Antarctic Diving 9 - Antarcturus signiensis

The Antarctic Ocean is unique amongst the worlds oceans in that it has no Decapod Crustaceans - crabs and lobsters that are found in abundance in the rest of the world have never crossed the Antarctic Convergence, so their role is taken by other organisms of which this is one. Antarcturus signiensis has only been so far found in and around Signy Island and the South Orkneys where it is regularly encountered on dives down to 25m.

There are a whole host of organisms that take the place of Decapod crustaceans in Antarctica, many of which display signs of gigantism compared to their relatives elsewhere in the world. Underwater Antarctica is a place where entirely new species to science may be encountered.

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Paul Ward - This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without prior written permission.