Plankton

Phytoplankton:

An example of a species of phytoplankton found in coral reefs, are Thalassiosira pseudonana:

1. Where do they live?

They are commonly found in the Argentine Sea, the Baltic Sea, and coastal waters on both sides of North America

2. Role of Thalassiosira pseudonana?

• They cover the surface of seagrass blades, seaweed, and open sand between reefs.
• While they are often associated with polluted regions (such as red tidal zones) they are non-toxic themselves, helping maintain a more healthy environment.

3. Lifecycle?

See image below

4. Anatomical structure?

• Can occur singly or in chains up to 6 cells long.
• Bound by an "irregular siliceous ring" and is striated radially and hexagonally
• Size: 2.5 to 15 microns

Alevizon, Dr. William. "Coral Reef Plants." Coral Reef Plants | Common Plant Life of Coral Reef Ecosystems. 2010-2013, http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-plants.html.

Another example of phytoplankton found in coral reefs, is the Chaetoceros Neglectus:

1. Where do they live?

Chaetoceros Neglectus are usually found in the Southern Ocean, south of Austrialia

2. Role of Chaetoceros Neglectus?

• Removes inorganic carbon dioxide due to photosynthesis.
• Are a source of food for other marine animals, such as whales, shrimp, snails and jellyfish

3. Lifecycle?

See image below

4. Anatomical structure?

• No central spine visible
• Apertures between cells large, hexagonal.
• Setae long and thin

"Authority."Factsheet-Chaetocerosneglectus.2015. https://taxonomic.aad.gov.au/keys/diatoms/key/Antarctic%20Marine%20Diatoms/Media/Html/Chaetoceros_neglectus.htm.

Zooplankton:

An example of zooplankton found in coral reefs are Pteropoda, belonging to the group Holoplankton.

Location:

• Pteropoda are specialized free-swimming pelagic sea snails and sea slugs, and they are commonly found in the Pacific Ocean

Role:

• These snea snails and slugs are very important because they play an important role in the oceanic food web. Sea birds, salmon, and whales are some of the marine animals that consume pteropods. Unfortunately pteropods are currently at risk, due to increased levels of oceanic acidification.

Life cycle:

• Below

Anatomical structure:

• Snails can have a coiled, sinistral shell, or are straight-shelled with a symmetrical body and an unusual ventral mantle cavity
• One of the reasons they are known to be "free swimmers" is because their feet are well developed, very prominent and is modified into a pair of wing-like fins for swimming and springing from one place to other.
• Shell hollow, conical, straight transparent and calcareous.

Sleight, Kenneth. "Information on Zooplankton: What it Is, Types and More." Understanding of the Role of Zooplankton. July 08, 2011. Accessed March 06, 2017.http://www.brighthub.com/environment/scienceenvironmental/articles/121007.aspx.

Another example of zooplankton, is a copepod.

Location:

• Live in the pelagic zone, and benthal zone
• Not confined to a specific area of ocean geographically

Role:

• Many of the 13,000 species of copepods are a reliable food source for many different types of fish

Life Cycle?

Below

Anatomical structure:

• .5 to 2 mm long
• Short cylindrical body with a rounded or beaked head
• Large antennae
• Armoured exoskeletan

Vandana, S. "Structure of Sea Butterflies (Pteropod): With Diagram | Zoology." Structure of Sea Butterflies (Pteropod): With Diagram | Zoology. October 13, 2016.http://www.biologydiscussion.com/zoology/practicals/structure-of-sea-butterflies-pteropod-with-diagram-zoology.

Pictures of all species and life cycles below: