Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Images
A picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look at some images capturing science activities at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Solitary Sea Squirts grow on prop roots and on the bottom in the mangroves. Tunicates are unusual animals that are classified along with humans and other vertebrates in the Phylum Chordata.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
Pale-blue sponges and plate-like coral colonies (Agaricia agaricites) grow on mangrove prop roots.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Diversity of Corals Growing in the Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
This coral (Mycetophyllia sp.) is not abundant in coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. It most commonly grows in water deeper than 40 ft., and it is surprising to find it growing in the shade of the mangroves in 3 ft of water.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
A large colony of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) has grown almost completely around a prop root.
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
Some of the corals in these bays are so large that they must have been growing here before the bleaching event in 2005. The Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) (background) is one of the largest colonies in these mangroves. In the foreground is the Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata).
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
In Hurricane Hole, Red Mangrove trees extend from land into the water, anchoring the trees along the shoreline and creating a rich marine ecosystem.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
Prop roots of the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) tree create thickets that harbor a wide variety of creatures both above and below the water.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
Prop roots extending into the water column are commonly colonized by a variety of colorful and bizarrely-shaped sponges.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
A grooved brain coral, a massive starlet coral and a boulder brain coral growing under mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
This striking Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) grows with an assortment of sponges among Red Mangrove prop roots.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
Many species of corals grow directly on or near the Red Mangrove prop roots.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Queen Angelfish Swims in Front of Coral Colonies of Several Species Growing in Mangroves Within Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
linkThis photo shows a mangrove ecosystem that may be unique in the Caribbean in terms of the abundance and diversity of corals.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.
A Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) leaves his den to hunt for conchs and clams.
An Endangered Red Hawksbill Sea Turtle Swims Over a Threatened Elkhorn Coral in Virgin Islands National Park
linkThis photo shows an endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming over a colony of elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata).
USGS scientists are doing research on sea turtles and corals in Florida and the US Virgin Islands.
An Endangered Red Hawksbill Sea Turtle Swims Over a Threatened Elkhorn Coral in Virgin Islands National Park
linkThis photo shows an endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming over a colony of elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata).
USGS scientists are doing research on sea turtles and corals in Florida and the US Virgin Islands.
Aggregation of different species of shorebirds feeding in the salt marsh.
Aggregation of different species of shorebirds feeding in the salt marsh.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), such as the one hiding here under a boulder, and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are occasionally seen in Hurricane Hole. Hawksbills feed mostly on sponges while Greens eat mostly sea grasses.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), such as the one hiding here under a boulder, and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are occasionally seen in Hurricane Hole. Hawksbills feed mostly on sponges while Greens eat mostly sea grasses.
Wetlands in the Nebraska Sandhills typically are at the groundwater and surface water interface. You are essentially seeing the groundwater level in the area.
Wetlands in the Nebraska Sandhills typically are at the groundwater and surface water interface. You are essentially seeing the groundwater level in the area.
Looking south over the coral reef surrounding Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas Lighthouse stands on Loggerhead Key. To the right in the background is Garden Key, where civil-war era Fort Jefferson is located.
Looking south over the coral reef surrounding Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas Lighthouse stands on Loggerhead Key. To the right in the background is Garden Key, where civil-war era Fort Jefferson is located.