizabeth Würzel . The theoretical significance of the study is to reveal the features of the image of women in the American literary and medical discourse in the diachronic aspect

Meiofauna Community in Soft Sediments at TAG and Snake Pit Hydrothermal Vent Fields

The risk assessment of Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS) mining on meiobenthic organisms, specifically on soft-sediment meiofauna, is impeded by a lack of knowledge on the biology and ecology of these communities. In this study we investigated sediment samples taken in proximity of active vents at Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) and Snake Pit, two hydrothermal vent fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, in order to explore metazoan meiofauna, particularly nematode community, and its relation to organic carbon, total nitrogen, total sulfur and dissolved oxygen. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents were low at both sites. High concentrations of total sulfur and low oxygen penetration were found at Snake Pit compared to TAG. Snake Pit showed about four times higher meiofauna and nematode density compared to TAG, as well as a dissimilar nematode community composition. We hypothesize that high sulfur concentrations at Snake Pit may support high microbial growth, which represents one of the main food source for nematodes. Moreover, TAG nematode community mostly consisted of persisters (K-strategists), while Snake Pit one was composed by both persisters (Desmoscolecidae family) and colonizers (r-strategists Metalinhomoeus and Halomonhystera), whose presence can be facilitated by the bioturbation effect of polychaetes observed on the sediment surface. Therefore, food availability, geochemical settings and biotic interactions seem to drive the local meiofauna and nematode community. Our study also draws attention to the opportunity of including meiofauna and specifically nematodes in impact studies conducted in this area in order to assess and monitor the impact of SMS mining.

Жіночі образи у медичному дискурсі автобіографічної романістики США

The aim of the research is to develop the typology and examine the features of women’s representations in the US literary works, focused on medical problematics.The research methodology is based on the application of modern literary studies in the fields of narratology, receptive aesthetics and literary hermeneutics. The paper analyses the author’s intentions and the role of the reader’s reception of medical discourse through the prism of gender studies and feminist literary criticism. We analyse the semi-autobiographical prose works by the American writers: “The Snake Pit” (1946) by Mary Jane Ward, “The Bell Jar” (1963) by Sylvia Plath, and “Prozac Nation” (1994) by Elizabeth Wurtzel. The theoretical significance of the research consists in the disclosure of women’s representations in the American literary and medical discourse in the diachronic focus. We examine the role of women as physicians, the peculiarities of representing women as nurses, as well as the narrative role of women as patients. The research is the first scientific attempt to examine the peculiarities of narrative representation of women in the literary and medical discourse of the US prose. The research demonstrates the transformation of women’s representations in the analysed novels, which directly reflects the emancipation tendencies over the course of the 20th century. These changes are naturally displayed in the narrative configuration of the prose works under consideration. The study of medical problems in a literary work through the prism of narratology and receptive aesthetics reveales the author’s intentionality and dimensions of the reader’s reception, as well as enables us to re-consider the socio-cultural phenomena, such as illness and health, norm and pathology. The results of the study will improve the content of training courses in the world literature and form a methodological basis for the development of special courses, theme-based seminars and academic syllabi.

Is It First the Egg or the Shrimp? - Diversity and Variation in Microbial Communities Colonizing Broods of the Vent Shrimp Rimicaris exoculata During Embryonic Development.

Rimicaris exoculata is one of the most well-known and emblematic species of endemic vent fauna. Like many other species from these ecosystems, Rimicaris shrimps host important communities of chemosynthetic bacteria living in symbiosis with their host inside the cephalothorax and gut. For many of these symbiotic partners, the mode of transmission remains to be elucidated and the starting point of the symbiotic relationship is not yet defined, but could begin with the egg. In this study, we explored the proliferation of microbial communities on R. exoculata broods through embryonic development using a combination of NGS sequencing and microscopy approaches. Variations in abundance and diversity of egg microbial communities were analyzed in broods at different developmental stages and collected from mothers at two distinct vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (TAG and Snake Pit). We also assessed the specificity of the egg microbiome by comparing communities developing on egg surfaces with those developing on the cuticle of pleopods, which are thought to be exposed to similar environmental conditions because the brood is held under the female’s abdomen. In terms of abundance, bacterial colonization clearly increases with both egg developmental stage and the position of the egg within the brood: those closest to the exterior having a higher bacterial coverage. Bacterial biomass increase also accompanies an increase of mineral precipitations and thus clearly relates to the degree of exposure to vent fluids. In terms of diversity, most bacterial lineages were found in all samples and were also those found in the cephalothorax of adults. However, significant variation occurs in the relative abundance of these lineages, most of this variation being explained by body surface (egg vs. pleopod), vent field, and developmental stage. The occurrence of symbiont-related lineages of Epsilonbacteraeota, Gammaproteobacteria, Zetaproteobacteria, and Mollicutes provide a basis for discussion on both the acquisition of symbionts and the potential roles of these bacterial communities during egg development.