Marine Life
Marine life is a diverse group of creatures that inhabit the oceans and seas. These creatures include plants, animals, and organisms, and affect the ecology of the planet. They produce oxygen and sequester carbon, and they play a key role in the maintenance of the environment. Learn more about the different types of marine life by reading the articles below.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs provide a diverse habitat for many marine life species. They also help millions of people throughout the world. They attract tourists and help protect shores from storms. In many places, coral reefs are considered a vital part of a community's economy. Scientists hope that this growing interest in coral reefs will eventually lead governments to protect them as marine protected areas.
Killer Whales
Killer whales produce three types of vocalizations, each one used for different purposes. Echolocation clicks serve as navigation cues; whistles and discrete calls are used for communication between individuals, while pulsed calls are primarily for long-range communication. These cetaceans have distinct colouration and can be spotted by their mostly black dorsal surface, grey or white saddle patch behind their dorsal fin, and white undersides and flukes. They also have distinct white eye spots behind each eye.
Invertebrates
Marine invertebrates have many functions. Many live in the oceans and have a dramatic impact on the environment. One example is the purple marsh crab, a small invertebrate that has been linked to the heavy loss of native salt marsh vegetation known as saltmarsh dieback. Researchers are trying to control this invertebrate through innovative methods.
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton is one of the fundamental components of the marine food web. It serves as a key food source for marine animals, and is part of a microbial cycle that decomposes through viral lysis and bacterial grazing. Its presence and abundance depend on the availability of light and nutrients, as well as the presence of predators and parasites.
Fish
Marine life includes a vast array of species, including fish, invertebrates, and algae. They are classified according to their phyla, and are composed of mostly single-celled organisms, although many have multicellular bodies. They include all bacteria and archaea, as well as most protozoa. Microorganisms are found in seawater, and they make up 70% of the total marine biomass. They are the foundation of the food chain in the ocean.
Crabs
Crabs are a type of crustacean that live in many habitats. Their exoskeletons provide them with the mechanical strength they need to move and protect them from the environment. These structures also provide an internal surface for their muscle attachments. Crabs have a skeletal structure that consists of a series of jointed segments and somites. Each of these segments is joined together to form a specialised functional unit. For example, the larvae of a crab have thoracic and head somites which are conjoined together and are hidden under a thick protective shell.
Sharks
Sharks are a common feature of the marine environment. They are a top predator in the open ocean, and can easily be identified by their white-tipped fins. Because sharks cannot pump water over their gills, they must constantly swim in order to wash oxygenated seawater over their bodies.
