My Research Essay- Unique Creatures Of The Sea

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Clown Fish, dolphins and sea turtles. Animals that most of the world knows about. But have you ever thought deeper; deeper into the ocean, maybe, or just discovering an animal that you never knew existed.

 

The Purple Sock (Xenoturbella)

The different types

There are four types of the recently found species, the Purple Sock. The Hollandorum is the smallest, measuring to be one inch long. The Monstrosa is the largest of them, measuring to be eight inches long. It was found in Monterey Bay in the Gulf of California. The Profunda is the deepest of the species, discovered in a 3,700 m deep hydrothermal vent in the Gulf of California. The Churro is the most unique of the species, and measures to be four inches long. It was found in a 1,700 m deep cold seep in the Gulf of California.

 

Classification

Classification for the Purple sock has shifted many times as scientists try to discover where it belongs on the tree of life. It was first thought that they were mollusks because they have mollusk DNA, but it was found that they actually eat mollusks. It was then thought that they were flatworms because both have only one gut opening, but there is still much doubt. As research scientist at the Western Australian Museum, Nerida Wilson says, the only definite thing about them is that “our little guys are simple because they are one of the early branches of the tree of life” (www.cnn.com).

 

Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis Infernalis)

Origin

The Vampire Squid are an ancient species and are the only surviving member of the Vampyromorphida family. It shares similarities with both the squid and the octopus, but is actually neither, and is in fact a deep-sea cephalopod.

 

Appearance

The Vampire Squid has a very gelatinous form, and can swim surprisingly fast for an animal with such form. It also has very large eyes, considering it’s rather small body size. The Vampire Squid has large fins at the top of it’s body that resembles something of ears, and literally flies through the water using this important feature. It’s greatest form of defense is how it can turn itself inside out in order to escape from predators and change it’s appearance.

 

Blue Dragon (Glaucus Atlanticus)

Deadliness

The Blue Dragon is a highly aggressive organism that can be very deadly. It usually feeds on organisms much larger than itself, and lay their eggs on their victim’s remains. The reason that the Blue Dragon is so deadly is because they store venom in their finger-like appendages on both sides of their body to use when eating other fish.

 

Places Found

The Blue Dragon species are actually quite rare. They are mollusks found off the coast of South Africa, Australia, and Mozambique. They can camouflage quite well by floating upside-down with the bottom of them keeping them from being seen.

 

Going Up To The Man-O-War

The Blue Dragon’s sting is more powerful and deadly than the Man-O-War’s. In fact, it actually eats the Man-O-War’s stinger! It is also immune to the Man-O-War’s venom, which gives it a big advantage.

Narwhals (Monodon Monoceros)

Appearance

Narwhals have small eyes, which are usually barely visible. Males have a big spiraled tooth that comes out of their heads. Some females have a spotted protruding tooth, but not as long as the male’s. The long tooth can grow up to 3 m (10 ft) long and continuously grows to replace wear. Biologists believe that males use it for finding food as well as females that are ready to mate. At birth, narwhals are about 1.5 m (5 ft) long. At maturity, (between 6 and 9 yrs) females grow to about 3.5 m (11.5 ft) and males grow somewhere between 4 and 6 m (13 and 20 ft) long. Narwhals also change color as they age. At birth, they are blue-gray. Juveniles are blue-black, adults are mottled gray, and elderly narwhals are mainly white.

 

Existence

Narwhals are known as “Unicorns Of The Sea”, because of their protruding tooth, which resembles the horn of the mythical creature, the Unicorn. And since they resemble the bodies of drowned soldiers, the name “Narwhal” comes from the old Norse word, “nar”, meaning corpse. Many people have been unbelieving in Narwhals until they have seen the proof, because many people think that they are mythical like Unicorns because of their tooth.  

 

The unique animals of the ocean have different special features. The Purple Sock, Vampire Squid, Blue Dragon, and Narwhal are all examples of unique animals of the ocean that have different special features. The Purple Sock comes in different types and have no brain, the Vampire Squid can flip itself inside out and is the only surviving member of the Vampyromorphida family, the Blue Dragon is highly deadly though small, and Narwhals have a protruding tooth and they change colors as they age.

Bibliography

Clemons, Danny. “Captivating Blue Dragon Sea Slug Washes Up in Australia : DNews.” DNews. DNews, 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://news.discovery.com/animals/captivating-blue-dragon-sea-slug-washes-up-in-australia-151123.htm>.     

Maynard, James. “Narwhal Tusk – Scientists Finally Solve Its Real Purpose.” Tech Times RSS. Tech Times. Web. 31 Mar. 2016. <http://www.techtimes.com/articles/4589/20140320/narwhal-tusk-scientists-finally-solve-real-purpose.htm>.    

McCafferty, Georgia. “Deep-sea ‘purple Sock’ Provides Clues to Early Life.” CNN. Cable News Network, 4 Feb. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/04/world/deep-sea-purple-sock-early-life/>.    

Mitchell, Elizabeth. “Do Deep-Sea.” Answers in Genesis. 25 Feb. 2016. Web. 08 Mar. 2016. <https://answersingenesis.org/origin-of-life/do-deep-sea-purple-socks-hold-evolutionary-secrets/>.      

“Narwhal Facts | Unicorn Whales.” Animal Fact Guide. 24 Aug. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/narwhal/>.    

 

“Scripps-Led Team Discovers Four New Deep-Sea Worm Species.” Scripps-Led Team Discovers Four New Deep-Sea Worm Species. 3 Feb. 2016. Web. 08 Mar. 2016.     

 

Steven. “”Blue Dragon” Sea Slug Reminds Us That the Ocean Is Filled With Strange Creatures That Look Like Pokemon.” RocketNews24 RSS. 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://en.rocketnews24.com/2012/09/13/blue-dragon-sea-slug-reminds-us-that-the-ocean-is-filled-with-strange-creatures-that-look-like-pokemon/>.     

“Team Discovers Four New Deep-sea Worm Species.” Team Discovers Four New Deep-sea Worm Species. 3 Feb. 2016. Web. 08 Mar. 2016. <http://phys.org/news/2016-02-team-deep-sea-worm-species.html>.    

“Vampire Squid.” – Deep Sea Creatures on Sea and Sky. Web. 17 Mar. 2016. <http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/vampire-squid.html>.