How Fossil Fuels Can Kill Nemo

Orange Clownfish

If global warming has taught us anything, it’s that our actions however small can have a huge, unexpected impact, locally and globally. The fossil fuels we burn, the energy we waste can set off a chain of destructive reactions that affect even the smallest creatures in a dramatic way. Orange Clownfish, made popular by the Disney movie ‘Finding Nemo’, are coral reef fish that live among anemones with whom they have a symbiotic relationship. These fish live in relatively warm waters and like a lot of other marine species, are severely affected by ocean acidification. The ocean acts like a sink for carbon dioxide as it absorbs a large percentage of it from the atmosphere. A significant increase in the amount of this gas in the atmosphere leads to a corresponding increase in the amount absorbed by the ocean. This in turn is responsible for lowering the pH of water. This acidification is dangerous to clownfish and several other marine species as it alters their ability to perceive sound and smell.  This degrading effect on their auditory and olfactory senses implies that their attempts to respond to and evade predators would be unsuccessful. These fish lose their ability to identify kin and predators by way of smell. Hearing is also important in escaping predators, especially for juvenile clownfish. In an experiment conducted by Dr.Steve Simpson at the University of Bristol, Clownfish were placed in water which contained enough carbon dioxide to mimic today’s conditions. These fish were able to respond to predators successfully. But when placed in water containing carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount expected in 2050, the fish did not respond to the predators and could not evade them. So an increase in this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere comes with a decline in the number of clownfish. Although this species is not listed as threatened due to the large number of eggs they lay, finding Nemo may become much more difficult in the future. 

Now You See Me, Now You Don't

Octopus Camouflage

Fight or flight? These are pretty much the only defence mechanisms humans can use in a dangerous situation. It’s not very impressive when compared to those of other organisms, like octopuses, who have other jaw dropping abilities at their disposal. Octopuses are usually seen as the organism with eight tentacles, a culinary delicacy in some places that has the ability to “predict” and identify the soon-to-be victorious football team in world cup matches. But its abilities extend much further than that. These intelligent cephalopods, like squids and cuttlefish, are masters of camouflage. They are so good at it that they put chameleons to shame. They can change not only the colour of their bodies but also the texture, when they are threatened. This ability, like an invisibility cloak, hides them so well and so quickly that the predator is just left bewildered and hungry. This disappearing act, far superior to that of any magician's, is one of the octopuses’ defence mechanisms.  So what is the secret behind this trick? The skins of octopuses have several thousand sac-like cells called chromatophores. These cells are filled with various coloured pigments. When the chromatophores are stretched or expanded, their colour becomes visible on the surface of the skin. Controlling these chromatophores bring about a colour change in an octopus. They also have reflective cells called iridophores and leucophores that can lend an iridescent appearance to their skin. To modify the texture of their skin, they change the size or height of muscular projections on the skin called papillae. How these octopuses perceive colour is still a mystery because lab tests have shown that they are colour blind. The varied colours of the ocean and it’s organisms are just shades of grey to them. It is believed that they might “see” with their skin as it contains light and colour sensing cells. And if all this doesn’t discourage the predator, the octopus has more tricks up its sleeve.  The mimic octopuses alter the position of their legs, shape of their bodies and their movement to imitate venomous and more dangerous creatures in the ocean like sea snakes and lionfish. This change in appearance successfully scares off predators, leaving the octopus unharmed. If none of these tricks work, the octopus resorts to squirting ink and swimming away swiftly. These eight–legged creatures and their magical acts can captivate any audience and receive standing ovations every time.  

In An Octopus's Garden

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the universe? Visiting different planets in distant galaxies seems appealing but I would rather go into the oceans of our own planet. The depths of the seas may seem to have as much life as mars, with absolutely no light penetrating through to the bottom. In reality, the dark abyss of every ocean is teeming with life, much of it still undiscovered.  The creatures, whose existence we know of, are fascinating. Saying they are relatively large is an understatement. The Giant Spider Crab can reach a length of 12 feet from claw tip to claw tip. The Giant squid, first captured on screen only in 2013, can be as tall as a two-storey house. In spite of the size of these creatures, they are still difficult to find and often go unnoticed. They seem like creatures that could star in any interesting sci-fi movie. It’s not just their size or their deep-sea gigantism that is fascinating. They have various unique adaptations to survive in a habitat as inhospitable as Pluto. The Anglerfish takes advantage of the darkness to use its bright lure to attract prey. The Fangtooth fish, as the name suggests and the Wolf fish have extremely sharp teeth which are so long the fish find it hard to close their mouths. They too would be perfect for a sci-fi movie. The Vampire squid, named so not because of a thirst for blood but because their tentacles, when extended, resemble the type of cloak vampires (especially Dracula) have been associated with. In the darkness of the deep sea, bio-luminescence has become common in organisms to either attract prey or disorient predators. Their displays of luminescence can match any display of lights on land in big cities. Atolla or Crown jellyfish use bio-luminescence as a last resort or a final plea for help when being attacked. It’s mesmerizing, luminescent display draws the attention of the attacker’s predator that kills and feeds on the attacker giving the Atolla time to escape. In the deep sea too, an enemy’s enemy is a friend. These interesting creatures are just a fraction of what actually exists in that mysterious realm of the ocean. It’s absurd that we’re trying to find life on other planets when we haven’t even discovered all the life on our own. There is still so much left to uncover. Mike deGruy, an underwater cinematographer, described the deep sea as the best place to go to see something you've never seen before or to see something no one has ever seen before. So if I could go anywhere in the universe (and return alive) I would quote the Beatles and say:

           “ I’d like to be,

              Under the sea

              In an Octopus’s garden,

              In the shade. ”