Researchers have discovered a previously unknown fish in the waters off Antarctica. What do we really know about the ice-covered continent?
Antarctica faces an uncertain future, but mapping the area has proven challenging for researchers.
A newly discovered species of dragonfish was recently found off the coast of Antarctica.
Researchers believe the reason this fish had gone unnoticed until now is that it has been hiding in the deep waters beneath the ice.
Although little is known about the Antarctic dragonfish, experts suspect it plays an important role as a food source for animals like penguins.
New species are often discovered here, but what do we really understand about this isolated continent?
Uncharted terrain
“Antarctica is a continent spanning nearly 14 million square kilometres, about twice the size of Australia, and surrounded by vast oceans. It’s also far removed from populated continents,” says Birgit Njåstad, a researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute who studies Antartica.
But it is not just the sheer size that makes Antarctica difficult to map and explore.
“Much of the Arctic Ocean remains covered in ice year-round, leaving much of it unexplored. We expect surprises as we continue to investigate this area,” she says.
This ongoing exploration leads to frequent discoveries of new species, especially in the ocean.
“Globally, around 2,500 new marine species are discovered each year, and many of these come from the Southern Ocean,” she says.
Shifts in ice disrupt ecosystems
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“The sea ice around Antarctica has seen changes during both winter and summer. In some regions, ice that should last longer is disappearing earlier, and in others, it’s forming later than expected. This affects species that rely on stable sea ice platforms during parts of their life cycle,” says Njåstad.
The emperor penguin, for instance, is a species affected by these changes. It is listed as near threatened on the red list.
“The emperor penguin depends on sea ice for nesting, brooding, and raising its young until they are strong enough to swim. If the ice breaks up too soon, the chicks may not survive. Entire colonies have seen all their chicks perish because the ice melted prematurely,” she says.
While researchers can keep track of larger species, it is much harder to study the ones that are either unknown or harder to monitor.
“With the exception of some of the larger species, which we know a little about, there is still so much we don’t understand. As a result, we can’t give a clear answer to what exactly is changing,” she says.
Important species
Several species in Antarctica play a vital role in the ecosystem, and some may also serve an important function for humans.
“Many of the species in Antarctica and its surrounding oceans have unique traits adapted to the specific environment they inhabit. These traits could potentially be useful in the development of medicines, food preservation, and food production, which could benefit humanity,” says Njåstad.
She points to krill as a critical species for the Antarctic ecosystem, as many animals rely on krill as a food source.
Sea ice is crucial for the life cycle of krill, and when the sea ice changes, it will affect the krill.
“We don’t fully understand the extent or exact way that changes in sea ice will affect krill populations, but we know it will have an impact. This will influence the rest of the ecosystem that depends on krill,” she says.
Climate changes make room for invasive species
A warmer climate could also make Antarctica more hospitable for other species.
“The introduction of invasive species, along with climate change, is one of the greatest challenges. Climate change makes certain areas more hospitable for new species, both on land and in the water,” says Njåstad.
Although researchers have not yet observed major shifts, they are not yet able to fully assess the potential impact on the local ecosystem.
“For example, several invertebrate species, such as springtails and mites, have established themselves in various places in the warmer parts of Antarctica. In the marine environment, foreign species have been observed, but it’s currently assumed that none have established themselves permanently,” she says.
Uncertain future
“Our knowledge of Antarctica is still so limited that it’s difficult to determine how climate change will affect different species,” she says.
While climate change poses a threat to Antarctica, the continent’s unexplored nature makes it difficult for researchers to fully grasp how severe the situation is.
“What’s happening in Antarctica is significant, but also a bit alarming. It’s hard to get a clear picture of what’s going on, and therefore the consequences are equally uncertain,” she says.
Reference:
Corso et al. Akarotaxis gouldae, a new species of Antarctic dragonfish (Notothenioidei: Bathydraconidae) from the western Antarctic Peninsula. Zootaxa, vol. 5501, 2024. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5501.2.3
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Translated by Alette Bjordal Gjellesvik
Related content:
Read the Norwegian version of this article on forskning.no
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