Iphinopsis boucheti

[1] The type locality is the Kairei hydrothermal vent site on the Central Indian Ridge, just north of the Rodrigues Triple Point.

[1][4] Vent fields in the Indian Ocean seabed are of particular interest for exploration of polymetallic sulfide mineral resources.

An exploration-phase license for the Triple Point region was granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany under a 15-year contract, expiring in 2030.

The license permits the extraction of mineral resources for technological and geological exploration purposes, yet even such restricted disturbances possess direct and indirect concerns to subpopulations of Iphinopsis boucheti.

Habitat destruction through mineral extraction and the spread of sediment plumes from the agitation of vent fields and adjacent deposits have been cited as potential threats to this species.

Map of southern part of the Central Indian Ridge (CIR) showing location of the Kairei hydrothermal vent site.