Friendships That Run Deep: Associates of Johnston Atoll

This album was created by Science Communication Fellow Brittany Munson.

Life is better with friends! As scientists aboard E/V Nautilus conduct numerous deep-sea dives around the regions surrounding Johnston Atoll, the team often comes across what is known as “associates." These are organisms that congregate on or around another larger creature. 

Most commonly we see associated relationships between mobile animals -- such as sea stars, squat lobsters, gastropods, and polychaetes -- and more stationary organisms, including coral and sponge species. 

Scientists are still studying this interesting dynamic and have several theories to describe its occurrence. It is believed that this relationship is mostly commensal, with the associated, mobile animals seeking accessibility to higher locations in the water column, rendering them more protected and less visible. This heightened home also provides a better vantage point for them to collect food that passes by. 

As for the stationary organism playing host to their associates, it's thought that there is little, if any, negative effect from their smaller friends stopping by for a visit.