Rocky Shores, Tide Pools and Kelp Forests Marine Biology

Rocky Shore: Invertebrates Sea anemones: Sea anemones: –Animals with stinging cells nematocysts nematocysts –Reproduce by fission –Will attack a non-relative Does not attack relatives Does not attack relatives How do they know the difference? How do they know the difference?

Rocky Shore: Invertebrates Mussels Mussels –Related to clams and oysters –Found in clumps attached to rocks –Can become exposed at low tide –Make an adhesive 10 times stickier than super glue

Rocky Shore: Invertebrates Sea Stars Sea Stars –No such thing as starfish They are not fish. They are echinoderms They are not fish. They are echinoderms –Found near mussels Mussels are their main prey Mussels are their main prey –Tube feet create a powerful suction Tear open mussels and clams Tear open mussels and clams Spit their stomach out of their mouths Spit their stomach out of their mouths Digest prey and slurp it back in Digest prey and slurp it back in

Rocky Shore: Mammal Pinnipeds: Seals and sea lions Pinnipeds: Seals and sea lions –How do you tell them apart? SEA LIONS SEALS External ears No external ears Can “walk” on their flippers Must slide on their belly Have tails No tails

Which is which? SEALSEA LION SEALSEA LION

Other tide pool critters Sea UrchinSea SquirtSea cucumber Sea UrchinSea SquirtSea cucumber

Kelp Forests Kelp Structure Kelp Structure –Not like an ordinary plant –Has holdfasts instead of roots –Pneumatocysts keep it afloat Air bladders Air bladders –They form a canopy, like a forest –Not really a plant It is actually algae It is actually algae –Each organism can be 90 feet high ‘plant’ part of it is called a frond ‘plant’ part of it is called a frond

Kelp Forests

Invertebrates Invertebrates –Just about everything. Why? Food and shelter Food and shelter –Snails –Crabs –Worms –Sea stars –Octopus Main predator, along with large fish Main predator, along with large fish

Kelp Forests Only mammal to live there full-time: Only mammal to live there full-time: –Sea otters Stay in cold waters Stay in cold waters –Only marine animal without blubber –They have a thick coat of fur Eat the animals that eat kelp Eat the animals that eat kelp Related to the weasel Related to the weasel

Kelp Forests Kelp forests have seasons Kelp forests have seasons –Spring and summer Fronts can grow 3 feet per day Fronts can grow 3 feet per day –Autumn Water is clear and warm Water is clear and warm Animals are most abundant Animals are most abundant –Winter Fronds are ‘shed’ like leaves Fronds are ‘shed’ like leaves Sea otters often wrap themselves in kelp for warmth Sea otters often wrap themselves in kelp for warmth

Kelp forests Human uses: Human uses: –Pharmaceuticals –Pudding –Ice cream –Chocolate –Toothpaste –Sushi