Antarctic krill

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a species of krill found in the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean. It is a small, swimming crustacean that lives in large schools, called swarms, sometimes reaching densities of 10,000–30,000 individual animals per cubic meter.

Biology

Antarctic krill are shrimp-like in appearance with a length of 6 cm (2.4 in) on average, although larger specimens can reach 15 cm (5.9 in). They are a key species in the Antarctic ecosystem and are, in terms of biomass, probably the most successful animal species on the planet.

Diet

The diet of the Antarctic krill includes phytoplankton and zooplankton. They are known to be a primary food source for various animals in the Antarctic ecosystem, including whales, seals, penguins, and fish.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Antarctic krill is complex and includes both free-swimming and bottom-dwelling stages. The krill spawn in the surface waters during the Antarctic summer, and the eggs sink to the deep sea where they hatch and develop before rising again to the surface.

Threats

The main threats to Antarctic krill are climate change, ocean acidification, and commercial krill fisheries. Changes in sea ice patterns can affect the abundance and distribution of krill, and overfishing can deplete their populations.

Conservation

Efforts to conserve Antarctic krill populations include the regulation of krill fisheries by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). There is also ongoing research into the impacts of climate change on krill populations.

See Also

• Krill fishery
• Southern Ocean
• Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources