Creatures from the Deep

Secrets of the Sea

Scientists from the Census of Marine Life have released an inventory of species distribution and diversity in key global ocean areas.

These nocturnal echinoderms are called Sponge Brittle Stars (Ophiothrix suensonii). They are very common in the Caribbean. They are so-named

because they are found exclusively either inside or outside living sponges.

• Photo Credit: César Herrera

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Bearded fireworm

The bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) is a type of bristleworm, with groups of white bristles along each side. The bristles are hollow, venom-filled chaeta which easily penetrate the flesh and break off if this worm is handled. They produce an intense burning irritation in the area of contact, hence the common name of the species.

Photo Credit: Eduardo Klein

Giant Caribbean Anemone

Giant Caribbean anemone (Condylactis gigantea) The 'condy' can exibit a variety of colors: white, light blue, pink, organe, pale red, or light brown. The mouth is surrounded by 100 or more tentacles, each long and tapered with pink-, scarlet-, blue- or green-ringed tips and is found in Caribbean waters.

Photo Credit: Eduardo Klein

Spider conch

Spider conch (Lambis chiragra). These distinctive gastropods are found off the coast of Africa and also close to China.

Photo Credit: Shaoqing Wang

Venus fly-trap anemoneVenus fly-trap anemone found in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists combined information collected over centuries with data obtained during the decade-long Census to create a roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions - from the Antarctic through temperate and tropical seas to the Arctic.

Photo Credit: (photograph by I. MacDonald), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.

Pelagic amphipod

Pelagic amphipod (Phronima sedentaria) from the Gulf of Mexico. Australian and Japanese waters, which each feature almost 33,000 forms of life that have earned the status of 'species' are by far the most biodiverse.

Photo Credit: (photograph by H. Bahena), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M

Press, College Station, Texas.

Queen angelfish

Queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) discovered near an oil rig in Texas waters. The oceans off China, the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico round out the top five areas that are the most diverse in known species.

Photo Credit: (photograph by G. Haralson), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas

Deep-water octopus

Deep-water octopus (Benthoctopus sp.) which was found in the Alaminos Canyon in the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo Credit: (photograph by I. MacDonald), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas

Deep-sea jellyfish

Deep-sea jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei), which when attacked by a predator, uses bioluminescence to scream for help. This amazing light show is known as a burglar alarm display

Photo Credit: JAMSTEC

Red-lined paper bubble

Red-lined paper bubble (Hydatinidae gen. sp.) found off Cape Nomamisaki, Kagoshima Whale Fall, Japan. This new species of hydatinid gastropod was discovered from a sperm whale carcass in the deep sea. Its tiny eyes are protected by cephalic shields.

Photo Credit: Yoshihiro FUJIWARA/JAMSTEC

Zombie Worm

The Zombie worm (Osedax roseus), inhabits whale bones and devours them as energy sources. AllOsedax males are dwarfs and live on the trunks of females.

Photo Credit: Yoshihiro FUJIWARA/JAMSTEC

The Sargassum fishThe Sargassum fish (Histrio histrio) is a member of the frogfish family (Antennariidae), a group of small, globular fishes with stalked, grasping, limb-like pectoral fins with small gill openings behind the base, a trapdoor-like mouth high on the head, and a 'fishing lure' (formed by the first dorsal spine) on the snout. It typically lives in open waters in close association with floating Sargassum weed(Sargassum natans and S. fluitans), but is frequently blown into nearshore and bay waters during storms. Although the Sargassum fish is capable of swimming quite rapidly, it often crawls through the Sargassum weed, using its pectoral fins like arms.

Photo Credit: Dr. Sung Kim

Dragonfish

Imagine living in the sea where it is permanently dark, cold, and food is hard to find. For many animals at depth it may be weeks to months between meals. If you find something to eat, you have to hang on to it. This dragonfish has teeth on its tongue; they would be terrifying animals if they weren't the size of a banana.

Photo Credit: Dr. Julian Finn, Museum Victoria

Sea cucumber

Elpidia belyaevi, a new species of sea cucumber from the Arctic deep sea.

Photo Credit: Antonina Rogacheva, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Moscow

Baltic endemic seaweed

Baltic endemic seaweed (Fucus radicans). Many species appear in more than one region. Current holders of the title 'most cosmopolitan' marine species are two opposite kinds: microscopic plants (algae) and single-celled animals called protozoa and copepod in the plankton, and the seabirds and marine mammals that traverse the oceans throughout their lives.

Photo Credit: Lena Bergstrom, Swedish Board of Fisheries

The Holy Qur’an says:

He is Allah, the creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

( Al-Hashr, Chapter #59, Verse #24)

Source

• Slideshare by Xenia

• http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.comhttp://news.uk.msn.com/photos/photo-galleries.aspx?cp-documentid=154293802&page=1

With the addition of slide 17 by Xenia