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Arida's Deep Sea Underwater Community
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Open Ocean Biome
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The open ocean of Arida offers a remarkable biome rich in wildlife. It is characterized by swift sea currents at both upper and lower depths due to convection currents caused by increased warming at the equator region. Warm water emanated out from the equator and cooler water is drawn in. Temperatures are quite cold compared to other water biomes and can plunge down to even 50 degrees. The water is clear because of a lack of debris or dirt in the water from rain runoff or rivers. |
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Primary Producers
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Three primary producers exist on Arida in the open ocean biome: Helos, Asperdoma, Pirate Ship, and plankton . Helos is a free floating plant that uses photosynthesis to produce food and obtains nutrients from the ocean trough its long dangling tentacles. They are plentiful in the open ocean and provide many animals with a nutrient rich diet. Asperdoma pods float freely about the ocean where they will release spores for A-sexual reproduction. While floating freely, they receive energy from the sunlight through photosynthesis and are difficult to eat because of their small size and slimy coating.
The Pirate Ship also produces its energy through photosynthesis and occasionally
eats insects with the aide of its "false flower". These plants serve
as a source of energy for higher forms of life on Arida. Smaller creatures
such as the plankton find shelter beneath the roots and leaves of the Pirate
Ship.
Plankton is the most plentiful primary producer and is made up on uni and
multi celled organisms. These small organisms feed on themselves and
algae. |
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Primary Consumers
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The primary consumers of organisms that make food
from inorganic matter are the Flap Eel and the Medus jelly.
The Flap Eel originates from the shallower shores of Arida's oceans. It as remained a herbivore feeding on small plankton and water plants floating on top of the ocean surface. Larger legs have given it greater propulsion abilities. A-sexual reproduction contributes to the large numbers found in the oceans and apparent facility with which it propagates. It's chief defense against predators lies in the semi-transparent body color which enables it to blend in with the surface water. It often hides among the Pirate Ship for protection from predators like the Giant Sea Bat. Medus jelly can be found in all the of Arida's oceans. They propel themselves by squeezing water out the bottom through muscular contractions. It feeds on plankton but still receives energy through photosynthesis which allows it to survive without food for extended periods of time. |
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Secondary Consumers
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The Giant Sea Bat is on the top of the food
chain in Arida's open ocean biome. They can swim large distances with
their powerful bodies. They feed on plankton but also eat Medus
jellies and Flap Eels. |
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Food Pyramid
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| created by Patrick Beaulieu |
