←back to thread

Researchers discover new ocean predator in the Atacama Trench

(phys.org)
69 points wglb | 3 comments | 17 Dec 24 20:42 UTC | HN request time: 0.808s | source
Show context
usrusr ◴[21 Dec 24 19:10 UTC] No.42481539[source]▶
Predator sounds dramatic, but there really isn't much non-microscopic life in the oceans that isn't predatorial. Large herbivores are land-evolved.
replies(2): >>42481766 #>>42482114 #
PittleyDunkin ◴[21 Dec 24 19:48 UTC] No.42481766[source]▶
Would you consider the blue whale to be a carnivore, then?
replies(2): >>42481902 #>>42481918 #
1. ternnoburn ◴[21 Dec 24 20:07 UTC] No.42481918[source]▶
Considering they eat crustaceans, predominantly, wouldn't you?
replies(1): >>42483752 #
2. PittleyDunkin ◴[22 Dec 24 01:26 UTC] No.42483752[source]▶
Not really. It seems to me term filter feeder exists outside the whole carnivore/herbivore dynamic, which seems like less of a dietary thing and more of a behavioral thing anyway (though of course many animals are simply unable to digest stuff like cellulose, so it is also dietary... but then again these things are messy)
replies(1): >>42489862 #
3. swores ◴[22 Dec 24 22:49 UTC] No.42489862[source]▶
> "carnivore/herbivore dynamic, which seems like less of a dietary thing and more of a behavioral thing"

They're literally terms to describe dietary habits, nothing else. A human who eats meat is a carnivore, regardless of whether they're hunting live animals or being served chicken nuggets on a plate - the only behaviour that's relevant is whether the diet includes meat or not.