Life in the Oceans Tonja Curtz 2011.

Biodiversity  What is Biodiversity?  Many different life forms within an ecosystem, biome and or the planet  It is measured by its healthiness  It is a habitat for countless species  There are tropical to polar regions

Biodiversity hotspots  These are sites that are very popular with filmmakers for the variety of life they exhibit.  They are more specifically called, ‘species diversity hotspots’.  These spots help conservationists identify areas that need protection.  However, all areas need protection for any number of species that live there.  Example: Coral Reefs

Cycles of life and energy  All life depends on organisms that harness energy from either chemicals or the sun to produce food.  These are called ‘primary producers’  First link to the food chain

Producers  Plankton:  There are two types: 1) Zooplankton 2) Phytoplankton Date accessed; April 12 th, kton/ Date accessed; April 12 th, 2011

Zooplankton  Animal-like single celled creatures  Plankton is classified by size, and life cycle  Single celled for life: holoplankton  Single celled for larvae: meroplankton  Smallest are protozoans  Larvae (egg size) are microplankton  Larger are macroplankton  Largest (jelly fish) are megaplankton

Phytoplankton  Single celled algae Diatoms: yellow-green with intricate shell  Elongated: pleurosigma  Wheel shaped: coscinodiscus Dinoflagellates: have two flagella for moving  Chaetocerus: have setae for joining other chaetocera to form chains or sheets of colonies  These are the major producers of the ocean They perform photosynthesis to convert the sun’s energy to simple sugars

Algae  Present along the coastlines/ in shore regions  Not found in open ocean  Multicellular Producer: base organism on food chain.  Types: green/red/brown

Consumers Near the top of the food chain. 3 different levels: Primary Consumer: herbivorous (herbivore) Secondary Consumer: carnivorous (carnivore) Tertiary Consumer: top level carnivore

Types of Consumers  Filter feeders: feed on plankton  Herbivores: feed on plankton/ seaweed/ grasses  Carnivores: feed on filter feeders/ herbivores/ other carnivores  As a rule organisms only eat what they can fit into their mouth.  Larger eat the smaller.  Parasites: feed on other organisms without the intent to do harm  Symbiotic: two connected organisms receive nourishment/ protection from each other.

Invertebrates  Organisms without vertebrae  Types: Porifera: sponges Cnidarians: jelly fish, corals, sea anemones Flat worms, round worms, segmented worms, etc. Molluscs: shell fish, octopi, squid Crustaceans: lobster, crab Echinoderms: starfish, sea urchin

Vertebrates  Organisms with vertebrae  Types: Agnatha: lamprey eels Chondrichthyes: sharks, rays Osteichthyes: bony fishes Reptilia: turtles, snakes, crocodiles Aves: birds Mamalia: dolphins, whales