Marine Adaptations

Life in the Gulf of MexicoMammals

DolphinsWhalesManatees

ReptilesSea turtlesAlligators

FishSharksMany others

InvertebratesShellfishShrimpSnailsCoralsJellyfishWorms

OthersMarine algaePlants

North Atlantic Bluefin TunaSea TurtlesSharksMarine MammalsBrown PelicanOystersShrimp and Blue CrabMenhaden and marsh dwelling fishBeach Nesting and Migratory ShorebirdsMigratory Songbirds

Top Ten Animals

Coral’s Adaptation to EnvironmentSurvive in dark depthsHome to 2000 year old coralsReceptive to activities on ocean’s surface

Nutrition is organic matterEcosystem interruption needs years to centuries to

restore (i.e., petroleum exploration and commercial fishing)

Coral’s Future AdaptationsAdjustment to global warmingIncreased oil pollution

Adaptation of Coral

Corals as predatorCorals get nutrients passively from planktonCorals get food from microscopic algae that

live in their tissueCorals as Prey

Fish, such as parrotfish, tangs, butterfly fishSea snails and slugsMarine worms, barnacles, crabsSea stars

Coral in the Food Chain

Powerful waves from hurricanes and cyclones can damage corals

Long periods of low tides leave corals exposedOpen to ultraviolet radiationCorals throw the algae out that inhabit their tissue

(symbiotic zooxanthellae), which causes bleaching, which removes necessary nutrients and eventually death of the coral

Currents can carry pollution to coralPlastic and garbage wrap around and smothers coralChemicals and sediments can cause variation in water,

causing rapid growth of algae, which smother coral

Coral in Tides and Currents

A Mediterranean-type Sea Bordered by

United States of America to the NorthMexico by the West Cuba to the Southeast

A Circular Basin Structure about 1,500 km in diameter

Water Enters The Gulf Through Yucatan Strait

Circulates through what is called a loop current Exits the Gulf through the Florida Strait

Drainage Into The Gulf Assisted by 20 major river systems

Covers over 3.8 million sq. km of the Continental U.S.

Geological Attributes of the Gulf

Freeman, M. (2012). MacGillivray Freeman’s Coral Reef Adventure. Retrieved 17 June 2012 from http://www.coralfilm.com/faq.html

Kennedy, J. (n.d.). Marine Life in the Gulf of Mexico: Gulf of Mexico Marine Animals and Plants. Retrieved 18 June 2012 from http://marinelife.about.com/od/habitatprofiles/tp/GulfofMexicoMarineLife.htm

NOAA (2012). NOAA Ocean Service Education: Corals. Retrieved 17 June 2012 from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral09_humanthreats.html

Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (2011). The Gulf of Mexico's Marine Mammals. Retrieved 18 June 2012 from http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/tmmsn/29Species/marine.html

General Facts About the Gulf of Mexico. (1992). Retrieved from http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php

References