Underwater robot explores Antarctic seabed

An underwater robot named Lassie explored the seabed beneath the Antarctic ice, revealing a previously hidden area exposed by the movement of a massive iceberg. This discovery was made possible by the retreat of an iceberg that had broken off from the Larsen C ice shelf in 2017.

Iceberg exposure reveals fish nests

The movement of the iceberg exposed the seabed beneath the ice, allowing researchers to study an area that had previously been inaccessible. This newly exposed environment became home to a large number of fish nests, which were identified through detailed underwater footage.

Fish species identified in study

The nests belong to the fish species Lindbergichthys nudifrons, a small fish that rarely grows larger than 19.5 centimeters. These fish create nests on the seabed, which are maintained and protected by the male individuals.

Nest characteristics and behavior

Each nest is approximately 12 centimeters in diameter and is maintained by the constant cleaning of plankton debris by adult fish. This behavior helps identify active nests and is crucial for the survival of the eggs within them. The male fish also guards the eggs and chases away potential predators.

Underwater robot's findings detailed

The underwater robot, Lassie, conducted five dives in January 2019 from the SA Agulhas II ship, capturing 27 hours of video footage. The footage showed 1,036 nests spread across 277 groups, with 72 of these nests containing larvae when the camera passed over them.