The Ocean Habitat The largest habitat on Earth: makes up to 97 % of all livable space on Earth

Land Influenced Zones Better known as: The Neritic Zone Better known as: The Neritic Zone Shallow area of ocean water in which land has an impact Shallow area of ocean water in which land has an impact Coastal zones of the ocean Coastal zones of the ocean Usually with 3-5 miles of coastline of Continents Usually with 3-5 miles of coastline of Continents

Land Un-Influenced Zones Better known as the: Pelagic zone Better known as the: Pelagic zone Open ocean Open ocean Land has no effect or little impact Land has no effect or little impact Majority of the oceans’ habitat Majority of the oceans’ habitat

Pelagic or Open Water Zones defined by Light

Pelagic Zones Epipelagic Zone—0-200 meters in depth Epipelagic Zone—0-200 meters in depth (all colors visible at first) (all colors visible at first) Mesopelagic Zone— meters Mesopelagic Zone— meters (twilight zone: light and dark; no color) (twilight zone: light and dark; no color) Bathypelagic Zone— meters Bathypelagic Zone— meters (no sunlight visible from this depth and below) (no sunlight visible from this depth and below) Abyssopelagic Zone— meters Abyssopelagic Zone— meters Hadalpelagic Zone— meters Hadalpelagic Zone— meters

Epipelagic zone adaptations Countershading Countershading Concealment (dermesal (dwelling near the bottom) or vegetal (around plants) ) Concealment (dermesal (dwelling near the bottom) or vegetal (around plants) ) Disruptive-stripes or dots Disruptive-stripes or dots Advertisement Advertisement Mimicry-can mimic other animals Mimicry-can mimic other animals Transparent Transparent

Adaptations: As environments change – Animals (marine and terrestrial ), bacteria, fungi, insects, etc MUST adapt or they will DIE off. MUST adapt or they will DIE off. (The Dodo bird is An excellent example.)

Variations in species can help (or hurt) an animals chance to survive Variations can allow -Animals adapt better to a new environment. -Animals adapt better to a new environment. - Allow an animal to blend into it’s environment. - Allow an animal to blend into it’s environment. - Provide a greater opportunity for an animal to reproduce. (party time !) - Provide a greater opportunity for an animal to reproduce. (party time !)

Countershading – is a form of adaptation.

Concealment--Camouflage Dermersal Dermersal (looks like a rock.) rock.) Vegetal Vegetal (Looks like a Plant)

Disruptive Patterns—such as stripes or dots- allow the fish to con

Advertisement—brightly colored--POISONOUS

Mimicry—Brightly Colored—NOT poisonous

Epipelagic Adaptations Body Form—Streamed-lined Body Form—Streamed-lined Musculature-Strong Swimmers Musculature-Strong Swimmers Size-All sizes found here Size-All sizes found here Eyes-Well developed/large Eyes-Well developed/large

Mesoplagic Adaptations Coloration Coloration Black with or without silvery sides Black with or without silvery sides Counter Illumination (glowing organs) Counter Illumination (glowing organs) Body formed: Relatively long but sides squeezed in Body formed: Relatively long but sides squeezed in

Mesopelagic Adaptations Musculature: Moderately strong swimmers some weak Musculature: Moderately strong swimmers some weak Eyes: Very Large Sensitive eyes Eyes: Very Large Sensitive eyes

2 Biggest Challenges for Deep Sea Life Scarcity or Lack of food; Must evolve way of obtaining food that rarely gets there Scarcity or Lack of food; Must evolve way of obtaining food that rarely gets there Expandable stomachs or great smell Expandable stomachs or great smell Great Water pressure Great Water pressure 33 ft of water equal same pressure as 36 miles of air 33 ft of water equal same pressure as 36 miles of air

Deep Pelagic Adaptations (Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic) Color: Black or red Color: Black or red –Bioluminscence-attract prey at times (organs glow)

Deep Pelagic Adaptations (Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic) Shape-Globular (round shape)—Large Head Shape-Globular (round shape)—Large Head Musculature: Weak swimmers mainly Musculature: Weak swimmers mainly Fins modified as sensory organs Fins modified as sensory organs Size-Most small but some are large Size-Most small but some are large Eyes-Small or absent (eyes if using bioluminescence) Eyes-Small or absent (eyes if using bioluminescence)

Deep Pelagic

Benthic Zone—Life in the sand Coloration: Black or Brown Coloration: Black or Brown Shape Elongated or flattened Shape Elongated or flattened Strong Muscles (to borrow in sand) Strong Muscles (to borrow in sand) Size: Relatively Large Size: Relatively Large Eyes: Small Eyes: Small