1. Tides, currents and wind patterns affect the distribution of marine animals.

Aside from the

examples presented in class, discuss other marine animals whose distribution is affected by the
aforementioned factors. Give one example each. Your answers should be clear and concise. You
may include illustrations if you deem it necessary.

- Tides affect the availability of food for marine creatures by pushing nutrient rich water to the
surface which in turn affects fish distribution. Sardines were observed to aggregate during the
receding tide to probably feed on accumulated phytoplanktons and they also migrate vertically
to avoid high tidal currents (Robinson et al, 2007). Ocean currents affect fishes differently since
some fish are adapted to fast water currents such as salmon while some fish like pufferfish are
adapted to slow water currents (Roche, 2014). Marine organisms like oysters could be displaced
if the ocean current is too fast (Bruno, 2011). Wind patterns affect the distribution of fish and
during weaker winds fish are more likely found in the water surface (Rae, 2014).

References

Robinson, C. J., Gómez-Aguirre, S., & Gómez-Gutiérrez, J. (2007). Pacific sardine behaviour
related to tidal current dynamics in Bahía Magdalena, México. Journal of Fish Biology, 71(1), 200-
218. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01484.x

Roche, D. (2014). Oceans in motion: Why some fish can't go with the flow. Retrieved February 6,
2019, from https://theconversation.com/oceans-in-motion-why-some-fish-cant-go-with-the-
flow-22908

20 points

2. Between the arctic and antarctic region, which has a higher degree of animal diversity,
endemic rate and biomass? Discuss briefly.

- the antarctic region has higher degree of animal diversity, endemic rate and biomass compared
to the arctic region. It was estimated that the species diversity in the antarctic is 7,500 animals
and 5,500 in the Arctic (Census of Marine Life, 2009). The antarctic has higher endemicity
compared to the arctic due to isolation and evolution of marine organsims in the antarctic
millions of years ago (Milner-Gulland & Mace, 1999).

References

Census of Marine Life. (2009, February 16). Hundreds Of Identical Species Thrive In Both Arctic
And Antarctic. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 4, 2019 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090215151619.htm

Milner-Gulland, E., & Mace, R. (1999). Conservation of Biological Resources [Abstract]. TREE,
14(4). Retrieved February 5, 2019.

10 points