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[ges-biology]

Meet the Banded Butterflyfish!

The banded butterflyfish, scientifically known as chaetodon striatus, is a species of butterflyfishes with large black and white stripes covering it’s body for the purpose of camouflage. It inhabits the west Atlantic Ocean and lives in the sea’s coral reefs. Like it’s other kinds of species, it is a small, flat fish. The butterflyfish’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Chaetodontidae

Banded butterflyfishes are known to travel around the area of the ocean either as an individual or with a partner. They rarely move as a group. The parents do not look after their eggs, because their mating process is called broadcast spawning. It is when a male releases sperm and a female releases eggs at the same time so that the eggs will be protected as they are taken away by the current. Even though around 300 eggs can be released, as the fish grow they will go off on their own to find a partner that they will have a long-lasting relationship with. When the fish are born, their development stage is extremely quick, so it takes little time for them to go off on their own. 

Although this species is a small one, they are still predators and will feed on many things such as crustaceans, sea anemones, coral, tube worms, and plankton. Hunting plankton is one of the only times these fish form a group so that they can catch more quicker. Sometimes they will even partner with other types of fish for preying. They also have predators like eels, sharks, and larger reef fishes. 

That’s all on the banded butterflyfish, but checkout the blog next week for another ocean organism!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/ocean-fishes/banded-butterflyfish

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/165637/0

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/chaetodon-striatus/

http://www.fishbase.org/summary/3606

[ges-biology]

Meet the Flatback Turtle!

The flatback turtle, or scientifically known as natator depressus, is a species of sea turtle that as could be guessed, has a pretty flat back unlike other turtles. Rather than constantly migrating long distances, this species of sea turtle only stays on the coasts of Australia and Papua New Guinea. It’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines 

Family: Cheloniidae

Flatback turtles prefer to swim and stay in shallow coastal waters, and barely ever if at all migrate. In fact, they will only reproduce on the coast of Australia. The nesting and mating period is the only time these turtles will ever leave the water. They usually do their nesting during the months of October through February. Although they only lay 50 eggs at a time, their eggs are the largest among all sea turtle eggs. When the offspring hatches, they are often of larger size as well. Plus, they are known to reach sexual maturity faster than other sea turtles. 

While flatbacks are the predators of many different species, they are the prey of the largest crocodile and reptile in the world, the saltwater crocodile. Usually, these reptiles attack while the females are nesting. Flatbacks do prey on other species such as jellyfish, sea cucumbers, shrimps, crabs, fish, and other invertebrate. They also eat things like soft coral and seaweed, and are classified as omnivores. 

That’s all on the flatback turtles, but check back next week to find out about a new sea organism!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/sea-turtles-reptiles/flatback-turtle

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/14363/0

http://www.seeturtles.org/flatback-turtle/

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=316

[ges-biology]

Meet the Beluga Whale!

The Beluga Whale, scientifically known as delphinapterus leucas, is one of the only two “white whales” and only inhabits the polar waters above the Arctic Circle. The other white whale is the Narwhal, which has an appearance so similar to the Beluga that some people will mistake the species for each other. The beluga’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Cetartiodactyla

Family: Monodontidae

Belugas are known to be a very social species and travel around together in groups called pods. These mammals communicate using many vocal sounds and can mimic other sounds they hear. They swim in shallow waters during summer and in the winter, they migrate near the ice edges. Pups start out looking more grayish, but as they sexually mature, their skin becomes white as seen in photos. This maturing takes around 7 years, and once they have fully matured, they mate in spring and the female gives birth after around fourteen months. It is believed that the whales can live for 35 to 50 years, but scientists do not know for sure.

As most whales, belugas are predators. They hunt and eat many kinds of species, but their main prey consist of a variety of fish and invertebrate. Since they are so social, hunting is always done as a group. This species can be prey, however. Part of the reason they migrate in the winter is to avoid being eaten by killer whales or polar bears. 

That’s all for the beluga whales, but visit the blog next week to learn about a new sea organism!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-mammals/beluga-whale

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/6335/0

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/b/beluga-whale/

https://www.livescience.com/55466-beluga-whales.html

[ges-biology]

Meet the Gentoo Penguin!

The gentoo penguin, or scientifically known as pygoscelis papua, is a unique species of penguin that inhabits the Antarctic Peninsula, but rather than living in the icy parts, this species stays on flat rocky beaches. They also have white spots above their eyes that give a different appearance from other penguins. Their taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Sphenisciformes

Family: Spheniscidae

Like most penguins, gentoos prefer to travel in colonies and hun together. Not only are they social birds, but they are also some of the most romantic. When it comes time for breeding, which happens when they reach around two years old, pairs will build intricate nests together and both will take turns incubating the egg for around 40 days. These pairs also form bonds and stay together for a long time, similar to married couples. When the eggs hatches a baby gentoo penguin is born, it does not have the white patch. It is nurtured for by it’s parents until it reaches the age of sexual maturity.

These penguins are excellent swimmers and hunters. With their flippers and speed of 22 mph underwater, they are considered the fastest diving birds. Being carnivores, they hunt species such as crustaceans, fish, and squid. Hunting is huge part of these penguins lives, taking up most of the adults’ day. They are able to stay deep underwater for long periods of time and usually are successful in their hunts.

That’s all on gentoo penguins, but come back next week for a new sea organism!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/seabirds/gentoo-penguin

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22697755/0

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/g/gentoo-penguin/

http://www.arkive.org/gentoo-penguin/pygoscelis-papua/

[ges-biology]

Meet the Caribbean Reef Octopus!

The Caribbean Reef Octopus, scientifically known as Octopus briareus, is one the smartest invertebrates in the ocean. It likes to camouflage with its surroundings by changing the color of its skin. As implied in its name, this octopus inhabits the Caribbean Sea and lives in the coral reefs. It’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Cephalopoda

Order: Octopoda

Family: Octopodinae

These octopuses are actually quite anti-social animals. They hunt and live individually, their only reason for coming together is to mate. In fact, if they accidentally run into each other, it is likely that they will fight. They also like to move around a lot and will not live in the same place for their entire lives, although they do stay in the Caribbean. Mating happens early in this species’ life, therefore there is no set mating season. Females will be fertilized with 50-100 eggs and will stay in a warm place with her eggs until they hatch. Once hatched, the young octopi are already capable of hunting and caring for themselves, as their lifespan is only around a year. Being the independent animals they are, the newborns do not stay with their mother once they are born or their siblings. 

Caribbean Reef Octopi are predators, and they have a wide range of prey. They prefer other invertebrates, especially crab and shrimp, but they also prey upon clams, snails, and lobsters. Sometimes, they even prey on each other when they’re defending their territory. This species likes to hunt at night, and most of the time they just sit and wait for prey to come to them, which is why their camouflaging can come in handy. If nothing comes, however, they will go out and search for prey.

That’s all on the Caribbean Reef Octopus, but come back next week to hear about another organism in the ocean!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/cephalopods-crustaceans-other-shellfish/caribbean-reef-octopus

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=82610#null

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Octopus_briareus/

https://www.lamar.edu/arts-sciences/biology/marine-critters/marine-critters-1/caribbean-reef-octopus.html

[ges-biology]

Meet the Vaquita!

The Vaquita, scientifically known as Phoconea sinus, is the smallest living Cetacean at a length of only 4 or 5 feet. It is a harbor porpoise that inhabits the north Gulf of California and Mexico. Unfortunately, this species is highly endangered and vulnerable to extinction due to it being accidentally captured in fish nets. Their taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Cetartiodactyla

Family: Phocoenidae

These porpoises are known to be independent and solitary creatures. Bigger groups of vaquitas only add up to around ten. Usually, they can be spotted swimming alone or with one or two others. They communicate by using sonar and this can also be used to help them find their way around the waters. For porpoises, they swim in unusually warm waters.  The vaquita is also known to mature sexually and start to reproduce at the young age of three to six years old. However, females only reproduce one calf at a time and their gestation period takes ten to eleven months. Their life span is short as well, being only about 25 years. Mating period lasts for two months, from April to May. When a calf is born, it has the same appearance as any adult vaquita besides the fact that it is even smaller. 

Vaquitas are predatory and carnivorous mammals. They feed on bony fish like Gulf Croaker and squid that can be found at the bottom of the shallow waters.  Being a shy creature, it prefers to hunt alone. This porpoise is not known to have any major predators, unless you were to count the gillnets set for other sharks and whales. 

That’s all on the vaquitas, but check back next week to hear about a new sea organism!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-mammals/vaquita

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/17028/0

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=78

http://www.defenders.org/vaquita/basic-facts

[ges-biology]

Meet the Cownose Ray!

The cownose ray, scientifically known as the rhinoptera bonasus, is an average sized species of eagle ray that was named for the shape of it’s nose, which resembles that of a cow’s. This ray inhabits the west Atlantic Ocean and prefers to swim in shallow waters near the coast. It is currently near threatened with extinction, but it is not vulnerable or endangered. It’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Chondrichthyes

Order: Rajiformes

Family: Rhinopteridae

Cownose rays are known to be active swimmers, and they do not like to stay motionless for a long period of time. Being such active swimmers, they are able to migrate with huge groups of up to a thousand or more for long distances. In fact, most of their traveling is done in a large group to help confuse predators. They also like to jump out of water sometimes and will rarely remain on the sea floor. If they go onto shallow bays, it is usually to feed or mate.

Unlike many species, cownose rays do not connect to their embryo through a placenta after mating. Instead, their embryo receives energy from yolk sacs and the mother will not give birth to them until they can take care of themselves, the gestation period lasting around 11 to 12 months. The birth is live, and usually it is only to one pup. These pups grow over time and are not taken care of by their parents. Mating season takes place from June to October for these rays. Males will mate with a female by grabbing their pectoral fin, and if a female is holding that fin above the water, it is to show that she does not want to mate, although males might still attempt to. 

This ray is a predator, and it feeds on prey such as shellfish, lobster, crabs, and fish. Their favorite prey is hard-shelled invertebrate that they can crack open  the shells of by using their strong, flat teeth. Prey is found by the electroreceptors on their snouts, as well as their excellent sense of smell and touch. Their wings are also used to move sand aside on the sea floor so it is easier for them to get to their prey. Although they have few predators as adults, cownose rays have to be wary of coastal sharks that can eat them.

That’s all on the cownose rays, but come back week to find out about another organism under the sea!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/cownose-ray

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/60128/0

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/rhinoptera-bonasus

https://www.stlzoo.org/visit/thingstoseeanddo/stingraysatcaribbeancove/cownoserayfacts/

[ges-biology]

Meet the Olive Sea Snake!

The Olive Sea snake, or scientifically known as the Aipysurus laevis, is a common reptile that can found in the Pacific Ocean and is the most common sea snake around Australia and its surrounding islands. This snake breathes air, but it’s life cycle takes place in the ocean. It’s name comes from the fact that it’s skin is an olive color (as seen above). It’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Elapidae

This sea snake does it’s breeding underwater, and the way it reproduces is similar to humans. When the females get pregnant, it takes about nine months for the baby to be born. Usually a female is fought for by several male snakes, and the winner mates with the female on the ocean floor. Males are able to breed when they are three years old, but females must wait till they are four or five. The mating season usually occurs from May to July.

When a baby sea snake is born, it has patterned skin unlike the adults. However, as it grows older, it loses the pattern and changes to a solid olive-brown. These snakes can be aggressive when it comes to mating season, but often they are curious and known to be attracted to long, skinny objects that have an appearance similar to them. They are also skilled divers and swimmers, but when it comes to being on land, they become clumsy and slow-moving. These snakes prefer to stay in coral and not venture far out into the open ocean. 

Olive sea snakes are very venomous, and they prey on many species. Some of these species include fish, fish eggs, and crustaceans. Fish are their favorite prey, and they digest them by using it’s venom to weaken their muscles. They only hunt at night, and usually alone. Though this occurs rarely, a olive sea snake���s bite can be fatal to humans as well. They aren’t just predators, however. Baby and adult sea snakes can be the prey of large fish, sharks, and birds. That’s why they only come out of the ocean at daytime to take a couple breaths before going back into the water.

That’s all on the olive sea snakes, but next week there will be a new organism under the sea!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/sea-turtles-reptiles/olive-sea-snake

https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/sea-snakes/

http://www.arkive.org/olive-brown-sea-snake/aipysurus-laevis/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176704/0

[ges-biology]

Meet the Crown of Thorns Starfish!

The Crown of Thorns Starfish, scientifically known as “Acanthaster planci”, is a sea star that is a well-known predator of coral. It’s name comes from the fact that it has spines that cover its entire body and are used to move around and defend from predators. This starfish lives in coral reefs primarily, and it can be found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It’s taxonomy is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Asteroidea

Order: Valvatida

Family: Ancanthasteridae

Crown of Thorns Starfish have had a large amount of outbreaks since the 1960s. This had not been good for the coral reefs as although these starfish can play an important role in the increase of the diversity of corals by eating the more fast-growing ones, their outbreaks have caused the reefs to decrease in size by 50% in the past 30 years. Coral is the primary prey of the sea stars, but they are not just a predator. They are also the prey of species such as the giant triton snail and the titan trigger fish. 

Breeding happens anywhere from the months of December to April, and the starfish’s reproduction occurs sexually. Then, they will lay their eggs on the reefs. Females can produce up to 60 million eggs during one breeding season. This might explain their outbreaks. Young COTS will feed on algae before moving on to coral when they are adults. 

COTS are nocturnal, but sometimes they will feed during the day. When they feed, they will usually do it alone, unless there has been an outbreak, in which case they will probably feed in a group. That being said, their behavior is mostly dependent on the status of their population. 

That’s all for the Crown of Thorns Starfish, but come back next week for a new organism under the sea!

Sources:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/corals-and-other-invertebrates/crown-thorns-starfish

http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-reefs/stressors/predator-outbreaks/crown-of-thorns-starfish/

http://www.arkive.org/crown-of-thorns-starfish/acanthaster-planci/

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals/crown-of-thorns-starfish

[ges-biology]

Meet the Southern Elephant Seal!

The southern elephant seal, scientifically known as Mirounga leonina, is the largest seal/sea lion and largest hairy carnivore in the world. It inhabits the sub-polar and polar beaches and waters in the Southern hemisphere (if you couldn’t tell by it’s name). The word “elephant” is also used in it’s name due to the trunk-like snout males grow as they mature. Although this seal does not stay in water 24/7, it goes to feed in the deep sea and nest on the beaches. This mammal’s taxonomic classification is as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Phocidae

Most pictures of these ginormous seals are taken while they are on land, but these animals actually spend 90% of the year in the water. Their size may make you think otherwise, but they are also great swimmers. They are able to reduce their heart rate down to one beat per minute and can store oxygen while underwater. During this time, they are mostly independent swimmers. But when they get onto land, they become very social and males will determine who the alpha is by violent and often bloody fights. The alpha male owns a certain breeding territory, or a “harem”.

When breeding season arrives, most of the females are pregnant from the last breeding season and are ready to give birth. The birthing process usually occurs two to five days after they arrive, and only one pup is born. After around 23 days of nursing their pups, females mate with whoever their dominant male is. Their pups will stay in shallow water for four to six weeks, and then head out into the ocean. Male pups grow to be eight to ten times as large as female pups, and females do not grow the elephant-like snout. The coat as both genders also changes as they grow. First it is black when they are newborns, then silver as pups, and it turns into a dark grey or brown as adults.

A southern elephant seal’s main prey are fish and squid, along with some crustaceans and ascidians, and all of their food is caught at sea. They can also eat fish from the bottom of the sea, as they are also great divers. To catch their prey, these seals use their vision and it is thought that they have vibration-sensitive whiskers as well. 

That’s all on the elephant seal, but next week there will be a new sea organism!

Citations:

http://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-mammals/southern-elephant-seal

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/13583/0

http://www.arkive.org/southern-elephant-seal/mirounga-leonina/

https://travelwild.com/resources/antarctica-wildlife/southern-elephant-seal/

[ges-biology]

Meet the Snailfish!

The snailfish, or if you want to call it by it’s scientific name, the Liparidae, is a small tadpole-shaped fish that inhabits the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic. This little guy only grows to a maximum length of 30 cm, and it’s skin is loose and scaleless. It can sometimes even be prickly. It’s classifications are as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Scorpaeniformes

Family: Liparidae

The snailfish, being a small marine animal in the deep ocean, needs to grow quickly to survive. Studies have shown that snailfish with bigger mouths are more likely to survive than snailfish with smaller mouths because they are able to eat more. Snailfish feed on invertebrate like crustaceans and worms, but they do not eat many plants. 

Surprisingly, these scaleless creatures are well-adapted to survive in just about any environment, from the deepest depths of the ocean (as far as almost 8000 m) to tide-pools near the shore of the Atlantic. Snailfish do especially well in cold conditions, which is why many are found in the deep sea. Since they can’t see well (and most are in the deep sea, where nothing can see well), they have a line of tiny hairs on their skin called a “lateral line” which can pick up sound so they can detect food and predators.

When it comes to reproduction, snailfish only lay a few hundred eggs, which compared to most fish species, is a very low amount. Sometimes, a snailfish will even carry their eggs around in their mouth, a system known as “mouth brooding”. 

Finally, to talk about the snailfish’s behavior. A snailfish is lazy and pretty slow, if you couldn’t tell by it’s name. It’s closely realted to a group of fish known as “Lumpsuckers”, who stick to rocks and rest when they tired of swimming. Snailfish will do the same. When a snailfish does swim, it uses large pectoral fins and wriggles it’s body. This is due to the fact that a snailfish has a tiny tail fin and the rest of it’s body is bigger. 

Because of how well the snailfish does in cold conditions, the species in more active when it’s inhabiting the deep sea.

That’s all for now, but next week I’ll be back with another sea organism!

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/animal/snailfish

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/155185/0

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2880612/World-s-deepest-fish-Ghostly-snailfish-27-000ft-deep-bottom-Pacific-s-Mariana-Trench.html

http://www.realmonstrosities.com/2012/09/snailfish.html