Antarctic krill: how did a paperclip-sized crustacean cause a diplomatic row – and why are they so important?

Russia's arrest of a Ukrainian scientist this week over his support for curbs on krill fishing have thrown the vital role of the tiny marine species into the spotlight

Antarctic krill are small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans (Euphausia superba). They feed on plankton and are the main food source for larger marine animals. The word krill" comes from the Norwegian word kril" meaning the small fry of fish.