Deep-sea fish use hydrothermal vents to incubate eggs

Some deep-sea skates—cartilaginous fish related to rays and sharks—use volcanic heat emitted at hydrothermal vents to incubate their eggs, according to a new study in the journal Scientific Reports. Because deep-sea skates have some of the longest egg incubation times, estimated to last more than four years, the researchers believe the fish are using the hot vents to accelerate embryo development. This the first time such behavior has been seen in marine animals.