Ecology and Classes of Different Phyla
The Ecology of Sponges
Sponges have an extremely important role in nature and ecology. Thanks to the irregular shape and the size of sponges they can provide great habitats for several marine animals like : sea cucumber, sea stars, water snails, shrimp, and more. Sponges mutually beneficial relationships with a couple marine animals such as algae, plant like protists, and bacteria are also vital for the sponges are very important for both members in the relationship ,for example the sponge provides protection while they provide the sponges with food and oxygen. Due to these relationships some sponges are green because of the organisms in their tissue. Sponges use antenna like spicules like a magnifying glass or lens to direct and focus sunlight towards their cells which allows sponges to perform photosynthesis. This adaption is necessary for a sponges survival in more habitats.
Sponges have an extremely important role in nature and ecology. Thanks to the irregular shape and the size of sponges they can provide great habitats for several marine animals like : sea cucumber, sea stars, water snails, shrimp, and more. Sponges mutually beneficial relationships with a couple marine animals such as algae, plant like protists, and bacteria are also vital for the sponges are very important for both members in the relationship ,for example the sponge provides protection while they provide the sponges with food and oxygen. Due to these relationships some sponges are green because of the organisms in their tissue. Sponges use antenna like spicules like a magnifying glass or lens to direct and focus sunlight towards their cells which allows sponges to perform photosynthesis. This adaption is necessary for a sponges survival in more habitats.
The Ecology and Classes of Mollusks
The three different classes of mollusks are Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Cephalopoda. Gastropods are shell-less or single-shelled mollusks that move by using a muscular foot located on the ventral side. Members of the gastropods include snails, land slugs, sea butterflies, sea hares, limpets, and nudibranchs. Bivalves have two shells that are held together by one or two powerful muscles. Bivalves include clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Cephalopods are usually soft-bodied mollusks in which the head is attached to a single foot. The foot is divided into tentacles and/or arms. Common Cephalopods are octopi, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses.
Mollusks play many different roles in our ecosystem. They feed on plants, prey on animals, and “clean up” their surroundings by filtering algae out or the water or by just eating the debris. They can either be a host to a parasite or be a parasite themselves. Mollusks are also an important source of food for many organisms, including humans. Many new discoveries are still being made about mollusks and their ecology. Several new communities of bivalves and bacteria were just discovered near deep-sea volcanic vents. Scientist are also always finding new uses for mollusks. Not only are they environmental monitors, but mollusks such as snails, never seem to develop any kinds of cancer. If scientists are able to study this and determine what protects their cells from cancer, they will gain knowledge that could possibly help us fight cancer in humans.
The three different classes of mollusks are Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Cephalopoda. Gastropods are shell-less or single-shelled mollusks that move by using a muscular foot located on the ventral side. Members of the gastropods include snails, land slugs, sea butterflies, sea hares, limpets, and nudibranchs. Bivalves have two shells that are held together by one or two powerful muscles. Bivalves include clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Cephalopods are usually soft-bodied mollusks in which the head is attached to a single foot. The foot is divided into tentacles and/or arms. Common Cephalopods are octopi, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses.
Mollusks play many different roles in our ecosystem. They feed on plants, prey on animals, and “clean up” their surroundings by filtering algae out or the water or by just eating the debris. They can either be a host to a parasite or be a parasite themselves. Mollusks are also an important source of food for many organisms, including humans. Many new discoveries are still being made about mollusks and their ecology. Several new communities of bivalves and bacteria were just discovered near deep-sea volcanic vents. Scientist are also always finding new uses for mollusks. Not only are they environmental monitors, but mollusks such as snails, never seem to develop any kinds of cancer. If scientists are able to study this and determine what protects their cells from cancer, they will gain knowledge that could possibly help us fight cancer in humans.
The Ecology and Classes of Annelids
Annelids are separated into three classes, Oligochaetes, Leeches, and Polychaetes.
Oligochaetes are annelids that typically have streamlined bodies and relatively few setae compared to polychaetes, most oligochaetes live in soil or freshwater. Leeches are typically external parasites that suck the blood and body fluids of their host. Polychaetes are marine annelids that have paired, paddlelike appendages tipped with setae. Even though they fall under the same phylum they are all very different.
Annelids such as earthworms have played a huge role in our ecology for a very long time. You can note the presence of them all the way back to ancient Greece. Their help in everyday life was so widely noted that none other than Aristotle, referred to them as “the intestines of the earth.” By burrowing in the sole annelids aerate and make tunnels in it which provide passageways for plant roots and allow water and oxygen to filter through into the plant's root. Their feces is also extremely high in nutrients and minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, and beneficial bacteria. On the contrary marine annelids let off free swimming larvae that serve as plankton and food for many other marine animals making annelids not only helpful but essential to various groups of both marine and land animals.
Annelids are separated into three classes, Oligochaetes, Leeches, and Polychaetes.
Oligochaetes are annelids that typically have streamlined bodies and relatively few setae compared to polychaetes, most oligochaetes live in soil or freshwater. Leeches are typically external parasites that suck the blood and body fluids of their host. Polychaetes are marine annelids that have paired, paddlelike appendages tipped with setae. Even though they fall under the same phylum they are all very different.
Annelids such as earthworms have played a huge role in our ecology for a very long time. You can note the presence of them all the way back to ancient Greece. Their help in everyday life was so widely noted that none other than Aristotle, referred to them as “the intestines of the earth.” By burrowing in the sole annelids aerate and make tunnels in it which provide passageways for plant roots and allow water and oxygen to filter through into the plant's root. Their feces is also extremely high in nutrients and minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, and beneficial bacteria. On the contrary marine annelids let off free swimming larvae that serve as plankton and food for many other marine animals making annelids not only helpful but essential to various groups of both marine and land animals.
The Ecology and Classes of Amphibians
There are three main types of Amphibians which are Salamander, Frogs and Toads, and Caecilians. Salamanders are members of the Urodela they have long bodies and tails, and most have 4 legs. Both adults and larvae are both carnivores and they usually live in damp dark places. Frogs and Toads are members of the Anura because of their ability to jump. Frogs have longer legs than toads but they both tend to stay close to ponds and streams and adult frogs and toads both don’t have tails. Caecilians are members of the Apoda group. They are usually legless creatures that burrow in moist soil and feed off small invertebrates.
Amphibians have many adaptations that protect them in their environments. They have skin colors that let them blend in, and most amphibians have poisonous or unpleasant toxins that they can ooze out of their skin for defense. Bright body colors on amphibians warn predators to stay away. Other amphibians have non-toxic bodies that mimic, or resemble those of a toxic body in order to pose a “threat”. Recently, scientist have noticed that amphibian populations around the world are decreasing. Some even appear to now be extinct. Scientist are not sure what is causing the global decline of the amphibian population, but it could be because they are so susceptible to a wide variety of environmental threats (including humans). Ways to help this are being set up all over North America such as monitoring programs who recognize various species of amphibians.
There are three main types of Amphibians which are Salamander, Frogs and Toads, and Caecilians. Salamanders are members of the Urodela they have long bodies and tails, and most have 4 legs. Both adults and larvae are both carnivores and they usually live in damp dark places. Frogs and Toads are members of the Anura because of their ability to jump. Frogs have longer legs than toads but they both tend to stay close to ponds and streams and adult frogs and toads both don’t have tails. Caecilians are members of the Apoda group. They are usually legless creatures that burrow in moist soil and feed off small invertebrates.
Amphibians have many adaptations that protect them in their environments. They have skin colors that let them blend in, and most amphibians have poisonous or unpleasant toxins that they can ooze out of their skin for defense. Bright body colors on amphibians warn predators to stay away. Other amphibians have non-toxic bodies that mimic, or resemble those of a toxic body in order to pose a “threat”. Recently, scientist have noticed that amphibian populations around the world are decreasing. Some even appear to now be extinct. Scientist are not sure what is causing the global decline of the amphibian population, but it could be because they are so susceptible to a wide variety of environmental threats (including humans). Ways to help this are being set up all over North America such as monitoring programs who recognize various species of amphibians.
The Ecology of Corals
Coral serves as one of the most important factor of balance on earth and is extremely important for ecology. Corals survival and placement relies on a few variables such as the growing areas’ water warmth, temperature, and the light intensity. Due to corals’ dependence on symbioses they require a lot of sun light; it actually provides up to 60% of corals energy. Because of this dependency on light, coral reefs can survive in water that carries relatively little nutrients.
Coral reefs are suffering from human activities. Silt deposition due to logging, farming, construction, and human recreation can damage and smother corals. Chemicals such as fertilizers and insecticides can poison corals. And overfishing disrupts the balance of coral reefs. Coral bleaching has also become more common. The higher temperatures can kill the algae that live in the tissues of corals. Factors such as global warming may contribute to the increase in marine temperatures.
Coral serves as one of the most important factor of balance on earth and is extremely important for ecology. Corals survival and placement relies on a few variables such as the growing areas’ water warmth, temperature, and the light intensity. Due to corals’ dependence on symbioses they require a lot of sun light; it actually provides up to 60% of corals energy. Because of this dependency on light, coral reefs can survive in water that carries relatively little nutrients.
Coral reefs are suffering from human activities. Silt deposition due to logging, farming, construction, and human recreation can damage and smother corals. Chemicals such as fertilizers and insecticides can poison corals. And overfishing disrupts the balance of coral reefs. Coral bleaching has also become more common. The higher temperatures can kill the algae that live in the tissues of corals. Factors such as global warming may contribute to the increase in marine temperatures.