What would life around a hydrothermal vent on Europa be like?

Hydrothermal vents are thought to exist on Europa. On Earth, these vents are surrounded by all manner of freakish and bizarre looking creatures, mainly various worms, crabs and octopodes.

Europa's ocean(s) are much deeper than on Earth, I imagine that pressure might become an issue. Also, Vulcanoctopus Hydrothermalis (below) appears to have vestigial eyes. Europan life form's would also have never been exposed to light, would they evolve eyes? Perhaps eyes that see in a different part of the light spectum (eg: infrared?). What about bioluminescence?

^{From here.}

Assuming that would also evolve to live around Europa's vents, would it be similar to terrestrial vent life? Would most creatures have eyes and/or bioluminescence, or would feelers be more practical?

Would the pressure prevent the evolution of complicated organisms, i.e larger crabs, squid, etc.?

My own suspicion is that they would evolve many feelers and mostly be very slow in order to stretch out what little sustinence they can catch. Jelly-fish creatures might also be possible. Any other sugestions for adaptations are welcome.

posted almost 9 years ago

Amziraro‭

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