Story: Deep-sea creatures

A swarm of krill (3rd of 3)

A swarm of krill

Krill are small crustaceans that drift on currents. However, they migrate vertically in the water column. They create bioluminescence that can twinkle across large areas of water as they swarm. This species, Nyctiphanes australis, is abundant in New Zealand waters. It is an important prey for some marine mammals, seabirds and fish, as well as squid and other invertebrates.

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Photograph by Peter Batson

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How to cite this page:

Paddy Ryan, 'Deep-sea creatures - The mesopelagic zone', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5274/a-swarm-of-krill (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 12 Jun 2006