Ocean Habitats Chapter 12 Animals of the Benthos

Ocean Habitats Chapter 12

Animals of the Benthos 98% of marine species are benthic Hydrothermal vents Rocky shore Sandy shore Coral reefs

Coral Reefs of the World (Figure 12 -16)

Global distribution of coral reefs Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Coral & Zooxanthellae (Figure 12 -14)

Coral anatomy Zooxanthellae are within the gastrodermal layer lining of the mouth and gut. Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

What does the coral animal provide to the zooxanthellae? Nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus-containing compounds Carbon dioxide Location in the photic zone Protection

What do the zooxanthellae provide to the coral? Organic molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, other organic molecules) – End products of photosynthesis – 98% of a coral’s nutrition comes from the zooxanthellae Oxygen Aids in calcification

Factors affecting reef growth Temperature Depth Salinity Sediment Wave action Nutrients

Calcification Active transport of calcium from seawater into epidermal cells of coral occurs. Calcium carbonate deposition is 14 X greater in light than in dark, so role of zooxanthellae proposed to be important – Highest deposition on sunny days at noon. – Mechanism of coupling not well-understood.

Calcified coral skeleton Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Coral Reef Morphology (Figure 12 -17) wave surge, currents, sunlight, water depth

Types of coral reefs Barrier Fringing Atoll (Darwin’s other theory…) Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Coral Reefs: Tops in Marine Biodiversity

Productivity and diversity Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Role of coral in food web Primary producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers, and up

Angelfish Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Parrotfish Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Butterflyfish Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Wrasse Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Scorpionfish Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Jacks Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

Damselfish Dusky Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU Beaugregory

Damselfish (cont. ) Yellowtail Slide courtesy of Prof. Karen Haberman, WOU

National Marine Sanctuaries Map courtesy of NOAA National Marine Sanctuary System

The World Ocean Floor

Maps courtesy of National Park of American Samoa

Artwork by Jayne Doucette, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

By Or. St grad student Emily Larkin

Tutuila, American Samoa Topography and Bathymetry

FBNMS: Some Major Issues Natural & human impacts – Crown-of-thorns invasion, hurricanes, bleaching – Illegal fishing, sewage outfall Photos courtesy of NOAA National Marine Sanctuary System

FBNMS: Some Major Issues Prior to 2001… – Sanctuary largely unexplored below depths of ~30 -60 m – no comprehensive documentation of the plants, animals, and submarine topography. Little is known of tropical “twilight zone” – shelf-edge (50 -120 m deep) of coral reef habitats throughout the world

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 2001 bathy

SCUBA / Rebreather Technology Images courtesy of Kip Evans, Nat. Geographic and Rich Pyle, Bishop Museum

Rebreather Dive Mission, FBNMS, 2001

GIS Terrain Analysis of the Bathymetry Emily Lundblad, Or. St M. S. Thesis

Emily Lundblad, Or. St M. S. Thesis

More “Ground Truthing” Towboard survey Photo courtesy of Kyle Hogrefe, OSU

2005 Hawaii Undersea Research Lab Submersible Dives R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa Pisces V

Tutuila, American Samoa Topography and Bathymetry

Pisces V Submersible Dives Short program - 3 dives – Taema Bank (2), Fagatele Canyon (1) 32 species of invertebrates IDed 91 species of fish 9 new “records, ” i. e. , never before seen in American Samoa

Pisces V Submersible Dive 648

Black-blotched stingray, 100 -200 m

Coral Reef “Creatures” of Am. Samoa