saveourplankton

[saveourplankton]

Makatea is a raised coral atoll in the Tuamotus. The history of Makatea is fascinating, as it was an important area for phosphate mining starting in the early 1900s. One of my new favorite World places is the incredibly beautiful grotto (freshwater underground cave system)on this atoll. Knowing that many areas of this grotto have yet to be reached or explored makes me love it even more. What a wild day. Thanks @achungsf and Buffy for the photos-I had a blast traveling with you! Also featuring my colleague @livingcookiesdream. #saveourplankton . . . #makatea #tuamotus #grotto #frenchpolynesia #atoll @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #conservation #freshwater #freedive #explore #underwaterphotography #cave #unknown #travel #adventure #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

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The Caribbean spiny lobster-Panulirus argus-is one of the largest crustaceans found among the coral reefs and seagrass beds in Belize and surrounding waters. These animals are distinguished by their long antennae (typically longer than their body) and their spiny exoskeleton that provides protection from potential predators. Even with their spiny skin, they still remain a favorite prey item for nurse sharks and large groupers. Unlike American lobsters, spiny lobsters do not have any claws! 💥I hear they are a popular dinner dish, but as a non-seafood eater, I don't have anything to add about their taste. 📸Videos filmed along the Belize Barrier Reef. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation#oceanlover#spinylobster #Panulirusargus #divebelize #belize #travel #scubadive #underwatervideography #nationalgeographicquest #crustacean #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty (at Belize Barrier Reef)

[saveourplankton]

I normally prefer invertebrates, but I've been trying to branch out and pay more attention to fish. On a recent trip to Belize, I took a liking to the fairy basslets-Gramma loreto. This bright fish is a small species, reaching a maximum size of 3 inches(more often 1-2 inches). Fairy basslets are planktivores, feeding mostly on zooplankton. They can also act as cleaner fish by removing parasites from the skin of other organisms. Though they are native to Belize and and other coral reefs in the Caribbean & Bahamas, they are an invasive species in Florida. 💥Such beautiful little fish! #SaveOurPlankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #underwaterphotography #travel #belize #divebelize #lindbladexpeditions #natgeoexpeditions #fairybasslet #grammaloreto #purple #cutie #coralreef #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

It is estimated that nearly 95% of World's oceans (and 99% of the sea floor! ) has yet to be explored. It seems strange to know so little about an ecosystem that is so crucial to our own survival. Much of my passion for the marine sciences is fueled by this mysteriousness; an ecosystem with seemingly infinite truths to uncover. #saveourplankton . .📸Photo taken on Turneffe Atoll, Belize. . #marinebiology #conservation #explore #discover #mystery #scubadive #underwaterphotography #lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp #natgeoexpeditions @natgeoexpeditions @lmlightlife #paditv #travel #belize #divebelize #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

Most species of parrotfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they change sex at some during life. Parrotfish change from females to males making them protogynous hermaphrodites. This behavior maximizes the reproductive value of individuals (and thereby the reproductive output of populations). #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #protogynous #hermaphrodite #parrotfish #underwaterphotography #travel #belize @lindbladexp #exploremore #coralreef #mpa #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

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A juvenile spotted drum-Equetus punctatus-swimming in its standard repetitive pattern. Notice the extremely long dorsal fin. This extended fin is a defining characteristic of the species( though it does shorten as the animal ages). At night, this fish will leave its daily shelter to feed on small crustaceans and polychaete worms. 📸Video taken on the Belize Barrier Reef. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #paditv #underwatervideography #sola #travel #belize #divebelize #fish #spotteddrum #Equetuspunctatus #explore #lindbladexpeditions #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

The yellow tube sponge-Aplysina insularis- can grow to 4ft in length and can be found in the waters of Florida, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Though this sponge may appear lifeless, it is important to remember that sponges are animals! Sponges are filter feeders. As water flows through them, they filter out and feed on floating organic particles and plankton. Food is collected in specialized cells known as choanocytes. 💥This species of sponge fascinates me because it appears to simultaneously be orange, yellow, AND green! 📸Photo taken by Shaylyn Potter in Belize. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #sponge #yellow #orange #green #underwaterphotography @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #travel #scubadive #belize #divebelize #aqualung #padi #optoutside #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

Soft corals are colonial animals. Notice how each polyp on this soft coral has 8 tentacles; they belong in the subclass Octocorallia. Their 8 tentacles are feather-like in shape and contain side btanches known as pinnules. These tentacles are used to capture small, planktonic prey from the water column. 💥Belize hosts an abundance of soft corals. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #underwaterphotography #macro #macrophotography #octocorallia #coral #tentacles #canon #animals #invertsarethebest #optoutside #getunderwater #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

A small bundle of coral in the shallow seagrass bed of Moho Caye, Belize. Seagrass beds are seldom given the attention and protection they deserve. Seagrasses help stabilize the sediment that could otherwise settle on coral, preventing contact with sunlight. They also interrupt discharge from land to filter nutrients and freshwater before they are washed out to the sensitive coral reefs. This ecosystem acts as a nursery for juvenile marine life such as fish, shrimp, conch, and lobsters. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #travel #belize #seagrass #coralreef #underwaterlife #underwaterphotography #padi #blue #conservation #nobluenogreen #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty (at Moho Cay (ö i Belize, lat 17,52, long -88,20))

[saveourplankton]

The Belize Barrier Reef spans roughly 190 miles and is the largest and most intact reef system within the Northern Hemisphere. This reef comprises seven marine reserves, over four hundred cayes (islands) and three atolls. In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant habitats and natural development. 💥I took this photo of my colleague @michellerider411 while diving near South Water Caye. @s.a.l.t_y . . . #saveourplankton #saveouroceans #protectouroceans #marinebiology #conservation #underwaterlife #homosapien #scubadive #belize #belizebarrierreef #travel #southwatercaye #caribbean #underwaterphotography #unesco #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty (at South Water Caye Marine Reserve)

[saveourplankton]

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef system worldwide. This reef is home to around 300 species of fish and over 100 species of coral (hard and soft). Belize was the first country to ban bottom trawling and contains 7 marine reserves! Though conservation efforts are continually increasing, the reef remains threatened from human impact (ocean pollution, poor tourism practices, overfishing, etc). 📸Photo taken by Shaylyn Potter near Glover's Reef, Belize. #saveourplankton . . #marinebiology #conservation #gloversreef #belize #divebelize #lindbladexpeditions #natgeoexpeditions #coral #underwaterlife #underwaterphotography #canon #aqualung #scubadive #marinereserve #fisharefriendsnotfood #color #explore #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

The upside down jellyfish-Cassiopea xamachana-lives on the sea floor vs the water column like most other jellyfish. The saucer-shaped bell acts like a suction cup to stabilize the animal. This species hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae (single-celled protist) in its tissues; the jellyfish obtains some nutrients from the zooxanthellae via photosynthesis. 📸Photo taken near South Water Caye, Belize. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology#conservation#oceanlover#oceanlife#lindbladexpeditions @natgeoexpeditions @lindbladexp #jellyfish #Cassiopeaxamachana #underwaterlife #underwaterphotography #scubadive #belize #zooxanthellae #photosynthesis #canon #aqualung #suunto #staycurious #stayinformed#staysalty (at South Water Caye Marine Reserve)

[saveourplankton]

Thin leaf lettuce coral -Agaricia tenuifolia- is a fast growing stony coral native to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. This coral species grows vertical, leaf-like blades and has corallites (the cup/hole where the polyps live) arranged in meandering rows. If you look closely at the texture of the blades in the photo, you can see the meandering rows. This species is very susceptible to bleaching/disease and is listed as 'near threatened' on the IUCN red list. 📸Photo taken by Shaylyn Potter in Belize. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife @lindbladexp @natgeoexpeditions #lindbladexpeditions #natgeoexpeditions #scubadive #underwaterphotography #canon #fantasea #lettuce #coral #invertebrate #belize #caribbean #Agariciatenuifolia #padi #pristineseas #aqualung #suunto #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty (at Belize City, Belize)

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I would normally never encourage touching wildlife, but San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur, Mexico is an exception. The gray whales- Eschrichtius robustus- are currently in their breeding/birthing grounds of this shallow lagoon (after recently traveling down from the Arctic). This area is a Pacific gray whale sanctuary, and is one of only two undeveloped nursery/breeding sites in the World for this animal. The mothers and calves are incredibly curious and will often come nudge boats; an entertaining day for whales and humans alike! #saveourplankton . . #marinebiology #conservation#lindbladexpeditions @lindbladexp@natgeoexpeditions #travel #sanignacio #bajacaliforniasur #mexico #graywhale #whale #eschrichtiusrobustus #cuties #wildlife #exploremore #optoutside #migration #canon #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

The multiple arms(up to 21!) Of the crown of thorns seastar-Acanthaster planci-are heavily armed with spines. These spines are sharp, stiff, and can easily pierce soft tissue/surfaces. This animal contains saponins, which are toxic to predators and humans. If you have an unlucky encounter with this species, you can expect to immediately feel a sharp stinging pain that can last for many days. Just another reason to keep your hands to yourself and not touch the wildlife! 💥Has anyone ever had a bad encounter with one?! 📸Photo taken in the Sea of Cortez. Baja California Sur, Mexico. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #seastar #starfish #crownofthorns #acanthasterplanci #saponins #travel #lindbladexpeditions #natgeoexpeditions #bajacaliforniasur #mexico #keepitwild #seaofcortez #underwaterphotography #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty

[saveourplankton]

Crown of thorn seastars-Acanthaster planci- are carnivorous predators. These seastars will climb onto coral to prey upon the living polyps. To feed, the star will extrude its stomach with digestive enzymes, then absorb the nutrients from the liquefied coral tissue. This will leave behind a white coral skeleton 'scar' (as seen bottom left, a bit behind the star). 📸Photo taken in the Sea of Cortez. Baja California Sur, Mexico. #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #underwaterphotography #underwaterlife #seastar #crownofthorns #acanthasterplanci #travel #bajacaliforniasur ##seaofcortez #lindbladexpeditions #natgeoexpeditions #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty (at Sea of Cortez)

[saveourplankton]

Food is plentiful among the rocks of Southeast Alaska for this grazing Dall's sea slug-Dendronotus dalli. You can see the slug inching over an Abietnaria hydrozoan(the brown feather-looking thing on the left); this is a favorite food source for the Dall's slug! You can find this slug from Puget Sound up to the Barents Sea in Alaska and in the waters of eastern Russia. 📸Photo taken by Shaylyn Potter #saveourplankton . . . #marinebiology #conservation #oceanlover #oceanlife #scubadive #seaslug #nudibranch #dendronotusdalli #divealaska #alaska #pacificocean #drysuitdiving #nomnom #abietnaria #travel #adventure #explore #lindbladexpeditions #nationalgeographic #staycurious #stayinformed #staysalty