Marine Life
Marine life is the essence of MarineBio, so in this section we explore information on the science, biology, taxonomy, morphology, behavior, and ecological relationships of the fascinating marine life that inhabits the ocean.
Marine Species Database
- Search/browse our growing database of endangered, threatened, and most common marine species...
What is Marine Biology?
- Marine biology is the study of life in the oceans and other saltwater environments such as estuaries and wetlands. All plant and animal life forms are included from the microscopic picoplankton all the way to the majestic blue whale, the largest creature in the sea—and for that matter in the world...
A History of the Study of Marine Biology
- It wasn't until the writings of Aristotle from 384-322 BC that specific references to marine life were recorded. Aristotle identified a variety of species including crustaceans, echinoderms, mollusks, and fish...
The Naming of Life: Marine Taxonomy
- Marine taxonomy and the science of naming life and evolutionary relationships...
Forests of the Sea: Phytoplankton and Marine plants
- Phytoplankton, Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, Algae, Seagrasses, and Kelp Beds: Forests of the Sea...
Zooplankton
- Taxonomy, Nanoplanktonic Flagellates, Cnidarians, Rotifera, Chaetognatha, Marine Gastropods, Polychaeta, Copepods, Cladocerans, Krill, Insect Larvae, Tunicates...
Marine Invertebrates
- Sponges, Cnidarians, Worms, Lophophorates, Molluscs, Arthropods, Echinoderms, and Hemichordates... Animals that lack backbones are known as invertebrates. Over 98% of species on Earth are invertebrates that rely on other strategies than a backbone for support such as hydrostatic pressure, exoskeletons, shells, and in some, even glass spicules. Some invertebrate phyla have only one species, while others like Arthropoda include more than 83% of all described animal species with over a million species.
Coral Reefs
- Importance, variety and conservation issues...
Octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiloids
- Cephalopod species at MarineBio.org...Coming soon: Arthropods (horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, and barnacles), Cnidarians (sea anemones, corals, sea pens, jellyfish, box jellies, and hydrozoans), Echinoderms (starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, sea cucumbers, crinoids, and sea daisies), Hemichordates (acorn worms and Pterobranchia), Lophophorates (brachiopods, bryozoans, and horseshoe worms), Mollusks (bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods), Sponges (calcareous, glass, demosponges), and Worms (roundworms, ribbonworms, flatworms, spiny-headed, segmented, arrow, jaw, horsehair, phallus, and peanut worms).
Marine Vertebrates
- Marine vertebrates, classified under the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata and Subphylum Vertebrata, are among the most structurally complex organisms. The seven main superclasses and classes in Vertebrata are: Agnatha, Amphibia, Aves, Chondrichthyes (“Condr-ICK-thees”), Mammalia, Osteichthyes (“Ostee-ICK-thees”), and Reptilia.
Marine Birds
- Penguins, puffins, pelicans, boobies, flamingo, etc.
Marine Fishes
- Jacks, cod, sailfish, scorpionfish, tuna,marlin, parrotfish, angelfish, barracuda, sea horses, eels, etc.
Marine Reptiles
- Sea turtles, the marine iguana, saltwater crocodile, and sea snakes.
Sharks & Rays
- Basking sharks, blue and bull sharks, the goblin shark, great whites, hammerheads, lemon sharks, manta and stingrays, nurse shark, oceanic whitetip, tiger sharks, salmon sharks, threshers, whale sharks, Wobbegongs, etc.
Marine Mammals
- For generations, whales and other marine mammals have intrigued humans. 2,400 years ago, Aristotle, a Greek scientist and philosopher, recognized that whales are mammals, not fish, because they nurse their young and breathe air like other mammals. There are numerous myths and legends surrounding marine mammals. The Greeks believed that killing a dolphin was as bad as murdering a human.
Seals & Sea Lions, Polar Bears, Sea Otters...
- Fur seals, sea lions, seals, polar bears, walruses and sea otters.
Whales & Dolphins (Cetaceans)
- 16 species of rare beaked whales, 28 species of dolphins, 6 species of porpoises, 6 species of baleen whales, the dwarf and pgymy sperm whales, 4 right whales, the gray whale, 6 river dolphins, the narwhal, beluga, and sperm whale.
Dolphins
- They’re the acrobats and court jesters of the sea, troops of aerial spinners and wave dancers. Their long shining sleek bodies jet high into the air as they perform a grand ballet with tails propelling them as they skim each wave against the continuous horizon. Mesmerizing to watch, dolphins have been gliding, flipping and dancing into our hearts for centuries.
The Structures & Adaptations to Marine Living
- Here we look at the development and uses of marine body types, common characteristics like fins, scales and shells. We'll see how "different" marine life really is...
The Grazers & Predators
- Let's look at the different roles of marine life. We're familiar with grazers and predators on land, how do they behave in the sea..?
Marine Life Cycles
- We have fission, budding, eggs that hatch internally, eggs that hatch externally, live births, some start as plankton (zooplankton), some are born in fresh water, some are born on land...
Symbionts, Parasites, Hosts & Cooperation
- Every form of interaction between different species is seen in the sea. Some creatures depend on each other for food, protection or a just a safe place to lay eggs. A parasite isn't always bad... see examples of cooperation that we humans could learn from...
Marine Ecology
- Marine life habitats, populations and interactions among organisms and their environment...
Trophic Structure
- All organisms in an ecosystem can be placed in trophic levels depending what energy source they rely upon and how they provide energy for other organisms in the food web...
Biotic Structure
- The way organisms interact within an ecosystem. Food webs vs food chains, trophic levels, symbiosis, predators...
Ecological Regulation
- Complex webs of factors that fit together to form balanced life systems capable of withstanding most changes...
Marine Life Photos
- Browse photos of marine life from some of the world's best photographers and MarineBio staff from around the world...
Marine Life Videos
- Watch videos from MarineBio Expeditions and across the Web of marine life and related movies and documentaries...
Marine Life Forums
- Join discussions involving the latest research & news, marine conservation, marine animals & plants, and much more...
Marine Biology News
Lake Michigan ecosystem may crash: 'Doughnut' of phytoplankton disappearing
In 1998, Charlie Kerfoot discovered a "doughnut" of phytoplankton circulating in Lake Michigan, helping to feed the lake's famous fishery. Just 12 later, the doughnut is disappearing, and Kerfoot fears that the lake's ecosystem will crash, taking with it much of the fish biomass.
Brainy worms: Scientists uncover counterpart of cerebral cortex in marine worms
Unexpectedly, scientists have now discovered a true counterpart of the cerebral cortex in an invertebrate, a marine worm. Their findings give an idea of what the most ancient higher brain centers looked like, and what our distant ancestors used them for.
Researchers develop simulation to better understand the effects of sound on marine life
A combination of the biology of marine mammals, mechanical vibrations and acoustics has led to a breakthrough discovery allowing scientists to better understand the potential harmful effects of sound on marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.
Seafood stewardship questionable, experts argue
The world's most established fisheries certifier is failing on its promises as rapidly as it gains prominence, according to leading fisheries experts.
Snail mail beats phones to help feds sustain ample fish stocks in US coastal waters
Snail mail might be the answer to help federal officials protect US coastal waters from overfishing. Anglers say the feds currently rely on questionable data from a home phone survey to calculate recreational fishing volume and decide which locales to place off limits so stocks can rebuild. A new study found a snail mail survey netted a higher response rate and more complete data, says a statistician.
Marine animals suggest evidence for a trans-Antarctic seaway
A tiny marine filter-feeder that anchors itself to the sea bed offers new clues to scientists studying the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet -- a region that is thought to be vulnerable to collapse. Scientists analyzed sea-bed colonies of bryozoans from coastal and deep sea regions around the continent and from further afield. They found striking similarities in particular species of bryozoans living on the continental shelves of two seas -- the Ross and Weddell -- that are around 1,500 miles apart and separated by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Extensive relict coral reef found in southern Pacific
Coral reefs are sensitive to climate change and track sea level. New observations show that an extensive coral reef existed in the southern Pacific Ocean thousands of years ago. Researchers used multi-beam sonar, coring, and dating to examine a relict reef discovered in water about 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) deep around Lord Howe Island in the southern Pacific Ocean.
Whale sharks may produce many litters from one mating, paternity test shows
Biologists analyzed genetic information from preserved whale shark embryos taken from a female caught off the coast of Taiwan 15 years ago. They found all offspring to have the same father -- an unusual reproduction characteristic for sharks.
Acidifying oceans spell bleak marine biological future 'by end of century', Mediterranean research finds
A unique 'natural laboratory' in the Mediterranean Sea is revealing the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels on life in the oceans. The results show a bleak future for marine life as ocean acidity rises, and suggest that similar lowering of ocean pH levels may have been responsible for massive extinctions in the past.
Shallow water habitats important for young salmon and trout
Research from Sweden shows that competition from older fish causes young salmon and trout to seek refuge in shallow water. Preserving such habitats may, therefore, be important for the survival of the young fish.
Tracking marine animal travel
Scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of marine mammal travel patterns using a large-scale tracking network. A new Public Library of Science (PLoS) collection, created in conjunction with the Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) Program and the Census of Marine Life (CoML), will highlight the variety of ways scientists are using this large POST network to trace marine animal movement in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
Scientists bring new species of turtle out of its shell
When scientists announce the discovery of a new animal species, we often imagine exotic, difficult to reach locations -- the untouched shore of a distant island, the forests of the rain-drenched Amazon or the darkest depths of the Arctic Ocean. But the recent announcement of a new species of turtle in the southeastern United States proves that even in a country considered to be well-explored, perhaps more awaits discovery.
Octopus mimics flatfish and flaunts it
The mimic octopus, which can imitate flatfish and sea snakes to dupe potential predators, may well be the king of impersonation. By creatively configuring its limbs, adopting characteristic undulating movements, and displaying conspicuous color patterns, the mimic octopus can successfully pass for a number of different creatures that share its habitat, several of which are toxic. Now, scientists have conducted DNA analysis to determine how this remarkable adaptation evolved.
Progress on vaccine for 'Ich,' bane of fish farms and home aquarium hobbyists
Tests of the potential vaccine against "Ich" -- the dreaded "white-spot" disease that plagues fish in commercial fish farms, public aquariums, pet fish retail outlets and home aquariums -- are raising hopes for finally controlling the disease, scientists report.
Tiny gulf sea creature could shed light on oil spill’s impact
A molecular biologist will soon bring dozens of tiny, transparent animals that live in Gulf Coast waters back to his campus laboratory as part of an effort to better understand the oil spill's long-term impact on the coastal environment and creatures living there.
Genetic test finds healthiest fish for breeding
A Norwegian company has developed a new genetic test that quickly determines which salmon have the highest resistance to the IPN virus. The recently launched commercial product could mean a breakthrough in the battle against this costly disease.
Coral off Puerto Rico's coast 'ideal case study' for Gulf oil spill's impact
Coral living off the coast of Puerto Rico may provide researchers valuable information about the potential impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Cement, the glue that holds oyster families together
Researchers have shown that oysters produce a unique adhesive material for affixing themselves to each other, a cement that differs from the glues used by other marine organisms.
Supercomputers help track species affected by Gulf oil spill
To establish a baseline for measuring and predicting the biological impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, an ichthyologist and a biomedical informatics researcher are using supercomputer systems to help map data on the extent of the spill and chemicals and the distribution of various fish species.
Deepwater oil plume in Gulf degraded by microbes, study shows
A new study of a deepwater dispersed oil plume formed in the aftermath of the damaged BP wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico shows that microbial activity, spearheaded by a new and unclassified species, degrades oil much faster than anticipated.
