What is a Mangrove? Mangroves belong to a group of special species of plant life that grow in salty, wet soils and are adapted to survive during immersions at high tides. The term “mangrove” refers to all species of plants and shrubs that are adapted to living in salty, wet soil in the intertidal zone.
Mangroves: The Forest Between Land and Sea Read Post »
Basic biology. The giant clam is a member of the Phylum Mollusca and the Class Bivalvia. These clams have two shells (called “valves”) that are hinged on what is called an umbo. Their flesh or mantle is the mechanism that secretes the clam’s shell.
Hima: Conserving a Cultural Heritage Read Post »
Octopuses are one of the many unique creatures that inhabit Guam’s waters. Octopuses are solitary animals ranging in size from one gram to an impressive 70 kilograms. They are commonly found in coral reefs where shelter and food are abundant. They have a diverse diet but mostly feed on crabs, clams, and worms. There is a large population all around the island and they are an important food source for many people living on Guam. In 2001 alone, over 3000 pounds of octopus were caught. Scientists do not know how many species of octopus call Guam home. Only 19 have been described but there may be many more.
The Octopus: A Genius Among the Spineless Read Post »
Corals and their relatives. When people think of corals, usually the first thing they picture is not an actual coral, but a coral reef: large calcium carbonate (limestone) structures, filled with colorful plants and animals. Corals themselves are only one part of coral reefs (albeit a very important one) and while they secrete the material that makes up the reefs (calcium carbonate), they are, in fact, animals. Corals are relatives of jellyfish and anemones. While at first glance they may look nothing like their relatives, if you take a closer look you start to see some similarities.
Staghorn Corals on Guam Read Post »
Echinoderms are members of a phylum (i.e., a major group) of common, often large and colorful shallow-water invertebrates seen on the reefs around Guam. The phylum is comprised of five classes: sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and sea lilies. The first three classes need little introduction and have been recognized since ancient times.
Sea Stars, Sea Urchins and Other Echinoderms Of Guam Read Post »
Seaweeds, or marine benthic algae, constitute the primary plant life in the marine waters around Guam. Seaweeds serve as the primary producers of nutrients made through the process of photosynthesis whereby carbon dioxide and water are converted to sugar and oxygen.
The notoriety of the red seaweed, Gracilaria tsudae, (Division Rhodophyta, Class Rhodophyceae, Order Gracilariales, Family Gracilariaceae), known as chaguan tasi on Guam, was triggered by the death of three Guam residents who ate the seaweed in April 1991.
Seaweed: Gracilaria Read Post »
The green seaweed Enteromorpha clathrata (Roth) Greville grows profusely along the shoreline on certain beaches on the west (leeward) coast of Guam between the low water line and mid-water line throughout the year.
Seaweed: Enteromorpha Read Post »
Seagrasses (Division Magnoliophyta, Class Magnoliopsida, Order Helobiae) differ from seaweeds (algae) in that the seagrasses produce flowers, fruits and seeds.
Seagrasses Overview Read Post »
Marine fishes fulfill several important functions for Guam. Traditionally, fishing on coral reefs has been an important part of local CHamoru culture, and fish were valued as an important food source.
Coral Reef Fish of Guam Read Post »
