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So, in this bay here, we have actually, a
combination of habitats that together make up
the coral reef ecosystems. When people think
about coral reefs, they think of the reef itself,
but actually it's made up of a combination of
different ecosystems. For example, you see
the sand flats here, and you see some dark
patches out there that are actually sea grass. And
a lot of fishes that we see and use for food
actually--that's their nursery. So the little fishes live
in the sea grass and then they move to the reef
when they're bigger, and that's what usually gets
caught for consumption. So the sea grass beds
are actually vital for coral reef environments
and their support of fish communities there.
Coral reefs in general, as you probably know,
are the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
And they're only found in certain parts of the world
where it's warm enough and where the water is
clear enough for corals to grow, which are the
main architects of these ecosystems. And so
the Caribbean is actually one of the spots
where coral reefs occur. As a consequence, we
have one of the most diverse ecosystems on the
planet right here in our backyard. What most
people don't realize is that we go in the water
and look at the diversity there. We're pretty
amazed by it. But the vast majority of the
diversity on those reefs is made up of tiny things
that we don't even see: things that are living on
fish, for example, or inside of fish; things that are
living on or inside of sponges and coral; things
that are living in the sand, that form the food base
for fishes or other things. And so, that tiny thing is
sort of the new frontier for ecology, marine biology
in general, because the big things, we know about
that, but the tiny things though are the new frontier.
We're just beginning to understand what a vital
role all those things play in this ecosystem. It's
extremely important and most people don't even
think about it because they can't see it. We collect
some samples within our scope and see this vast
community of things that are living out there,
that are really cool, actually. In reality, most of the
animals that you might, well actually you won't see
them, but are there on the coral reef, are
parasites. About 80 percent of the animals that
live on coral reefs are parasites. Even the
parasites have parasites that live on them. So
parasites account for the vast majority of
biodiversity on coral reefs. Yet, most people don't
even notice that they are there because they are
small and they are hiding in things, but the
diversity is mindboggling. And so, as a
consequence, they really are the most successful
group of coral reef organisms--parasites. And so
they should be applauded for that.
