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Water
Ecology
Shallow
Ocean Rock Communitites
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| Facts
about the Biome |
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Tide pools are often the living environment found along the
oceanic shallow rocks. They are a unique and brutal
habitat where the ocean meets the land. Tide pools
are holes in rocks that stay filled with water
once the tide goes out. They can be small, shallow
puddles found high up on the shore or huge, deep
holes nearer to the sea. Some tide pools are below
low-tide line and are covered in ocean water most
of the time. Some tide pools are above low-tide
line. These rocks are normally dry and exposed
to air for about 10 hours a day. They are wetted
only by sea spray and waves. This tidal zone is
continually shaped by the actions of sun, wind,
water, and rock. Life is tough for plants and
animals that live in tide pools. |
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Rocaons lived in
the shallow oceanic rock communities. Rocaon is
a type of spongy mat-like alga that grows on shallow
rocks of the tide pools. It is characterized by
rolling bumps on the surface of the mat. The mat
is made up of intertwined dark green cylindrical
branches. These branches attach to whatever they
contact. This growth pattern helps Rocaons survive
in the unpredictable ocean. Rocaons lived on converted
solar energy. They grew to approximately 2 inches
thick and 1 foot wide. Rocaons provided food for
many of the animals in the tide pools. |
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Teonanemone is an anemone-type
plants found in the shallow 0.4 inches wide. Teonanemone
waved their flagella in synchronic motion with
the water in search of sunlight. The red-brown
color is caused by the pigment phycoerythrin.
This special pigment helps the plant to photosynthesize
dim to medium light, because this plant was mostly
found in shadier locations.
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Sioniplasti is another primitive multicellular plant found in
the shallow and rocky oceanic coastal waters.
Sioniplasti captured solar energy and its chloroplasts
used the solar energy to synthesize glucose (a
kind of sugar) from water and carbon dioxide.
Sioniplasti glued itself to the underside of rocks
to survive in this rough environment. Its yellowish-dark
green exterior also helped in camouflaging from
predators. |
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Tloop is a multicellular animal
found in the oceanic shallow rock communities,
particularly the tide pools. Tloop slowly emerged
approximately 3.3 billions years ago and is
a relative of the Gloop cell. Tloops lived among
and fed on the many plants and animals of the
tide pools. Tloops learned to utilize some of
the barnacles’ “glue” and
attached themselves very closely to the barnacles
during high tides. This method of survival allowed
Tloops to continue to survive in the shallow
rock communities. Tloops fed on the planktons
that barnacles collected with their feather
like legs. They also fed on different species
of algae living in the shallow oceanic rocky
environment. Tloops protected themselves from
predators by hiding in abandoned barnacle shells.
They grew to approximately 5 inches in length
and 3 inches in width.
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Teontidals could be found in
the rocky shallow waters of the tide pool-like
regions of Belenus. Primitive Teontidals had
eight fingers or extensions. The extensions
were lost to a disk shape of only half of an
inch in diameter. This evolution punctuated
the suction cup qualities of this specie. Along
with the suction cup action, these disks had
long strong tentacles on the bottom sides that
allowed them to tightly cling to rocks and remain
steady in the thrashing tide pools. Teontidals
remained underwater and sported a transparent
pinkish or bluish color. These colors helped
camouflage them from predators. This specie
remained attached to rocks and ingested food
that floated by with its many mouths. These
animals lived in colonies because reproduction
was by cloning.
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Sionrockcrab
had one pair of walking legs. These two legs
were used to crawl over the rocks efficiently.
They were also used as hunting tools to catch
other small sea creatures for food. Sionrockcrabs
also fed on plants. In addition, they had two
eyes by which they could actually see. Their
vision, however is believed to be poor. Their
hanging antennas helped keep away predators.
Sionrockcrabs are secondary consumers and they
prey on primary producers and consumers in the
shallow rock communities. |
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Glofish could be found swimming close to the
shallow rock communities. They fed on primary
producers and consumers. Glofish grew to approximately
6 inches in length. They were excellent swimmers
and were able to catch their prey. Glofish also
had wide mouths and sharp teeth. They were able
to easily crush shellfish and other crustaceans.
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