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Wsorc invert final
- 1. Target Invertebrate List Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Centre
- 2. Worms
- 5. Echinoderms
- 20. Appendix II
- 26. Crustaceans
Editor's Notes
- This genus counts a number of species with similar appearance. The body of the animal is concealed inside a tube made of particles from the surrounding environment, usually sand and pieces of shell held together by mucus. The exterior part of the animal is a feathery retractable crown used for breathing and filtering the water for nutrients (rostrum). Each appendage corresponds to a single animal and is usually 10-15cm in diameter, light brown with white details. The tip of the appendage is still visible inside the animal’s tube even while retracted. It will slowly expand again after some time.
- The species of this genus are fairly similar to those of the previous. They both share the same generic body structure: a hidden body and an retractable appendage. Christmas tree worms are generally smaller than the feather duster worm, with the filtering appendage not exceeding 5cm in diameter. Their colour can vary, the most common are white, yellow, brown or orange, but they can also be found in blue, purple, red, pink or any combination. Each individual has two retractable appendages. These appendages are slightly different from that of the feather duster worm: their structure is spiralled upwards and is completely hidden while retracted by a “lid” (operculum).
- Not proper sea stars, but closely related. Also known as serpent stars. Easily distinguishable morphological traits. The have long, slender arms attached bluntly to the small central disk. Of all echinoderms they’re the ones with the strongest tendency to a 5 plane radial symmetry. They prefer deep environments so they’re rarely found in shallow reefs. Usually hidden from eyesight, it is common to only see an arm coming out of a hole or from under a rock. When attacked, they can voluntarily shed an arm and regenerate it (autotomy). Shed arms cannot regenerate the rest of the body. Some species have the ability to reproduce asexually by splitting their body in two and regenerating the missing half. Some species are bioluminescent in the green or blue wavelengths.
- Again, not proper sea stars. The word Crinoidea comes from the Greek [“Krinon”- a lily + “eidos”- form], which refers to those crinoid species that present an elongated foot appendage in the adult form, like a stalk, giving them the common name of sea lilies. Feather stars have little foot appendages to hold on to the substrate and walk, but can be found swimming freely, with movements that resemble jellyfish.
- This is one of the most abundant, widespread and ecologically important shallow water genera of tropical seas. It is found in all tropical oceans. It feeds on algae and segrass and keeps its growth under control. It can be hard to distinguish species within this genus, also because of reported hybridization. As a general rule we include all dark bodied, long spiked urchins. An overporulation of diadema con indicate an unhealthy reef with high algae concentration.
- Feeds in much the same way as Diadema urchins and are an important member of the ecosystem but can never reach the effect of the Diadema. Mostly predated on by Triggerfish and Porgies. It looks very similar to the rock-boring urchin (next slide), but the dark tips and the greater length of the spines are distinctive
- Not sure if we’ll actually see any of these because they are nocturnal. They bore a hole for themselves in the rock and hide there all day. They come out at night and graze on the algae around their hole but never venture far. Predated on by helmet snaisl.
- It is often covered with pieces of seagrass, fragments of shell and other debris. These decorations are held in place by tube feet among the spines and are believed to provide protection from the intense sunlight that penetrates the shallow water. Predators such as triggerfish, octopus, and puffers. Major predator are humans. Their numbers have declined throughout the 20th century and efforts are being made to raise them in laboratories to repopulate the more depleted areas.
- Leads a nocturnal,benthic existence. During daylight hours, the slate pencil urchin uses its large primary spines to anchor itself under or atop rocks or to lodge itself in crevices. Individuals rarely stray far from their locality.[6] At night, they will feed primarily on corals and sponges, among other things.[11]
- Conch is a generic name used to describe a group of gastropods sharing a similar shell structure. While the size and details of the shell can change widely between families, the generic shape remains the same: a high spiral end and an elongated siphonal canal at the other end. The classic, most common conch is the Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) which is widely fished for its meat and pearls, while the shell is often used for numerous other purposes such as decorating, as a musical instrument (Grenada, Guadeloupe, Caribbean Islands), ink holders (Mayas) or as a religious, ritualistic item (Shanka shell, Hinduism). The animal is herbivorous and feeds on sea grass. The shell often acts as a substrate for different other organisms to develop such as algae, sponges, coralline algae, tunicates, etc. When the animal dies, the shell is often taken as a home by the giant hermit crab. (In this case it doesn’t count for survey purposes).
- As their name suggests, they have 8 feet (tentacles). These tentacles usually bear suction cups, giving them the ability to grab objects and adhere to substrate very solidly. They have a hard, central beak which they use to crack open shells of small invertebrates like bivalves, crabs or shrimp and cut through their meat. They can also use their arms to pry open the shells of other invertebrates and inject their paralyzing saliva. Larger species have also been known to catch and kill some species of smaller sharks. They can either be found on the sea floor or swimming freely. They’re mostly nocturnal and tend to hide during the day. They do not possess a shell, this allows them to flex their body completely and fit through very small fissures to hide. This, coupled with their ability to actively camouflage makes them very difficult to spot. Often it is only possible to see their eyes or a piece of tentacle poking out of their hiding place. They are generally not dangerous and tend to flee if in danger. Some squirt ink. Few species are venomous and they usually use bright coloured skin details to warn the attacker, like the Blue Ringed Octopus, which can be fatal even for humans.
- Morphology is similar to that of a cuttlefish, although they do not have the cuttlebone and present instead 2 additional, longer tentacles. They are very strong swimmers and some species can “fly”, or better, jump short distances out of the water. As in most cephalopods, their skin has cromatophores, enabling them to change colour and meld into their surroundings. Their underside is also usually of a lighter colour to provide better camouflage with the light coming from the surface.
- Also known as Cleaner Shrimp. Easily recognizable thanks to the specific colouration of the body. Antennae are usually white and are waved to signal passing fish. Once on board, it feeds of fungi, parasites and damaged tissue from the fish scales, hence its common name. It is often found hiding in coral or in small fissures.
- Mantis shrimp can be found in a wide variety of sizes and colours. Reef dwelling mantis shrimp are usually brightly coloured (Peacock Mantis Shrimp) while sandy bottom dwellers are usually gray or brow-ish. Common characteristics are a long body and two foldable claws. Reef species usually live under rocks while sand dwellers build a burrow in which to hide. Both wait patiently for their prey to approach before striking. Sandy bottom dwellers are often completely hidden, leaving only their eyes visible. Apart from size and habitat, the main feature distinguishing one species of mantis shrimp from another is the appearance of their claws. This also determines their hunting style. The first type of claws are longer, thinner, and ornate with lines of spines. Species with these claws quickly reach out grabbing their prey (often cutting and ripping its body) and pulling it inside their den for. (Spearers) The second type have shorter, blunt claws. They usually do not have spikes, but are greatly thickened on the back side and are used as punchers to break the shells and exoskeletons of their preys. (Smashers) One of their many common names is “Thumb Splitters”.