PICTURES LINK NOW FUNCTIONAL!!!

I am pleased to inform you that our pictures link is up and running.  There are still some kinks to be worked out but photos from Abalone Cove ARE posted, they are on page three (3).  I will be adding more photos soon.  Currently, the reef photos are from Ras Mohammed National Park as well as Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.  Enjoy!

MYSTERY FISH ?????

Hello again. I have been hard at work trying to identify the "Mystery Fish" found at Abalone Cove on the 3/9/09 field trip (Marymount College Sci. 160 Spring '09). This fish was found in the mid-low intertidal zone on the bottom of a rock. This fish appeared to be a juvenile ray since it had no scales and an arrow shaped body (bigger rounded head). It was slimy but had one perplexing aspect. It had fully developed opercula (gill flaps) and appeared to be able to survive without any trouble outside of the water. This fish also had dorsal and caudal fins, a sign that begins to spell out doom for the ray theory, since none of the local rays had any structures like this. The answer was found in "Life Between The Tides", by Jeffrey Brandon and Frank Rokop (1985).  This amazing little guide unveiled the mystery for us.  The fish seen here is a California Clingfish, Gobiesox rhessodon.  Compared to its close relative, The Northern Clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus) it is relatively uncommon because it prefers safe areas under rocks.  The Clingfish are a family of fish that are named because they have a ventral sucker (ventral means underside or belly) that is used to "cling" to rocks, substrates or even other fish.  The California Clingfish has a sheath-like tissue covering so that it can cover the sucker when its not fixed.   In the intertidal zone, the sucker comes in handy because it keeps the fish from being dragged away by the tide or pounded by the force of the waves.  This is a key adaptation when it comes to protection.  I have added a link under the "Helpful Links" column.  The field guide "Life Between The Tides", is also available for checkout from the Marymount Library.

WELCOME TO ASK THE MARINE BIOLOGIST!

Welcome to the one-of-a-kind resource for ALL THINGS MARINE BIOLOGY!  I provide a question and answer service for anything and everything you could possibly wonder about the treasures our oceans have to offer.  This is meant primarily for Marine Biology Students at Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. and at Auburn University in Auburn, Al.  but ALL ARE WELCOME!  My goal is to spread my love and appreciation for our oceans and their inhabitants to everyone while acting as a resource where you can get your personal questions answered.  Please enjoy and share my page with as many people as you can.  I hope that I can be as helpful to my fellow colleagues as possible.

Thank You Again For Visiting.   

This Site is still in its infancy and will develop over time, so check back periodically for more updates!

***NOTE***

This website is intended as an academic resource.  I hold myself and this page to all of the highest academic integrity standards.  I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM CHEAT OR AID ANYONE IN VIOLATING INSTITUTIONAL ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STANDARDS.  ALL MATERIAL IS PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE, OR IS RESEARCHED AND CITED TO MEET APPROPRIATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN EITHER MLA OR APA FORMAT.  THIS STATEMENT ALSO ACTS AS A DISCLAIMER.  I AM NOT IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSATISFACTORY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.  ALL MY MATERIAL IS CAREFULLY RESEARCHED TO MAKE SURE IT IS VALID.  MY PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM MY COLLEGIATE EDUCATION AND CAN BE BACKED UP BY OTHER ACADEMIC SOURCES.  I RELEASE NO INFORMATION WHATSOEVER, THAT CANNOT BE BACKED UP AND UPHELD IN A SCIENTIFIC DEBATE.

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