Project description
Multidisciplinary approaches shed light on tiny crustaceans that carry a large parasitic load
The tiny Antarctic krill found in the Southern Ocean is a species with a big impact on the Antarctic ecosystem. The small crustacean swims in large groups and, in terms of biomass, is one of the most abundant animal species on the planet. By eating phytoplankton and excreting carbon and nutrient-rich pellets that sink to the ocean floor, the Antarctic krill plays an important role in the carbon cycle and in fertilising the ocean. The species is food for birds, mammals and fish; moreover, it is fished and processed into a variety of products for human and animal consumption, and it is often used as bait for sport fishermen. Given the widespread impact of these small swimming crustaceans, the EU-funded ParaKrill project is evaluating the unusual diversity and high prevalence of parasitic infections in krill, aiming for insight that will inform the sustainable management of this important Antarctic species.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships
Coordinator
SN2 1FL Swindon
United Kingdom
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Partners (1)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
7050 Kingston
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.