Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Marine Adaptations

An adaptation is a characteristic to help an animal make a better fit in an environment.

Three marine adaptations that have developed include: interior gills, movement with: legs, tentacles, and fins, and a swim bladder.

Movement and specialized limbs: Muscular foot, tube feet, siphon, cilia.

Specialized eye structures: Ommatophores, tubular eyes, tapetum lucidium, increased rod cells.

Catching prey: Amullae of lorenzi, illicium.

Avoiding predators: Thick skin, shells, setae, toxin, claws, inking, mucus bubble, inflation.

Camouflage: blending in with the environment. Counter shading: coloration change between night and day or dark and light.

Bioluminescence: energy released in the form of light. Advantages: attract prey, camouflage, avoid predation, communication, attract mates. 90% of deep-sea creatures use bioluminescence.

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