The sea not only occupies approximately two thirds of the surface of our planet, but it is also home to a large proportion of the species that inhabit it, and diversity at higher taxonomic levels is much greater than on land or in freshwater. There are about 82 eukaryote phyla (organisms with a cell structure) currently recognised, and out of these about 60 have marine representatives, while only 40 are found in either freshwater or on land. The reason for this high number of phyla inhabiting the sea is that most of them originated in the sea in the first place, and subsequently colonised land or freshwater. About 23 eukaryote phyla, 18 of which are animals, are confined to the marine environment.
This Reef Creatures underwater coral reef video was taken during the Farasan Islands Expedition to the Red Sea.
About Reef Creatures
The sea not only occupies approximately two thirds of the surface of our planet, but it is also home to a large proportion of the species that inhabit it, and diversity at higher taxonomic levels is much greater than on land or in freshwater. There are about 82 eukaryote phyla (organisms with a cell structure) currently recognised, and out of these about 60 have marine representatives, while only 40 are found in either freshwater or on land. The reason for this high number of phyla inhabiting the sea is that most of them originated in the sea in the first place, and subsequently colonised land or freshwater. About 23 eukaryote phyla, 18 of which are animals, are confined to the marine environment.
