While it may look like something out of an alien invasion movie, kelp is a deceptively healthy foundation for any ocean ecosystem. Adorned with slimy green leaves, bulbous heads and tentacle-like stalks, kelp isn’t much to look at. But where it counts — from water filtration to providing a unique habitat for various sea creatures… [read more]
What makes a green sea anemone green?
What makes a green sea anemone green? It’s not green with envy, it’s green with algae! Single-celled algae living in the tissue of this sea anemone contribute in an indirect way to its brilliant green color. Green sea anemones or Anthopleura xanthogrammica enjoy the nutritional benefits gained from hosting algae through photosynthesis. In return, algae… [read more]
Diatoms on a blue whale
In one of my recent whale watching posts, there was a photo of a blue whale with some really cool yellow-brown patterns on its back. During the whale watching trip, the naturalist on board explained the pattern was from diatoms, a type of algae that is usually single-celled. But I wanted to find out more!… [read more]