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Did you know? The survival methods of Antarctic krill actually hide these unknown details!
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a small planktonic crustacean that lives in the waters of Antarctica. Its abundance is unique on earth. In this cold southern sea, Antarctic krill is not only a key species of the ecosystem, but also one of the most biomass-rich animals in the world. These small creatures have become an important part of the Antarctic ocean with their unique survival strategies and reproduction methods.
Spectacular biomass and ecological role
The total biomass of Antarctic krill amounts to approximately half a billion metric tons, making them one of the most abundant animal species in the world. They are an important food source for the Antarctic ecosystem, supplying whales, seals and various bird species. For millennia, these small crustaceans have played a vital role in the food chain.
Antarctic krill feed directly on tiny plant-based plankton, making them unique among animals of their size.
Process of reproduction and growth
The breeding season of Antarctic krill is mainly concentrated from January to March every year. Female krill can lay between 6,000 and 10,000 eggs at a time, and these eggs are fertilized instantly during the expulsion process. After hatching, the new life goes through multiple larval stages, eventually growing to maturity. During this process, they must shed their skin regularly, which is a necessary process for their growth.
During the growth process of krill, the number of larvae when they first surface is often staggering, with up to two per liter of water in a depth of 60 meters.
Diet and Survival Strategies
The digestive tracts of Antarctic krill often flash green through their transparent skin, which is the result of their diet of phytoplankton. Their digestion efficiency is low, which means that the residue after decomposition still contains a lot of carbon. During winter when food is scarce, krill shrink in size, a phenomenon thought to be their adaptation to seasonal changes in food.
Bioluminescence and escape instinct
Antarctic krill have unique bioluminescent abilities, and these light sources may assist their movement when they are masking themselves or mating at night. When faced with predators, they can quickly swing their tails to escape, a swimming method known as the "lobster swim."
Research shows that the genome of Antarctic krill is one of the largest in the animal kingdom and contains a large amount of repetitive DNA.
Antarctic krill and global ecology
Antarctic krill are not only the cornerstone of the Antarctic ecosystem, but also play an important role in global carbon sequestration. Their daily vertical migration provides large amounts of organic carbon to deep-sea waters, a process called the "biological pump." Through this system, the sea areas around Antarctica can effectively sequester carbon dioxide in the deep sea, and the continuous effect may last for thousands of years.
Current challenges
Although Antarctic krill occupies an important position in the ecosystem, with global warming and the reduction of sea ice area, the survival of krill is also threatened. Environmental changes such as reduced biodiversity and ocean acidification may lead to a decrease in the hatching rate of its eggs, threatening the biological communities that inhabit this sea area in the future.
The catch of Antarctic krill is about 100,000 tons per year, mainly used for animal feed and fish bait. The sustainability of fisheries is a growing concern.
Summary
The survival of Antarctic krill is the epitome of biological evolution and ecological balance. They are still resilient in dangerous environments and demonstrate excellent survival capabilities. However, as the impacts of climate change intensify, the future of this precious species is uncertain. Will the survival and prosperity of Antarctic krill become a deeper problem between humans and the natural environment?
