Marine Ecology Selected Adaptations Let’s set sail for adventure!!! Basic Ecology • factors regulating the distribution and abundance of organisms in the ocean. • influence of physical and chemical parameters on organisms in the various ecosystems that constitute the ocean. Selected Adaptive Strategies: Bioluminescence • Fishes - important nektons • Many are deepsea predators • Need their own light to attract prey • … to attract mates • photophores • luciferin + luciferase The Blue Planet The Blue Planet PREDATOR • Fangtooth • Striped tuna, Bluefin tuna • Marlin • Sei whale • Manta ray, Ray • Pacific Mackeral • Spotted Dolphin • Sailfish • Blue Shark • Deepwater crab • Wahoo PREY • Sardines • Flying fish • Surgeonfish eggs • Yellowfin tuna eggs • PLANKTON • NUTRIENTS More Nekton Strategies • predator/prey • must be swift and efficient swimmers • move swiftly to – eat – avoid being eaten. • Thus fish have evolved to maximize their ability to move through water. Caudal (Tail) Fins • most important for speed • flared to increase vertical thrust ROUNDED fin (e.g., angelfish) very flexible, slow-speed manuevering TRUNCATE fin (e.g., coho salmon) somewhat flexible, manuevering FORKED fin (e.g., yellow goatfish) somewhat flexible, manuevering [...]... manuevering • lunate – very rigid, propulsion • heterocercal – “uneven tail” for lift and propulsion Built for Speed • speed related to body length – 4-foot yellowfin tuna, 46 mph – 13-foot bluefin tuna, 90 mph (theoretically) – 9-foot porpoise, 25 mph – 30-foot killer whale, 34 mph Giant Squid: • traps water in mantle and forcefully jettisons it from siphon in head • active predator of fish • arms to... • arms to capture • tentacles to bring to beak • both lined with suckers The Kraken is a legend, but giant squid DO exist! …~20 feet long! Colossal Squid Captured Wellington, NZ, April 2003 330 pounds - 16 feet long Go to the web now matey!! . tail” for lift and propulsion Built for Speed • speed related to body length – 4-foot yellowfin tuna, 46 mph – 13-foot bluefin tuna, 90 mph (theoretically) – 9-foot porpoise, 25 mph – 30-foot killer. adventure!!! Basic Ecology • factors regulating the distribution and abundance of organisms in the ocean. • influence of physical and chemical parameters on organisms in the various ecosystems. eggs • Yellowfin tuna eggs • PLANKTON • NUTRIENTS More Nekton Strategies • predator/prey • must be swift and efficient swimmers • move swiftly to – eat – avoid being eaten. • Thus fish have evolved to