[2] These and another genus and species within the same family (Ifremeria nautilei) are the only known currently existing animals whose nutrition is derived from an endosymbiotic relationship with a member of bacteria from phylum Campylobacterota (formerly Epsilonproteobacteria) and Gammaproteobacteria, occurring as endosymbionts within the vacuoles of Alviniconcha ctenidia (or molluscan gills).

However, this thin periostracum is often missing or degraded due to high temperatures and chemical reductants found in nearby venting fluid.

While Alviniconcha has been considered cryptic for many years, morphoanatomy studies on A. boucheti, A. kojimai, and A. strummeri have found distinguishing characteristics of the shell and head-foot regions.

[2] Knowledge gaps remain in the life history of Alviniconcha, however adult shell anatomy resembles planktotrophic development.

[4] Unlike the sister genus Ifremeria whose development includes a novel "Waren's" larval form, held within a brood pouch (absent in Alviniconcha).