Water Ecology

Shallow Ocean Rock Communitites

 

 
Facts about the Biome

 

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.

 

Primary Producers

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.

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.

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.

 

Primary Consumers

 

 

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.

 


 

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.

 

 

Primary Consumers

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.

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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