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ScienceQuiet 7d · day 9

Scientists discover Antarctic krill at deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Researchers found reproductive female krill thriving near ocean-floor hot springs in a discovery that could reshape understanding of the species' habitat.

newest coverage 6d agosummary written 8d ago14 pieces2 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Antarctic krill have never before been documented living at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, a discovery made in late 2024 and published in Communications Biology.
  • The four krill specimens collected were all reproductive females laden with eggs, suggesting vents serve as breeding habitats for the species.
  • The finding may inform conservation strategies as the Antarctic region warms rapidly due to climate change, threatening traditional krill populations that form the foundation of Southern Ocean food webs.

Kim Bernard Biological oceanographer, Oregon State UniversityAndrew Thurber Benthic ecologist, UCLANational Geographic Research funder and expedition organizer

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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Sep 16Sep 17Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 5:46 AM ET
  1. 1

    Study published documenting krill at hydrothermal vents as breeding habitat

    Researchers published findings in the journal Communications Biology reporting the first-ever documented presence of Antarctic krill at hydrothermal vents. The discovery suggests these extreme environments may serve as important reproductive habitats for the species, particularly as climate change threatens traditional Southern Ocean habitats.

    “Most of them feed on Antarctic krill. And if they don't, they feed on something else that feeds directly on Antarctic krill. So they are absolutely fundamental to the functioning and health of that ecosystem.”
    — Kim Bernard, Biological oceanographer, Oregon State University · source
    1. 7 outlets Deep Sea hydrothermal vent habitats support gravid Antarctic krill | Communications Biology

      first by Nature, 8d ago · also OPB, Marine Technology News, NEPM, Buffalo Toronto Public Media, NPR, NPR Science

      4 more headlines
  2. background

    Research team collects four reproductive female krill from vent — Researchers managed to collect four individual Antarctic krill specimens from the hydrothermal vent using a suction sampler. All four were reproductive females heavily laden with eggs and ready to release them, an unexpected finding at this extreme deep-sea habitat.

  3. background

    Kim Bernard spots krill at hydrothermal vent during research expedition — During a National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Southern Ocean Expedition in Bransfield Strait off the Antarctic Peninsula, biological oceanographer Kim Bernard observed a krill on live video from a remotely operated vehicle studying a hydrothermal vent at 3,600 feet depth. The sighting was unexpected and prompted immediate collection efforts.