Northern krill
Meganyctiphanes norvegica
Meganyctiphanes norvegica is a large North Atlantic krill species that often forms dense swarms and migrates up and down the water column each day.
Video
About this species
Species identity
Meganyctiphanes norvegica is a large North Atlantic krill species that often forms dense swarms and migrates up and down the water column each day. It grazes on phytoplankton and small planktonic prey and is an important food source for fish, seabirds, and whales.
Where it lives
Northern krill occurs in the northeastern Atlantic, especially in shelf-edge and subpolar waters influenced by strong currents. It is common in Norwegian Sea food webs where plankton production is high.
Role in the ecosystem
Northern krill helps explain how marine food webs function through its ecological role, habitat use, and connection to broader ecosystem change.
Citation
Explore and connect
Open the primary consumer view and compare this species with related marine life.
