Estuary+Facts

=​​Welcome to the Estuary Facts Page! = Clairese K. Alison F. = ​ Monerans  = ====Monerans are single celled organisms with no nucleus. While some produce their own food, others absorb nutrients from their enviroment.  //Desulfopila aestuarii// is an example of a moneran that could be found in an estuary. As you can tell from the picture it is bacilli shaped. It was found in estuary sediment from Japan. It reduces sulfur levels in the water. ==== 

====//Vibrio vulnificus// ==== ====//Vibrio vulnificus// is a moneran that lives in estuaries. It requires salty or brackish water to survive. Vibrio vulnificus is a slightly curved bacilli shaped moneran with a flagellum to move around with. It has been found in the sediment of estuaries, the water itself, and on plankton and other organisms that live in estuaries. ====



Protista
====Protists are organisms that contain a nucleus and organelles. Most protists are single celled There are two main types of protists; Protozoans and Algae   Protozoans: A protozoan is a type of protist that have no cell wall and no chlorophyll. Therefore they cannot produce their own food. An example of a protozoan found in an estuary is //Mastigamoeba aspera//. This protist lives in the soil and uses a flagellum to move and hunt for food.( the picture below shows the //Mastigamoeba aspera// underneath a microscope.) ====



= = <span style="color: #6940b5; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Algae: Algae is a kind of protist that contains chlorophyll and produces its own food. One of the algae protists that you can find in an estuary is //Griffithsia pacifica.// //Griffithisia pacifica// lives in the brackish water found in estuaries. The picture, (right) shows //Griffithsia pacifica.//

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<span style="background-color: #f0f0ad; color: #808000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;"> =<span style="background-color: #f0f0ad; color: #808000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Fungi = <span style="color: #2b9764; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 101%; text-align: center;">Fungi are multiple celled organisms that absorb their food from the environment. <span style="color: #af0eaf; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 91%; text-align: left;"> ====<span style="color: #af0eaf; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 91%; text-align: left;">Ascomycota: Ascomycota is a phylum within the Fungi kingdom that are cup shaped. An example of a fungi under ascomycota is //Aspergillus niger.//The taxonomy is as follows: ====

//Aspergillus niger// lives in soil and organic material.It can be found on the bottom of an estuary and the soil surrounding it. //Aspergilluis niger// causes Black mold disease on food.
Another ascomycota is //Dactylospora haliotrepha//. This fungus lives on mangroves, which can be found around some estuaries.

Taxonomy

**Species:** //haliotrepha//
Basidiomycota:These are the fungi that out best known to us, the phylum containing toadstools and bracket fungi. One example of this kind of fungi is the //Trametes versicolor//. Taxonomy of //Trametes versicolor.//

**Species**: //versicolor//
//Trametes versicolo//r commonly lives on the rotting trees found in the swamps near estuaries. //Trametes versicolor//'s more common name is Turkey tail, because of the colorful stripes found upon it.

Chytridiomycota: This phylum of fungi lives in water or soil. They may cling to plants. An example of this phylum is // Allomyces cystogenus.

Taxonomy: //
 * Kingdom: Fungi**

Species: //Cystogenus//
//Allomyces cystogenus// can be found in an estuary. It was found attached to grasses around an estuary. <span style="background-color: #b5eeb5; color: #117411; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">

=<span style="background-color: #b5eeb5; color: #117411; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Plantae = <span style="color: #117411; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Multi-celled organisms with cell walls and chlorophyll. **Magnoliopsida**: A seed-producing plant that contains two cotyldons, or the primary leaves of the embryo of the seed. The Black Mangrove or //Avicennia germinans// is found among the waters of tropical estuaries, rooted into the soil beneath the water itself. Because the mangrove roots tangle in the water they collect sediment and help stop erosion. They are even said to help stop the effects of the storm surge from a hurricane.

**Kingdom**- Plantae
 * Phylum**- Magnoliophyta
 * Class**- Magnoliopsida
 * Order**- Lamiales
 * Family**- Incurvarioidea
 * Genus**- //Avicennia//
 * Species**- //Avicennia germinans//

**Rhodophyta**: Algae that live on the shore and in the water and have a nucleus. //Bostrychia bispora// is a kind of red algae that is found around mangrove trees.


 * Kingdom-** Plantae
 * Phylum-** Rhodophyta
 * Class-** Florideophyceae
 * Order-** Ceramiales
 * Family-** Pyraloidea
 * Genus-** //Bostrychia//
 * Species//-//** //Bostrychia bispora//

//Adiantum hispidulum//, also Rosy Maidenhair Fern is found on the shores of some estuaries.
 * Polypodiophyta** : Spore producing vascular plants.


 * Kingdom-** Plantae
 * Phylum-** Polypodiophyta
 * Class-** Polypodisida
 * Order-** Polypodiales
 * Family-** Pteridaceae
 * Genus-** //Adiantum//
 * Species-** //Adiantum hispidulum//

**Bryophyta**: Non-vascular plants that have Rhizoids as opposed to real roots. Bryum warmeum, also Bryum moss, lives around on the shore of estuaries.
 * Kingdom:** Plantae
 * Phylum:** Bryophyta
 * Class**: Bryopsida
 * Order:** Bryales
 * Family:** Bryaceae
 * Genus:** //Bryum//
 * Species:** //Bryum warmeum//

Pinus taeda, or Dwarf Loblolly Pine grows on the coast of estuaries, specifically Chesapeake Bay.
 * Pinopsida:** Vascular plants whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary.


 * Kingdom:** Plantae
 * Phylum:** Pinophyta
 * Class:** Pinopsida
 * Order:** Pinales
 * Family:** Pinaceae
 * Genus:** //Pinus//
 * Species:** //Pinus taeda//

**Pinopsida:** Vascular plants whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary //Chamaecyparis thyoides,// or Atlantic White Cedar grows on the shore of estuaries, specifically Chesapeake bay.


 * Kingdom:** Plantae
 * Phylum:** Pinophyta
 * Class:** Pinopsida
 * Order:** Pinales
 * Family:** Cupressaceae
 * Genus:** //Chamaecyparis//
 * Species:** //Chamaecyparis thyoides//

Rosopsida: Vascular, flowering plants //Quercus rubra//, or the Red Oak tree thrive on the banks surrounding the estuaries in North America. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliopsida Class: Rosopsida Order: Fagales Family: Fagaceae Genus: //Quercus// Species: //rubra//

Liliopsida: Seed plants that produce an embryo //Tllandsia usneoides//, or spanish moss grows on larger trees of the estuary.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Bromaliaceae Genus: //Tillandsia// Species: //usneoides//

Liliopsida: Seed plants that produce an embryo //Zostera japonica//, or dwarf eelgrass are found submerged or partially floating in an estuary.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Zosterales Family: Zosteraceae Genus: //Zostera// Species: //japonica//

Anthocerotophyta (hornworts): Non vascular, perrenial plants that have no water conducting tissue //Notothylas dissecta//,(no common name) can be found on the banks of humid estuaries. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Anthocerotophyta Class: Anthocerotopsida Order: Anthocerotales Family: Tenobrionoidea Genus: //Notothylas// Species: //dissecta//

Lycophyta: club mosses farther off the ground than non vascular //Diphasiastrum complanatum//, or ground cedar live on rocky estuary banks.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Lycophyta Class: Lycopsida Order: Lycopodiales Family: Lycopodiaceae Genus: //Diphasiastrum// Species: //complanatum//

Magnoliopsida: Seed plants that produce an embryo //Iva frutescens//, or jesuits bark can be found in wetlands of an estuary.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: //Iva// Species: //frutescens//

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=<span style="background-color: #ebd5d5; color: #800000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Animalia = Multi-celled organisms that digest food inside their bodies.

<span style="color: #9f3c3c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Vertebrates**
<span style="color: #9f3c3c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Class Reptilia: Reptiles lay eggs and are covered with plates or scales.They are ectotherms. Loggerhead Sea Turtle, or //Caretta caretta,// can be found in estuarine waters near warm oceans or seas. They are an endangered species.


 * Kingdom-** Animalia
 * Phylum-** Chordata
 * Class-** Reptilia
 * Order-** Testudines
 * Family-** Cheloniidae
 * Genus-** //Caretta//
 * Species-** //Caretta caretta//

Class Aves: Birds have hollow bones and enlarged lungs, they lay eggs and are covered in feathers. They are endotherms and maintain a constant body temperature. //Pandion haliaetus//, also the Osprey or Sea Hawk, is commonly sighted flying above the Morro Bay Estuary and nesting in the area.


 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Chordata
 * Class:** Aves
 * Order:** Ciconiiformes
 * Family:** Pandionidae
 * Genus:** //Pandion//
 * Species:** //Pandion haliaetus//

Class Osteichthyes: Bony fish have gills, calcium based skeletons, and lay eggs. They are ectotherms and their body temperature changes with their environment. //Anguilla rostrata//, or the American Eel migrates through many freshwater and saltwater environments during it's life, including the water in estuaries.
 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Chordata
 * Class:** Osteichthyes
 * Order:** Anguilliformes
 * Family:** Anguillidae
 * Genus:** //Anguilla//
 * Species:** //Anguilla rostrata//

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<span style="color: #9f3c3c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Invertebrates
<span style="color: #9f3c3c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Phylum Arthropoda: Arthropods have multiple body segments, jointed appendages, and exoskeletons, or a hard outer covering. //Callinectes sapidus//, or the Blue Crab, is commonly found in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay estuary.


 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Arthropoda
 * Class:** Malacostraca
 * Order:** Decapoda
 * Family:** Portunoidea
 * Genus:** //Callinectes//
 * Species:** //Callinectes sapidus//

Phylum Cnidaria: Coelenterates live in water and have two cell layers seperated by a jelly-like substance. They have one opening for both food and waste. Moon Jelly or Aurelia aurita, is the largest jellyfish living in the waters of Chesapeake Bay, growing to around 11 inches in diameter.
 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Cnidaria
 * Class:** Scyphozoa
 * Order:** Semaeostomeae
 * Family:** Ulmaridae
 * Genus:** //Aurelia//
 * Species:** //Aurealia aurita//

Phylum Mollusca:Mollusks are soft-bodied with well developed organ systems. Some of them have hard shells. Marsh Periwinkle, or //Littaorina irrorat//, lives on the stems of plants such as Smooth Cordgrass around the edges of esutaries.


 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Mollusca
 * Class:** Gastropoda
 * Order**: Neotaenioglossa
 * Family:** Armadilloidea
 * Genus:** //Littorina//
 * Species:** //Littorina irrorata

Vertebrates

Class Mammalia: Mammals give live birth, have lungs, and have complex systems. They are endotherms. Cervus candensis, or the roosevelt elk may live around estuarys. They feed on the grasses around the banks of estuaries.

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"> Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Genus: ////Cervus// //Species:// //canadensis//

// Class Cephalaspidomorphi: These are Jawless fish of which many are extinct. ////Petromyzon marinus////, or sea lamprey enter fresh water from the ocean through estuarys. They feed on the bottom of water or on other organisms.

Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Agnatha Order: Petromyzontiformes <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 17px;"> Family: Petromyzontidae Genus:// //Petromyzon// // Species :// //Marinus

Super Class Osteichthyes: Fish with bones versus cartilage .// //Mugil// //cephalus////, or the grey mullet are flatheaded fish that often enter estuarys //

Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Chordates Class: Actinopterygii Super Class: Osteichthyes Order: Mugiliformes Family: Mugilidae Genus: //Mugil// Species: //Cephalus

Invertebrates

Phylum nemertae: Probiscus worms. The Lineus ruber, a nemertae lives in estuarys such as the oregon estuary. They are usually a reddish brown. Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Nemertae Class: Anopla Order: Heteronemertea Family: Leneidae Genus: ////Lineus// //Species:// //ruber//

Phylum annelidia: These are segmented worms found in marine environments. //Polydora nuchalis//, or the polychate worm can be found in estuarys of North America, South America, and Africa.

Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Annelidia Class: Polychatea Order: Canalipalpata Family: Spoinidae Genus: //Polydora// Species: //nuchate

Phylum arthropoda: Invertebrates with segmented bodys and an exoskeleton. Balanus crenatus, or the crenelated barnicle live in estuarys on other items. They are found in cold and temperate waters.

// Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Anthropoda Class: Maxillopida Order: Sesillia Family: Balenoidea Genus: //Balanus// Species: //crenatus//

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