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Discovery of ciliates reproducing in the gut of Antarctic krill

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Abstract

During a recent Antarctic research cruise (December 1994/February 1995), dissection of fresh Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) on board ship revealed live motile ciliates in the gut of krill. Further observation of gut samples by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the ciliates were symbionts located within the gut. We inferred that the ciliates may have enabled the krill to digest a wider range of food items, and as a consequence, this had became an important strategy for Antarctic krill's survival in the Antarctic ecosystem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Ocean Living Resources Research Section, National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, 5-7-1, Orido Shimizu, 424 Japan fax: +81-543-35-9642; e-mail: kawaso@enyo.affrc.go.jp, , , , , , JP

    So Kawaguchi

  2. Department of Bioengineering, Soka University, 1-236, Tangi-cho Hachioji, Tokyo 192 Japan, , , , , , JP

    Tatsuki Toda

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  1. So Kawaguchi
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  2. Tatsuki Toda
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Received: 1 August 1996 / Accepted: 1 December 1996

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Kawaguchi, S., Toda, T. Discovery of ciliates reproducing in the gut of Antarctic krill. Polar Biol 18, 158–160 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000050171

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000050171

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