Organism DesignAdapted to Mid to Deep Ocean BY (NAME) CLASS INSTRUCTOR DATE Introduction  Organism common name: Mealilo (Samoan for ‘mystery’)  Scientific name: Mealis samoana  Mealilo is a deep see creature adapted to living in cold temperature conditions. Creature Description  The creature ‘s length ranges from 4.5 to 6.4m  It is dorsoventrally flattened as an adaptive measure to the deep sea high pressure (Bottaro, 2022).  Has a distinctively flat and long snout that resembles a blade.  Has big eyes on side at the base of the snout, with nictating membranes  Has spiracles behind the eyes  Body is flabby and slender  Has three dorsal fins that are similar in shape and size and flap side ways to confer motion How it obtains Food  The creature is bioluminescent  Glows in dark to attract small fish  Glow zone is under snout to capture fish and other prey that are attracted to the light  Large eyes adapted to darkness  Feeds mainly on fish Defense System  Able to camouflage against rocks by sticking their surface  Snout is used for defense when threatened  Squirts poisonous chemical from skin when cornered-kills self and predator  Sharp rows of teeth can be used during fights  Agile swimmer to escape predetors Reproduction  Lays eggs that are incubated in a caudal region pouch  Lays between 10 to 15 eggs.  Lays once in a lifetime  Gestation period o ...
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