Total Eclipse of the Plankton: Our home state of Maine is abuzz with the impending solar eclipse on Monday afternoon. This astronomical event triggers behavior shifts in animals as the shadow passes over. Crickets chirp. Many birds stop singing. Owls start hooting. But these behavior changes aren’t limited to creatures on land.
A lot of marine life, including zooplankton, typically hide in the twilight zone deep beneath the sea surface by day and migrate up the water column at night, when it’s safer for them to feed without becoming dinner themselves. This is called the Diel Vertical Migration and it’s the largest migration of animal life on the planet!
Dramatic changes in light, such as an eclipse, have been shown to trigger this mass migration during the day, albeit temporarily. The conditions reverse once the sun comes back out.
Senior Research Scientist David Fields likes to imagine how amazing this sight must be as millions of copepods begin to rise during the daytime — particularly from the perspective of the predatory fish. In his words, “it’s like receiving a delicious DoorDash that you didn’t order.”
Happy and safe viewing, everyone! And to the copepods out there, may the odds be forever in your favor.
#eclipse
#DielVerticalMigration
#PlanktonBuffet