Marine Biology
More than 70% of the earth is covered by oceans and seas. The salty water gives life to millions of species. From the microscopic plankton to whales that can be up to 30 meters in lenght. Marine biology studies life from the surface water to the deep dephts of the abyssal trenches. The oceans comprise a wealth of habitats: tide pools, kelp forests, muddy and rocky bottoms and not to forget the coral reefs and the open ocean. It is estimated that the oceans encompass about 300 times the habitable space of the terrestrial habitats on Earth. This site will take you on a facinating journey to the life in our oceans and seas.
Microscopic life
There is a lot of variety in microscopic life in the oceans. Phytoplankton is well known because it is very important as te beginning of the food chain. Foraminiferans and radiolarians are also well known. The distinction between plants and animals is ofter very difficult to make. Larger animals often begin their life as zooplankton like fish larvae and starfish.
Plants
Plants are not so common in the open oceans and seas. An exception are macroscopic algae, such as Sargassum and kelp. Most plant life can be found in shallow waters, such as seagrasses. Mangroves can be found in the intertidal zones.
Invertebrates
Marine invertebrates comprise many groups of different organisms and occur from the sea surface to the seafloor and into the substrate. Sea worms appear in many different forms. The arthropoda comprise crabs, schrimp and lobsters. Other marine invertabrates are jellyfish, corals, clams, snails, starfish and octopusses.
Fish
Thousands of fish species are swimming in our oceans and seas. From lancelets through sharks. Tropical fish like the clown fish are found in the warm areas of the ocean. Many fish like tuna, cod and mackerel are of great economic value. In the dephts of the oceans live strange fish like the angler fish who lures his prey with a "fishing rod" tipped with an lighted "artificial worm" to attract her next meal.
Reptiles
Perhaps the most well known reptiles in the sea are the turtles. There are many different species of sea turtle, ranging in size from only 2 feet to the real giants at over 6 feet in length. The sea snake is the most venomous snake on earth. There are about 50 species of sea snakes. Luckily they are not very aggressive. Other marine reptiles are the marine iguana.
Birds
Many birds live near the sea. They eat fish and other sea animals. Many sea birds are excellent swimmers and divers, including such distantly related types of birds as grebes, loons, ducks, auks, cormorants, penguins, and diving petrels.
Mamals
Marine mammals have the same characteristics as all other mammals, but they have adapted or adjusted to life in the ocean. They can stay under water for a long time, but must come to the surface to breathe. Dolphins and whales are probably the best known marine mammals. Other marine mammals are the sea lion, sea otters and polar bears.Interesting Books and DVDs
Introduction
to the Biology of Marine LifeThis book engages students in the excitement and challenge of understanding marine organisms and the environments in which they live. More...
The
Blue Planet - Seas of LifeExtraordinary footage and eloquent narration by David Attenborough highlight the BBC's remarkable wildlife series The Blue Planet: Seas of Life. "Ocean World" begins with astonishing views of a gigantic blue whale--the elusive Holy Grail of undersea photography--and the marvels continue to... More...
CoralsA comprehensive field guide for aquarists, divers and naturalists, with detailed full color photographs of hundreds of species, encompassing the majority of coral genera one is likely to encounter on reefs around the world... More...
Sealife Links
Marine Biology History
The Department of Marine Biology
Alaska SeaLife Center
Ocean World - Coral Reefs
Sharks