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Seeds begin to develop in about 2–4 weeks if fertilization occurred. [7] Female turtle grass fruits develop into green capsule about 20–25 mm in diameter and can include 1-6 small seeds. [ 17 ] [ 13 ] After about 8 weeks of growth, the fruit undergoes dehiscence (botany) , which releases neutrally buoyant seeds into the water column.
The marbled parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis), also known as the seagrass parrotfish, is a species of parrotfish, the only known member of the genus Leptoscarus. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and is also found in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a coastal species found in beds of sea grass and seaweed.
Few species were originally considered to feed directly on seagrass leaves (partly because of their low nutritional content), but scientific reviews and improved working methods have shown that seagrass herbivory is an important link in the food chain, feeding hundreds of species, including green turtles, dugongs, manatees, fish, geese, swans ...
The current documented seagrass area is 177,000 km 2 (68,000 sq mi), but is thought to underestimate the total area since many areas with large seagrass meadows have not been thoroughly documented. [11] Most common estimates are 300,000 to 600,000 km 2, with up to 4,320,000 km 2 suitable seagrass habitat worldwide. [24]
Green Sea Turtle grazing seagrass. Green Turtles, named for its green, fatty underside and cartilage, are significantly larger than the Hawksbill and can be recognized by a single pair of prefrontal scales . [7] Green turtles average 3-4 feet in carapace length, and weigh between 240 and 420 pounds once fully grown. [8]
In the seagrass beds, the turtles feed on the seagrass by trimming only the top and leaving the roots of the plant. Through their feeding technique, the turtles help to improve the health and growth of the seagrass beds. The healthy seagrass beds that the turtles provide give habitat and feeding grounds for many species of fish and crustaceans.
It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Myobatrachus gouldii, also known as the turtle frog. It gets its name from the resemblance to a shell-less chelonian, which is a type of turtle. It is described to have an extremely small narrow head, short limbs, and a round body. They can get up to 45 millimetres (1.8 in) long. [2]
Emydidae (Latin emys (freshwater tortoise) + Ancient Greek εἶδος (eîdos, “appearance, resemblance”)) is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. [3] [4] Members of this family are commonly called terrapins, pond turtles, or marsh turtles. [1]