WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN

Wildlife refers to animals and other organisms that live and thrive in natural environments, outside of human influence or control. Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They contribute to biodiversity, which is essential for the health and resilience of ecosystems. For example, predators help control the populations of prey species, preventing them from overgrazing or overpopulating an area. Similarly, pollinators like bees and butterflies are essential for the reproduction of many plants, including crops that humans rely on for food.

MICROORGANISMS CAN BE CONSIDERED PART OF WILDLIFE

Depending on how the term “wildlife” is defined in a given context. Traditionally, “wildlife” refers to undomesticated animals living in their natural habitats. By this definition, microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists wouldn’t typically be considered wildlife because they are not animals. However, they can certainly be part of natural ecosystems and play essential roles in those environments. In some broader or more inclusive definitions, “wildlife” may encompass all living organisms found in the wild, including microorganisms. In such contexts, microorganisms would indeed be considered wildlife.

WILDLIFE OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is home to a diverse range of wildlife due to its varied geography, which includes mountains, deserts, forests, and coastal areas. Wildlife of Pakistan Divided into two major groups according to their habitat.

1. Aquatic wildlife
2. Terrestrial wild life

Aquatic wildlife

Aquatic wildlife further classified into wild life in marine, wildlife in wetland, wildlife in ponds, wildlife in lake and wildlife in river.

wildlife in marine or sea environment

The deep sea wildlife that could potentially be found off the coast of Pakistan:

WILDLIFE IN DEPTH OF OCEAN

1. Deep-sea Fishes:

• Anglerfish: Known for their bioluminescent lure used to attract prey.
• Gulper Eel: Possesses a large mouth and expandable stomach for consuming prey larger than itself.
• Viperfish: Recognized by its long, needle-like teeth and large eyes adapted for low light conditions.
• Dragonfish: Exhibits bioluminescent photophores along its body and is capable of producing red light.
• Fangtooth Fish (Anoplogastridae): Small but ferocious-looking fish with large teeth and a voracious appetite.
• Deep-sea Sharks: Gulper shark, Frilled shark and Sixgill shark. These sharks are adapted to life in the depths and often have unique physical characteristics compared to their shallow-water counterparts.

1. Deep-sea Fish with Bioluminescence: Many deep-sea fish possess bioluminescent organs or structures that produce light. These include;
   • Lanternfish (Myctophidae): Small, bioluminescent fish that make up a significant portion of deep-sea biomass.Hatchetfish (Sternoptychidae): Deep-sea fish characterized by their flattened bodies and upward-facing eyes.
2. Deep-sea jellyfish species and Flashlight fish which use bioluminescence for communication, attracting prey, and camouflage in the darkness of the deep ocean.
3. Deep-sea Invertebrates:
   • Giant Squid: One of the largest invertebrates, known for its elusive nature and large tentacles.
   • Tube Worms: Found near hydrothermal vents, they rely on symbiotic bacteria for energy.
   • Giant Clams: Often found near hydrothermal vents, they harbor chemosynthetic bacteria in their tissues.
   • Deep-sea Shrimp: Range in size and exhibit adaptations such as transparent bodies to blend with surroundings.
   • Deep-sea Jellyfish (Scyphozoa): Gelatinous organisms that drift with ocean currents and are common in deep-sea waters.
   • comb jellies.
4. Deep-sea Cephalopods:

• Deep-sea Octopuses: Known for their intelligence and camouflage abilities.
• Deep-sea Squid: Often possess bioluminescent organs for communication and predation.
• Deep-sea Cuttlefish: Masters of disguise, capable of changing color and texture rapidly.

6. Deep-sea Crustaceans:

• Deep-sea Crab: Exhibit various adaptations for life in the deep, including elongated legs and claws.
• Deep-sea Isopods: Resemble pillbugs and often found scavenging on the ocean floor.
• Deep-sea Lobsters: Have long, slender bodies and are important predators in deep-sea ecosystems.
• Deep-sea Krill: Serve as a vital food source for many deep-sea organisms, including whales and fish.

7. Deep-sea Mollusks:

Deep-sea mollusks include species like deep-sea snails, sea butterflies, and deep-sea squids. Some of these organisms have transparent bodies or other adaptations to help them survive in the deep ocean environment.

8. Deep-sea Sponges:

Deep-sea sponges are diverse and often have unique adaptations to survive in the cold, dark, and high-pressure conditions of the deep ocean. They play important roles in deep-sea ecosystems by providing habitat for other organisms.

9. Deep-sea Vent Organisms:

Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps are unique deep-sea environments that support specialized communities of organisms. These organisms, including

1. tube worms
2. giant clams
3. vent crabs

Rely on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis to obtain energy from chemicals in the water.

10. Deep-sea Worms:

Various species of polychaete worms and other annelids inhabit the deep ocean floor, where they play important roles in nutrient recycling and sediment turnover.

11. Deep-sea Cnidarians:

Cnidarians such as sea pens and deep-sea corals are found in deep-sea habitats and provide important habitat structure for a variety of other deep-sea organisms.

12. Deep-sea Echinoderms:

Deep-sea echinoderms include species like sea cucumbers, sea stars, and brittle stars that inhabit the deep ocean floor. They are important components of deep-sea ecosystems and play roles in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning.

13. Deep-sea Amphipods:

Amphipods are small crustaceans that inhabit various deep-sea environments, including the ocean floor and water column. They are an important food source for many deep-sea predators.

14. Deep-sea Foraminifera:

Foraminifera are single-celled organisms that inhabit marine environments, including the deep sea. They play important roles in marine ecology and are used in paleoceanography to study past ocean conditions.

15. Deep-sea Birds and Mammals:

• Deep-sea Birds: Include species like albatrosses and petrels that forage over deep-ocean waters.
• Deep-sea Whales and Dolphins: Some species, like beaked whales, dive to extreme depths in search of prey.

16. Deep-sea Microorganisms:

• Deep-sea Bacteria: Thrive in extreme conditions near hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, playing crucial roles in nutrient cycling.
• Deep-sea Archaea: Often found in deep-sea sediments and are involved in methane production and consumption.
• Deep-sea Protists: Single-celled organisms that contribute to deep-sea food webs and nutrient cycling.

17. Deep-sea Plants:

• Deep-sea Algae: Play important roles in deep-sea food webs and contribute to oxygen production.
• Deep-sea Seagrasses: Found in shallow coastal areas but can extend into deeper waters where light penetrates

18. Deep-sea Corals and Anemones:

1. Deep-sea Corals: Form complex structures that provide habitat for a variety of deep-sea organisms.
2.  Deep-sea Anemones: Deep-sea anemones are typically found in cold, dark waters and are known for their ability to capture prey using stinging tentacles. They provide habitat for a variety of other deep-sea organisms.

These organisms are considered among the most common deep-sea inhabitants off the coast of Pakistan, reflecting the biodiversity and abundance found in these deep-ocean ecosystems.

WILDLIFE IN INTERMEDIATE ZONE OF OCEAN

Intermediate depths of the ocean, which lie between the surface and the deep ocean floor, there exists a unique ecosystem known as the mesopelagic zone or twilight zone. This region typically extends from depths of about 200 meters to 1000 meters below the ocean’s surface. It is characterized by dim light levels, where sunlight penetrates to a limited extent, creating a twilight-like environment.

1. In the middle of the ocean in Pakistan, a diverse array of marine life thrives, including several notable species. One such species is the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, characterized by its unique hump and elongated dorsal fin.
2. One notable resident is the spinner dolphin, recognized for its acrobatic displays of spinning and leaping out of the water. These social animals often travel in large groups, known as pods, and can be observed engaging in playful behavior and synchronized swimming.
3. Another remarkable inhabitant is the whale shark, the largest fish species in the world. Despite their imposing size, whale sharks are gentle filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton and small fish.
4. Another intriguing species found in these waters is the green sea turtle. These ancient reptiles are known for their distinctive greenish-colored fat, which gives them their name. Green sea turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seagrasses and algae, and are often encountered in coastal areas and around coral reefs.
5. The middle of the ocean in Pakistan is frequented by various species of tuna, such as the yellowfin tuna and the skipjack tuna. These fast-swimming fish are highly sought after by both commercial and recreational fishermen for their delicious flesh and are known for their impressive speed and agility in the water.
6. In the middle of the ocean in Pakistan, you can also find a variety of fascinating invertebrates. Octopuses are among the most intriguing, known for their intelligence and ability to change color and texture to blend into their surroundings.
7. Another common invertebrate found in these waters is the jellyfish. While some species of jellyfish can deliver painful stings, others are harmless and serve as important components of the ocean’s food web. Their graceful movements and translucent bodies make them a captivating sight for divers and snorkelers.
8. Crabs are also abundant in the middle of the ocean in Pakistan.

WILDLIFE ON THE SURFACE OF OCEAN

1. Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin: These dolphins are a common sight on the surface of the ocean in Pakistan. They are known for their social behavior, often seen swimming in groups called pods. Their playful antics and distinctive curved dorsal fins make them easily recognizable.
2. Floating Seaweed and Sargassum Mats: The surface of the ocean in Pakistan is often adorned with floating seaweed and sargassum mats. These floating ecosystems provide vital habitat and food sources for a diverse range of marine organisms. Fish, crustaceans, and sea turtles are among the many species that rely on these floating habitats for shelter and sustenance.
3. Pelagic Sharks: Several species of pelagic sharks, such as the oceanic whitetip shark and the silky shark, can be found cruising the surface waters off Pakistan’s coast. These apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem, keeping populations of smaller fish in check.
4. Sea Turtles: Various species of sea turtles, including the green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle, can be found basking in the sun on the surface of the ocean in Pakistan. These ancient reptiles are important indicators of the health of marine environments and are protected by conservation efforts to ensure their survival.

The surface of the sea in Pakistan is often populated by small fish known as flying fish. These remarkable creatures have adapted to glide above the water’s surface using their specially evolved fins. They are a fascinating sight as they dart in and out of the waves, showcasing their unique ability to move effortlessly between air and sea.