krill
Krill
Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) is a crustacean that lives 5-8 years.
It can be up to 6 centimeters long and weigh 1 gram.
There are 85 species of euphausiids, for which krill is a general term.
Krill are mostly herbivorous, feeding on microscopic phytoplankton and sometimes zooplankton.
It is uncertain how Antarctic Krill survive the long, dark and cold winters. Scientists predict that Krill have evolved to withstand long periods of starvation (up to 200 days), by shrinking their body when food is absent.
Krill is very abundant and is central to the Antarctic ecosystem. Animals at higher trophic levels such as squid, fish, seabirds, seals, and whales depend on it for food.