Krill, currents, and sea ice: Euphausia superba and its changing environment

Abstract

Investigations of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) over the last 40 years have examined almost every aspect of the biology of these ecologically important animals. Various elements of krill biology have been brought together to provide concepts of how this species interacts with its environment, but there have been few recent attempts to generate a generalized conceptual model of its life history. In this article I present such a model, based on previous descriptions, observations, and recent data from the scientific literature. This model takes into account a range of findings on krill biology and on the relationships between Antarctic krill and its biotic and abiotic environment. Krill life history is thus viewed as an evolved product of interactions between the species and its environment. The model places particular emphasis on the different forces that act on the larval and adult stages, and on the interaction between krill behavior, systems of ocean currents, and sea ice. © 2006 American Institute of Biological Sciences.