MMB 3300 2018/2019 I

Biological Oceanography

Lab. Practical 5: Benthos Identification/Intertidal

Introduction

The term benthos is used to describe the bottom most layer of aquatic zones, and also includes the
sand, silt, and organisms found there. In the benthos you can expect to find organisms from each
kingdom. Some live above the sediment, hyperbenthos, some live just on top of the sediment,
epibenthos, and some live actually in the sediment, endobenthos. Macrobenthos are organisms that
are larger than one millimeter (> 1.0 mm) like oysters, starfish, lobsters, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs
and coral. Meiobenthos are between one tenth and one millimeter (0.1 –1.0 mm) in size. Organisms
in this group include diatoms and sea worms. Microbenthos are very tiny organisms like diatoms,
ciliates and bacteria. They are smaller than one tenth of a millimeter (< 0.1 mm).
Objectives
1. To collect benthic organisms in rocky, sandy and muddy shores.
2. To identify and describe the organisms to the lowest possible level.

Materials and Methods

1. Invertebrate datasheets
2. Pencils
3. Tape for Labeling/ labelling paper
4. Dissecting microscope
5. Plastic Petri dishes
6. Sorting tray/dish
7. Sieve
8. Squirt bottles
9. Dissecting forceps
10. 80% Ethanol
11. Vials or urine container
12. Camera

Sorting samples:

1. Pick a labelled sampling bottle from sledge to process and examine the contents. Sieve and
transfer the contents onto a sorting tray/dish.
2. Scan the samples and sort organisms (organisms are stained with red colour from the dye) into
broad taxonomic groups listed.
3. If needed, transfer the sample onto a petri dish, place under the stereo microscope and sort
through the material with forceps. Collect the invertebrates from the sediment and place into a
labeled vial containing 80% ethanol for preservation.
4. Organisms from each sample should be sorted into categories and stored in small temporary
vials marked with the sample ID, locality, initials, and date. Keep covered with 80% ethanol.
If in doubt, put it in the “Unknown/other” category.
5. Count the organisms according to respective taxa, take picture, draw using camera lucida
drawing tube and measure the organisms (5 organisms).
6. Identify to the lowest possible level up to family level and describe the organisms.
7. Please prepare the reference books by your own.
8. 8 groups (7–10 students each).
Categories for sorting organisms:
(Depends on organisms available)
1. Echinodermata
2. Arthropoda
3. Mollusca
4. Annelida
5. Nematoda
6. Unknown/Other
Online References:
1. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1066
2. FAO Western pacific
3. Wild Singapore
 Benthic organisms on high tide zone (rocky shore)

Benthic organisms on middle tide zone (rocky shore)

Benthic organisms on low tide zone (rocky shore)
Benthic organisms on sandy shore