Today, we learned about mimic octapus, effects of ecotourism on white sharks, and we dissected a dogfish shark. The mimic octapus uses camoflauge and the ability to mimic certain marine life to protect itself from predators. It can mimic the likes of a flounder, sea snake, or even a lion fish, using its arms and tentacles. In an article lead disscusion, we learned that feeding sharks chum has no significant effect on seals. It was assumed that feeding sharks chum would make them use less energy to get food, thus making it easier for them to hunt down seals near the Seal Islands. And finally, we discovered the very simplistic digestive system of a dogfish shark in an unfinished dissection. The sharks have two livers, one digestive tract, and a very small kidney. How does this all fit into marine biology as a whole? Well if we know more about mimic octapus, we can study their behavior and traits passed on, and even look for more organisms it may be able to mimic. Knowing the effects of ecotourism can change our veiw of feeding wild life, not just sharks, and how that may affect the ecosystem. Lastly, understanding the external and internal anatomy of more marine organisms can give us more understanding of how their bodies function.
