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OCN 201 Tenth Readings Discussion Questions

Foundations of Life in the Ocean II

Segar - Chapter 14

14.11 Nekton

1. Define nekton. (Also see p. 11G and figs. 14.21-14.26)

2. Give the dominant type of nekton.

3. List the three fish types.

4. Give an example of a jawless fish, a bony fish, and a cartilaginous fish.

5. Give the percentage of fishes that are bony fish.

Bony fishes

6. Define demersal fishes and pelagic fishes.

7. List the most abundant fish species in coastal waters.

Sharks and Rays

8. Contrast the reproduction of cartilaginous and bony fishes.

9. Discuss the belief the sharks are fearsome predators that hunt everything.

10. Give three examples of plankton-feeding cartilaginous fishes. (Also see fig.14.22)

Squids and Their Relatives

11. Explain why most cephalopods migrate daily.

12. Give an example of cephalopoda. (Also see fig. 14.23)

13. Explain why most cephalopod species evolved forms without external shells.

Marine Mammals

14. Give an example of a cetacean. (Also see fig. 14.24)

15. Give an example of pinnipeds. (Also see fig. 14.25)

16. Explain why the hunting of most marine mammals was stopped decades ago.

17. List several of the remaining dangers to marine mammal populations.

Reptiles

18. Give an example of a marine reptile. (Also see fig. 14.26)

19. Explain why turtle populations declined precipitously in the last 200 years.

Birds

20. Give an example of a marine bird. (Also see fig. 14.27)

14.12 Benthos

21. Explain why benthic communities are more varied than pelagic communities.

22. Explain why benthic coastal communities are more varied than deep-ocean benthic communities.

23. Give the primary food sources for deep-ocean benthic communities.