Endemic
marine lives are those that occur only at
the RED SEA and nowhere else in the world.
The intention of this series of article is
to spot the attention of the Red Sea lovers
for this kind of rare animals to do their
best to protect them, as this is the only
realm at which you can only find.
CAUSES
OF ENDEMISM The changing world -
the theory of continental drift suggests that
between 200 and 80 million years ago the single
'supercontinent' Pangea broke up into areas
now recognizable as our modern continents.
Once areas became isolated from each other,
their animal and plant life evolved indifferent
way. The end of the Red Sea (Bab el Mandeb)
the channel that separates it from the Gulf
of Aden is narrow and shallow. This restricts
the flow of water between the Red Sea and
the Indian Ocean and hence restricts the movement
of reef fish. The consequence is that many
fish species in the Red Sea, particularly
reef fish such as butterfly fish, have evolved
in relative isolation from their cousins outside.
This results in distinct species that are
endemic to the area. More than 1000 species
of fish can be found in the Red Sea and Gulf
of Aden, these are all considered here as
Red Sea endemics.
Lets give you two example from fishes and
corals.
Banner
fish:-
Amongst the most beautiful and brightly colored
reef fishes are the butterfly. There are 6
species endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of
Aden. The most famous fish among them which
many of diving center (Jasmine and Easy divers)
are using it as the banner is the Red Sea
bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius). The butterflyfishes
are typically feeders on corals polyps, hydroids,
small crabs, shrimps and worms. But Red Sea
bannerfish feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates.
this fish are always territorial and divers
found them in pairs or group especially at
the Gotta Abu Ramada East with the yellow
Mashed butterflyfish from 4m,geter to 30 meter
depth.
Brain coral: -
There are hundreds of the coral species all
over the world. The Red Sea is known to contain
more than 300 species of hard and soft coral.
Close to 10% of these species are endemic
to the Red Sea ,each one of them Having adapted
over thousands of years of evolution to specific
environmental conditions. One of the endemic
species are brain coral (Erythrastrea flabellata)
is often form hemispherical mounds, but are
characterized by their unique distribution
of pale cream polyps which grow in the winding
pattern, giving a brain-like appearance. They
leave at reef slopes protected from wave action
from 5 meter to 20 meter depth.
THREATS
TO Red Sea ENDEMIC SPECIES
Natural extinction has always occurred; indeed
the number of extinct species far Outweighs
those alive today. But human activities are
now changing the natural World at a rate unprecedented
in evolutionary history, and mass extinction
of Species are a virtual certainty.
The
threads causes are:-
Curio trade
A species endemic to Red Sea, is also under
threat as it is sold for aquarium
Pets eg coral fishes.
Introduced
species
Species that have been introduced either accidentally
or Deliberately, may wipe out the local species
becaus they have evolved in other Environments.
The local species may have few defenses against
such predators.
Destruction
of habitats
Human activities, like urban development and
Pollution. Like turtles and new resorts beaches.
How
to protect Red Sea ENDEMIC SPECIES?
Conserving the entire range of the world's
biological wealth requires action in both
areas of endemic species and areas of high
biological diversity. Technologies aimed at
maintaining ecosystems include protected areas,
land use, Planning, zoning systems, and regulations
on permissible activities. By means of conservation,
not only will the balance of nature be maintained
but Also in turn it will enrich our lives.
By helping our precious fauna and flora to
Survive we shall also be contributing to our
own survival!
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