Fig 1 - Euphausia superba, or Antarctic Krill.
(http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/wildlife/animals/krill)
(http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/wildlife/animals/krill)
Krill is a group of animals that belongs to Euphausiids, inside subfilum Crustacea. They looks like a small prawn, most of them with less than 5 cm, although some species can grow up to uncreditable 15 cm. Euphausia superba is one of many species of krill existing in the world and the most studied, as play a vital ecological hole in Antarctic (Fig 1)(4). Antarctic krill is manly herbivorous, free-swimming, as can grow up 6 cm, but with density really influenced by currents. In early stages of life lives besides sea ice, then after developed migrates to open seas, where normally makes a daily vertical migration (14) (22).
Antarctic Krill plays a central role in Antarctic food chain, making an important energy link throw lower to upper levels (Fig 2). It’s a significant grazer of phytoplankton, like diatoms, and make this energy transport being prayed by a lot of animals. Many animals have krill as a major component on diet, as fishes, seals, penguins, squids and wales, with a contribution of more than 90% in some diets (14). New evidences appointed that krill have another important role in ecology, recycling nutrients to phytoplankton grow (18). Recently, human is one of bigger consumers of krill, with more than 100,000 tons/y fishery in last years. There are plenty of uses, as food for aquaculture and human consumption (12).
Antarctic Krill plays a central role in Antarctic food chain, making an important energy link throw lower to upper levels (Fig 2). It’s a significant grazer of phytoplankton, like diatoms, and make this energy transport being prayed by a lot of animals. Many animals have krill as a major component on diet, as fishes, seals, penguins, squids and wales, with a contribution of more than 90% in some diets (14). New evidences appointed that krill have another important role in ecology, recycling nutrients to phytoplankton grow (18). Recently, human is one of bigger consumers of krill, with more than 100,000 tons/y fishery in last years. There are plenty of uses, as food for aquaculture and human consumption (12).
Fig 2 - Antarctic food web and krill central role (Quetin & Ross, 1991)
Many recent researches has been studying the effects of global climate change in krill, and the consequently effects on Antarctic ecosystem. In this site we are trying to present some of discoveries and previsions, and what kind of changes already happened and what is supposed to happen in near future. Problems as water warming, sea ice melting and ocean acidification are present as bigger issues, but a plenty of secondary effects of global change can affect directly or indirectly krill’s population, with new researches going on actually.