NewsAnimalsStinky penguin poop strikes fear into the hearts of Antarctic krillCrustaceans exposed to guano moved in zigzags and ate less algae In lab experiments, Antarctic krill that smelled trouble in the form of penguin poop were quick to make a break for it. Gerald Corsi/iStock/Getty Images PlusBy Maria Temming11 seconds agoThe foul stench of penguin poop sets Antarctic krill on edge.In lab experiments, the mere scent of penguin droppings or guano sent krill scrambling for escape, researchers report March 20 in Frontiers in Marine Science. The stink also seemed to suppress krills appetites.Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) form a cornerstone of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Theyre the main food source for all of the big, charismatic fauna, says Nicole Hellessey, an Antarctic marine scientist at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. Whales, penguins and seals all eat or eat things that eat krill. Understanding the critters movements could help identify key areas for marine conservation.