Deep Sea Benthos Flashcards
Where are most of the deep-sea trenches located and why are they sometimes referred to as the “Ring of Fire”?
Most deep-sea trenches are located at the Pacific margin, especially at tectonic plate boundaries. This area is called the “Ring of Fire” due to its frequent volcanic and seismic activity.
Describe the formation of abyssal plains and name two typical characteristics of these seafloors.
Describe the formation of abyssal plains and name two typical characteristics of these seafloors.A: Abyssal plains form when sediments from the coast slide over the continental shelf and slopes, settling on new oceanic crust. They are flat, extensive, and have thick sediment layers.
What are seamounts, and why are they ecologically important?
Seamounts are underwater mountains rising at least 1000m above the seafloor. They are ecological hotspots, enhancing primary production by trapping zooplankton and upwelling nutrient-rich waters.
Explain the importance of cold-water coral reefs and name a notable feature of their longevity.
Cold-water coral reefs provide habitats for diverse invertebrates. They can persist for millennia, making some colonies the oldest organisms on Earth.
Name two important functions of sponge gardens in the marine ecosystem.
Sponge gardens serve as nurseries for fish and provide habitat for many marine species due to their large accumulations of sponges.
What distinguishes hydrothermal vents from cold seeps, and how do organisms use these environments?
Hydrothermal vents emit geothermally heated water, while cold seeps release methane and hydrocarbons. Organisms at both sites rely on chemosynthesis but use different energy sources.
What are whale falls and what role do they play in deep-sea ecology?
Whale falls are whale carcasses on the seafloor that provide nutrients and habitat for scavengers and specialized deep-sea organisms.
What is integrative taxonomy, and why is it important for research into marine biodiversity?
Integrative taxonomy combines morphological, molecular, and other data to identify species and relationships. It enhances biodiversity research where traditional methods are insufficient.
Name two important databases in e-taxonomy and briefly describe their contents.
WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species) maintains scientific names, while BOLD (Barcode of Life Database) stores genetic sequences for species identification.
Explain the difference between apomorphism and plesiomorphism in phylogenetic systematics.
Apomorphism is a newly acquired feature, while plesiomorphism represents an ancestral trait. Apomorphies indicate evolutionary changes, whereas plesiomorphies reflect continuity.
Apomorphy
A newly acquired evolutionary feature
Autapomorphy
An apomorphy unique to a single taxon
Chemosynthesis
The synthesis of organic matter using inorganic compounds, without sunlight
E-taxonomy
The use of digital tools for taxonomic research.
Hadal zone
The deepest ocean region (6000–11,000m), found in deep-sea trenches
Hydrothermal vent
A seafloor fissure emitting geothermally heated water
Integrative taxonomy
A classification approach combining morphological, molecular, and other data
Cold-water coral reef
A deep-sea coral habitat with high biodiversity.
Cold seep
A seafloor vent releasing methane or hydrocarbons
Oligotrophic
A nutrient-poor environment, often describing parts of the ocean.
Plesiomorphism
An inherited ancestral trait.
Synapomorphy
A shared apomorphy indicating close evolutionary relationships
Taxon
A classification unit like species, genus, or family
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem (VME)
A sensitive marine ecosystem at risk from human activities.
