Avery's Marine Organism Project

Irukandji jellyfish

Description:

The Irukandji jellyfish are marine organisms that are very tiny however, they should not be underestimated! This is one of the deadliest creatures of the world, they are an exremely venomous species of jellyfish. If one were to be stung by one of these vicious jellies, you would begin having symptoms of Irukandji syndrome. These jelly fish are no larger than a centimeter cubed! There are two known jellyfish species that are realated to the Irukandji, they are called- Carukia Barnesi and another that was recently found in Japan named Malo Kingi.

Biology:

Irukandji are extremely petite, they have a bell structure that measures to be approximately 1 cm wide, and has 4 venomous tenticles that can be anywhere from a few centimeters to 35 centimeters long! Their stingers also known as nematocysts have a clumpy shape, they have rings of tiny red dots around the bell of the jellyfish and the stingers. Due to the fragile state and difficulty of containment, there is not alot of information about the life cycle of this poisonus creature...It is believed by reasearchers that its toxins are so strong that it immidiatley stuns it's victim-Usually, the Irukandji preys on small fish but it still can have a deadly impact on humans if they come into contact with this creature. Scientists assume that the Irukandji syndrome may be attainable from other types of jellyfish, Carukia Barnesi and Malo Kingi have been proven to cause it.

Irukandji Syndrome:

Irukandji syndrome can be caused by the smallest ammount of venom... symptoms of the syndrom includes severe pains in the body- usually excruciating muscular cramps in appenadges, or in kidneys, burning feeling in face and skin, headaches, nausea, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, high heart rate, and blood pressure. The sting of an Irukandji is not extremely painfull, just irritating; symptoms of the syndrome can appear anywhere in a time spand of 5 to 120 minutes. Symptoms are capable of lasting from several days or just a few hours- but hospitalization is commonly needed. To alleviate the pain, vinigar, antihistamenes, and anti-hypertensive drugs (morphine) can help to neutralize pain, however it has no effect on the venom that is already in the body.

Location:

Irukandji jelly fish can be found near costal areas, they tend to reside in warmer waters but they have also been found pretty far from the shore. With correct treatment an Irukandji sting is normally not fatal, but 2 people have been known to have died in Austraila from a sting from this little critter in 2002. They are currently trying to spread awareness about Irukandji Syndrome to beach bums. Snorkelers are at a high risk!

Human Impacts on the Ocean

sewage and trash: sewage and trash are dumped into the sea, which often is responsible for toxic plankton blooms, another bad effect from sewage is detoxification which kills marine life because there is not enough oxygen in the water to breathe due to chemicals such as heavy metals and carcinogens.
storm drain- River run off: the careless littering done by communities has had a huge impact on the marine life and ecosystems. Many things that we wouldn’t think about have contributed to the destruction of the marine life habitats, such as soap from washing cars, cigarette butts, water from fertilized lawns, and much more. We as humans need to understand that we are sharing the planet with other living things not just ourselves all of our waste and careless decisions to litter and etc..have effected the ocean drastically. All of the following fertilizers, soap, and human wastes increase plankton and bacteria levels in the ocean in the same way sewage does.. Debris such as trash are very harmful to sea turtles and many fish because often times they either eat the trash and choke or they get tangled up in the debris and most of the time die.
oil spills: oil and gasoline are very toxic to the marine life. Many marine animals are effected yearly by oil spills. Bird’s are mostly affected when oil gets on their feathers or body they then try to clean themselves which brings poison in the bird’s body. Often times with marine life the oil makes it’s way to the lungs or liver which also poisons the animal. Oil spills also can make an animal go blind which causes death because of them not being able to see their predator to know when they need to attack and they usually can’t get food either. Oil spills are one of the main causes of animal extinctions.
Coral Reefs:The different Coral Reefs are under a extreme threat due to Climate Change, Ocean Acidificaton, dynamite fishing which is the practice of using explosives to stun or kill schools of fish for easy collection. To do this, is illegal and it is extremely destructive to the surrounding ecosystem which are the coral reefs that the fish live off of. Coral reefs are also affected by overuse of reef resources, and harmful land-use practices.

Pictures of our trip!

Compare and Contrast

Comparing Coral Reefs and Rocky Shores

Coral Reefs
When I went snorkeling in Waikiki, Hawaii I experienced snorkeling I got to see many different kinds of fish such as butterfly fish, Red Sea Banner fish, clown Fish and many more! The experience was amazing and I got to see the sea turtles and all different colors of color reefs. Since I was in Hawaii I was in the Tropical waters so the water was very nice, warm, and clear. While snorkeling I saw a bigger variety of organisms.

Rocky shores
When we went to the Rocky Shores it was a really cool experience. We didn’t see a lot of fish because we were along the shores but we did see barnacles, Star fish, sea snails, and we think either a sting ray or maybe a sunfish! While walking along the beach we found many shells and a lot of sand dollars! we also bumped into big huge pile of sea weed! The water was very different from snorkeling it wasn’t warm at all, since we were on the California coast the water was a lot colder!

Theme song?

Although Dillon's Beach is not entirely a "rocky shore" it has some elements of a sandy beach and rocky shore. So We thought this song we first heard in class would be informative for any student to understand the life of the organisms that reside in the splash zone of this intertidal ecosystem!
"Hold on or go with the flow"
CHORUS:
Hold on or go with the flow
That's what the rocky shore animals know
Hold on or go with the flow
That's what the rocky shore animals know
Hold on and on or go with the flow
Hold on and on or go with the flow
Well, the barnacle's head sticks like glue
The mussels all have little sticky threads too
That cling to the rocks so they won't slip away
As the waves come crashing night and day
Hold on and on or go with the flow
The urchin finds a rock and it burrows inside
The crab finds a crevice where it can hide
The chiton's big foot is sticky and flat
For a rough and tumble seashore habitat
Hold on and on or go with the flow
The waves roll in, the waves roll out
Pretend you're a sea star tumbling about
Now hold on tight with all your might
As the waves come crashing down

Cool Web Links/Activities

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/under-the-sea/
http://www.nrdc.org/reference/kids.asp
http://www.nsf.gov/geo/oce/ocekids.jsp
http://www.surfnetkids.com/watercam.htm
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/kids/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coloringbook/archive/
http://www.primarygames.com/science/ocean/games.htm
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/quizzes/kidscorner/animal_games_water_surface_btn_large.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/ocean.html

Important Organism-Anemone

Colorful Sea Anemone are named after the terrestrial anemone flower. They are a very close relatives to coral and jellyfish. They attach themselves to rocks and wait for fish to come close enough to sting with their poisonous tentacles. Their tentacles are triggered by the lightest contact, releasing their venom into an organism resulting in a paralyzing effect. They guide their prey into their mouth using their tentacles.There are more than 1,000 sea anemone species known to existence, most of which are found in cool coastal waters. They range in size from a half inch to 6 feet! They maintain a symbiotic relationship with clown fish, which are immune to the anemone's venom. Clown fish live in the anemone’s tentacles, seeking shelter from predators, in return the anemone snacks on scarps from the clown fish's meals- It's a give and take concept.

Important Organism-Sea Urchin

Sea urchins (relative of the Sea Star and Sea Cucumber) live in tide pools. They feed of algae, seaweed, and bits of small plants and animals. Sea urchins have hundreds of tiny, pointy feet. They have 5 teeth in the middle of their back. Sea urchins use their teeth to pull, tear and rip off algae from rocks.Their teeth keep growing throughout their lifespan. Sea urchin's are usually about 4 inches in size and come in a variety of colors. Purple and light pink are the most common shades.

Important Organism-California Mussel

The California mussel, is an edible mussel, and a marine mollusk.This species is native to the west coast of our region. California mussels are found clustered together, in very large groups, on rocks in the splash zone of the intertidal ecosystem on the open coast, where they are exposed to both air and ocean mist. They prefer water with a high amount of salt, and low sediment conditions. Mussels attach themselves to rock surfaces using their thread-like byssus, the adhesive is one of the strongest know to man.California mussels can grow up to 8 in length and can live up to 20 years or more. Many die in the intertidal zone due to the violent waves,occasional lack of water, predation, and disease. The most common predators of California mussels are the Sea Star. Their diet consists of Phytoplankton.

Important Organism-Sea Otter

The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, and the only one which lives almost entirely in the water.
-Sea otters can live up to 25 years of age, the average lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
-At birth, sea otters weigh approximately 5 lbs and are 10 inches in length.
- Sea otter fur is the finest of any mammal, they have 850,000 to 1 million hairs per square inch. They rely on these hairs to keep warm in the water. If fur is soiled with oils or other foreign substances, the sea otter won't be able to keep itself insulated. Consequently, sea otters spend much of their time cleaning and grooming their fur.
- Sea otters are social, they float together in groups of less than 10 to more than 100, called rafts. Most of the time, groups are separated by sex, females and pups spend time in one group and males in another
- Sea otters live in coastal, shallow water. Their habitat consists of two areas in these waters- the ocean floor where they find their food, and the surface where they eat, groom, rest and social interactions occur.
- Sea otters eat benthic creatures such as clams, mussels, urchins, crabs, and fish. They must dive to capture their food. They eat 20-30% of their weight each day to stay insulated

Sea Star- Important Organism Facts

Facts:
-Like Kelp, Sea Stars come in a variety of shape, size and color. Some of the species of Sea Star are: Long-rayed brittle star Mottled sea star Blood star Six-rayed star
Red brittle star Giant pink sea star Ochre star, Purple star Sunflower star Morning sun star
-Sea Stars are of the referred to as a Star Fish, it is an incorrect name because they are not really fishes.
-Sea Stars can be found in many oceanic environments.
-The number of “arms” on a sea star varies from from the different species. A majority of the sea stars will however have five “arms” that are spaced evenly around their circular body shape.This arrangement is known as pentaradial symmetry.
-Sea Stars use a hydraulic water vascular system to eat, transport waste and move around. On the ventral face of the Sea Stars arm, you can see their“tube feet”. When the sea star contracts certain muscles, it will force water into a tube foot and expel it's body. The sea star controls it's numerous tube feet using different muscles, making it possible to move around by alternately contracting or relaxing various tube feet.
-They will eat just about anything, some eat mussels, clams, and oysters; or any animal slow enough to to catch. Some species eating decomposing organisms, and plant material. Some even eat coral polyps, sponges or even suspended particles and planktons.
-Their stomach is intact usually but when feeding, they take it out to lurch into shells and devour the creature.

Sea Star-Important Organism

Monterey Bay Aquarium:I'm a Sea Star Song

I'm a Sea Star

Living in the sea

My tiny tube feet

Are very sticky

When I get hungry

For an ocean treat

I take my stomach out to eat!

I'm a Sea Star

With spiny skin

My arms are called rays

Pointed and thin

If I lose an arm

I can grow it back again

I'm an invertebrate

That can regenerate!

Sea Star, Sea Star, Sea Star

Such a pretty sight

But what an appetite!

I'm a Sea Star

Living in the sea

The mussels and oysters

Are all afraid of me

'Cause when I get hungry

For a little more

I vacuum clean up
The ocean floor!

Sea Star, Sea Star, Sea Star

Such a pretty sight

But what an appetite!

I'm a Sea Star

Living in the sea

When I get hungry

For an ocean treat

I take my stomach out to eat!

Kelp-Important Organism

There are many types of kelp in underwater ecosystems that vary in size shape and color. They are a major keystone species in this ecosystem and without it many organisms would die. The kelp closest to the shore is green like most land plants it has the most exposure to sunlight because the water is shallow. As the water gets deeper light penetrates less and less, resulting in different colored kelp. In medium depth, the kelp is brown, and then in the deepest areas of the sea it is red. This pattern is recognizable to us because we see the trees around us change colors as seasons pass, In the summer they are green, then change to brown and red when the sun is not out as much. The diagram above shows the parts of kelp.

Organisms of the Intertidal Zone

There are many organisms that reside in the intertidal zone such as- Sea Stars, Limpets, Mussels, Isopods, Chitons, Sea Anemone, Barnacles, Periwinkle Snails, Hermit Crabs, Crabs, and Sculpins.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors in the Intertidal Zone

Abiotic and Biotic factors in the Intertidal Zone:
Abiotic:
Water Depth, temperature, turbulence, Salinity, Ph Balance, Tides, Winds, Sediment
Biotic:
Human Impact, Density of Algae/Kelp, Population of: Plants, Mollusks, Crustaceans, Worms, Fish, Birds, Mammals

What is the difference between Abiotic and Biotic Factors?

Biotic factors are things that are alive or have lived. Abiotic factors are things that are not alive or have never lived.

Trophic Levels

What is a trophic level Diagram?

A trophic level refers to the organisms position in the food chain. Autotrophs are at the base. Organisms that eat autotrophs are called herbivores or primary consumers. An organism that eats herbivores is a carnivore and a secondary consumer. A carnivore which eats a carnivore which eats a herbivore is a tertiary consumer.

Level 1: Sea Otter
Level 2:
Fish
Starfish
Shore Birds
Crabs
Level 3:Sea Urchins
Periwinkle Snail
Mollusks
Limpets
Mussels
Shrimp
Level 4.Large Seaweeds (Algae)
Kelp:(Alaria, Laminara)
Pyrifera
Plankton

What is the difference between Abiotic and Biotic Factors?
Biotic factors are things that are alive or have lived.

Abiotic factors are things that are not alive or have never lived.

Keystone Species

What is a keystone species?

A keystone species is a species that has an impact on its community that is both strong and disproportionate to its abundance. The keystone analogy refers to the architectural element at the apex of an arch that locks the other pieces into position, and is used colloquially to refer to the supporting element of a larger structure.

The keystone species of the Intertidal Zone are:

Sea otters
Urchins
Kelp

Food Web

What is a Food Web?

a diagram showing the organisms that eat other organisms in a particular ecosystem, predators being higher in the web than their prey.

This is the food web for the Intertidal Zone

Sea Anenomes were left out from this diagram, however they will eat: crabs,sea urchins,and small fish basically whatever they can catch.

Indicator Species of Intertidal Zone

What is an indicator Species?
An indicator species is an organism whose presence or absence is indicative of a particular habitat, community or set of environmental conditions.

Supralittoral Zone/Splash Zone: Green Alga (most like land plants due to high sun exposure)
Supralittoral Fringe/High Tide: Periwinkle Snail
Midlattoral zone/Mid Tide: Barnacle
Infralittoral Fringe: Brown Alga-Alaria(due to less sun exposure), Aggregating Anemone
Infralittoral Zone: Brown Alga-Laminaria, Giant Anemone

Description Of Intertidal Ecosystem

The intertidal zone is a very complex marine ecosystem. This area is where the land meets the sea, it also is the place that has the largest amount of photic exposure, meaning there are many green plants around. This is violent ecosystem for the organisms that reside in this zone due to the crashing of waves and rise and fall of the water. The constant up and down change of water levels leave some areas of the intertidal zone exposed to the air for a prolonged period of time, while others remain underwater. This change in water makes imaginary horizontal layers of which certain species exist. The intertidal ecosystem can be divided into different sub-zones. These zones are called: supralittoral zone/splash,supralittoral fringe/high tide, midlittoral zone/mid tide, infralittoral fringe, and the infralittoral zone/lowest tide. The supralittoral zone is the harshest environment for the organisms who live there, it also has the least amount of water -only receiving the mists form the sea, or water fall from storms. It is crucial that the terrain is whetted by the sea or, greatest environmental danger is having the animals dry out from lack of water. Most organisms that live in the inetertidal zone have adapted ways to conserve water, such as an operculum to seal the shell entrance from water loss. Because of the small amount of water, the most commonly found organisms in the supralittoral zone are mollusks, oysters, and barnacles.