Marine Biology and Cetaceans Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What type of animal are sperm whales classified as?

  • Reptiles
  • Pinnipeds
  • Fish
  • Cetaceans (correct)

    • How do seismic survey noise and military sonar negatively affect cetaceans?

  • They enhance their hunting abilities.
  • They interfere with echolocation. (correct)
  • They aid in their migration.
  • They reduce social interactions.

    • Which whales have shown a slow recovery in populations after commercial hunting was stopped in 1986?

  • Dinosaurs
  • Baleen whales (correct)
  • Pinnipeds
  • Beaked whales

    • Which whale holds the record for the deepest documented dive?

    <p>Cuvier's Beaked Whale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant adaptation of pinnipeds compared to cetaceans?

    <p>Depend on land for breeding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following pinniped species is the only living representative of its family?

    <p>Walrus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a current status of the North Atlantic Right Whale according to conservation status?

    <p>Critically endangered</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the primary habitat of most pinniped species?

    <p>Coastal areas and ice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environment do planktonic and nektonic organisms inhabit?

    <p>Pelagic realm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which size category do the smallest nektonic species fall into?

    <p>Centimetre nekton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which zone supports the highest proportion of the world’s pelagic fisheries catch?

    <p>Epipelagic zone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of fish are among the targeted nektonic species found in the epipelagic zone?

    <p>Herring and mackerel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the high productivity in the epipelagic zone?

    <p>Nutrient-rich waters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do many nektonic fish and cephalopods disperse their species?

    <p>With planktonic larvae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the depth range of the epipelagic zone?

    <p>0 to 200 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the lifestyle of blanket octopuses?

    <p>Both benthic and nektonic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary survival strategy employed by pelagic ray-finned fishes for their eggs?

    <p>Broadcasting large numbers of eggs into the water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do coastal nektonic fish like Atlantic Herring reduce egg losses?

    <p>By forming spawning shoals and depositing eggs on the seabed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage does Sargassum provide for certain fish species regarding egg-laying?

    <p>It provides a safe hiding spot for their eggs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What common strategy do many predatory epipelagic fish use to catch prey?

    <p>They are fast swimmers with streamlined body shapes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the shape of the John Dory?

    <p>Thin and shaped like a dinner plate for ambush</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes cephalopods from most other molluscs?

    <p>They are predominantly nektonic and highly developed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do seabirds play in the pelagic food web?

    <p>They are key top predators along with larger nekton.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do some fish species benefit from laying eggs that become entangled in long trailing filaments of seaweed?

    <p>It offers a form of shelter for the eggs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which class of fish comprises approximately 1250 marine species of sharks and rays?

    <p>Elasmobranchii</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about predatory fish is FALSE?

    <p>Counter-illumination is a behavioral adaptation for ambush.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do deep-diving nekton like whales contribute to nutrient cycling between different marine zones?

    <p>By feeding at depth and defaecating at the surface.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the predominant nektonic animal in the epipelagic zone?

    <p>Fish</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which class of jawless fish includes hagfishes and lampreys?

    <p>Myxini and Petromyzonti</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Grey Reef Sharks in nutrient cycling?

    <p>They transfer nutrients from epipelagic habitats to coral reefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the class Actinopterygii among fish classes?

    <p>It is the largest class with about 18,700 marine species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main habitat distinction for rays within the class Elasmobranchii?

    <p>They primarily live a benthic existence with some exceptions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptation allows sea snakes to swim longer distances?

    <p>A sideways flattened tail</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do sea snakes need to bask in the sun after diving?

    <p>To regulate their body temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature of coastal waters benefits fish larvae during spawning?

    <p>Greater supplies of planktonic food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily drives the migration of nektonic marine animals?

    <p>Temperature changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake?

    <p>It leads a pelagic existence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common migration strategy used by pelagic ray-finned fishes?

    <p>Moving inshore to spawn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of fish do the majority of sea snakes mainly hunt?

    <p>Sedentary fish like gobies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which species is known to utilize Atlantic gyre currents for migration?

    <p>North Atlantic Blue Sharks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs after Pacific salmon spawn in rivers?

    <p>They die and decompose, providing nutrients to the forest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following marine vertebrates is NOT mentioned as engaging in long-distance migration?

    <p>Eels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the potential risks associated with migration for nektonic marine animals?

    <p>Predator exposure and poor conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do mass migrations affect the ecology of marine and terrestrial areas?

    <p>They introduce seasonal influxes of prey species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is true of Atlantic mackerel regarding migration?

    <p>Different stocks may migrate to different spawning areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what type of environment do many species prefer to migrate to avoid cold temperatures?

    <p>Deep water with stable temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers the largest migration of clupeid fish during the 'sardine run'?

    <p>Alterations in water temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of migration can be significant for conserving energy in fish?

    <p>Utilizing ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical opening width of a mid-water trawl net used for sampling mesopelagic nekton?

    <p>100 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the cilia in the neuromast cells?

    <p>To sense water-borne vibrations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of vessel is capable of operating larger nets for sampling bathypelagic species?

    <p>Research ship of considerable size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do predators like Sailfish and certain sharks break up fish shoals?

    <p>By herding them towards the water surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technology enables the opening and closing of the net's mouth during a survey?

    <p>Acoustic signal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which marine mammal characteristic differentiates them from other animals?

    <p>Suckling their young on milk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique strategy do humpback whales use to catch fish?

    <p>Blowing bubble-nets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage does shoaling provide for fish?

    <p>Protection from predators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the size of nets used for commercial fisheries compare to those used for research?

    <p>Commercial nets can be much larger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when fish encounter a predator and panic?

    <p>The shoal fractures into smaller groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the acoustic signal during net operation?

    <p>To open or close the net's mouth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do flying fishes escape from predators?

    <p>By launching out of the water and gliding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenges do large nets face when sampling active bathypelagic fish?

    <p>These fish often evade capture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant advancement in net technology was introduced for the RRS Discovery in 1969?

    <p>Remote-controlled opening and closing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What dual role can the swim-bladder and acoustico-lateralis system play for fish?

    <p>For sound production and detection of vibrations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant risk that fish face when shoaling?

    <p>Easier detection by sonar from fishermen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What lifestyle do most octopuses tend to lead?

    <p>Benthic lifestyle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which category of organisms overlaps in size with the smallest nekton?

    <p>Macroplankton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary zone where the majority of pelagic fisheries catch is sourced?

    <p>Epipelagic zone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily contributes to the high productivity in the epipelagic zone?

    <p>High nutrient availability from phytoplankton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of planktonic organisms?

    <p>They drift on ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which nektonic species are specifically noted for their commercial importance?

    <p>Small to medium-sized fishes and squid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate depth range of the epipelagic zone?

    <p>0 to 200 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following categories represents the largest planktonic organisms?

    <p>Megaplankton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do brown bears play in the Great Bear Rainforest ecosystem?

    <p>They recycle nutrients through their feeding habits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor poses a significant threat to Pacific salmon stocks?

    <p>Escapees from salmon farms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental conditions do Pacific Sardines prefer for spawning?

    <p>Cold water between 10 and 20°C.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does climate change affect fish migration patterns?

    <p>By altering current flows and water temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary source of nutrients for the Great Bear Rainforest's biodiversity?

    <p>Spawning salmon and their decomposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do animals need to navigate effectively over long distances during migration?

    <p>Both a map and compass.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which marine animal is NOT listed as a predator of fish in the coastal ecosystem of South Africa?

    <p>Hummingbird</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of bears being messy while feeding on fish?

    <p>It enriches the forest with nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the Grey Whales' long migration south?

    <p>To access warmer waters for breeding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor significantly influences the Northern Elephant Seals' migration patterns?

    <p>Breeding and molting cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Northern Elephant Seals feed during their migration?

    <p>By hunting in the Gulf of Alaska and North Pacific</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential impact of climate change on Grey Whales' migration?

    <p>Altered timings or extent of their migration patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the migratory behaviors of large oceanic sharks?

    <p>Their migrations often depend on feeding opportunities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a double migration in the case of Northern Elephant Seals?

    <p>Migration to southern areas for breeding and again for moulting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily drives the migration of whale sharks?

    <p>Seasonal food availability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What threat do Grey Whale calves face during their return journey?

    <p>Predation by pods of Orca</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason Caribbean Spiny Lobsters migrate into deeper water during autumn?

    <p>To avoid rough waters and stabilize in warmer conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers the mass migration of Christmas Island Red Crabs to the coast?

    <p>The first rains of the rainy season</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the planktonic larval stages of certain crabs relate to their terrestrial existence?

    <p>They require returning to water for egg release</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic behavior of Caribbean Spiny Lobsters during migration?

    <p>They migrate in a single file, ‘nose-to-tail’ fashion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the seasonal migration patterns of benthic fish?

    <p>They undertake migrations between feeding and spawning grounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do Loggerhead Turtles return to their hatching areas?

    <p>To reproduce and lay eggs in familiar environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the migration of Christmas Island Red Crabs is timed precisely with lunar cycles?

    <p>The release of larvae into the water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of habitat do adult Christmas Island Red Crabs prefer to inhabit?

    <p>Inland forested areas for nesting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Open Water Lifestyles: Marine Nekton

    • Marine nekton are actively swimming animals in the water column
    • Unlike plankton, nekton have the strength to control their movement
    • Most nekton are vertebrates, particularly fish
    • Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and pinnipeds (seals) are nekton
    • Marine snakes and turtles are also nekton
    • Squid, a prominent invertebrate, are predominantly nektonic
    • Pelagic fisheries are largely based on shoaling fish and squid.
    • Some birds, such as penguins, spend most of their time in the water, and could arguably be considered nekton.
    • Marine mammals are also considered nekton
    • Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) utilize migration, but lack predictable routes

    Nekton and Plankton

    • Nekton and plankton overlap in size
    • Macroplankton and centimetre nekton overlap in size (2–20cm)
    • Megaplankton can overlap in size (20–200cm) with nektonic species
    • Pelagic realm encompasses the water column from the surface to a short distance above the seabed

    Epipelagic Nekton

    • The epipelagic zone (0-200m) is highly biodiverse
    • Pelagic fisheries catch mostly comes from this zone
    • Coastal upwelling areas are nutrient-rich, supporting high productivity
    • Important commercial species include herring, anchovies, mackerel, and squid
    • Pelagic fish often form large shoals
    • Shoals provide a strategy for predator avoidance

    Fish

    • Fish are the dominant nektonic animals in the epipelagic zone
    • 7 classes of chordates: Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), Chimaeras, Ray-finned fishes, Jawless fishes (hagfish and lampreys), Coelacanths, Lungfishes
    • Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) are the largest class of fish, with approximately 18,700 marine species.
    • Some fish species are anadromous and migrate from ocean to freshwater for spawning

    Predator Avoidance

    • Shoaling is a major survival strategy for many small epipelagic fish species.
    • Predators find it more difficult to target individual fish within large shoals
    • The lateral line system plays a crucial role in maintaining a standard nearest neighbour distance.
    • Cilia and cupula in the lateral line system detect water-borne vibrations to help fish navigate effectively
    • Some predator strategies involve breaking up shoals and trapping fish.

    Cephalopods

    • Squid are numerous and important ocean predators
    • Squid have no external shell
    • They have a lightweight internal shell for buoyancy control in cuttlefish
    • Sepia, squid & Nautilus are examples

    Other Invertebrates

    • Crustaceans such as squat lobsters may be nektonic
    • Shrimp-like mysids (Mysidacea) and euphausiids (Euphausiacea) are often found in large swarms
    • Cnidarians, like jellyfish, can have weak swimming abilities.
    • Some crustaceans, such as squat lobsters, form large swarms.
    • Some molluscs, such as squid, are entirely nektonic.

    Mesopelagic Nekton

    • The mesopelagic zone (200-1000m) has many apex predators (e.g. sharks, cetaceans), which have feeding forays into this zone.
    • Important groups include lanternfishes, gonostomatids, hatchetfishes, and viperfishes -Mesopelagic fishes are important part of the oceanic ecosystem.
    • Fish in mesopelagic layer migrate vertically

    Bathypelagic Nekton

    • The bathypelagic zone (1000–4000m), characterized by lack of light, has adapted nektonic species to this darkness.
    • Examples of species are chimaeras (deeper than 200m) and anglerfishes
    • Some species have adapted body forms, and bioluminescence for survival.
    • Some bottom-dwelling fish also live in the bathypelagic zone.
    • Some species like chimaeras, are adapted for deep-water life
    • Some species have developed bioluminescence-based adaptations

    Whale Migration

    • Whales migrate extensively between cold feeding areas (e.g. Arctic, Antarctica) and warmer, less productive breeding areas (e.g. tropics).
    • This is driven by food availability.
    • Important for species such as humpback whales.
    • Some whales migrate extensively, covering great distances

    Pinniped Migration

    • Pinnipeds have a connection to land. They return to land for breeding, molting, and resting
    • Pinnipeds have strong swimming abilities, but constrained by dependence on land
    • Species like the elephant seals exhibit unusually extensive migrations of up to 21,000km.
    • Some pinnipeds migrate long distances for breeding and feeding

    Fish Migration

    • Fish use migration for feeding and breeding, and for seasonal changes
    • Some species utilize currents for migration

    Marine Reptile Migration

    • Marine reptiles exhibit varied migration patterns
    • Reptiles exhibit strong swimming abilities to cover distances
    • Migration is important for feeding, breeding, and avoiding extreme weather.

    Marine mammal Migration

    • Migration is essential for food sources and breeding grounds
    • Species like Grey Whales make a lengthy migration in response to favorable food and habitat conditions
    • Migratory animals are highly sensitive to climate change.
    • Some whales and dolphins migrate to different areas based on food resources
    • Migration can encompass long distances

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