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cross_type 3.58 — strongly supporting 11 facts
Zooplankton are a critical component of the Arctic ecosystem, where their biomass and behavior are directly influenced by the region's unique environmental conditions, such as sea-ice melt [1] and the absence of sunlight during winter {fact:4, fact:8}. Research confirms that Arctic zooplankton perform vertical migrations regulated by lunar cycles {fact:3, fact:9, fact:10} and are essential to the trophic dynamics of the Arctic environment {fact:1, fact:5}.
Facts (11)
Sources
Moonlight shapes how some animals move, grow and even sing sciencenews.org 4 facts
claimDuring the Arctic winter, when the sun is absent, zooplankton continue to perform vertical migrations directed by moonlight rather than sunlight.
accountKim Last and colleagues discovered winter migrations of zooplankton across the Arctic by analyzing data from acoustic instruments stationed off Canada, Greenland, Norway, and near the North Pole.
measurementDuring the Arctic winter, zooplankton migrations follow a 24.8-hour schedule, which coincides with the length of a lunar day, according to research by Kim Last and colleagues published in 2016 in Current Biology.
claimArctic zooplankton, including krill and copepods, typically follow a 24-hour migration rhythm, descending into the ocean at dawn and rising at night to graze on phytoplankton.
Why oysters close on the full moon—and more odd lunar effects on ... nationalgeographic.com 2 facts
claimIn the Arctic, where the sun is absent for months during winter, some zooplankton possess an internal clock regulated by the moon.
measurementArctic zooplankton respond to the lunar cycle, which lasts 24 hours and 50 minutes, by rising and diving as the moon rises and sets.
A review of climate change impacts on migration patterns of marine ... frontiersin.org 2 facts
claimChanges in spring blooms and zooplankton biomass affect competition among species at different trophic levels in the Arctic.
claimWarmer conditions and early spring sea-ice melt in the Arctic have led to earlier spring blooms, increased chlorophyll levels, and higher zooplankton biomass that experiences faster turnover, though this biomass consists of smaller, low-nutrient prey species.
The moon has power over animals - Science News Explores snexplores.org 2 facts
claimZooplankton in the Arctic perform daily vertical migrations to the depths to avoid predators that hunt by sight.
claimMoonlight directs the daily vertical migrations of zooplankton in the Arctic during the sunless winter, contradicting previous scientific assumptions that these migrations ceased during that time of year.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Odd Lunar Effects on Sea Animals weatherology.com 1 fact
claimArctic zooplankton take cover during full moon phases because the lunar light allows predators to hunt them, causing the zooplankton to time their feeding to the rising and setting of the Moon.