This survey, called the Census of Marine Life, is being conducted by international researchers who are reporting an amazing amount of diversity documenting 7,500 species in the Antarctic and 5,500 species in the Arctic.

   The story appeared in both the Berkshire Eagle and the Hampshire Gazette on Feb. 16th and included a photo of Achionodraco hamatus or Ice Fish. This small fish is found only in the Antarctic Ocean and can withstand temperatures that freeze the blood of all other fish.  

Amazing!  But wait, there's more.

We too have amazing wildlife here in New England that can withstand the winter cold.  The next time you are skiing at Notchview, keep a sharp eye out for "Snow Fleas"!

 

Snow fleas are insects, but they are not really fleas, they are a species of springtails that can occur in large numbers on the surface of the snow around this time of year.

I spotted some today congregating near the base of a hemlock, right there on top of the snow!  They measure about 1/8th of an inch and seem to hop about aimlessly.  

Actually, they jump around using two spring loaded levers called furcula located on their abdomens as they do not have true jumping legs like a fleas or grasshoppers.  

As you are skiing by, they look like somebody sprinkled black pepper on the snow.  But stop and keep looking closely and you will see them acting like little acrobats, catapulting 

all over the surface of the snow.

Snow fleas or springtails belong to the group of arthropods called Collembola and have been around for 400 million years!  They live on the forest floor consuming rotting vegetation and leaf litter. 

They can be found all over North America and Northern Europe and beyond.  Researchers have discovered an anti-freeze like protein in "snow fleas" that allows them to operate in below

freezing temperatures. 

There are various medical applications for these types of properties, including storing transplant organs, according to a Queen's University study.

  Similar research could also find a way to make better ice cream, according to Tom Simonite in New Scientist, January 11, 2008.  Now that's important!

 

So watch out for those "snow fleas"!

 

Jim Dodge,  Worthington, MA   2/19/09