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Activity 5: Creature Features
Part A: Victoria's Marine Biodiversity
Objective: To become familiar with a range of species found in Victoria’s Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
Materials:
- Images of Victorian Marine Life
- Reference books and the internet to find out more about selected species.
Method:
- Have a look at the gallery of images and choose a number of animals and plants to investigate further.
- Using the information and links to reference materials provided find out some basic information about selected species. Use this information to complete the table below including:
- To which phylum does the animal or plant belong?
- How does the animal or plant obtain energy?
- How does the animal or plant protect itself from predators or unfavourable environmental conditions?
- Are there any special features of the animal or plant?
| Common Name | Phylum* | Source of Energy / Food | Protection | Special features |
* Note: A phylum is the large group that an animal or a plant belongs to in which all share a number of features.
| Name | Phylum / Order |
Notes | Reference web sites |
 Abalone |
Mollusca (Mollusc) / Gastropoda (Snails and slugs) |
These large herbivorous snails feed on drift kelp and other algae and have strong muscular foot for holding onto rocks in areas of intense wave activity. | MESA Seashores |
 Australian Fur Seal |
Chordata /
Mammalia (Mammal) |
The largest fur seal in the world, these animals breed on rocky islands in and around Bass Strait | |
 Banjo Shark |
Chordata / Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) | Harmless rays that are common in Victoria’s sheltered bays and inlets | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Blue Devil |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
A brilliantly coloured fish found beneath rock ledges in deeper sections of Victoria’s Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Blue Shark |
Chordata / Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) |
These graceful and timid sharks are found in offshore areas of Victoria. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Bull Kelp |
Phaeophyta ( Brown Algae) |
Typical of cooler Southern Ocean coasts Bull Kelp can survive where wave energy is very high. | MESA Seashores |
 Butterfly Perch |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
Large schools of these beautiful Victorian fish are often found around sponge gardens, | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Ornate cowfish |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
These slow moving and harmless fish have toxic skins and a hard box like skeleton that protects them from predators. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Dumpling Squid |
Mollusca / Cephalopoda (Cephalopod – octopus, squid etc) |
Having bodies that can glow in the dark, these small squid remain buried in sand during the day and emerge at night to feed. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Giant Cuttle |
Mollusca / Cephalopoda (Cephalopod – octopus, squid etc) |
The largest of all cuttlefish these extraordinary animals are masters of camouflage and can change their skin colour and texture instantly. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Giant Kelp |
Phaeophyta ( Brown Algae) |
Growing up to10 meters in height these kelps form forest like environments in the water. | MESA Seashores |
 Jewel Anemone |
Cnidaria ( Stinging Animals – includes jellies, anemones, and corals) |
Colonies of these pretty anemones divide and can cover large areas of rock. | MESA Seashores |
 Lampshells |
Brachiopoda (Brachiopods) |
These ancient animals were once extremely diverse with more than 14,000 species worldwide, of which only a few survive today. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Leather Kelp |
Phaeophyta (Brown Algae) |
This common kelp is found right along the southern Australian coast. | MESA Seashores |
 Pipefish |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
These relatively common fish can easily hide amongst seagrass and other marine plants. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Seahorse |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
Seahorses are unusual fish that have a tail that can be used to hold objects. The males in this group of fish have babies! | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Seagrass |
Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) |
These important plants grow in sheltered bays and inlets where they provide a nursery habitat for many animals including some fish. | MESA Seashores |
 Senator Wrasse |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
These striking reef fish all start life as females with only the largest animals becoming males. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Shore Crab |
Crustacea (Crustaceans) |
Crabs are important scavengers and recycle dead materials. | MESA Seashores |
 Southern Hermit Crab |
Crustacea (Crustaceans) |
Hermit crabs use the shells made by molluscs to protect their soft and vulnerable tails. | MESA Seashores |
 Southern Rock Lobster |
Crustacea (Crustaceans) |
An important predator on reefs rock lobsters are also a highly valued species for humans. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Sponges |
Porifera (Sponges) |
Sponges feed by filtering seawater and many species are brightly coloured. | www.amonline.net.au/ |
 Verco’s Nudibranch |
Mollusca (Mollusc) / Gastropoda (Snails and slugs) |
Advertising their poisonous flesh with bright colours these sea slugs have their gills on the outside of their body. | MESA Seashores |
 Vermillion Seastar |
Echinodermata (Echinoderms – includes seastars, sea cucumbers and urchins |
The hard plates that make up this beautiful seastars body help to protect it from potential predators. | MESA Seashores |
 Weedy Seadragon |
Chordata / Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) |
Victoria ’s marine emblem this exquisite fish lives in kelp forests and around rocky reefs. |
Next - Part B: What the ….?
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