Other Tales of Tails Dolphin Fluke : Flexible to catch water going up and down. helps to lift the dolphin making it easier to breath also used to kill fish slapping -believed to be a signal of danger or upset

Flying Fish The bottom cercal (lobe) is larger than the top so it can swim above the surface of the water when feeling threatened. the large pectorals provide lift

Deep Sea Fish (Mesopelagic, Bathypelagic and Abyssopelagic) The morphology of deep sea fish is adapted to: the cold, the dark, high pressure and scarce food.

Adaptations to Less Light Many deep sea fish (mesopelagic) have adapted large eyes to capture what little light exists. Most often, this light is blue-green Cryptic coloration in the deep: Deep sea fish are often transparent, black, silvery and even red in color. The absence of red light at these depths keeps them concealed.

Bioluminescence Some fish produce light Light organs = photophores possible functions: attract prey, attract mates, counter shading (dark on top light on the bottom), startle or confuse predators Light organs = photophores chemical reaction symbiotic relationship with light producing bacteria

Coloration note: some fish have special dark lining in their stomach that may serve to conceal light emitted from the light organs of engulfed prey Some fish produce red light to not be detected to attract curious prey

Total Darkness Bathypelagic and abyssopelagic fish have small or no eyes Use other senses to detect prey

The Better to Eat You With Deep Sea Fish have : Long sharp teeth Large mouth Distensible stomach (it stretches) Rattail (high in TMAO >TMA)

other Feeding Adaptations Scarcity of food adaptations: Conserve energy (slow or no movement) Low metabolism (cold helps) Feed on detritus and bacteria (marine snow)

“Under Pressure” Pressure increases 1 atmosphere (atm) for each 10 m in depth. The deep sea depth = 700 m - 10,000 m Deep sea pressure = 70 atm -1,000 atm.

Adaptations to Pressure Gelatinous Bones Gelatinous Muscle and tissue No large body cavities (that could collapse)

“Dancing in the Dark” i.e. Finding a Mate Darkness and Vastness makes it difficult to find a mate Adaptations: Bioluminescence Chemicals Males attach to females

“You’re as Cold as Ice” The temperature is cold enough to freeze fresh water (at the abyss) Adaptations: Slow metabolism Minimal energy usage

Other Creatures of the Deep Jellies – no skeleton, transparent mostly made of water use little energy Squid (giant and colossal) no skeleton (just a “pen”) soft tissue