Deep Blue Beginnings

After plenty of anticipation, the 2014 Honors Marine Science intensive class has finally begun!

In preparation for our trip this Friday, we began today’s class learning specifically about conchs! Although many might believe the conch is a type of shell found in the ocean, the conch is a type of marine mollusk. A big thing we learned was how to differentiate the various species of conch. We also learned about the developmental stages of the conch and the anatomy of the conch itself. We were given the opportunity to see a real conch in class, which Mr. Daly brought back from the previous trip to the Bahamas! It was also interesting to learn that the conch was and is still used for many purposes, mainly as a food source. Due to this, the conch is considered to be a threatened species!

http://bimini-bahamas.com/images/the%20bahamas%20Queen%20conch%20bimini%20bahamas.jpg

Later in the morning, we learned about how differences between physical aspects of species ultimately helps species survive within their own habitats. We also learned how evolution and defense mechanisms pertain to certain oceanic species. Organisms such as Christmas tree worms are suspension feeders, which is an evolutionary advantage. This advantage allows the worms to absorb essential nutrients in the water more efficiently, by spreading out its arms just as branches of a Christmas tree would. Also, organisms like fish have an unique circulatory system, in which they are able to regulate through the use of a counter current. For example, in the gills of fish, oxygen diffuses from an area of high concentration (the water), and then diffuses into an area of lower concentration, in this case, the fish's bloodstream. This circulatory system is unlike that of most other creatures.

http://www.ryanphotographic.com/images/JPEGS/Spirobranchus%20grandis%20Christmas%20tree%20worm%20Belize.jpg

After lunch, it was time to read something called The Rediscovery of North America by Barry Lopez. We followed this reading with a discussion about what we viewed as the most important points that Lopez was trying to make. The discussion mostly got us to think about the idea that we should be developing an understanding and respect for whatever place or environment in which we find ourselves.

The next activity that we did was a very unique one: we sang the lyrics to the national anthem of the Bahamas called March On, Bahamaland. The first run-through was not exactly a performance to be proud of; but as this class carries on, we will hopefully improve upon our knowledge of the anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLY3HTqujqU

The last thing that we did before class ended was another DyKnow session. This one actually covered quite a bit of material. It started off with some information about evolution, migrated towards classifying and identifying species, shifted again into the ocean’s role in the environment, and ended with some physical aspects and effects of the ocean. One of the biggest takeaways from this DyKnow session was the idea that the ocean (or rather saltwater) has some distinct physical and/or chemical effects on certain species. For example, if a freshwater fish is put into saltwater, eventually said fish will shrivel up because the water no longer flows into the fish; it only leaves the fish. This idea was just one of the many interesting and important concepts that we learned during this DyKnow session.

After having gone through one full day of Honors Marine Science, our eagerness to get out into the field and conduct some hands-on learning has already increased. We cannot wait to have a chance to study, up close, the very animals and ecosystems that we are learning about this first week. We definitely have a bright intensive ahead of us!

-Tyler and Katarina