Ecological features of antarctic fishes

摘要: Only 1% of the world’s modern fish species live in antarctic waters, but fauna display a number different and unique features for large marine ecosystems.1,2 Most fishes possess so many physiological biochemical peculiarities that they have been considered an extreme spectrum animal diversification adaptation.3 A well-known example are icefish (family Channichthyidae), which among vertebrates because lack hemoglobin oxygen is transported by plasma.4 From evolutionary perspective, loss was possible due to greater adaptability reduced blood viscosity coupled with increased solubility cold waters. Another remarkable molecular adaptation presence glycoproteins body fluids prevents freezing these allows them survive at subzero temperatures.5 The evolved antifreeze protein estimated time about 14 million years ago.6 this time, small ice crystals, thick on surface bottom no longer obstacle their survival success during severe cooling Southern Ocean.