Two dives today. The morning dive consisted of a reef scavenger hunt. Some of the best things I spotted included a damselfish garden, green algae, and SPONGES. Aplysina fulva (Scattered Pore Rope Sponge)
was one of the larger morphologies I spotted today. I found some Callyspongia vaginalis (Branching Vase Sponge)
as well, which was particularly interesting since I got the change to see it earlier this semester in photo data of my independent research from the Flower Garden Banks; this guy is everywhere! Orange Lumpy Encrusting Sponge (Scopalina ruetzleri) popped up a few times as well on the patch reef we explored; I love the intricate structure of this lump of sponge. I also may have spotted an Orange Icing Sponge (Mycale laevis), which has a morphology that allows it to seem to seep out of cracks in the coral reef.
Diving to the bottom of the reef and seeing corals and reef fish up close was truly exciting. The visual intrigue of the day kept my spirits high enough not to notice or care about my cramping feet and exhausted legs. My only wish is that I could hold my breath longer so that I could stay down and observe without coming up for air so soon.
After lunch we collected data on the abundance and density of two different green algae found here at Glover’s. It was good training for using the tools of marine biology, the transect and the quadrat. Like most things, using these tools was easier said than done. Holding onto the cumbersome square and keeping the end of the transect tape from blowing about in the current were laborious chores, but hey, we got some data so whoopee.
I’ve enjoyed the down time here in our tropical paradise, for instance slamming coconuts against coral skeletons washed ashore and drinking the sweet water inside. Good times. Most of all I’ve enjoyed playing with the plethora of hermit crabs that call Middle Caye their home. I have named on Fred, but since they all look alike, I lost my ten-legged friend very quickly. But not before serenading him with a heartfelt ode and reassuring him I would never ever put him in a seafood stew. Buddies don’t do that to buddies.