A recent scientific study has brought to light the intriguing capabilities of the Snailfish, which lives in an iceberg habitat in Greenland. This unique species can survive the chilling Arctic waters, thanks to the presence of antifreeze proteins in their bloodstream.
About Snailfish
The term “Snailfish” can refer to any of the more than 400 species found in the family Liparidae. Occasionally, they are also known as sea snails. However, it is important not to get them confused with gastropod sea snails, which belong to a different classification of animals. One interesting characteristic of the Snailfish is its biofluorescence, a rare trait among Arctic fish due to the months long periods of darkness in the region. Biofluorescence allows the Snailfish to glow in shades of red and green in the dark Arctic waters by converting blue light into other colors. In fact, the Snailfish is the only known polar fish to exhibit this remarkable ability.
Habitat of Snailfish
These fascinating creatures can be found across the globe, including in the icy depths of Antarctica. While some species prefer shallow waters, it is the deep-sea varieties that have attracted the attention of scientists.
Key highlights of the Study
In the recent study, researchers discovered that the Snailfish from Greenland’s iceberg habitats can withstand the freezing Arctic waters due to the presence of ‘antifreeze’ proteins in their bloodstream. Even more staggering, the most highly expressed genes in these Snailfish were related to these antifreeze proteins. The presence of these proteins enables the Snailfish to restrict ice crystals from accumulating in their cells and body fluid, a feature seldom seen amongst sea organisms.
However, climate change could pose a threat to the survival of this species. With ocean temperatures rising, icebergs could melt at a faster rate. Additionally, the increased biodiversity that warmer waters bring to higher latitudes might result in more competition for resources, potentially upsetting the Snailfish’s place in the food chain.
These findings provide fascinating insights into how marine life can survive in sub-zero temperatures by leveraging their unique adaptation mechanisms.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
A previous Prelims question for the UPSC Civil Services Examination asked, “Which one of the following is a filter feeder?” The options provided were Catfish, Octopus, Oyster, or Pelican. The correct response, given as option (c), is Oyster. Filter feeders are a category of suspension-feeding creatures that consume food by separating suspended edible particles from water, using a specialized filtering structure. Notably, filter feeders can also contribute to disease mitigation by removing pathogens from the water. Other notable filter feeders include clams, krill, sponges, baleen whales, some types of fish including certain shark species, and some birds like flamingos and specific duck species.
