Ecology of McMurdo Sound Scavengers

In McMurdo Sound, life thrives with creatures like nemertean worms, sea stars, and urchins. These animals grow slowly but can become large and numerous. A dead seal pup provides a rare food source, attracting many scavengers. Nemerteans use a harpoon-like snout to puncture the seal's skin, while sea stars secrete digestive juices to dissolve tissue. This feeding continues throughout the summer until only the seal's skeleton remains.

What is a notable characteristic of the creatures in McMurdo Sound?

• They are found in small numbers.

• They are mostly herbivores.

• They grow slowly but can become very large and old.

• They grow quickly and live short lives.

What is the primary reason for the large number of animals in McMurdo Sound?

• A migration of fish to the area.

• An increase in water temperature.

• A recent volcanic eruption.

• A dead seal pup providing a rare food source.

How do nemertean worms feed on the seal pup?

• By swallowing the seal whole.

• By waiting for the seal to decompose naturally.

• By using their teeth to tear the flesh.

• By using a harpoon-like snout to puncture the skin.

What method do sea stars use to consume the seal's tissue?

• They chew the tissue with their mouths.

• They absorb the tissue through their skin.

• They use their tentacles to tear the tissue apart.

• They secrete digestive juices to dissolve the tissue.

What remains of the seal after the scavengers have fed throughout the summer?

• A pile of bones.

• A partially eaten carcass.

• A skeleton stripped bare.

• A fully intact body.