As beautiful and fascinating as all the reef fish are, my favorite reef creatures are the invertebrates. Some of the simplest of the animals on this planet are one of the most complex living and beautiful organisms. Nudibranchs, top snails, anemones, and christmas tree worms are some of my favorites. As I stated in my previous blog, I love giant clams very much also. Another invertebrate I hope to see on our trip and actively identify are crinoids. Specifically the lovely, feather stars that perch themselves on corals for display!
Echinoderms, another interesting class of invertebrates that are exclusively marine, are some of the most fascinating, weird and destructive organisms on a reef. In California, urchins are known of their destruction of kelp forests but are luckily kept in check my otters. But on a reef, the crown of thorns starfish have few predators that stand a chance against their venomous spines. Luckily, there exists one effective predator against this decimater of reef systems, the Triton snail, largest of the gastropods! Though the spiny nemesis has its poison, this snail is immune to its venom and can tear the star to pieces with its radula. To see such a sport would be amazing but I highly doubt such a spectacle will occur.
Another notorious echinoderm is the sea cucumber, and by notorious, I mean for spilling its guts. This might actually be a sight possible while on the island, as they tend to spew their respiratory organs when threatened by pesky divers and other predators.
These are only some of the few invertebrates I hope to encounter while on the GBR. More species of interest to come!
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