Friday, July 31, 2009

Spinner Dolphin

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Spinner Dolphin
(Stenella longirostris)

Spinner Dolphin  - Stenella longirostris
Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Spinner dolphins commonly form large groups, often with other species, including other dolphins and even tuna.  Unfortunately, this has made them a common casualty of the tuna fishery.

Distribution
Found throughout the world's tropical oceans.

Habitat
Found on reef slopes and out in the open ocean.

Diet
Spinner dolphins feed on fish and squid.

Quick Fact
Spinner dolphins are known for their acrobatics, and frequently jump out of the water and spin through the air. They, like other dolphins, use echolocation to navigate and track prey, and often feed at night.

Learn More
- MarineBio.org

- Moorea Biocode Database

Downtown Seattle Skyline

[Originally posted to the Marine Photobank]

Downtown Seattle, Washington, and its waterfront on Elliot Bay in the Puget Sound, with Mt. Rainier visible in the background.


Description:
Seattle is a large urban center and major port along the US West Coast.

Exposure Date:
11/23/2007

Gallery:
Coastal Development

City/Region:
Seattle

State/Province:
Washington

Country:
United States


Download:
http://www.marinephotobank.org/secure/gallery-photo.php?photo_id=6923

Copyright Statement :
Image may be used for non-commercial and media purposes only. Credit should state, "Gerick Bergsma 2008/Marine Photobank."

Humpback Whale

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Humpback Whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae)

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae
Photo by Hannah Stewart. Text by Gerick Bergsma.

Humpback whales migrate annually between the food-rich waters near the poles and the warm tropical seas where they breed.  Individual whales have been identified as migrating from Antarctica to Costa Rica, the longest migration by any mammal.

Distribution
Humpback Whales are found throughout the world's oceans, migrating between polar and tropical seas.

Habitat
Found offshore in the open ocean

Diet
Eat krill and small fish

Quick Fact
Humpback whales are famous for their songs.  The songs, which can last up to 20 minutes and are often repeated for hours on end, are only produced by males during the breeding season and might serve to announce a male's presence to other males or to attract females.  Whales from a given region typically share the same song, but songs differ from region to region.

Learn More
- Animal Diversity Web

- Moorea Biocode Database

Yellowfin Tuna

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Yellowfin Tuna - Aahi re'are'a
(Thunnus albacares)

Yellowfin Tuna - Thunnus albacares
Photo by Gerick Bergsma
Yellowfin tuna often school with other fish of similar size.  Smaller individuals are often found in large single-species schools or in schools with other species of tuna, while larger individuals are sometimes found schooling with dolphins or porpoises.

Distribution
Yellowfin Tuna occur throughout the world's tropical oceans.

Habitat
Yellowfin Tuna are found out in the open ocean.

Diet
Yellowfin feed on fish, crustaceans and squid.

Quick Fact
Yellowfin tuna are fast swimmers, and can reach speeds of 70 kilometers per hour (~45 miles per hour).  They roam widely, and have been known to move over 1,000 km in a year.

Learn More
- Florida Museum of Natural History

- Moorea Biocode Database

Whitetip Reef Shark

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Whitetip Reef Shark - Mamaru
(Triaenodon obesus)

Whitetip Reef Shark - Triaenodon obesus
Photo by Gerick Bergsma


Distribution
Throughout the Indopacific and Eastern Pacific, from East Africa to Mesoamerica

Habitat
Lagoons and reefs

Diet
Whitetip reef sharks are nocturnal hunters, and are known to roam the reef at night in cooperative bands, drawing out hidden fish and crustaceans.

Quick Fact
Whitetip reef sharks are often encountered resting on the bottom.  They typically spend their days in caves, under coral ledges or in sand patches with low current, and can sometimes be found in large groups.

Learn More
- MarineBio.org

- Moorea Biocode Database