Describe the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae and coral polyps.

Zoozanthellae feed coral and gives it color.

Coral polyps are living animals which cannot synthesize the compounds necessary for growth, so they must attain it from another source.

Zooxanthellae can produce these compounds and trade them for inorganic nutrients produced by the host polyp.

Explain Mutualism as a symbiotic relationship.

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which both living things benefit in some way from the relationship.

Explain Commensalism as a symbiotic relationship.

Commensalism is a symbiotics relationship in which one living thing benefits from the relationship and the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Explain Parasitism as a symbiotic relationship.

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which one living thing benefits and the other is harmed by the relationship.

Give an example of a Mutualistic relationship.

An example of a mutualistic relationship is lemurs and the plants they eat.

The lemurs receive the nutrition needed for survival from the plants they eat and the plants benefit from having their seeds dispersed throughout the rainforest.

Give an example of a Commensalistic relationship.

An example of a commensalistic relationship is remoras and sharks.

Remoras hang off sharks in order to feed on the food debris resulting from the sharks feeding.

Give an example of a Parasitic relationship.

An example of a parasitic relation is dogs and fleas.

The flea gets nutrients from the dog and the dog is being harmed by the flea taking the nutrients from the dog and causing the dog to itch.

What makes an animal either poisonous or venomous?

An animal is poisonous if their toxin is ingested while an animal is venomous if their toxin is injected.

Name the 2 types of Coral Reproduction.

Coral reproduction is either Sexual or Asexual.

An individual polyp may use both types throughout its life.

Describe Sexual Coral Reproduction.

Polyps may reproduce sexually through either internal or external fertilization.

Internal fertilization - egg develops internally, larvae released into water to settle within hours.

External fertilization- the gametes are released into the water and settle within hours or days.

Describe Asexual Coral Reproduction.

Asexual Coral reproduction may occur through budding where one piece of the individual polyp pinches off in order to replicate itself or through fragmentation where a piece of the coral breaks off and gets deposited somewhere else on the reef and it will grow once it is attached.

What factors determine the growth rate of coral?

Factors such as light intensity, water temperature, turbidity, food availability, competition for space and predation determine the growth rate of coral.

In what types of habitats are most coral reefs found.

Coral reefs are found in warm, temperate tropical waters up to 150 ft deep because of sunlight penetration.

They are also found in areas with strong wave action which aids in nutrient distribution.

How do animals rely on a coral reef for survival?

Animals, such a many species of small fish, rely on a coral reef for:

Protection from predators.

Camouflage to disguise themselves among the reef to hide from prey or hide from predators.

Breeding ground.

Food Source

List several animals that inhabit coral reefs and how they depend on the reef.

Clownfish and Anemone fish depend on Anemone for protection.

Green Humphead Parrotfish - include coral polyps in their diet.

Why are coral reefs ecologically important?

Coral reefs are ecologically important because:

1. Corals remove and recycle carbon dioxide.
2. Reefs shelter land from harsh ocean storms and floods.
3. Coral Skeletons are used as bone substrate in reconstructive bone surgery. The pores and channels in certain coral resemble those found in human bone.
4. Some evidence suggests that the coral reef could potentially provide important medicines, including anti-cancer drugs and a compound that blocks ultraviolet rays.
5. Eco-tourism
6. Reefs provide resources for fisheries. Food items include fishes, crustaceans and mollusks.

Describe some human threats to the survival of coral reefs.

Human threats to the survival of Coral Reefs include:

1. Global Warming - humans have a significant carbon footprint and corals are not able to remove/recycle excess amounts.

2. Reefs are threatened worldwide by population, development, and coral harvesting. More than 1/3 of all coral reefs have already been destroyed or permanently damaged.

3. An increase in Crown of Thorn predation events may be partially caused by human activity. Increased runoff from forest clearing and agriculture may lower salinity and increase nutrients, which may cause Crown of Thorn populations to flourish.

What is Coral Bleaching?

Coral Bleaching results when polyps expel their zooxanthellae from their tissues revealing their underlying white calcium carbonate skeleton.

Without zooxanthellae, the coral polyps lose nutrition and have less energy available for growth or reproduction.

What causes Coral Bleaching?

Coral Bleaching is linked to higher than normal temperatures, pollution and exposure to air.

Massive coral bleaching events can occur with as little of a temperature increase as 1 to 2*C above normal for a few weeks.

How do Marine Preserves help?

They will ensure the availability of the ecosystem for the future.

Describe Coral Propagation at SeaWorld.

We propagate coral asexually by breaking off segments. These corals will then grow and be used for our exhibits and to sell to hobbyists with proceeds going to the Conservation Fund.

What is SECORE?

SExual COral REproduction of Elkhorn Coral.

The goal is to:

Preserve threatened coral species in the care of man,

Reestablish coral on natural reefs and

Develop sustainable means for collecting coral.

Why is the Coral Reef Exhibit constructed out of artificial coral instead of natural coral?

The coral reef exhibit is constructed out of artificial coral because:

Some coral is very slow growing, too slow for an exhibit of this size.

A coral reef of this size would be very difficult to maintain and feed.

Taking this amount of coral at one time from a natural reef would be detrimental and could cause damage to the ecosystem. This would not be on par with our message on conservation education.

The articial reef is much more durable. 

Where would you find a coral reef such as this one?

Our reef is a representation of the Indo-Pacific reef system, one example is the Great Barrier Reef.

These reefs are found where the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet.

What are some adaptations Coral Reef Fish have to survive in their environment?

To survive in their environment, Coral Reef Fish must be able to maneuver between coral heads, rocks and plants. These fish usually have laterally compressed bodies, or flat from side to side.

They have short fan shaped tails and fins for abrupt, darting movements.

For many species, their dorsal fins are the length of their bodies.

Name and describe the Chondrichthyes species in the reef aquarium.

In the reef aquarium, we have Spotted Eagle Rays which are the largest ocean stingray.

They can have a wingspan of 8 ft and weigh up to 500 lbs.

They can be found in temperate tropical waters worldwide.

They have a dark brown dorsal side with white spots and a white ventral side.

Their head is obvious with a flattened tapered snout. They have 2-6 venomous spines that overlap at the base of the caudal fins.

Name the seven major types of Bony Fish in the reef aquarium

• Angelfish
• Butterfly Fish
• Damselfish 
• Surgeonfish (Tangs)
• Pufferfish
• Triggerfish
• Wrasses

Describe the Angelfish.

Describe the Butterfly Fish.

Elongated Snout

Caudal fin shaped like a "B"

Fan shaped Tails

Active during the day

Feed on tentacles of tube worms and colonial sea anemones[image]

Describe the Triggerfish.

40 Different Species

Benthic feeders

Can dig out prey by flapping away debris with fins and/or sand-blasting with water squirted from their mouths.

Can eat sea urchins using their tough teeth and jaws.

Territoral and protective of their nest.

Have been known to charge at and bite human divers.[image]

Describe Surgeonfish (Tangs).

Spectacular array of colors.

Barbs along caudal peduncle

Laterally compressed body

Dorsal fin from head to tail

Eye high on head with a low mouth

Found alone or in pairs

Swim primarily by simultaneously beating pectoral fins.[image]

Describe the Pufferfish.

Outer bones of jaws-strong and beak like. Beaks divided by sutures-look like 4 teeth. Use beak to crush and devour coral, crustaceans and mollusks.

Lack pelvic fins.

Some species possess a toxin.

Puff themselves up by sucking in water or air into their stomachs.

Some species possess spines.

[image]

Describe the Wrasses

 Temperate and Tropical.

Slender cigar shaped.

Brightly and complexly colored.

Carnivorous - invertebrates.

Males larger and more colorful.

The word "wrasse" comes from the Welsh word meaning "old hag" or "old woman".

Cleaner wrasse has a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with other fish in the reef.

[image]

Small and Colorful

Forked Caudal (tail) fin

Aggressive and Territorial

Omnivorous - plants, anemones, worm tentacles, small crustaceans[image]