Scientists have discovered a tiny, one-celled parasite that causes a grisly and fatal infection in krill. Masses of the parasite grow inside the krill, eat its organs, divide, and then burst out of their host’s dead body in search of new victims.
The discovery sheds more light on a key player in ocean’s food chain. Scientists previously thought most animals like krill were either eaten by larger predators or simply starved to death. The find shows that parasites also play an important role.