The Prolific Afterlife of Whales
- A single dead whale can nourish a specialized ecosystem that
lasts for decades. - Some signs suggest that whale-fall ecosystems have exchanges
with other deep-seafloor communities, such as hydrothermal vents. - Species similar to those at whale falls may have depended on
dead marine reptiles for hundreds of millions of years. - whale carcasses is made from different communities
- First stage of whale fall is called mobile scavengers.
- Second is Enrichment opportunist stage.
- Last stage is sulfophilic stage.
- Bacteria such as clams and mussels can draw energy from inorganic chemicals, and form the basis of entire ecosystems.
- Animals feed on leftover scraps
- Studies have shown the insides of those early aquatic reptiles were similar to that of the whale.
- scientists need to make more studies in order to provide enough evidence that whale falls and reptile falls are linked
The article talks about group of scientists founding a carcass of a whale, which is created when whales sink to the ocean floor and die. Other animals use it as a source of food because it’s rich in nutrients. The skeletons draw chemosynthetic bacteria like clams and mussels which can draw energy from inorganic chemicals. There are three types of whale fallouts. The first stage is the mobile scavenger, second is enrichment opportunist and last is sulfophilic stage. Studies show that even though reptile falls and whale falls might seem to be related, more studies are required.
c. The article made me realize that whale carcasses and they provide food and enough nutrients to other aquatic organisms. Even though they are dangerous Whales are useful for the survival of other species.
so what?
Whales falls are vital for the lives of other species and they serve as food and nutrients What if?
what if there were no whale falls, species would not get enough nutrients |
Says who?
Crispin T. S. Little What does this reminds me of?
the ecosystem, because big animals should exist for the small animals to survive |