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Adapting to the extreme Life on the rocky shore…

Adapting to the extreme Life on the rocky shore…. Session outline. An introduction to life on rocky shores A look at what affects the distribution and population size of organisms living on rocky shores A look at what lives where on the rocky shore and why.

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Adapting to the extreme Life on the rocky shore…

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  1. Adapting to the extreme Life on the rocky shore…

  2. Session outline • An introduction to life on rocky shores • A look at what affects the distribution and population size of organisms living on rocky shores • A look at what lives where on the rocky shore and why

  3. An introduction to the rocky shore Changes daily (intertidal) An ecosystem made up of many different habitats (habitats) Whole range of biological and environmental factors affecting life

  4. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Limpets Herbivores • Strong muscular “foot” • - Hard shell • - Grazes the green slime (microalgae) on the rocks when the tide is in

  5. Did you know? The barnacle has the largest penis to body size ratio in the entire animal kingdom! Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Filter feeders Barnacles • Legs modified for filter feeding • Can withdrawal into its shell • Hard shell in “plates” cemented to the rock Photo credits: Nick Aldred

  6. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Marine Snails Carnivores Herbivores • Trap door (operculum) to close and open shell • Thick shell • Muscular foot Top rocky shore predator!

  7. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Brittle stars Filter feeders • Legs adapted for feeding rather than movement • - Live in large colonies under rocks • - Can re-grow limbs Photo credit: Reindert Nijland

  8. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Anemones Carnivores • Sticky tentacles • Can withdrawal its tentacles into its body • Slimy, mucus covered body • Sticky, muscular disc to attach to rocks Low tide High tide

  9. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Carnivores Crabs • - Hard shell (carapace) • Strong claws Photo credits: Sara Marsham

  10. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Primary producers Seaweeds • Thick, mucus covered fronds (leaves) • Tough and leathery • Air “bladders” • Strong holdfasts • Flexible stipes (stems) Photo credits: Marleen Tenapel

  11. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Slime (microalgae) Primary producers • Colonies of tiny microscopic algae • Very important part of the rocky shore food web

  12. Did you know? Starfish eject their entire stomachs in order to feed, dissolving their prey outside of their bodies, which they then suck back in as a semi-digested gloop! Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Starfish Carnivores • Tube feet with suckers on • Flexible arms • Spines • Mouth on underside • Can re-grow arms Photo credits: Malcolm Baptie

  13. Some Rocky Shore Inhabitants Spiral worm Filter feeders • Hard tube made of calcium carbonate • Stuck onto seaweeds and rocks • Feathery tentacles Photo credit: Reindert Nijland

  14. Survival is Everything Different habitats support different communities of organisms because the organisms that live there are adapted to their surrounding environment Organisms can only survive in a habitat when they have all the essentials for life and reproduction Lets learn about the range of adaptations plants and animals have on the rocky shore to deal with biological and environmental pressures

  15. Population size is determined by… - How many predators the species has and how well it can avoid them - How well adapted the species is to its environment - The better adapted, the more likely it is to survive and pass its genes onto the next generation Population Size 1. Predation 3. Adaptation 2. Competition - How much competition there is from other organisms for resources in short supply e.g. food, shelter. - Stronger competitors will survive and pass their genes to the next generation

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