L10: Echinoderms, Plankton, and Invasive Species

what is an echinodermata?

marine organisms with spiny skin, radial symmetry, internal skeleton

Sea stars

feed by extruding stomach and digesting prey; important in maintaining healthy ecosystems; used as source for lime

Sea urchin + sand dollars

important grazers of algae, uses Aristotle’s Lantern to scrape algae, decorative, harvested for food, sand dollars contorl pop of small invertebrates

Sea cucumbers

tubular with a crown of tentacles, use tube feet by mouths to scoop up sediment or zooplankton, deposit feeders (cycle nutrients), enhance biodiversity and productivity of benthic communities

Phytoplankton

plant-like, single celled organisms that photosynthesize

Zooplankton

animal-like organisms like copepods and krill

Why are plankton so important?

responsible for about half the oxygen we breathe; many perform photosynthesis; basic for all marine food webs; recycle elements needed

Dinoflagellates

phytoplankton

Coccolithophores

phytoplankton

Ciliates

protist zooplankton

Copepods

zooplankton

krill

zooplankton and keystone species

Foraminiferans

protist zooplankton

What are invasive species?

A non-native species that establishes itself and damages the ecosystem

How are invasive species accidentally released?

introduced through human transport, like ballast water; escaping off farms; bait buckets

How are invasive species intentionally released?

aquarium/food fish release; biocontrol

Preventing invasive species

early detection, rapid response, ballast water regulations

Combatting invasive species

volunteer programs that focus on removing them, using invasive species as local cuisines, fighting other environmental stressors