Marine+Biology

__ Marine Biology- __  The scientific study of living organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Marine Biology focuses on the animals and plants that live in water or on the shoreline, and how they interact with eachother and their enviornment. Marine Biology is a large field of study, with over 15 categories ranging from the study of marine vegatation,to the grazers that eat those plants, to the predators that eat those grazers. The ecosystem in the ocean is vast, yet very fragile system. The subcategories in Marine biology that we will be talking about on this wikispace, are the DEEP SEA, CORAL REEFS , VERTEBRATES and PREDATORS.  __THE DEEP SEA __ The ocean is divided into many different zones, the zones that make up the deep sea are the benthic and abyssal zones. These zones are 80% of the ocean. The majority of the deep sea is unexplored. In order to reach such deep areas, a deep sea submersible is required. This machine can withstand great pressure. It is also big enough to hold two or more people, yet small enough to maneuver through small spaces. It is almost impossible to explore evry part of the ocean floor, after all, 60% of all water on earth is over a mile deep. __**Coral Reefs **__ Coral Reefs are one of the most diverse biomes in the world. They provide shelter for millions of different plants and animals. Coral reefs also create sand for beaches. Another fairly undiscovered purpose of coral reefs is a source for different medicine. Coral Reefs can also provide protection. They can serve as a buffer to shorelines, which means the waves break over th reef, and not the shore. This helps prevent erosion. Not only do coral reefs help fish, but they also provide recreation to humans. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving are two very popular leisure activities. Yet along with the popularity, it is important to preserve the reefs. Many coral reefs are killed by pollution and improper human activity. These reefs are a valuable resource, and without them the marine ecosystem would collapse.  __** Vertebrates **__ Belonging or pertaining to the Vertebrata (or Craniata), a subphylum of chordate animals, comprising those having a brain enclosed in a skull or cranium and a segmented spinal column; a major taxonomic group that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. All marine vertebrates are classified under phylum Chordata and class Vertebrata. The seven main classes are Agnatha, Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes (which we will talk about later), Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia. __ **-**Class Agnatha: __   This class includes the primitive jawless fish such as lampreys and hagfish.  __**-Class Amphibia:**__ Amphibians are animals that dwell partially on land, and partially on water. Some animals that make up this class are frogs, toads and water snakes. They are ecothermic meaning they can't regulate their heat. Amphibians also go through a change called metamorphisis, which means they go through a complete physical change. These animals are usually born in water, and then they develop lungs, and different body types throughout a period of time. Frogs, toads and salamanders are amphibians. __**-Class Reptilia:**__ There are four orders in Class Reptilia. The Testudines (turtles, terapins, and tortoises), Squamata (lizards, worm lizards, snakes), Crocodilia (crocdiles, alligators, gavials, and caimans), and Rhynochocephalia (consists of two different tuatara). In general reptiles have strong, dry skin. Reptiles are ectothermic which means they can't regulate their heat. __**-Class Aves:**__ Birds are a remarkable creatures, their ability to fly classifies them in their own class. Birds have feathers (makes them very unique), and lay eggs to incubate their young, and have wings. With over 10,000 species of birds, they are everywhere. <span style="font-size: 140%; color: #ff0000; font-family: Impact, Charcoal, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #00ffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 70%; color: #00ffff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> __**-Class Mammalia:**__ Class mammalia includes over 5,000 species in 26 different orders. Mammals are warm- blooded which means that they heat their own bodies. The word mammalia comes from mammory. Mammory is a gland in female mammals, that produces milk used to feed young. All mammals have these glands. Another interesting trait of mammals, is that they have live births. This means that when they give birth, the animal is alive, as opposed to being in an egg. Predators The Reef Stonefish
 * __<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;">-<span style="font-size: 70%; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Class Chondrichthyes: __ **<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 70%; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The organisms of this class do not have bones, but they do have a skeletal system made of cartilage. The skin of cartilaginous fish are coated in denticles instead of scales that gives the skin a rough sandpaper texture. The cartilaginous fish have large livers that hold an immense amount of oil because they do not have swim bladders. This helps the shark stay a float. Bull sharks and great white sharks fall under this category.

The Great White Shark These sharks are very rare, and as a result of over- hunting they are a threatened species. This shark is known for it's sheer size. Although this shark is very large, it is also very agile. The White Shark can leap out of the water, in order to ambush prey. The largest gathering of these sharks are in South Africa in the winter, they are drawn because of the large seal population.

__-Class Osteichthyes (Bony Fish):__ <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 70%; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are thousands of species of bonyfish. The fish are common in salt and fresh water habitats. They have all shapes and sizes ranging from three meters to seven millimeters. Most of the bony fish are slightly enodthermic meaning they can sort of regulate there heat, but not to the extent of mammals. <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__**The Reef Stonefish**__ The reef stonefish is a fierce predator. Commonly mistaken for a rock, this animal uses the art of deception. This is the most poisonous animal found in the ocean, with enough poison to kill 26 adult humans. Before anti-venom was invented in 1959, this animal killed many people. This was because they mistaked it for a rock. The Great White Shark <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">**_. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;">