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The sea star Odontaster validus and sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri are often found living in association with one another along the Antarctic coastline, here during the Census of Marine Life.

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Sea Stars and Urchins off Antarctica

Sea stars (Odontaster validus) and sea urchins (Sterechinus neumayeri) spread over...

The dark sea floor of the Antarctic, beneath sea ice, is covered with life.

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Antarctic Ocean Floor

The dark seafloor beneath the ice is covered with sea stars, urchins and ribbon...

Despite the cold and dark environment, soft-bodied animals like anemones abound under the ice in the Antarctic.

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Anemone in Cold Antarctic Water

Despite the cold and dark environment, soft-bodied animals like anemones abound...

Many Antarctic creatures, like the dinner-plate-sized sea spiders, have evolved to a gigantic size to cope with the extreme environment.

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Cold-Water Sea Spider

Small amphipods, the blue bug-like creatures, can be seen here catching a ride on...

An isopod stands on top of a glass sponge, extending its legs to find zooplankton.

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Isopod in a Glass Home

An isopod stands on top of a glass sponge, extending its legs to find zooplankton....

Bright colors seem to jump off of this comb jelly, or ctenophore.

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Floating Antarctic Comb Jelly

Bright colors seem to jump off of this comb jelly, or ctenophore. The rainbow...

A red and white colored bristle worm swims in the water column.

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A Striped Deep Sea Worm

In Antarctica's Southern Ocean swims a beautiful polychaete (bristly worm) called...