Common Marine Organisms

Purpose of this lab: The purpose of this lab exercise is for you to observe and become familiar with specimen of marine algae and common invertebrate marine organisms. Assignment Objectives: 1.) Be able to identify the algae lab samples to the level of phylum; 2.) Be able to recognize the marine invertebrate samples by common name an to the specific level discussed during lab; 3.) Classify the marine organisms based on habitat, transportation, and feeding styles.

Part 1 Algae and Plankton

Kingdom Protista contains organisms that are more closely related to members of other kingdoms than they are to other protists. It is also defined on the absence of characters (i.e. no complex development from embryos, no extensive cell differentiation). Recent studies of protist DNA and structure has shown that the protists are far more diverse than had been previously expected; they probably should be classified in several kingdom-level taxa. The word protist is a convenient term to mean "eukaryote that isn't a plant, animal, or fungus." (See UCMP Eukaryota: Systematics, for more information on protist classification).

Kingdom Protista: Algae

The key to habitats for marine algae is light for photosynthesis. Besides light, other physical conditions that allow alga growth and reproduction are water quality and temperature, availability of carbon and other nutrients, and seafloor depth or tidal exposure. The alga inhabiting shallow coastal areas (the intertidal and subtidal zones) also must contend with forces relating to wave motion. Almost all marine algae (except algal plankton) are benthic, attached to the sea floor or a solid substrate such as a reef or rocks. There are three phyla of marine algae: Phylum Chlorophyta (green algae), Phylum Rhodophyta (red algae), and Phylum Phaeophyta (brown algae). The colors of the algae vary due to different pigments that the algae use to convert sunlight into chemical energy via photosynthesis. While all algae have chlorophyll pigments, red algae also have red and blue pigments, and brown algae also have orange pigments.

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Phylum Chlorophyta Algae in this phylum are more closely related to land plants than the other photosynthetic protists. Because they do not have many of the adaptations to land environments that plants share, they continue to be classified as green algae in the Kingdom Protista. Land plants arose from within this group.

a.

b.

Both photos a. and b. show the chlorophyte genus Ulva. This type of chlorophyte algae is commonly called sea lettuce, and looks like bright green sheets.
(Photos: a. MBARI, b. UCMP)

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Phylum Rhodophyta Most red algae are multicellular and grow attached to rocks or other anchorages. The coralline algae secrete calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in their cell walls and form a rigid, branching structure. Other varieties of rhodophytes have a thin sheet appearance, or encrust rocks or other surfaces.

a.

b. a.) Rhodophyte (Mastocarpus) common to mid-to-high intertidal zones along the California coast b.) Coralline red algae display a branched and jointed, upright structure.
Note the pink, encrusting variety on the rocks.
(Photos: a. MBARI; b. UCMP)

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Phylum Phaeophyta Phaeoophyte algae frequently dominate rocky shores in cold and temperate waters. The brown alga phylum includes the largest varieties. The giant kelp, Macrosystis Pyrifera, forms an expansive habitat off the west coast of North America.

a. The brown alga Giant Kelp (also known as the Redwood of the ocean): Macrocystis pyrifera.

b. Giant kelp holdfast. The holdfast attaches to the seafloor, but does not uptake nutrients and water like terrestrial plant roots.
(Both photos: MBARI) Common Marine Organisms 4

Seagrasses ( not algae) Seagrasses (also known as surf grass) Grasses are vascular plants, meaning they have structures and specialized tissues (called vascular tissue) that moves food and water from a root system throughout the plant. Seagrasses have adapted to photosynthesis and reproduction in salt water. They have a well-developed horizontal stem and air spaces that aid gas exchange and flotation of the flat leaves, and a root system that traps sediment. Seagrasses reproduction is via pollination. Plants that reproduce by flowering are called angiosperms.

Seagrass phyllospadix (MBARI)

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Plankton
Remember, plankton refers to a lifestyle, not a specific phylum of organism. Some plankton are photosynthesizing protists (phytoplankton), while others are small carnivorous protists (zooplankton), and animals (copepods).

Phytoplankton
Common phytoplankton include: Cyanobacteria: also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are the most ancient form of algae known to inhabit Earth, with a fossil record over 3.5 billion years old. Cyanobacteria are single-celled, eukcaryotic algae found as solitary cells, or in long filaments. The filamentous form can produce large algal mats that can be attached to the sea floor.

Filamentous cyanobacteria (photos from UCMP)

Coccolithophorids: A coccolith is made of overlapping calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scales that form the cell wall of the organism. They are very difficult to view under our microscopes because of their small size.

Coccolithophores (photo from NASA)

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Diatoms: single-celled or colonial organisms with cell walls made of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Diatom shells, or tests, are typically marked with numerous holes (or areolae) visible under the microscope. There are two body shapes, round (called centric) and long, penshaped (called pennate).

a.

b.

c.

Solitary diatoms (photos a. and b.). View in a. shows a slice through the center of a centric diatom and the organisms radial symmetry. View b. is a side-view of a centric diatom, with holes (areolae) visible. View c. depicts a solitary, pennate diatom.
(All diatom photos from UCMP)

Dinoflagellates: Single-celled organisms, with a rigid outer cell covering. The organism is propelled through the water by flagella.

Dinoflagellate: Protoperidinium crassipes

(photo from Smithsonian)

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Zooplankton
Zooplankton are multi-cellular animals that are classified in the Kingdom Protista. Like phytoplankton, they also have plantonic lifestyles. Common zooplankton include: Foraminifera: organisms with shells that are commonly divided into chambers that are added during growth. Some simpler forms are open tubes or hollow spheres. The shell is commonly made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

Foraminfera (Bolivina subaenariensis)

(both Photos Ocean World)

Foraminfera (Rosalina globularis)

Copepods: small crustaceans classified in Kingdom Animalia, phylum arthropoda. Other arthropods that are cousins of copepods include shrimp, and crabs, to name a couple. Copepods have antennae and appendages that are used like paddles to move through the water.

Copepod
(photo from MBARI)

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Part 1 Questions
Look at all algae, seagrass and plankton samples, and complete the information in the data chart below. Sample Number 1 Classification (e.g. phylum rhodophyta) Description of Organism Sample Sketch

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Part 2 Classification of Marine Organisms (Invertebrates)

You will be analyzing marine organisms (mainly invertebrates) in this part of the lab activity. First, you will describe common marine invertebrates using the Linnaean Classification System.

Linnaean Classification Scheme

Carl Linnaeus published the oldest method of describing living organisms in 1735. He created a hierarchal ranking classification system that groups organisms based on their physical similarities. All living organisms were grouped in either the plant or animal Kingdoms. In this system, fungi were included with plants. Today, the most widely used method based on Linnaeus classification scheme is the 5Kingdom classification system. In this system: all prokaryotes (organisms without nuclear membranes) are placed in the Kingdom Monera the three groups of multicellular eukaryotes are placed in separate Kingdoms, Animalia, Fungi, and Plantae Protista is a kingdom that includes eukaryotes that do not fit into the other Kingdoms (discussed above in the Algae section) The method of naming species, called binomial nomenclature, gives each species a unique, two-word Latin name consisting of genus and species names. An example is Homo sapiens, the two-word name for humans. The figure below diagrams the seven levels of a species name in the Linnaean Classification System: Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

Linnaeus system needed revising to accommodate the discovery of microorganisms after the invention of the microscope, and advancements in molecular biology and DNA analysis. A new taxon called a domain was added to the Linnaean system. The category Domain is a Superkingdom that is more inclusive than a Kingdom. Most biologists agree there are three domains of life on Earth: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. The Eukaryota Domain includes animals, plants, fungi and protists. The samples you will view in lab will belong to the Eukaryota Domain, Kingdoms Protista, Plantae, and Animalia.

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Part 2 Questions
1. Complete the table of phylum descriptions below. Your textbook and lecture notes are a good resource. Online resource: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/index.php For phylum descriptions, list the defining traits of the organisms assigned to this phylum (list a minimum of 2). For phylum examples, list common organisms (2 can be listed for all but bryozoan and porifera). Phylum Porifera Cnidaria Annelida Bryozoa Phylum Mollusca Class: cephalopod Phylum Mollusca Class: gastropod Phylum Mollusca Class: bivalve Arthropoda Echinodermata Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata ! Class Osteichthyes Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata ! Class Osteichthyes
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Description

Examples (common names)

Classification of Organisms Life Habit, Transportation, and Feeding Styles

In this part of the lab you will observe and classify organisms lifestyles. You will need to closely observe details of the samples to gather information that will help you determine how the organism lived. An example would be observations such as fins that would indicate it swam. Life Habit: Life habit refers to where an organism lives in the ocean. The following are terms that apply to life habits: Pelagic - an organism lives in the open ocean water Benthic - an organism lives on the bottom (seafloor). There are two types of benthic life habits: o Epifaunal the organism lives on the surface of the seafloor, for example bottom fish. o Infaunal - the organism burrows into the seafloor substrate, for example worms. Transportation: Transportation refers to how the organism moves. The following are terms that apply to transportation: Nekton the organism swims and can move themselves against a current. Plankton the organism floats and drifts, and cannot move against a current. Benthic Transportation o Motile- the organism can move around on the sea floor, and is referred to as benthic motile. An example would be a lobster. o Sessile the organism is affixed to the seafloor substrate (e.g. barnacles), and is referred to as benthic sessile. Feeding Styles: Feeding styles refer to how an organism acquires food. The following are some terms that apply to feeding styles: Carnivore - an organism eats another organism other than algae or sea grass Herbivore an organism eats mostly plants and algae Filter Feeder water is pumped through an organisms cells, filtering dissolved and suspended food. Sponges are an example of filter feeding animal. Suspension Feeder an organism actively captures food particles from the water (commonly with tentacles) Deposit Feeder an organism eats detritus in muds (e.g. worms) Scavengers organisms eat other organisms (e.g. dead organisms), but do not hunt prey Autotrophs organisms make their own food (e.g. by photosynthesis)

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2. Marine Organism Identification Fill in the information in the organism identification chart below for each sample. Spend time looking at the individual samples and describing physical traits of the organisms. These traits should help you determine the life habit, transportation and feeding styles. Sample No. 1 Phylum Organism Description & Common Name Life Habit Transportation Feeding Style

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Sample No. 12

Phylum

Organism Description & Common Name

Life Habit

Transportation

Feeding Style

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

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Questions You should see some correlations between life habit and the other two classification modes (feeding style and transportation). 1. If an organism has a pelagic life habit, what type of transportation styles are most likely? List and discuss each. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. What type of transportation style is common for benthic epifaunal organisms? What type of traits (body parts) does a benthic epifaunal organism posses that suggests this mode of transportation? Explain your answers. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 5. What type of feeding style is characteristic of benthic sessile epifaunal organisms? What type of traits (body parts) might an organism possess that would aide in this type of feeding style? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 6. What type of traits (body parts) might an organism possess that would aide in: carnivorous feeding styles: __________________________________________ filter feeding: _____________________________________________________ suspension feeding: _______________________________________________ scavenging: _____________________________________________________

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References Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): http://www.mbari.org NASA Earth Observatory. 2013. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Coccolithophores/ Ocean World. http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/forams/index.html Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. 2014. http://www.mnh.si.edu/highlight/sem/dinoflagellates.html University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). 2014. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). 2014. Eukaryota: Systematics. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/alllife/eukaryotasy.html

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