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Giant Kelp
Giant Kelp
Macrocystis pyrifera
Macrocystis pyrifera
Kingdom: Chromista
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Lessoniaceae
Genus: Macrocystis
This multicellular protist can grows over 100 ft in dense strands. Creating what is popularly known as Kelp forests. Many species consume these nutritious algae as it is rich in potassium and iodine. This organism is not listed as endangered. [4] The marine otter interacts directly with the kelp forests by using it or hunting for fish and crabs. As well as hiding from preditors.
(ITIS - Report: Macrocystis Pyrifera, 2022)
Black-Browed Alabatross
Black-Browed Alabatross
Thalassarche melanophris
Thalassarche melanophris
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Deuterostomia
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeidae
Genus: Thalassarche
The black-browed albatross inhabits a large range across the Southern Hemisphere. Their populations are increasing. They can be large 93 cm with a wing span of 240 cm and weigh about 4 kg. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
(Black-Browed Albatross (Thalassarche Melanophris) - BirdLife Species Factsheet, 2022)
Sea Strawberries
Sea Strawberries
Fragaria chiloensis
Fragaria chiloensis
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Spermatophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Fragaria
Commonly known as the beach strawberry the coastal plant are get to around 1 ft tall. The flowers that they produce are red or white. The fruit it produces is edible. This organism is not listed as endangered. [13]
(Beach Strawberry, Fragaria Chiloensis, 2022)
Pampas Grasses
Pampas Grasses
Cortaderia selloana
Cortaderia selloana
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Spermatophyta
Class: Monocotyledonae
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Poacae
Genus: Cortaderia
This seaside plant is native to temperate climates of South America. It has been introduced to many places all over the world in the 1700s-1800s. This organism is not listed as endangered. [14]
(Pacific Horticulture | Pampas Grasses: One a Weed and One a Garden Queen, 2015)
Chilean Dolphin
Chilean Dolphin
Cephalorhynchus eutropia
Cephalorhynchus eutropia
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Cephalorhynchus
The Chilean dolphin is also known as the white-bellied dolphin or black dolphin. It is one of the smallest species of dolphin in the world. The max length is 1.7m. Their population numbers are decreasing. This puts them on the near threatened list. The marine otter may find some competition when hunting for fish with a pod Chilean dolphin nearby. [17] [18]
(Chilean Dolphin, 2020)
Chiton
Chiton
Tonicella lokii
Tonicella lokii
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Order: Chitonida
Family: Tonicellidae
Genus: Tonicella
The Chiton are flat and have eight-valved shells with an elongated worm-like body. They are small organisms that are usually around 5 cm. They feed on diatoms, algae, and scraps on the substrate. This organism is not listed as endangered. [19]
(Araya & Araya, 2015)
South American Sea Nettle
South American Sea Nettle
Chrysaora plocamia
Chrysaora plocamia
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Phylum
Class: Scyphozoa
Order: Semaeostomeae
Family: Pelagiidae
Genus: Chrysaora
The fully grown Sea Nettle is around 25-50 cm. They have 24 long tentacles. Sea Nettle feeds on zooplankton and pelagic snails. This species is not endangered and the populations are increasing. [24]
(Pacific Sea Nettle, 2022)
Patagonian Red Octopus
Patagonian Red Octopus
Enteroctopus megalocyathus
Enteroctopus megalocyathus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Enteroctopodidae
Genus: Entroctopus
These bright eight tentacle octopuses live on the shallow coasts in southeastern Chile. This species is listed under the least concern. The marine otter can be seen running along the rock with an octopus in its mouth.[27]
(Enteroctopus Megalocyathus, 2014)
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Megaptera novaeangliae
Kingdom: Chromista
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Megaptra
The Humpback Whale is a huge marine mammal that weighs up to 66,000lbs and 52 ft. These majestic creatures live for 50 years. Luckily they are on their population is increasing. [28]
(Wikipedia Contributors, 2022)
Sea Star
Sea Star
Cosmasterias lurida
Cosmasterias lurida
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asterozoa
Order: Forcipulatida
Family: Stichasteridae
Genus: Cosmasterias
The Sea star can get to around 40 inches. Mostly found on rocks in intertidal zones. This organism is not listed as endangered. [29] This organism is eaten by the marine otter.
(Garrido et al., 2021)Ecological Niche
Ecological Niche
An ecological niche is a term used to describe a species that is specific to a particular environment. [33] Species in different areas have adapted differently based on the distribution of resources. The Lontra felina for example have adapted to living on the rocky coastlines of Argentina. Their fur is some of the thickest in the animal kingdom allowing them to stay warm in the cold ocean waters. Learn more about their biological features on the Anatomy & Physiology page.
Habitat:
Habitat:
Pacific Ocean South America between 6°S and 56°S [35]
Pacific Ocean South America between 6°S and 56°S [35]
The territory in which the Lontra felina is found has some variations in the climate. Based on where a specific raft of marine otters is found. They inhabit the coastlines of Peru, Chile, and Argentina. It is important to note that there is a Humboldt Current also known as the Peru Current that stretches along the west coast of southern Chile to the Colombian border. It brings cold water from Antarctica to the coasts of Chile and Peru. This currents average temperature is 60° F. Causing upwelling and a harsh environment for the Lontra felina [37] [41]
The vast kelp forests are home to many pray for the marine otter. The moray crab Homalaspis plans for example. Can be found feeding on the kelps like in the image above. When the marine otter swims in and grabs the crab. Using their strong teeth to puncure the crab's tough shell.
Moray crab (Homalaspis plana)
(Photo 9909611, (C) Paula González Valderrama, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-NC), Uploaded by Paula González Valderrama · INaturalist, 2016)Moray crab (Homalaspis plana)
Panchote (Talliepus dentatus)
(Photo 6192108, (C) Nicolas Olejnik, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-NC), Uploaded by Nicolas Olejnik · INaturalist, 2017)Panchote (Talliepus dentatus)
Carnivorous
Carnivorous
Feeds on [41]
Moray crab (Homalaspis plana), Panchote (Talliepus dentatus), Octopus (Enteroctopus megalocyathus), Sea Star (Cosmasterias lurida)
Trophic Web
Trophic Web
(Marine Otter - Encyclopedia of Life, 2022)
Key Terms: Ecological Niche, Habitat, Pacific Coastline, Rocky Shores, Climate, Habitat, Precipitation, Ecological Impact, Humboldt Current, Peru Current, Dry Arid, Mediterranean, Temperate Oceanic, Subpolar Oceanic, Trophic Web,
Resources
Resources
Westermeier, R., Murúa, P., Patiño, D. J., Muñoz, L., & Müller, D. G. (2013). Giant kelp (Macrocystis) fishery in Atacama (Northern Chile): biological basis for management of the integrifolia morph. Journal of Applied Phycology, 26(2), 1071–1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0176-3
Giant kelp. (2017). In S. Butler (Ed.), Macquarie Dictionary (7th ed.). Macquarie Dictionary Publishers. Credo Reference: https://login.proxy1.unity.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/macqdict/giant_kelp/0?institutionId=4010
ITIS - Report: Macrocystis pyrifera By Container: Itis.gov Year: 2022 URL: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=11274#null
Macrocystis pyrifera By Wikipedia Contributors Container: Wikipedia Publisher: Wikimedia Foundation Year: 2022 URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrocystis_pyrifera
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Gill, N. (2022, April 22). Sea Strawberries, Beach Plants & Seaweeds of Chile’s Central Coast. Substack.com; New Worlder. https://newworlder.substack.com/p/sea-strawberries-beach-plants-and?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&action=share
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