Times of the Islands Summer 2020

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green pages Newsletter of the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources Head office: Church Folly, Grand Turk, tel 649 946 2801 • fax 649 946 1895 • Astwood Street, South Caicos, tel 649 946 3306 • fax 946 3710 • National Environmental Centre, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales Parks Division, tel 649 941 5122 • fax 649 946 4793 Fisheries Division, tel 649 946 4017 • fax 649 946 4793 email environment@gov.tc or dema.tci@gmail.com • web https://www.gov.tc/decr/ ANNA HANDTE-REINECKER The tentacles of a Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone sway with the current in the shallows off of South Caicos. As Far as the Eye Can See When it comes to anemones, there’s more than meets the eye. By Ben Farmer, Waterfront Assistant, The School for Field Studies Anemones, perhaps the most frequently mispronounced animals in the sea, are fascinating creatures. The vibrant colors and swaying tentacles characteristic of anemones are staples in the backdrop of tropical coral reefs and tide pools around the world. While the tropics are where most anemones are found, they can also be spotted in just about any marine habitat on Earth, from cold-water rocky shorelines to deep ocean habitats. Anemones are able to populate so many habitats because of their incredible variation, spanning over 1,000 known species. 40 www.timespub.tc
green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources What is an anemone? You may have seen them in the Turks & Caicos Islands and wondered what makes these animals tick. In a lot of ways, anemones are similar to corals, and even jellyfish— they are all grouped into the phylum Cnidaria. Cnidarians are considered some of the simplest organisms in the animal kingdom because they lack what we would consider organs. While you and I have a heart to distribute blood throughout our bodies and lungs to transfer oxygen into our blood, cnidarians lack these organs. Ultimately, cnidarians are made up of just two sets of membranes, or body parts—the epidermis (similar to our skin) and the gastrodermis (similar to our stomach). So, if they don’t have gills or lungs, how do cnidarians get their oxygen? Cnidarians’ thin membranes are the key—these membranes are in constant contact with water and allow diffusion of oxygen into the body. incredible acceleration that this event is considered one of the fastest found in nature. When nematocytes on the tentacles of a cnidarian are triggered by contact with another object, such as a small tasty crustacean, they launch hundreds of hooked barbs into the object and begin releasing venom. Prey that are unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of these barbs are incapacitated and then eaten by the cnidarian. In the case of anemones, they have a mouth in the center of an oral disc, into which their tentacles guide the food. One species here in the Turks & Caicos Islands is in fact a voracious eater. The Giant Caribbean Anemone, Condylactis gigantea, is capable of eating not only crustaceans and other invertebrates, but even small fish! Anemone menagerie Anemones come in countless colors, shapes and sizes, BEN FARMER Left: This upside-down jellyfish, genus Cassiopea, rests on the sand. Cassiopea is a cnidarian, the same phylum as anemones. Right: This stony coral was found during a dive on the wall bordering South Caicos. Corals are cnidarians, the same phylum as anemones. Simple yet deadly What really sets cnidarians apart are their potent stinging cells. If you have ever accidentally stepped on a jellyfish on the beach or brushed against one underwater, you may have had first-hand experience with this! These cells, called nematocytes, are used by cnidarians to capture their food as well as protect themselves. Nematocytes stay spring-loaded at all times, ready to fire out with such but perhaps the Giant Caribbean Anemone is the type that comes to mind for most people. Even within this species, however, exists a variety of color morphs. In Jamaica, the Giant Caribbean Anemone has been spotted with pink-tipped tentacles in deeper waters, and green-tipped tentacles in shallower waters. These different morphs might be linked to genetic differences in how well the anemone absorbs sunlight. Many anemo- Times of the Islands Summer 2020 41
Page 1 and 2: TIMES OF THE ISLANDS SAMPLING THE S
Page 4 and 5: contents Departments 6 From the Edi
Page 6 and 7: from the editor MARTA MORTON-WWW.HA
Page 14 and 15: TIMES MANAGING EDITOR Kathy Borsuk
Page 16 and 17: My father, Jeffrey Handfield, was b
Page 18 and 19: with his growing family. All along
Page 21 and 22: island life If the thought of ownin
Page 24 and 25: My son Tim and I were blessed in ea
Page 27 and 28: eye on the sky A serene sunset over
Page 29 and 30: Forecasting is a tough business It
Page 31 and 32: giving back Opposite page: Thanks,
Page 33 and 34: DAVID M. STONE This TCRF volunteer
Page 35 and 36: Providenciales. Another major succe
Page 37 and 38: eautiful by nature Opposite page: A
Page 39: This year’s drought was especiall
Page 43 and 44: green pages newsletter of the depar
Page 57 and 58: PROVEN IN PROVO 435’ on Grace Bay
Page 59 and 60: feature The Rainbow Effect By Kelly
Page 61 and 62: Our environmental footprint As huma
Page 63 and 64: Rainbow after the storm The island
Page 65 and 66: The lovely curve of beach stretchin
Page 67 and 68: Building Your Vision, Delivering Ex
Page 69 and 70: Building Your Vision Creating Reali
Page 71 and 72: TWATIMES_Layout 1 2/16/17 7:49 AM P
Page 73 and 74: Modern living in the prestigious Le
Page 75 and 76: Top: This artist’s rendering show
Page 77 and 78: feature Opposite page and above: Fo
Page 79 and 80: e back underwater shooting again. M
Page 81 and 82: Key West quail-doves in North Caico
Page 83 and 84: Camera to the rescue Story & Photos
Page 85 and 86: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
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STEPHANIE WALLWORK AQUA TCI was for
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about the Islands Map provided cour
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out the Islands and many resorts of
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ton dresses tied at the waist for w
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where to stay Times of the Islands
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dining Times of the Islands Summer
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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY You Can Count On
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