The “Lost Brittlestar City” of Antartica
Wed, May 21, 2008
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Image from laszio-photo
The world record for the fastest a human can swim as a matter of fact, is just over 5 miles an hour. I explain that as a way of proving that there are sea stars thriving in a current in Antarctica that would leave most of us barely able to hold our positions, and Olympic athletes struggling to gain ground. Brittlestars, by the tens of millions, are thriving in between Antarctica and New Zealand on a 4km/h current on a seamount that’s taller than the tallest buildings in the world.
The brittlestars, which are living by the millions tip to toe in a concentration unlike any in the world, are making the rapid current and hostile conditions work for them. As the current furiously races by overhead, they are extending their arms into it, allowing them to access a large volume of food – the water acts like one giant conveyor belt, ferrying them the tiny bits of food when they desire. So, how effective is the current?
Apparently, there is more water than the top 150 rivers in the world passing over an 800+ meter mountain; a flow and speed so powerful that scientists investigating this unique location were shocked to find some of their equipment move more than a kilometer.
The seamount investigated by the team, which possessed a unique flat top, represents one of the first to be investigated by scientists exploring the ocean deep. It could potentially speak volumes about the biodiversity yet to be discovered in the 75% of our planet that’s covered by the wet stuff.
And now, just for gratuitous purposes, here’s a brittlestar eating:
Source: Census of Marine Life press release
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“The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else.”
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 am
Who knew that a sea star could move that fast!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 am
Why gratuitous? Maybe I’m just a gekk, but I think it’s awesome to see a creature that hardly anyone gets to see alive; and how often has John Q. Public actually gotten to see one eating?!