The Curious Life of Krill: A Conservation Story from the Bottom of the World

Marine scientist Nicol’s passion for krill—the ocean-dwelling crustaceans that serve as the primary food source for baleen whales, and his subject of study for almost 40 years—certainly comes across in this accessible volume. The shrimplike creatures, which most laypeople mistakenly believe to be microscopic in size, spend their entire lives swimming, unlike many other crustaceans, and are an essential part of the ocean’s food chain. The substantive results of Nicol’s scientific work, which includes new discoveries about the presence of krill below the ocean’s upper levels, aren’t the main focus; Nicol wants to appeal to the nonspecialist and in so doing conveys facts that will probably be new to many lay readers—including that krill are “possibly the most abundant animal on the planet” and that, mysteriously, their genome is 12 times larger than the human genome—and discusses efforts to market krill as food for people. He also studs the narrative with frequent references to the animated film Happy Feet 2, which has krill characters. Readers looking for a sophisticated scientific discussion may want to swim on by, but those seeking a very accessible entry point to marine biology and conservation will find it here. (May)