Rocky Shores, Tide Rocky Shores, Tide Pools and Kelp Pools and Kelp

ForestsForests

Marine BiologyMarine Biology

Rocky Shore: InvertebratesRocky Shore: Invertebrates

• Sea anemones:Sea anemones:– Animals with stinging cellsAnimals with stinging cells

•nematocystsnematocysts

– Reproduce by fissionReproduce by fission– Will attack a non-relativeWill attack a non-relative

•Does not attack relativesDoes not attack relatives

•How do they know the difference?How do they know the difference?

Rocky Shore: InvertebratesRocky Shore: Invertebrates• MusselsMussels

– Related to clams and oystersRelated to clams and oysters– Found in clumps attached to Found in clumps attached to

rocksrocks– Can become exposed at low Can become exposed at low

tidetide– Make an adhesive 10 times Make an adhesive 10 times

stickier than super gluestickier than super glue

Rocky Shore: InvertebratesRocky Shore: Invertebrates• Sea StarsSea Stars

– No such thing as starfishNo such thing as starfish• They are not fish. They are They are not fish. They are

echinodermsechinoderms

– Found near musselsFound near mussels• Mussels are their main preyMussels are their main prey

– Tube feet create a powerful Tube feet create a powerful suctionsuction• Tear open mussels and clamsTear open mussels and clams

• Spit their stomach out of their Spit their stomach out of their mouthsmouths

• Digest prey and slurp it back inDigest prey and slurp it back in

Rocky Shore: MammalRocky Shore: Mammal• Pinnipeds: Seals and sea lionsPinnipeds: Seals and sea lions

– How do you tell them apart?How do you tell them apart?

SEA LIONSSEA LIONS SEALSSEALS

External earsExternal ears No external earsNo external ears

Can “walk” on their Can “walk” on their flippersflippers

Must slide on their Must slide on their bellybelly

Have tailsHave tails No tailsNo tails

Which is which?Which is which?

• SEALSEAL SEA LIONSEA LION

Other tide pool crittersOther tide pool critters• Sea UrchinSea Urchin Sea SquirtSea Squirt Sea cucumberSea cucumber

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests• Kelp StructureKelp Structure

– Not like an ordinary plantNot like an ordinary plant– Has holdfasts instead of rootsHas holdfasts instead of roots– Pneumatocysts keep it afloatPneumatocysts keep it afloat

•Air bladdersAir bladders

– They form a canopy, like a forestThey form a canopy, like a forest– Not really a plantNot really a plant

• It is actually algaeIt is actually algae

– Each organism can be 90 feet highEach organism can be 90 feet high•‘‘plant’ part of it is called a frondplant’ part of it is called a frond

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests• InvertebratesInvertebrates

– Just about everything. Why?Just about everything. Why?•Food and shelterFood and shelter

– SnailsSnails– CrabsCrabs– WormsWorms– Sea starsSea stars– OctopusOctopus

•Main predator, along with Main predator, along with large fishlarge fish

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests• Only mammal to live there full-Only mammal to live there full-

time:time:– Sea ottersSea otters

•Stay in cold watersStay in cold waters– Only marine animal without blubberOnly marine animal without blubber– They have a thick coat of furThey have a thick coat of fur

•Eat the animals that eat kelpEat the animals that eat kelp

•Related to the weaselRelated to the weasel

Kelp ForestsKelp Forests• Kelp forests have seasonsKelp forests have seasons

– Spring and summerSpring and summer•Fronts can grow 3 feet per dayFronts can grow 3 feet per day

– AutumnAutumn•Water is clear and warmWater is clear and warm

•Animals are most abundantAnimals are most abundant

– WinterWinter•Fronds are ‘shed’ like leavesFronds are ‘shed’ like leaves

•Sea otters often wrap themselves in kelp for Sea otters often wrap themselves in kelp for warmthwarmth

Kelp forestsKelp forests

• Human uses:Human uses:– PharmaceuticaPharmaceutica

lsls– PuddingPudding– Ice creamIce cream– ChocolateChocolate– ToothpasteToothpaste– SushiSushi