Antarctic Krill: The Keystone Species of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem #3667853 (License: Personal Use)

This high-resolution image captures a live Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in its natural pelagic habitat, highlighting its semi-transparent exoskeleton, prominent black eye, and intricate setae used for filter-feeding. Fine red-orange chromatophores dot its carapace, while long antennae and pleopods trail behind as it hovers in the deep, particle-rich waters of the Southern Ocean. Such imagery is essential for marine biologists studying krill behavior, population dynamics, and responses to climate change.

This image is commonly used in marine science education, conservation campaigns, and oceanographic research publications to illustrate krill morphology and ecological importance. It serves users seeking authoritative visual resources on polar ecosystems, food web dynamics, or climate impacts on marine life.