i3christophertur's Journal

Marine adaptations

In order to survive in the wild in all ecosystems and climates, the organisms that must live have to adapt. Adaptations occur over a long period of time and not over night. Adaptations are usually only advantageous to the species that receives it. For this journal, I have chosen to focus on marine adaptations in the Matanzas River and Sea area right next to Whitney labs over near marine land, Florida. In total, there are at least 3 types of adaptations. The first adaptations are to accommodate or adjust to an environment. The second types of adaptations are to secure food for nutrients and to avoid being eaten such as camouflage or defenses like barbs. The last adaptations are to ensure successful reproduction.

An example of both an adaptation to accommodate an environment escape predation would be a Hermit Crab. A Hermit Crab uses local abandoned shells for as a personal physical environment (shelter) in order to survive harsh weather and predators. The shells protect the Hermit Crab from predators like seagulls by providing a hard, resistant armor for the crab and also providing a clever camouflage, so they are harder to see.

An example of a marine adaptation that ensures successful reproduction would be Apple Snails and their eggs. Apple Snails have adapted to lay their eggs on the sides of rocks above the water to protect the eggs from being eaten by fish and other underwater predators.

In an ecosystem, there must be interactions between the various species in order for the organisms to survive and continue the circle of life. Every ecosystem has to have these interactions or that ecosystem will not survive. These interactions are called symbioses. There are a total of three types of biotic symbioses: Mutualism, Parasitism, and Commensalism.

Mutualism is the interaction between two or more organisms where both organisms can benefit from the interaction. An example of mutualism is a Clownfish and a Sea Anemone. The clownfish benefits from the sea anemone by providing shelter from predators by hiding inside of the sea anemone’s poisonous arms. The clownfish benefits the sea anemone by consuming parasites that may be on it and providing nutrients from its excrements.

Parasitism is the interaction between two species where only one benefits from the other organism and the other is harmed in return. The one that benefits from the other organism is called a parasite, while the organism that is being harmed is called a host. Examples of parasitism are Phronima and Salps, a type of zooplanyton. The Phronima is a parasite and the Salps are the hosts.

Finally, there is Commensalism, which is one of the harder types of interactions. Commensalism is when two species interact and one benefits, but the other organism is neither harmed nor benefited. Examples of commensalism are barnacles that grow on whales.

In order for an ecosystem to stay balanced, various living and non-living organisms have to contribute and help control the other organisms. For example, at the Whitney Laboratory River and sea preserve is a perfect place for some of these factors. There are two district types of factors that are meant to control the other organisms from overpopulating. The first factor is a Biotic Factors. Biotic factors are any living organisms that affect another organism. The river an sea preserve is home to many Biotic factors like the Cannonball Jellyfish, Tamoya Haplonema, Cuban Tree frog, Florida Box Turtle, Florida Manatee, Snowy Egret, and the Common Octopus. As long as the factor that is affecting the other organism is living, then it is considered a biotic factor. The next factor that affects other organisms is Abiotic Factors. Abiotic factors are any non-living factors that affect organisms in an ecosystem. Examples of an abiotic factor are storms, snow, hail, heat, cold, acidity, weather, etc. As long as the factor that is affecting the organisms in an ecosystem is non-living, then it is considered to be an abiotic factor. These two different factors are an essential part of keeping the various flora, fauna, bacteria, etc. under control in order to prevent the overpopulation of the species and throwing off the ecosystem’s balance.