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In addition to covering an area of more than 70% of the Earth's surface, the ocean is of special importance to the human species. These immense bodies of water are home to ocean currents that determine the weather conditions in the world and govern the health of the planet. In addition, these waters are home to an incredible biodiversity of which, even today, much remains to be discovered. The marine biodiversity It is a fundamental element for sustainable development, both economically, socially and environmentally, and it becomes a basis for health, well-being and prosperity for the human being.
If you are passionate about the marine world and want to learn more about the saltwater animals that give life to these ecosystems, we encourage you to continue reading this article that we present to you from Green Ecologist, where we talk about the marine animals, their characteristics, types and list of names of species, as well as a list of marine animals in danger of extinction.
Characteristics of marine animals
Marine animals have a set of characteristics that makes them unique given their need to stay in the water for all or most of their lives. These are some of the main characteristics of marine animals:
- As for their diet, a large part of marine animals depends on plankton. Phytoplankton form the basis of the marine food web, initiating all food chains.
- In relation to their respiration, the animals of the sea rely on the dissolved oxygen present in the water. However, there are also many species of marine animals that take oxygen from the air, such as land animals, so they must come to the surface every so often to breathe.
- The tolerable salinity range varies according to the species, marine animals have mechanisms to adapt to different water temperatures.
- Some have scales (fish and marine reptiles), fur (marine mammals), shells (turtles), shells (mussels, shells, etc.) or even feathers, if you look at seabirds.
- Some species have fins, there are many types, others have flattened bodies or other features that allow them to move well in the water.
- One characteristic that all marine animals share is that they all suffer from the pollution of their habitats. Here you can learn more about how water pollution affects marine animals.
Types of marine animals
The sea is a place with immense biodiversity. The animals that live in the seaThey present a multitude of distinctive features among them, with their own or shared characteristics depending on the species. Among the set of animals present in the marine world, we find:
- Rotifers
- Echinoderms.
- Reptiles
- Mammals
- Poriferous.
- Fish.
- Mollusks.
- Marine worms.
- Crustaceans.
As we can see in the terrestrial environment, there is also the largest marine animal in the world (the blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus) and also, the most dangerous marine animal in the world (sea cobras like, for example, Laticauda colubrina).
In these other posts you can learn more about What is the largest whale in the world and The most dangerous marine animals in the world. You will then see a list of names of marine animals and the characteristics of some of them.
Common or European squid
The common or european squid, of scientific name Loligo vulgaris, is a cephalopod mollusk and a clear example of invertebrate marine animals. There are only two species of this genus in the Mediterranean Sea. The other species lives only in environments below 100 meters deep. It is a marine animal that is highly exploited by commercial fishing.
Yellow sea snake
The yellow sea snake, of scientific name Hydrophis platurus, is a scaly sauropsid characterized by a laterally compressed body, especially in the part of its tail, with a very dark brown or black oviform head and a yellow belly. Its tail typically has yellow spots. It's one of the rare marine animals that we can find in the coastal shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Common sole
The common sole, of scientific name Solea soleaAs you may have ever seen in the market or the fishmonger, it is widely consumed, it is a fish with a flat and wide body, which can reach 60 centimeters in length, and has eyes located on the right side of its body. In addition, it should be noted that it is one of the marine animals that best camouflages itself in sandy soils.
Brunette
The brunette, of scientific name Muraena helena, is another example of marine animals vertebrates. Typically inhabiting environments below 100 meters in depth, there are currently two species of moray eels in the Mediterranean. They are characterized by an elongated and flattened body and a large mouth under their small eyes. It is a species that hunts at night and is highly respected by divers because they can appear unexpectedly.
Common starfish
The common starfish, has as scientific name Asterias Rubens, and has 5 limbs covered with calcareous thorns. Its size usually has a range of between 25 and 35 centimeters and its coloration is variable, from red to violet. It is considered by many people as one of the most beautiful marine animals.
In this other Green Ecologist article you can learn more about the Starfish, its characteristics, reproduction and taxonomy.
Common seahorse
The common seahorse, with the scientific name Hippocampus hippocampus, is known as one of the most curious but at the same time beautiful animals that exist. This animal stands out for its similarity in physiognomy to that of a horse. With a body covered by articulating bony plates, it can measure 15 centimeters in length. It uses its fins and its tail to swim and, in addition, this tail that they usually curl, it uses to cling to surfaces, such as marine plants or corals. A curious fact about these animals is that it is the males that carry the young.
Common octopus
The common octopus, has a scientific name Octopus vulgaris, and it is a species of cephalopod with great commercial value to be consumed, which is why it is regularly fished. Presents eight arms and its coloration is also variable between orange and brown and, in addition, it has the ability to blend in. Its size ranges between 60 and 120 centimeters in length. In addition, as a curious fact, we highlight that the genus Octopus is the vertebrate with the most developed nervous system.
Other names for sea animals
These are more marine animal species, belonging both to the group of fish and to that of mammals and others:
- The marbled stripe (Aetobatus narinari)
- MonkfishLophius piscatorius)
- The red prawn (Aristeus antennatus)
- The coquina (Donax trunculus)
- The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- The killer whaleOrcinus killer whale)
- The sea eagleMyliobatis aquila)
- The common salmon (Salmo salar)
- The European sardine or common sardine (Sardine pilchardus)
- The bottlenose dolphinTursiops truncatus)
- The gigantic Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi)
- The squid in striped pajamas (Sepioloidea lineolata)
- Marine corals (phylum Cnidaria)
- The sea cicadaScyllarides latus)
- Norway lobsterNephrops norvegicus)
- The Mediterranean monk seal or friar seal (Monachus monachus)
- Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori)
- The stingray sharkRhina ancylostoma)
- Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
- The limpetPatella ferruginea)
- The angel of the seaClione limacina)
- Flying fish (Exocoteidae)
- The hermit crabCoenobita clypeatus)
- The Japanese clamRuditapes philippinarum)
- The pea crabPinnotheres pisum)
- The cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
- The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)
- Hammerhead sharkSphyrna zygaena)
- The dogfishScyliorhinus canicula)
- The sperm whalePhyseter macrocephalus)
- The blue starfish (Linckia laevigata)
- The Maui Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori)
- The sea cucumberHolothuroidea)
- The nacra (Pinna nobilis)
- The leatherback turtleDermochelys coriacea)
- The sea cobra or broad-nosed sea snake (Laticauda colubrina)
- The guitar fishGlaucostegus cemiculus)
- The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena Sinus)
- The White shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Kemp's ridley turtleLepidochelys kempii)
- The Napoleon Fish (Cheilinus undulatus)
- The hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata)
- The Pacific green turtle or black (Chelonia agassizi)
- The Atlantic green turtle or white turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
Marine animals in danger of extinction
To finish, we show you a brief list of endangered marine animal species:
- The Maui Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori)
- The sea cucumberHolothuroidea) The nacra (Pinna nobilis)
- The leatherback turtleDermochelys coriacea)
- The guitar fishGlaucostegus cemiculus)
- The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena Sinus)
- The White shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Kemp's ridley turtleLepidochelys kempii)
- The Napoleon Fish (Cheilinus undulatus)
- The hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata)
- The Pacific green turtle or black (Chelonia agassizi)
- The Atlantic green turtle or white turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
- Marine corals (phylum Cnidaria)
- The sea cicadaScyllarides latus)
- Norway lobsterNephrops norvegicus)
- The Mediterranean monk seal or friar seal (Monachus monachus)
- Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori)
- The stingray sharkRhina ancylostoma)
- Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
- The limpetPatella ferruginea)
- The angel of the seaClione limacina)
Now that you have got to know marine animals better, we encourage you to discover these 20 rare marine animals in danger of extinction.
If you want to read more articles similar to Marine animals: characteristics, types and list, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- Club d’immersió biología: https://www.cibsub.cat
