The Star of Joy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

The Star of Joy About a year ago, I went diving for the second time in my life! After about three quarters of an hour it was time to ascend to the surface, when I caught sight of a tiny, orange starfish. It was about 10 cm in diameter, well, the size of the palm of my hand! I observed carefully its bright colours, its harsh textures and even its interesting habitat which included grey and white rocks, algae and sand. However, unlike their namesake, they are most assuredly not fish, not even closely related. Instead, starfish belong to Phylum echinodermata, Class asteroidea. Living things are classified from Kingdom to Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and finally, most specific of all, Species. Also found in Phylum echinodermata are the classes of the brittle stars, sea cucumbers, sea fans, sea urchins and sand dollars. Fish on the contrary are found in a completely different Phylum, chordata, Subphyla, vertebrata (sometimes called Cranitia), class Actinopterygii. As you can see, the two creatures are in two very different classification groups. Starfish eat clams, oysters & fish or any animal slow enough to be unable to evade the attack (e.g. dying fish). They are carnivores, and although the mouth is not seen, it has a mouth indeed; they have an opening in the middle of their underside. Starfish will attach to clams and oysters. Then they use their powerful suction cups on their legs and open the shell of their prey. Finally, they push their stomach out through their mouth and up against the body of the clam or oyster and digest it. The type of starfish seen on the photo is called the "Smooth Starfish" or "Stilla tal- Bahar" and the scientific name for this extraordinary specie is "Echinaster Sepositus." Sexes are separate; you will find the male starfish and the female starfish although hermaphrodite's individuals exist (An animal which has reproductive organs of both male and female sexes) You will normally find this amazing creature living in rocky, sandy and as well, in Posedonia meadows (Algae.) This magnificent specie is usually found from 6 metres to 250 metres deep. After I took the photo with this friendly starfish I placed it back in its natural habitat and let it live its normal life. It was an honour to meet this wonderful creature and so, after this experience, I wish to encounter more incredible species while doing my favourite hobby: Scuba Diving! I sincerely hope that more people will start practicing this hobby to learn more about the underwater world! The Star of Joy .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

National Monitoring Program for Biodiversity and Non-Indigenous Species in Egypt
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM MEDITERRANEAN ACTION PLAN REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTRE FOR SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS National monitoring program for biodiversity and non-indigenous species in Egypt PROF. MOUSTAFA M. FOUDA April 2017 1 Study required and financed by: Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas Boulevard du Leader Yasser Arafat BP 337 1080 Tunis Cedex – Tunisie Responsible of the study: Mehdi Aissi, EcApMEDII Programme officer In charge of the study: Prof. Moustafa M. Fouda Mr. Mohamed Said Abdelwarith Mr. Mahmoud Fawzy Kamel Ministry of Environment, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) With the participation of: Name, qualification and original institution of all the participants in the study (field mission or participation of national institutions) 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS page Acknowledgements 4 Preamble 5 Chapter 1: Introduction 9 Chapter 2: Institutional and regulatory aspects 40 Chapter 3: Scientific Aspects 49 Chapter 4: Development of monitoring program 59 Chapter 5: Existing Monitoring Program in Egypt 91 1. Monitoring program for habitat mapping 103 2. Marine MAMMALS monitoring program 109 3. Marine Turtles Monitoring Program 115 4. Monitoring Program for Seabirds 118 5. Non-Indigenous Species Monitoring Program 123 Chapter 6: Implementation / Operational Plan 131 Selected References 133 Annexes 143 3 AKNOWLEGEMENTS We would like to thank RAC/ SPA and EU for providing financial and technical assistances to prepare this monitoring programme. The preparation of this programme was the result of several contacts and interviews with many stakeholders from Government, research institutions, NGOs and fishermen. The author would like to express thanks to all for their support. In addition; we would like to acknowledge all participants who attended the workshop and represented the following institutions: 1.
[Show full text]
Biodiversity of Echinological Fauna of Hard Substrates of the Algerian West Coast
CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by GSSRR.ORG: International Journals: Publishing Research Papers in all Fields International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) ISSN 2307-4531 (Print & Online) http://gssrr.org/index.php?journal=JournalOfBasicAndApplied Biodiversity of Echinological Fauna of Hard Substrates of the Algerian West Coast ALLAILI Hadjara, KERFOUF Ahmedb* University of Sidi Bel Abbes, Faculty of Nature Sciences and life, Department of Environmenal sciencest, Sidi Bel Abbés, 22000, Algeria.. [email protected] [email protected] Abstract Echinoderms, exclusively marine animals, present a great diversity and are an important and very ancient phylum. Whether they are predators, vegetarian or scavengers, echinoderms frequently dominate the ecosystems in which they are subservient. Benthic macrofauna and particularly echinoderms acting directly on the functioning of marine ecosystems, represents the fundamental link in the food chain and an essential source of food for many consumers. There has been very little work on the echinoderms found in the western Algerian coast. The objective of this work is to conduct an inventory on the echinological fauna in the intertidal zone, including the description of the morphological and ethoecological characteristics of the echinoderms in their ecosystem. To this end ten stations were surveyed. For each station, a random sampling was performed on hard substrates found in the coast of Oran. The identification of species and faunal analysis permitted to identify six species belonging to this phylum with a presence of 55.17% of Echinoids (Echinoids), 34.8% of sea cucumber (holothurian) and 10.34% of starfish (Asteroidean). Keywords: echinoderms; benthic macrofauna; Macro-invertebrates; marine ecosystems; Coast of Oran; West of Algeria.
[Show full text]
DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS of the 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project
DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project March 2018 DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project Citation: Aguilar, R., García, S., Perry, A.L., Alvarez, H., Blanco, J., Bitar, G. 2018. 2016 Deep-sea Lebanon Expedition: Exploring Submarine Canyons. Oceana, Madrid. 94 p. DOI: 10.31230/osf.io/34cb9 Based on an official request from Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment back in 2013, Oceana has planned and carried out an expedition to survey Lebanese deep-sea canyons and escarpments. Cover: Cerianthus membranaceus © OCEANA All photos are © OCEANA Index 06 Introduction 11 Methods 16 Results 44 Areas 12 Rov surveys 16 Habitat types 44 Tarablus/Batroun 14 Infaunal surveys 16 Coralligenous habitat 44 Jounieh 14 Oceanographic and rhodolith/maërl 45 St. George beds measurements 46 Beirut 19 Sandy bottoms 15 Data analyses 46 Sayniq 15 Collaborations 20 Sandy-muddy bottoms 20 Rocky bottoms 22 Canyon heads 22 Bathyal muds 24 Species 27 Fishes 29 Crustaceans 30 Echinoderms 31 Cnidarians 36 Sponges 38 Molluscs 40 Bryozoans 40 Brachiopods 42 Tunicates 42 Annelids 42 Foraminifera 42 Algae | Deep sea Lebanon OCEANA 47 Human 50 Discussion and 68 Annex 1 85 Annex 2 impacts conclusions 68 Table A1. List of 85 Methodology for 47 Marine litter 51 Main expedition species identified assesing relative 49 Fisheries findings 84 Table A2. List conservation interest of 49 Other observations 52 Key community of threatened types and their species identified survey areas ecological importanc 84 Figure A1.
[Show full text]
Marine Invertebrate Diversity in Aristotle's Zoology
Contributions to Zoology, 76 (2) 103-120 (2007) Marine invertebrate diversity in Aristotle’s zoology Eleni Voultsiadou1, Dimitris Vafi dis2 1 Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR - 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece, [email protected]; 2 Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, Uni- versity of Thessaly, 38446 Nea Ionia, Magnesia, Greece, dvafi [email protected] Key words: Animals in antiquity, Greece, Aegean Sea Abstract Introduction The aim of this paper is to bring to light Aristotle’s knowledge Aristotle was the one who created the idea of a general of marine invertebrate diversity as this has been recorded in his scientifi c investigation of living things. Moreover he works 25 centuries ago, and set it against current knowledge. The created the science of biology and the philosophy of analysis of information derived from a thorough study of his biology, while his animal studies profoundly infl uenced zoological writings revealed 866 records related to animals cur- rently classifi ed as marine invertebrates. These records corre- the origins of modern biology (Lennox, 2001a). His sponded to 94 different animal names or descriptive phrases which biological writings, constituting over 25% of the surviv- were assigned to 85 current marine invertebrate taxa, mostly ing Aristotelian corpus, have happily been the subject (58%) at the species level. A detailed, annotated catalogue of all of an increasing amount of attention lately, since both marine anhaima (a = without, haima = blood) appearing in Ar- philosophers and biologists believe that they might help istotle’s zoological works was constructed and several older in the understanding of other important issues of his confusions were clarifi ed.
[Show full text]
ROV-Based Ecological Study and Management Proposals for the Offshore Marine Protected Area of Cap De Creus (NW Mediterranean)
ROV-based ecological study and management proposals for the offshore marine protected area of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) Carlos Domínguez Carrió ADVERTIMENT. La consulta d’aquesta tesi queda condicionada a l’acceptació de les següents condicions d'ús: La difusió d’aquesta tesi per mitjà del servei TDX (www.tdx.cat) i a través del Dipòsit Digital de la UB (diposit.ub.edu) ha estat autoritzada pels titulars dels drets de propietat intel·lectual únicament per a usos privats emmarcats en activitats d’investigació i docència. No s’autoritza la seva reproducció amb finalitats de lucre ni la seva difusió i posada a disposició des d’un lloc aliè al servei TDX ni al Dipòsit Digital de la UB. No s’autoritza la presentació del seu contingut en una finestra o marc aliè a TDX o al Dipòsit Digital de la UB (framing). Aquesta reserva de drets afecta tant al resum de presentació de la tesi com als seus continguts. En la utilització o cita de parts de la tesi és obligat indicar el nom de la persona autora. ADVERTENCIA. La consulta de esta tesis queda condicionada a la aceptación de las siguientes condiciones de uso: La difusión de esta tesis por medio del servicio TDR (www.tdx.cat) y a través del Repositorio Digital de la UB (diposit.ub.edu) ha sido autorizada por los titulares de los derechos de propiedad intelectual únicamente para usos privados enmarcados en actividades de investigación y docencia. No se autoriza su reproducción con finalidades de lucro ni su difusión y puesta a disposición desde un sitio ajeno al servicio TDR o al Repositorio Digital de la UB.
[Show full text]
Relative Impact of a Seagrass Bed and Its Adjacent Epilithic Algal Community in Consumer Diets
Marine Biology (2000) 136: 513±518 Ó Springer-Verlag 2000 G. Lepoint á F. Nyssen á S. Gobert P. Dauby á J.-M. Bouquegneau Relative impact of a seagrass bed and its adjacent epilithic algal community in consumer diets Received: 30 July 1999 / Accepted: 17 January 2000 Abstract The aim of this work was to identify and The aim of this work was to identify and compare, compare, using nitrogen and carbon stable isotope data, using nitrogen and carbon stable isotope data, the food the food sources supporting consumer communities in a sources supporting consumer communities in a Medi- Mediterranean seagrass bed (Gulf of Calvi, Corsica) terranean seagrass bed (Gulf of Calvi, Corsica) with with those in an adjacent epilithic alga-dominated those in an adjacent epilithic alga-dominated commu- community. Isotopic data for consumers are not signif- nity, from which seagrasses are absent. icantly dierent in the two communities. Particulate Measurements of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope matter and algal material (seagrass epi¯ora and domi- ratios (13C/12C and 15N/14N, respectively) have been nant epilithic macroalgae) appear to be the main food proposed as a potentially powerful method to access sources in both communities. Generally, the d13Cof food web structure in marine and, particularly, in animals suggests that the seagrass Posidonia oceanica seagrass ecosystems (Fry 1988; Jennings et al. 1997; (L.) Delile represents only a minor component of their Marguillier et al. 1997). For the Revellata Bay seagrass diet or of the diet of their prey, but the occurrence of a ecosystem, previous carbon isotope studies have been mixed diet is not excluded.
[Show full text]
Re‐Growth, Morphogenesis and Differentiation During Starfish Arm
Re-growth, morphogenesis and differentiation during starfish arm regeneration Item Type Article Authors Khadra, Yousra Ben; Ferrario, Cinzia; Said, Khaled; Di Benedetto, Cristiano; Bonasoro, Francesco; Candia Carnevali, M. Daniela; Sugni, Michela Citation Re-growth, morphogenesis and differentiation during starfish arm regeneration 2015:n/a Wound Repair and Regeneration Eprint version Post-print DOI 10.1111/wrr.12336 Publisher Wiley Journal Wound Repair and Regeneration Rights This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Khadra, Yousra Ben, Cinzia Ferrario, Khaled Said, Cristiano Di Benedetto, Francesco Bonasoro, M. Daniela Candia Carnevali, and Michela Sugni. "Re-growth, morphogenesis and differentiation during starfish arm regeneration." Wound Repair and Regeneration (2015)., which has been published in final form at http:// doi.wiley.com/10.1111/wrr.12336. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving. Download date 01/10/2021 09:45:02 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10754/558682 Re-growth, morphogenesis and differentiation during starfish arm regeneration Yousra BEN KHADRA2, Cinzia FERRARIO1*, Khaled SAID², Cristiano DI BENEDETTO1,3, Francesco BONASORO1, M. Daniela CANDIA CARNEVALI1 and Michela SUGNI1 1Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy. 2Laboratoire de Recherche, Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Monastir, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. 3King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, 23955-6900, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. *Corresponding author: Cinzia FERRARIO Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy Phone: +390250314799 /Fax: +390250314781 e-mail: [email protected] Running title: Starfish arm regeneration Keywords: Armtip regeneration, regenerative phase, morphogenesis, outgrowth, Echinaster sepositus.
[Show full text]
Sublittoral Ecological Zones
Marine Habitats around the Maltese Islands SUBLITTORAL Joseph A Borg Department of Biology ECOLOGICAL ZONES University of Malta Malta 2014: An International Workshop on Marine Biodiversity • In shallow waters (to a depth of around 25 m) on hard substrata, where there is considerable light penetration, photophilic algal (green and brown dominate) assemblages are dominant • In deeper waters (25 m – 80 m) on hard substrata, where light penetration is reduced AND in conditions of reduced light intensity (e.g. inside caves), sciaphilic algal assemblages (red dominate) are Hard substrata dominant. • Apart from light, factors that determine the occurrence, distribution and species composition of benthic assemblages include: – temperature – water movement – chemico-physical characteristics of the water column – geology of the substratum – anthropogenic activities ALGAE ARE USED AS BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF ECOLOGICAL STATUS 1 The benthic macrofauna associated with the assemblages of photophilic algae include * In the Maltese islands, the sponges (e.g. Ircinia spp., Aplysina gently sloping seabed off the aerophobia and Chondrilla ** norteastern coast supports nucula), hydroids and bryozoans ** extensive assemblages of (both of which are also found photophilic algae, while the growing on the algae and are vertical surface of submarine hence known as epiphytes) and many species of molluscs (e.g. the cliffs (drop-offs) that gastropods Rissoa variabilis and characterise southwestern Columbella rustica), polychaetes coastal areas support and crustaceans (namely extensive assemblages of amphipods, isopods, tanaids and sciaphilic assemblages. decapods). Several species of * benthic megafauna (e.g. the urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the seastar Echinaster sepositus) are also found associated with these assemblages. The benthic macrofauna associated with the assemblages of sciaphilic algae include several large sponges (e.g.
[Show full text]
Conservation and Management 113 CARLO NIKE BIANCHI · FRANCESCO CINELLI · GIULIO RELINI
Conservation and management 113 CARLO NIKE BIANCHI · FRANCESCO CINELLI · GIULIO RELINI ■ Italian and international laws on protection All the species of Italian phanerogams growing in marine and/or brackish waters are considered deserving of protection as species and/or habitats, and are listed in international agreements and conventions. Unfortunately, in the Habitats Directive, adopted by Italy with the “Regulations implementing EEC Directive 92/43 relating to the conservation of natural Neptune grass flower and semi-natural habitats, as well as the wild flora and fauna, D.P.R. 357 of 08.09.1997 (G.U. 248 of 23.10.1997)”, the only marine phanerogam cited is Posidonia oceanica, and as a habitat (Annex I) and not as a species (Annexes II and IV). This is an enormous problem, because Directive 92/43 is the most important and cogent law for nature conservation as it is the only one with true sanctioning powers. The 1979 Berne Convention on wildlife and the natural environment in Europe was ratified by Italy in 1981 (Law 503 of 05/08/1981), but its Annexes regarding plants were only modified in 1996 (implemented by Italy in 1998) with the insertion of various species, including Cymodocea nodosa, Posidonia oceanica and Zostera marina. These were inserted in Annex 1, covering strictly protected plant species, for the conservation of which it is also necessary to protect the habitats in which they grow. It is the only convention, for the moment, in which C. nodosa is also considered as a species to be strictly protected. A fundamental contribution towards surmounting the shortcomings of the Habitats Directives in the marine environment is provided by the Barcelona Convention (1995), which contains various protocols, including the “Protocol related to specially protected areas and the biological diversity of the Mediterranean” (SPA/BIO).
[Show full text]
Molecular Systematics and Morphological Analyses of the Subgenus Setihenricia (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Henricia ) from Japan
Species Diversity 24: 119–135 Published online 25 July 2019 DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.24.119 Molecular Systematics and Morphological Analyses of the Subgenus Setihenricia (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Henricia ) from Japan D a i k i Wa k i t a1,4 , To s h i h i k o F u j i t a2 , and Hiroshi Kajihara 3 1 Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University , Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan E-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University , Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan 4 Corresponding author (Received 9 December 2017 ; Accepted 14 May 2019 ) Th e subgenus Setihenricia Chichvarkhin and Chichvarkhina, 2017 currently consists of 32 out of 94 species of sea stars in the genus Henricia Gray, 1840. However, only 10 have been molecularly ascertained as to the phylogenetic position. Based on seven mitochondrial gene markers (16S rRNA, COI, tRNA-Ala, tRNA-Leu, tRNA-Asn, tRNA-Gln, and tRNA- Pro), we performed molecular analyses to assess the monophyly of Setihenricia using 16 species of Henricia from Japanese waters, as well as other congeners for which sequences were available in public databases. Th e monophyletic Setihenricia was only weakly recovered because the support values were low, but we assume this taxon may be valid in consideration of a morphological key. Henricia kinkasana Hayashi, 1940 is herein identifi ed as a new member of Setihenricia , based on mo- lecular and morphological evidence. Sequences in the public databases previously identifi ed as H.
[Show full text]
Praderas Sumergidas
Praderas Sumergidas INDICE 2 Echinaster sepositus Estrella roja ( ) © OCEANA/ Juan Cuetos 00. Prólogo 04 01. Introducción 06 [1.1] Conservación de la biodiversidad y planificación [1.2] Necesidad de formalización y cuantificación 02. Praderas[1.3] Ámbito de de fanerógamas aplicación marinas 10 Cymodocea nodosa Zostera [2.1] Praderas de Cymodocea nodosa y Cymodocetum sp. nodosae Praderas sumergidas [2.1.1] Hierbas del caballito de mar Praderas de Zostera Zosteretum: marinae Zosteretum noltii [2.1.2] Hierbas de anguila 03. HabitantesPraderas de las de praderas sp.: y 22 [3.1] Caballitos de mar y agujas marinas: especies clave [3.1.1] Distribución [3.1.2] Reproducción [3.1.3] Camuflaje [3.1.4] Tamaño y longevidad [3.1.5] Anatomía [3.1.6] Estado de conservación [3.1.7] Amenazas 04. Importancia[3.1.8] Protección ecológica 36 3 05. [4.1]Importancia Papel en los económica equilibirios físicos del sistema litoral 40 06. [5.1]Causas Importancia de regresión de los bioindicadores 42 07. Medidas de protección 44 [7.1] Medidas de protección directa [7.2] Medidas de protección indirecta [7.3] Otros textos reglamentarios de aplicación en el Mediterráneo español [7.4] Áreas marinas protegidas 08. Zonas[7.5] Gestión muestreadas Integrada de Zonas Costeras 52 09. Diseño del programa de restauración ecológica 62 [9.1] Objetivos de restauración 10. Conclusiones[9.2] Justificación de la propuesta 68 11. Bibliografía 70 Prólogo 4 Pinna nobilis Caulerpa prolifera Cymodocea nodosa Nacra ( ) en pradera mixta de y (mar Menor) © OCEANA/ Juan Cuetos La idea de conservación
[Show full text]
The Effects of Invasive Tunicates on the Growth and Reproduction of the Blood Star, Henricia Sanguinolenta
University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Master's Theses and Capstones Student Scholarship Spring 2018 THE EFFECTS OF INVASIVE TUNICATES ON THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE BLOOD STAR, HENRICIA SANGUINOLENTA Kaitlin Samantha Van Volkom University of New Hampshire, Durham Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis Recommended Citation Van Volkom, Kaitlin Samantha, "THE EFFECTS OF INVASIVE TUNICATES ON THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE BLOOD STAR, HENRICIA SANGUINOLENTA" (2018). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1197. https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1197 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Capstones by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE EFFECTS OF INVASIVE TUNICATES ON THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE BLOOD STAR, HENRICIA SANGUINOLENTA BY KAITLIN SAMANTHA VAN VOLKOM B.S., Gonzaga University, 2014 THESIS Submitted to the University of New Hampshire In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences: Marine Biology May, 2018 This thesis has been examined and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences: Marine Biology by: Thesis Director, Dr. Larry G. Harris, Professor, University of New Hampshire Department of Biological Sciences Dr. Jennifer A. Dijkstra, Research Assistant Professor, University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping Dr. Charles Walker, Professor, Emeritus Professor, University of New Hampshire Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences On Friday, April 20, 2018 Original approval signatures are on file with the University of New Hampshire Graduate School.
[Show full text]