At 1,700 metres beneath the Atlantic, mussels live in darkness and follow the tides

A groundbreaking study from the University of Vienna found that deep-sea mussels have an intricate 24-hour biological clock. These remarkable creatures thrive around hydrothermal vents, in pitch-black environments shaped by tidal forces. By culturing their cells, researchers opened doors for new biological investigations. Key clock genes crucial for controlling these rhythms were uncovered, shedding light on the intricate life systems thriving in the deep ocean’s depths.