Mesmerizing Sea Life

Two new genera and four giant single-celled xenophyophores (protozoans belonging to a group called the foraminifera). The species were discovered during a joint project from scientists at the national geographic center, UK (NOC), University of Hawaii, and the University of Genova. New species were collected by remotely operated vehicle Lu'ukai on an expedition to the western Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) aboard the RV Kilo Moana where the seabed in this area is about 3 miles deep.  "We were excited to find these beautiful new xenophyophores," said Andrew Gooday, professor at NOC and lead author of the recently published findings. "It seemed appropriate to name one after 'Moana', a Hawaiian word meaning ocean. Xenophyophores are one of the most common types of large organisms found on the CCZ abyssal plains, so the name of the second genus (Abyssalia) was chosen to reflect this." Xenophyophores construct shells, called tests, which they obta...

A new study has been carried out by a group of scientists who want to find about why this gelatinous creature is the main food source for most of the animals. The study is based on moon jelly samples from German Fjord. They contain no fat, no carbohydrates, just mostly of water. Yet, they are eaten by predators in the sea, fish, sea anemones, and even corals and turtles. Marine biologist and jellyfish expert Jamileh Javidpour says "The jellyfish we examined contain some fatty acids that are very valuable for their predators. Fatty acids are vital components of cell membranes and play a crucial role in processes like growth and reproduction". The researchers have collected jellyfish every 2 weeks for 2 years. They say that the content of fatty acid varies with the seasons. Several essential fatty acids are found in the moon jellyfish, polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid  The jellyfish is an oppor...

Damn, who doesn't know about this little character, popularly known for the films "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory" which made people easily identify it. The real name of this orange and white color creature is clownfish and some individuals also resemble dark black and white in color. There are at least 30 clownfish species, most of them live in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and the Western Pacific. Like all other clownfish, they spend most of their life feeding on the tentacles of their host anemone. They feed themselves on zooplankton and phytoplankton floating on the water column. Sometimes, they also prefer to eat algae present on the reef structure.  What makes them more interesting? We all know specific animals change their sex to meet the demands of their life. Usually, they change from female to male, but the clownfishes can change from male to female. They hatch as males and join the individual groups on the anemone...

Researchers find the deep-sea microbe that feeds on ethane, what is particularly amazing is that the mechanism can be reversed. The study has been carried by a group of researchers from Planck institute for marine microbiology and MARUM- Center for marine environmental sciences. The microbe was discovered in the seafloor of the Guaymas basin at a water depth of 200 meters in the Gulf of California.  Hydrothermal vents release large amounts of methane and other gaseous alkanes into the marine surface. Some natural components such as butane and propane can be broken down easily, but in order to degrade the natural gas components, two organisms are required. Consortia of Archea breaks down the alkanes and bacteria leads to coupling to sulfate reduction. However, the growth rate of these organisms is very slow and can only divide every few months. An experiment in the laboratory Using hydrothermal sediments of the Guaymas basin and ethane as a substrate, the microbial con...

New research has revealed that the squids can edit their genetic information not only within a neuron but also outside the axon. Digging deep, scientists from Tel Aviv University and the University of Colorado at Denver collaborated with MBL scientists to study RNA editing. In general, genetic information passes from DNA to RNA before synthesizing into proteins. A common set of biochemical processes, collectively known as RNA editing, can alter the information as it passes through the RNA. Mammals have two functional ADAR enzymes, known as ADAR 1 and ADAR 2, the message recorder. RNA editing is cataloged by these ADAR enzymes which is vital for the nervous system functioning.  Until now, we thought that all the editing will be performed in the nucleus and the altered RNA messenger is sent. But the squid can also alter the information out of the cell, which specifies that they can modify the protein function to meet the demands of the cell. Rosenthal and collea...

Like many other squids, Humboldt squid is one of the fierce predators. These animals are one of the largest squids which have earned the name "jumbo squid". They come in packs from the deep waters after the sunset and hunt for their prey. Possess extraordinary eyesight, a razor-sharp beak, and eight tentacles which makes them catch the prey and tear them apart.  Humboldt squids are the powerful swimmers and the bioluminescence in their skin allows them to change colors. This kind of behavior allows them to communicate and display a warning to the others. Ability to light themselves in colors of red and white during aggressive have earned them the name "red devils". On a very rare case, the individuals attack the scuba divers who were diving in groups of Humboldt squid they were feeding. It has only predator i.e; sperm whales . The Humboldt squid can live only a single year, so they decimate populations of small fishes or smaller squid when they hunt. Durin...

Corals are underwater structures composed of calcium carbonate. Each coral is referred to as a polyp which is primarily responsible for building reefs. The reefs provide a safe haven for almost millions of animals including fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, snails and many more rely on and adapt to the coral reef lifestyle. Each one of them plays a vital role in protecting the health of the reef. Found in warm, polar, and shallow waters, the corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. Living inside the polyp body provides carbohydrates for the coral where in turn the coral provides home and carbon dioxide for the algae. In addition, the algae remove waste and help corals to provide lively colors and are found in an array of shapes. The Australian barrier reef is the largest coral reef which is more than 1500 miles long. Different species of coral reefs are found in different ocean basis. Where the reef in Indo-pacific can be completely different from the reef in the t...

A little has known to us about the deep sea areas, which makes us reveal a great number of species when a deep-sea expedition is carried out. A recent expedition in  Western Australia Ningaloo Canyons have yielded some exciting finds. Conducted by scientists from the Western Australian Museum, Curtin University, Geoscience Australia, Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Schmidt Ocean Institute. Over the course of 20 dives and 140 hours, the expedition has revealed 30 new species in the Ningaloo Canyons of the Indian Ocean under the depths of 4500 m. The Expedition was carried using a robot called ROV SuBastian, which documented a huge array of sea creatures. Including glowing Taning’s octopus squid, long-tailed sea cucumbers, barnacles, squat lobsters, and other molluscs. A giant hydroid of the coral relative with bright red color which stood well over 1m. The camera has also found a massive, swirling siphonophore which is 154 feet in length greater than the lengths ...

We all know that whales are the largest water inhabitants living on the earth. Despite living in the water, they need to air breathe just like humans. Blowholes located on top of their head makes them breathe in. They can live underwater for longer periods of time and retain themselves on krill, crabs, and small fish. Although there are 90 whale representative species. Humpback, beluga, blue whale, fin, bowhead, and North Atlantic right whale are most commonly known. Humpback whales Humpback whales are known for their melody songs. And travel through all the oceans in the world. They regularly propel through the water and land with a tremendous splash.  Can grow up to lengths of: between 15 to 19 meters Weight: up to 40 tons Life Span: up to 50 years Gestation Period: 11 months Condition:  Least Concern Beluga Whales Belugas are the sociable mammals that feed on shrimps, crabs, and small fish. Their bulbous forehead known as melon is capable of ...

Humpback whales, well known for their hunting and melodic songs. It can grow up to a length of 60 feet with a life span ranging from 50 - 60 years. The sequences of moans, howls, and other noises are quite complex and often continue for hours.  During the early years of 1985, these have been reduced to very small numbers. The numbers have been improved but facing threats to entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, and habitat impacts. They can be seen in all the oceans around the world. But, they migrate from time to time which gives them the name "the great migratory mammoths". Migration When it comes to migration, Hawaii is the fascinating world for ocean inhabitants, especially for humpback whales. They travel from Hawaii to Alaska to spend their summer in their feeding grounds. Mothers and young whales swim together where the calf craves for contact during their 1st year. Young humpback whales sleep on their mothers back. The humpback whales most...