Antarctic krill [Euphausia superba]
Description
Antarctic krill is a keystone species in the Antarctic food chain. They are small crustaceans that can reach up to 6 cm in length and are found in large swarms in cold ocean waters. Antarctic krill feed on small phytoplankton, converting the energy in the plant cells into a form that can be used by larger animals.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Crustaceans
Malacostraca
|
| Order |
Euphausiids
Euphausiacea
|
| Family |
Krill
Euphausiidae
|
| Genus |
Euphausia
Euphausia
|