Kamila Głuchowska from the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology at the University of Lodz and a doctoral student at the University of Lodz Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences is a member of a team of scientists who study marine crustaceans. The group set off on a two-month expedition to the Ross Sea, near Antarctica on 9 February 2025.
The aim of the expedition is to study the diversity, evolution and biogeography of crustaceans from the Peracarida superorder. Using both morphological and molecular methods, the researchers will look at the biodiversity of the region, hidden genetic variability and evolutionary relationships of these organisms.
The team is made up of four scientists from three scientific institutions (University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alabama, University of Lodz). Other researchers will also be on board the ship, including a team led by Dr Masako Tominaga from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who is studying the geology and geomicrobiology of the region.
The research group runs a blog where they share interesting facts about their work every few days: https://www.icyinverts.com
Source and photos: Kamila Głuchowska, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz
Edit: Kamila Knol-Michałowska, Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz