The Census of Marine Life: Photo of the Week – Antarctic Ice Fish
Filed under: Census of Marine Life,Discovery,News & Resources
(Click to enlarge image) Census of Marine Life - Photo of the Week: Antarctic ice fish. (Photo: Julian Gutt/ Alfred Wegener Institute)
The Antarctic ice fish does not have red blood pigments (hemoglobin) nor red blood cells. This is an adaptation to the low temperature. The blood becomes more fluid, as a consequence, the animals saves energy to pump blood through their body. Interestingly the brittle stars are overgrown by a yellow sponge.
Photo: Julian Gutt/ Alfred Wegener Institute.
The Census of Marine Life (CoML) is a broad global initiative that supports research at the frontiers of our oceans: the hottest undersea vents, the deepest and darkest depths, the rapidly changing poles, and the most interesting biological “hotspots.” CoML projects engage more than 2000 scientists and marine professionals from 80 countries in an initial ten-year effort to assess and explain the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the world’s oceans – past, present and future.
Click here to learn more about the Census of Marine Life (CoML).
Be sure to check back each week for more incredible photos from this amazing program!
