Most Invasive Species entered the southeastern U.S. coastal region on the hulls of ships via the Panama Canal, and since then has negatively affected the fishing industry by praying heavily upon native species such as shrimp, clogging nets, and damaging fishing equipment (1). Common Name: White Spotted Jellyfish Scientific Name: Phyllorhiza punctata Where on Earth is it a problem: Southeastern U.S. coastal region. Where did it come from?: Entered the area from the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal.
Most Endangered Narwhals are typically hunted by polar bears and orca whales, as well as the native Inuit who hunt the whale legally. They are an especially vulnerable species due to their relatively small population and dependence on arctic fish, which become more scarce as global warming intensifies (2). Common Name: Narwhal Scientific Name: Monodon monoceros Where does it live?: Found in Canadian Arctic and Greenlandic waters.
Favorite Keystone Sea Urchins consume macroalgae, preventing an excess from forming. They also serve as the main source of nutrition for sea otters and wolf eels (3). Common Name: Sea Urchin Scientific Name: phylum Echinodermata Where does it live?: Usually found along the floor of oceans throughout the world, both in deeper and more shallow zones.
Coolest Predator Adaptation Possess raptorial claws that can deploy with an acceleration equivalent to that of a .22 calibre bullet, and this rapidity also produces cavitation bubbles, which collapse and produce considerable force. The victim of this creature's blows is technically struck twice with each single strike. The force of these attacks can easily smash open the shells of many crustaceans and mollusks (4). Common Name: Mantis Shrimp Scientific Name: Squilla mantis Where does it live?: Shallow waters of tropical and subtropical seas (burrows).
Coolest Prey Adaptation When threatened, this caterpillar draws its anterior segment into its foremost body segment, which gives it the appearance of a snake to intimidate predators such as birds (5). Common Name: Hawkmoth Caterpillar Larvae Scientific Name: Deilephila elpenor larvae Where does it live?: Found throughout Britain, Ireland, Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and regions of the Indian subcontinent.