Soft-bodied organisms are sitting on the antarctic continental shelf, untouched by other creatures. They have thrived for millions of years due to the frigid temperatures there, which make it impossible for predators to survive. Because of this, the organisms do not have a need for a hard shell, or any other defense mechanism of the sort. Thus, any predator that can survive those conditions would be a threat to the existence of soft-bodied organisms. This is precisely why scientists are so worried about the King Crab.
Changing conditions ideal for King Crabs
While extremely cold temperatures have created a defense barrier for these creatures, the water is currently warming up on and by the shelf. Today, it is about about 1.5 degrees warmer than it was 50 years ago, and King Crabs are starting to taking notice.
Scientists from Florida Institute of Technology have been studying the continental slope, off of the western Antarctic Peninsula, where Professor Richard Aronson and the rest of his team have noticed something out of the norm: king crabs have begun flourishing in this area of the sea floor due to the changing conditions of the water. After testing the water’s pressure, temperature, and salinity, the researchers have concluded that this shallow water has the ideal conditions for the crabs to thrive in. The problem is that their migration would essentially annihilate all of the soft-bodied organisms there.
Paralomis Bersteini, the King Crab
This particular species of crustacean is known as Paralomis bersteini. Unlike the monstrous king crabs that are commonly pictured, Paralomis bersteini only grows to be a few inches long. Although they are known to feed on soft-bodied organisms, they are also able to crack open the outer protective layer of hard-bodied ones. Normally, they can be found in deeper waters in the Antarctic region, where warmer temperatures are prevalent. It is said that they are usually able to live in water about 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
The future for the crabs and the soft-bodied organisms
Going forth, researchers plan on recreating sea conditions in a lab to see how the crabs will be able to handle them. By doing so, researchers believe that they will have a better understanding about the ecosystem of the Antarctic and how it may end up changing as a result of climate change.
