Gallery of Life
Life is both obvious and mysterious. It is all around us, yet many are not sure of why and how it got here. Exactly what is is remains an essential mystery as well.
Present day biologists have classified life into ‘folders’ and ‘sub-folders’.
At the top is domain, and right underneath that is kingdom (eg. plant and animal). Phylum is the next division down and for animals includes about 30 , including:
- Porifera – sponges
- Cnidaria – corals and anemones
- Echinodermata – starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, etc
- Mollusca – snails, clams, mussels, slugs and squid!
- Crustacea – crabs, shrimp, barnacles, lobsters, etc.
- Chordata – fish, birds, turtles, reptiles and mammals
Many of the Phylum, not well represented on land, are in abundance underwater. Therefore those who love life, and are fascinated by it, are like kids in the candy store, when underwater.
WhiteSpongeB
There is mystery and wonder in the sacred geometry that creates the star-like intake holes on this white sponge.
TubeWorm1
Tube worms, being mollusks, have a mantle that lays down calcium. From this macro-shot you can see there is a razor sharp ring that would take a core sample through all layers of the skin if stepped upon in bare feet.
SpongeAnemonies
Great macro shot of comensal anemonies living in the tissue of sponge. Dust stuck to sponge between anemonies.
Softcorals
This type of gorgonians are called ‘octo-corals’ because each polyp has 8 tentacles. They are ever ready to capture mosquito sized animals called zoo-plankton.
GorgonianClose
This type of gorgonians are called ‘octo-corals’ because each polyp has 8 tentacles. They are ever ready to capture mosquito sized animals called zoo-plankton.