Marine Biology Field Guide Mammals, Reptiles, and Aves taxons Until recently the most general taxons were the 5 kingdoms. 1)Animalia 2)Plantae 3)Fungi 4)Protista (algae, slime molds, protozoan) 5)Monera (bacteria) Due to the study of genetics (advances in DNA technology/testing) scientists recognize the domain which is even more general than the kingdom. All Life Kingdom Monera Kingdom Fungi Kingdom Animalia Kingdom Plantae Kingdom Protista Domain Eukaryota Domain Archaea Domain Eubacteria Table of Contents Eukaryotes Prokaryotes *PROKARYOTES NO nucleus!!! Kingdom Animalia multicellular eukaryotic sexual reproduction (involves sperm and egg; internal OR external fertilization) Life Cycle: -adult always diploid (ie. human 46 chromosomes...TWO sets of chromosomes...one from mom and one from dad) - embryo undergoes stages of development heterotrophic (other)(one that feeds) most mobile via muscle fiber grouped into about 30 various phyla Animalia (vertebrates) Class Mammalia Class Amphibia Class Aves Class Reptilia Phylum Chordata Class Agnatha Class Chondrichthyes Class Osteichthyes Class Mammalia approximately 4,600 species endotherms and homeotherms (warm-blooded) skin has hair/fur viviparous embryo receives food and oxygen through a placenta, which connects it to the womb newborns are fed milk secreted by the mammary glands only a few, well-cared-for young are produced brain is larger in relation to body size and more complex than other vertebrates they live anywhere there is food to eat and air to breathe Description Description: Grows up to 6.5 feet and weighs from 120 to 370 pounds. Lengths of the males are generally longer than females. They have a thick coat of short hair. Their coloration varies, with spots ranging from off- white to black or brown. Phoca vitulina harbor seal Habitat: Harbor seals bask and sleep on coastal islands, ledges, and beaches & sandbars that are uncovered at low tide. They stay close enough to water to facilitate feeding and mating. Range: Among the world's most wide-ranging seals, they inhabit the coastal areas of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans and are found in arctic, subarctic, and temperate regions. Phoca vitulina harbor seal Comments: Harbor seals are agile carnivores with streamlined bodies and flipper-like limbs that enable them to swim with great skill. Their food consists of crustaceans, mollusks, squid, and a variety of fish. Harbor seals do not chew their food; they either tear it into chunks or swallow it whole. Their molars allow them to crush hard objects like shells and crustaceans. Harbor seals are usually solitary animals, with reproduction and "haul outs" being the only exceptions. Phoca vitulina harbor seal Description: Grows up to 12 in length. Coloring varies from albino to black. A distinct dark cape is often located on the head and back. Old females often have spots on their ventral side. The dorsal fin is broad based, strongly curved, and located on the center of the dorsal side. Tursiops truncatus bottlenose dolphin Habitat: Inshore waters including estuaries, bays, waterways, and freshwater rivers. Range: In the Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico. In the pacific from south California to the tropics. Tursiops truncatus bottlenose dolphin Comments: These dolphins feed on fishes, shrimps, squids, crabs, and often follow fishing boats to feed on discarded fish and organisms stirred up by nets. They use echolocation to find prey. They often ride the bow waves of boats and surf waves. They have also been known to voluntarily approach people close enough to be touched. Dolphins talk to each other as all cetaceans probably do. Phocoena phocoena harbor porpoise Description: Grows up to 6 in length. Husky; the back is dark brown or gray fading to light gray or brown on the sides. Belly is white especially in front of the pectoral fins. Habitat: Subarctic and cold temperate waters. Often in bays, harbors, estuaries, and at the mouth of rivers. Comments: The Harbor porpoise is not known to ride bow waves or go close to vessels. They swim quietly at the surface. They are known to feed on octopi, squid, and fishes, including herrings. They are preyed upon by large sharks and killer whales. Each female produces a single offspring about once every year. Phocoena phocoena harbor porpoise Range: In the Atlantic from the Davis Straights and S.E. Greenland to North Carolina. In the Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska and the E. Aleutian chain to S. California. Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Description: Grows up to 53 in length. Body narrows rapidly to the tail. They are mostly black with a belly that is sometimes white. The flippers and underside of the fluke is nearly all white. Fleshy knobs or protuberances are randomly distributed on the top of the head and on the jaw. Habitat: Along the coast, usually on the continental shelf or on island banks. Range: These mammals are migratory. They are found in the Atlantic from N. Iceland & W. Greenland South to the W. Indies, including the Gulf of Mexico. They are found in the Pacific from the Bering Sea to S. Mexico. Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Comments: Humpback whales migrate seasonally and feed on krill and small schooling fishes. They are known to concentrate food by swimming in circles and forming a bubble curtain. They are known to sing population specific songs with repeated phrases. Humpbacks sometimes leap clear out of the water and may be seen flapping their flukes or a flipper at the surface. Class Reptilia approximately 7,000 species Reptiles include lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles. ectotherms (cold-blooded) Metabolic rate and therefore, activity level, varies with temperature. Skin is covered with scales to prevent water loss. Eggs have a leathery shell to prevent water loss so they can be laid on land. There are few reptiles that live in the marine environment. Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle) Description Description: Loggerheads are the largest hard shelled turtle in the world. They grow to a weight from pounds ( kilograms) and are nearly four feet (1.2 meters) in total length. Loggerheads have a characteristic large head, with more massive jaws and muscles than other sea turtles. Habitat: Loggerheads feed in the waters of the continental shelves, often in water only 30 or less meters deep. Hatchlings and young juveniles do not dive, staying near the surface, often in association with mats of floating seaweed. Loggerheads are frequently found in bays and estuaries, and may enter river mouths. Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle) Range: Found as far north as Alaska, eastern Russia, and Norway, and as far south as Australia and South Africa. Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle) Comments: Females nest on the same sandy beaches year after year. Females nest on the same sandy beaches year after year. In North America nests are known to be on the Atlantic In North America nests are known to be on the Atlantic Coast from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas Coast from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas and south to Tabasco. and south to Tabasco. These sea turtles reach sexual maturity when their shells These sea turtles reach sexual maturity when their shells are no longer than 50 cm. are no longer than 50 cm. The eggs, which are mm in diameter, are laid during The eggs, which are mm in diameter, are laid during spring tides. spring tides. The eggs are placed in a nest, which is usually chosen in an undisturbed area of well-drained dunes or grassy vegetation, just above the average high tide line. The female comes ashore and climbs up to the high tide line she then excavates a hole with her flippers. Once the hole is dug and the eggs are laid, the nest is then covered by the turtle using her hind flippers. Incubation lasts for a period of days. There is usually 120 eggs per clutch, and the female lays two clutches at an interval of thirteen days. The females come ashore to nest only at night in the spring and summer. The females usually nest every other year with 3-4 nests per season. The eggs in the nest usually hatch around the same time, and the babies quickly move together to the water leaving behind their only terrestrial life stage. Dermochelys coriacea leatherback turtle Description: The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of living turtles. They grow to a weight of 2,000 lbs. and a length of about 7 feet. They have a span of 8.5 feet from the tip of one front flipper to the tip of the other. The leatherback has no visible shell. The shell is present but it consists of bones that are buried into its dark brown or black skin. It has seven pronounced ridges in its back and five on the underside. Habitat: Very little is known about this pelagic species. Foods are primarily jellyfish, but crustaceans, squid, octopus, and small fish are also eaten. One of the world's deepest diving air-breathing animals, this species has been recorded at depths over 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It is believed that these deep dives are made in search of species of jellyfish that live at these depths.pelagic Range: The Leatherback is the most widely distributed reptile species in the world, it occurs in the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as lesser seas. It is seasonally distributed in far northern and southern waters, where it can feed on coldwater jellyfish. Dermochelys coriacea leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea leatherback turtle Comments: The only recorded observation of mating in this turtle was in the month of April. Females return to nest only every years. They come ashore at night and dig a flask-shaped cavity in moist sand, into which they lay an average of eggs. The eggs generally hatch within days and the young emerge from the nest at night to make their way to the sea.emerge from the nest Leatherbacks nest from April to July in the western Atlantic, nesting on beaches of Central and South America, islands of the Caribbean in the Gulf of Mexico and as far north as Georgia along the Atlantic Ocean. Class Aves approximately 10,000 species birds endotherms (more specifically homeotherms /warm-blooded) horny beak hollow bones for flight feathers large yolked, hard-shelled eggs; the parent bird provides extensive care of the young until it is grown, or gets some other bird to look after the young marine birds are covered with waterproof feathers, nest on land, have webbed feet, and feed on fish, squid, and benthic invertebrates Larus argentatus herring gulls Description: This familiar gull can be distinguished from other gulls by its large size and grey upperparts. Adult reach a height of inches and a weight of ounces. During summer, adults have white heads, but in autumn they become streaked with brown. They have bright yellow bills with a red tip, and pink legs. Juveniles are grayish- brown; the grey upperparts do not develop until after the second winter. A number of vocalizations are produced, including the well- known raucous 'laughing' call. Larus argentatus herring gulls Habitat: This versatile species breeds in a range of habitats, including cliffs, beaches, small islands, inland sites and even buildings. They also exploit rubbish dumps, particularly during winter. Larus argentatus Range: Summer Range Breeds across Alaska and northern Canada, southward to the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic Coast to North Carolina. Herring Gull or closely related species breed across Eurasia. Winter Range Winters from southern Alaska southward to Mexico, and from the Great Lakes and Massachusetts southward into the Caribbean and Central America. Comments: Feed on fish and marine invertebrates, insects, birds, eggs, carrion, garbage. Captures prey while walking or swimming, dips food from surface of water. Steals food from other birds. Drops large, hard food items on rock or sand to break them open. Nest is a scrape in sand or dirt. Lined with vegetation, feathers, plastic, or nothing. Eggs are light olive with dark brown speckles. Larus argentatus herring gulls Pandion haliaetus osprey Description: Ospreys are large birds of prey (55 to 58 cm long), with a wingspan ranging from 145 to 170 cm. Their long wings have a characteristic bend at the carpal ("wrist") joints. They are bright white underneath, with dark brown patches at the carpal joints and a mottled dark brown necklace. Other identifying markings include a dark stripe through each eye, and a dark brown back. Pandion haliaetus osprey Habitat: Anywhere where there are safe nest sites and shallow water with abundant fish. Nests are generally found within 3 to 5 km of a water body such as a salt marsh, mangrove swamp, cypress swamp, lake, bog, reservoir or river. Range: Ospreys have a worldwide distribution, wintering or breeding on every continent except Antarctica. Pandion haliaetus osprey Comments: With the introduction and widespread use of the pesticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), osprey populations in many areas declined sharply from the 1950s through the 1970s. During this period, 90% of breeding pairs disappeared from the Atlantic coast between New York City and Boston. DDT was banned in the U.S. around 1970, but continues to be used in some countries that serve as wintering grounds for ospreys. Populations of ospreys largely rebounded after the banning of DDT and are now reaching historic levels. Installation of artificial nest structures, hacking projects and new habitat created by reservoirs have allowed osprey populations to increase and expand their range. Pandion haliaetus osprey Double Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Description: Cormorants grow up to 90 cm (35 in.) in length, 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) with dark brown or black plumage that has a dull greenish or bronze sheen. They have lean bodies, long necks and relatively short wings. They have long beaks with a hooked upper mandible and bright orange-yellow skin that covers the face, throat and base of the bill. Their black feet are webbed feet and found on short legs, and their tails are wedge-shaped. Two crests appear on top of their heads when looking for a mate. Habitat: Found in a variety of marine and inland aquatic habitats. They require water for feeding and nearby perches, such as rocks, sandbars, pilings, shipwrecks, wires, trees or docks for resting on and drying out during the day. (Hatch and Weseloh, 1999)Hatch and Weseloh, 1999 Range: Double-crested cormorants breed across North America, as far north as southern Alaska. They winter in North America as far south as Sinaloa, Mexico, and are common on marine and inland waters throughout their range. Comments: Double-crested cormorants feed primarily on fish, but also eat insects, crustaceans and amphibians. They generally feed in shallow water (less than 8 m deep) within 5 km of shore, diving underwater to catch their prey. They may swallow small fish while underwater, but bring larger prey up to the surface to shake, clean or hammer on the water before consuming them. After diving, cormorants look for an elevated spot to perch with their wings outspread. This is most likely done to dry out the feathers. Great Egret Ardea alba Great Egret Ardea alba Description: Great Egrets grow up to 1 meter tall, have a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and weigh about 912 to 1140 g. On average, males are larger than females. They are completely white with a long yellow bill and dark gray legs. Habitat: Great Egrets will live near any form of water. Streams, lakes, ponds, mud flats, saltwater and freshwater marshes are inhabited by this beautiful bird. Wooded swamps and wetlands are the preferred location for Great Egrets. Range: Found as far south as Texas, the Gulf coast states, and Florida up the Atlantic coast to Maine and southern Canada, and west to the Great Lakes. Comments: As opportunistic predators, great egrets usually feed on smaller aquatic and terrestrial insects and vertebrates and are considered to be heterotrophs. Wading slowly through the water, they are extremely successful at striking and catching fish or insects. Both male and female great egrets participate in incubating and feeding the semi-altricial young. Nestlings are initially fed by regurgitation, followed by bill-grabbing, where the parent holds prey over the nestling to grab at as it eats. (Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2000; Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1998)Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2000Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1998 Physical Features: Piping Plover Charadrius melodus DESCRIPTION The piping plover is a small shorebird about 7 inches long with a wingspan of about 15 inches. They weigh on average from1.5 to 1.7 ounces. Adult piping plovers have sand-colored backs and white undersides. In mating season, piping plovers have a dark band around their neck during the breeding season and a black band across the forehead from eye to eye. Piping plovers can be distinguished from other similar species by their bright orange legs. Habitat: Piping Plovers usually live most of their life on open sandy beaches or rocky shores, away from the water in dry sandy areas. A Piping Plover living anywhere outside of sand in beaches or rocky shores is very rare to see, unless it is migrating. RANGE Piping plovers are only found in North America in three geographic regions: the Atlantic Coast, the Northern Great Plains, and the Great Lakes. In the winter piping plovers from all three populations migrate to the South Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Caribbean beaches. Comments The eggs of piping plovers and plovers themselves act as a camouflage, blending in very well with the sand as a protective mechanism against predators. In many areas, they are endangered. Males court females by diving to the ground and flying over them. Females usually lay four eggs, which hatch in about 25 days. Instead of being fed by the parents, the chicks must exit the nest and find food for themselves. If a predator threatens a chick, the parent may pretend to have a broken wing, as a method to lure the predator away.