Cephalopods are a type of mollusk which includes octopus, cuttlefish, and squid species. They, uniquely, have internal shells that support the animal’s soft body. They are invertebrates and do not have a spine or any bones.  Instead of bones, they have a thick rod made of organic materials. The only hard part on these animals are their beaks. This is why cephalopods can fit through tiny holes because if their beaks can fit, then their whole body can!

The one and only cephalopod in the Maryland Coastal Bays is tinier than you might think. Measuring in at a colossal length of 5 inches, the Atlantic Brief Squid (Lolliguncula brevis) is the fastest invertebrate reaching top speeds of 25 mph! If you look closely enough, you will see their elongated white bodies with dark red-brown or yellow-brown spots. Their ability to change their appearance from ghostly white to colorful hues is due to a cool adaptation called leucophores, which are structural reflectors that produce whiteness in cephalopods. Leucophores really come in handy when hiding from predators, but also help males signal to potential mates come mating season! Cephalopods are color blind; they can only see in black and white, but some researchers say their uniquely shaped pupils help them detect color to mimic the color of their backgrounds! Squids also have three hearts! They have two hearts to pump blood to their gills and use oxygen. The third heart pumps blood to the rest of the body. 

FUN FACT: Squid blood is blue, not red, like in humans, because it contains copper, not iron, which is present in our blood.

Much like the beachgoers, these squids travel in schools and love warm, shallow water. They prefer the saltier waters found in our Coastal Bays. Most squids are osmoconformers, a word which means the salinity (dissolved salt content) on the inside of their bodies matches the salinity of the sea water! Squids are particularly important in ecosystems because they act as “biological pumps”, transporting carbon and nutrients between marine ecosystems as they move across the oceans. The brief squid usually moves with their tentacles in a backstroke movement, but it can make a quick getaway from sneaky predators by contracting their muscular mantle, absorbing water, and then forcing it outwards into a funnel under their head in a swift motion. This motion is known as jetting. Another magic trick used to avoid predators is the classic ink cloud distraction which is often paired with jetting to create a disappearing act. Some predators of the squid are large marine animals like whales, dolphins and sea lions, bigger fish like salmon and tuna, and even sea birds.

You might be wondering what a 5-inch squid usually eats. Good question! Anything it can fit in its mouth such as bottom-dwelling crustaceans, small fish, and fish larvae. Some examples of its prey found in the Coastal Bays include striped killifish, grass shrimp, and sheepshead minnows. They are also known to be cannibalistic. Squids consume 30 percent of their body weight in a day, imagine that!

Researchers have made amazing discoveries in the cephalopod community! Squids and other invertebrates can feel emotions like pain, anger, fear, and happiness. Cephalopods have displayed intelligence in that they can count, recognize patterns, solve problems, and even communicate through different signals. Lastly, unlike humans, squids have an excellent memory that improves with age. They can even remember the entire experience of their favorite meal! Squids are so smart that they can even get bored and start making mischief! What fun!

About the Author – Erin Keeley – Seasonal Environmental Scientist

As an environmental scientist, Erin oversees the Stranded Spawning Horseshoe Crab Recovery Volunteer Team as her main responsibility. In addition to this she assists the science team in the collection and analysis of field data in projects such as fish sampling, wetland assessments, stream and water quality sampling, and monitoring MCBP’s numerous properties. On the outreach and education side,

Erin assists with developing various media regarding horseshoe crabs and oysters to increase awareness of the importance of these species in the Coastal Bays.

Seaweed, scientifically known as macroalgae, is found all over the world. Our Coastal Bays are no exception. Though they may seem like something just floating by, the power of these salty plants cannot be overrated. Seaweeds require salty water, nutrients and sunshine, but that is about it. They are tough plants and can withstand changes in temperature, levels of salt in the water, and can even survive being dried out for a time. In fact, seaweeds are the foundation of any successful and healthy marine ecosystem.

Algae are the base of the food web for all marine life. But they serve other purposes as well. In our Coastal Bays, they are a part of the estuarine habitat, providing a nursery for all kinds of aquatic species. They assist with aid in water quality, acting as a signal for the health of the ecosystem. It is used as a food source for the critters that helps them to grow strong. From the coral reefs to the Coastal Bays, seaweed is vital to support the tangled ecological web. 

Seaweeds come in three types; Red, Green, and Brown. They are described as benthic, a scientific term meaning that they live on or near the seafloor. While not all seaweeds live exclusively on the seafloor, some float free. In our Coastal Bays, Red seaweeds like the Agrah’s Red Weed and Graceful Red Weed are common. Green seaweeds like sea lettuce and Green Hair algae are also commonly found. Fun Fact: In the world it is estimated that 6,200 Red and 1,800 Green Seaweeds are found in marine environments.

Without seaweed, every other creature is affected, including humans. And humans use plenty of it. For food; like sushi and nori. They are used in medicine and scientific research. It is being used as an alternative energy source. Like all plants, seaweeds use the sun’s rays to create food to sustain themselves. This process, called photosynthesis, uses carbon dioxide by removing it from the water. Oxygen is created as a by-product and is released into the air. Which makes seaweed a wonderful tool for mitigating the effects of a changing climate. 

Harmful Algal Blooms 

Every drop of baywater is full of algae and most of them are beneficial. Brown seaweeds are not common in our Bays, but when nutrients are pumped into the watershed, they can blossom into harmful algal blooms. These eager algae begin to grow uncontrollably. By blocking the sun and taking up all the oxygen to breathe, these blooms can choke out the space for other sea life to thrive. These blooms sound scary; and to many that rely on the bay for food and safety, it’s a very real problem. “We may see the earlier onset of blooms, we may see longer blooms…The easiest solution is to keep these events from occurring in the first place” said UM Center for Environmental Science ecologist Pat Glibert.

About the Author: Greg Atkin is the Community Engagement Specialist at the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. Their work aids the mission of the Program through the facilitation of education and interpretive programs, digital communications, diverse partnership development, and various community engagement projects.

Find out more at the Maryland Coastal Bays Program at our website: https://mdcoastalbays.org/