The Ocean Habitat andThe Ocean Habitat andHow Animals Evolved to Fit inHow Animals Evolved to Fit in

The largest habitat on Earth: makes up to 97 % of all livable

space on EarthAlso contains the most unique

life forms on Earth

Land Influenced ZonesLand Influenced Zones

Better known as: The Neritic ZoneShallow area of ocean water in which land

has an impactCoastal zones of the oceanUsually with 3-50 miles of coastline of

Continents

Land Un-Influenced ZonesLand Un-Influenced Zones

Better known as the: Pelagic zoneOpen oceanLand has no effect or little impactMajority of the oceans’ habitat

2 Ways of Moving in Ocean2 Ways of Moving in Ocean

Nekton- Swim in and out of currents (Most Fish)

Plankton- Drift in Ocean using Currents (jellyfish)

Pelagic or Open Water Zones Pelagic or Open Water Zones defined by Light defined by Light

Pelagic ZonesPelagic Zones

Epipelagic Zone—0-200 meters in depth (all colors visible at first) Mesopelagic Zone—200-1000 meters (twilight zone: light and dark; no color) Bathypelagic Zone—1000-4000 meters (no sunlight visible from this depth and below) Abyssopelagic Zone—4000-6000 meters Hadalpelagic Zone—6000-10000 meters

Epipelagic zone adaptations Epipelagic zone adaptations

Counter shadingConcealment: [dermersal (dwelling near the

bottom) or vegetal (around plants) ]Disruptive-stripes or dots AdvertisementMimicry-can mimic other animalsTransparent

CountershadingCountershadingdark on top, light on bottomdark on top, light on bottom

ambush predatorsambush predators

Concealment--CamouflageConcealment--Camouflage

Dermersal- rock-like

Vegetal- plant-like

Disruptive—stripes or dots, Disruptive—stripes or dots, breaks up outline, hard to seebreaks up outline, hard to see

Advertisement—brightly Advertisement—brightly colored--POISONOUScolored--POISONOUS

Mimicry—Brightly Colored—NOT Mimicry—Brightly Colored—NOT POISONOUS (clown fish) or copying POISONOUS (clown fish) or copying another life-formanother life-form Mimic Octopus

Transparency- light goes Transparency- light goes through you, hard to seethrough you, hard to see

Epipelagic AdaptationsEpipelagic Adaptations

Body Form—Streamed-linedMusculature-Strong SwimmersSize-All sizes found hereEyes-Well developed/large

Mesopelagic AdaptationsMesopelagic Adaptations

ColorationBlack with or without silvery sidesCounter Illumination (glowing organs)Body formed: Relatively long but sides

squeezed in

Mesopelagic AdaptationsMesopelagic Adaptations

Musculature: Moderately strong swimmers some weak

Eyes: Very Large Sensitive eyes

2 Biggest Challenges for Deep 2 Biggest Challenges for Deep Sea LifeSea Life

Scarcity or Lack of food; Must evolve way of obtaining food that rarely gets there

Expandable stomachs or great smell

Great Water pressure 33 ft of water equal same pressure as 36 miles of

air

Deep Pelagic AdaptationsDeep Pelagic Adaptations(Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic)(Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic)

Color: Black or red– Bioluminescence-attract prey at times (organs

glow)

Deep Pelagic AdaptationsDeep Pelagic Adaptations(Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic)(Bathypelagic-Hadalpelagic)

Shape-Globular (round shape)—Large Head

Musculature: Weak swimmers mainlyFins modified as sensory organs

Size-Most small but some are largeEyes-Small or absent (eyes if using

bioluminescence)

Deep PelagicDeep Pelagic

Benthic Zone—Life in the Benthic Zone—Life in the sandsand

Coloration: Black or BrownShape Elongated or flattenedStrong Muscles (to borrow in sand)Size: Relatively LargeEyes: Small