Researcher Examines Skate Case (IMAGE) Penn State Caption DNA analysis revealed that the egg cases found near the black smoker belong to the skate species Bathyraja spinosissima, commonly known as deep-sea skates. The researchers believe the fish use the volcanic heat emitted from the hydrothermal vents to accelerate the typically years-long incubation time of the eggs. Credit Julye Newlin, Ocean Exploration Trust Usage Restrictions Image credit must be published alongside the image. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.