The Crocodile Icefish: Transparent Blood - Antarctica

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vicked.vicky
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The Crocodile Icefish: Transparent Blood - Antarctica

Post by vicked.vicky » Mar 12, 2009 Views: 3607

Found in the cold waters around Antarctica and southern South America, the crocodile icefish (Channichthyidae) feed on krill, copepods, and

other fish. Their blood is transparent because they have no hemoglobin and/or only defunct erythrocytes. Their metabolism relies only on the

oxygen dissolved in the liquid blood, which is believed to be absorbed directly through the skin from the water. This works because water can

dissolve the most oxygen when it is coldest. In five species, the gene for myoglobin in the muscles has also vanished, leaving them with

white instead of pink hearts. (Photo by uwe kils)

Vicked Vicky

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