Future+Otter+-+Enhydra+Australis

Previous Animal - Enhydriodon Dikikae Modern Animal - Otter = Future Descendant Animal – //Enhydra Australis// =

Introduction This future descendent is a scientific projection of the result of sea otter evolution. The sea otter, //Enhydra Lutris// will evolve to include another species of otter. It will be commonly known as the Australasian Sea Otter, //Enhydra Australis.// Visually, this otter is very similar to the current sea otter, but has become longer and slimmer, giving a more streamlined appearance. It will remain a similar size, with a length range of 76 – 120cm, excluding the 25 – 37cm tail. As they are leaner and have less fur, they will be slightly lighter than current sea otters, with a weight range of 14 – 32 kilograms. Scientific Classification Habitat
 * **Level ** || **Classification ** ||
 * **Kingdom** || [|//Animalia//] ||
 * **Phylum** || [|//Chordata//] ||
 * **Subphylum** || [|//Vertebrata//] ||
 * **Class** || [|//Mammalia//] ||
 * **Order** || [|//Carnivora//] ||
 * **Suborder** || [|//Caniformia//] ||
 * **Family** || [|//Mustelidae//] ||
 * **Subfamily** || [|//Lutrinae//] ||
 * **Genus** || //Enhydra// ||
 * **Species** || //Enhydra Australis// ||

Environment The environment which sea otters //Enhydra Lutris// currently inhabit will have changed drastically as a result of global warming. The polar ice cap would have long melted, leading to the rise in sea levels. The temperature of the water will also rise, leading to a warmer climatic condition. The melted fresh water ice-caps will also change the balance of the marine ecosystem. The oceans will have a far less concentration of salinity. Distribution The change in environment will push this species of sea otter, //Enhydra Australis// to migrate to the coastal waters of eastern Australia. They will be found as part of the Great Barrier Reef. Having adapted to the higher temperature of water due to global warming, this species will now add to their global distribution.

Ecosystem //Enhydra Australis// would have adapted to the reef ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. This is the largest reef in the world, and is visible from space. It is made up of 2900 individual reefs and includes 600 islands. Barrier reefs are formed from land masses which have sunk. The Great Barrier Reef Marine, covering an area of 348 square kilometres includes coral and rocky reefs and open Ocean and deep sea floor habitats. Food Chain Fitting to the current food chain of the Great Barrier Reef, //Enhydra Australis// will be another tertiary consumer, along with big fish such as a barracuda. The habitat of the Australasian sea otter will include the producers of the food chain, algae and seaweed, similar to their habitat current marine habitat. Their food will still consist of fish, but the range will expand to include sea turtles, coral and the sea star. A predator of the otter would be sharks. Adaptations



Structural Adaptations 1. Fur Currently, otters have have dense coats of fur which reduce the loss of body heat in the water. This is a structural adaptation which is favourable for its survival in marine waters of low temperature. However, the environment which //Enhydra Australis// live will be extremely different. The temperature will be much higher, and it will not be as difficult for these creatures to retain their heat. For this reason, Australasian sea otters will have lost on type of fur covering. Now having only one covering of have stout guard hairs which provide a waterproof layer of long hairs. 2. Teeth Australasian sea otters, //Enhyra Australis// will retain the same structural adaptation as current sea otters. As meat eating carnivores, otters must have very strong and sharp teeth to be able to digest their food and survive. Of the total 32 teeth, most of these will be molars. These molars are particularly helpful in assisting the creature to crush and grind their food. The pushing environmental pressure is the changed diet of the otter. In this way, //Enhydra Australis// will be more suited to the animals which they consume, for example, being able to crush the shells of baby sea turtles. Behavioural Adaptations 1. Burrows //Enhydra Australis// will not spend the entirety of their lives as aquatic animals. Like other species of otter, they will have a permanent home on the beach shores of these coastal areas. Their homes will be burrows and dens in the sand. The area where these homes will be situated is advantageous as the otters will be able to find baby sea turtles making their way to the ocean for food. An environmental pressure which would lead to this behavioural adaptation is the change in environment. There are no kelp forests that provide safety for the Australasian sea otter, and by becoming more like the semi-aquatic mammals of otters of other species, they will be able to be safe from harm. 2. Communication Currently, sea otters have a mostly solitary social structure. This is the same for the //Enhydra Australis.// These otters must be able to communicate with others, and obtain information about others. The Australasian sea otter will have improved vocalisations to communicate more effectively. This will make it easier for the otter to find a mate to reproduce. An environmental pressure which would lead to this adaptation would be the small population of //Enhydra Australis// in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystems. Physiological Adaptation Salinity Tolerance The melting of the polar ice cap will lead to a rise in global sea levels. However, the balance of the marine ecosystem will also be compromised. Sea otters must be able to survive in the new environment which has lower concentrations of salinity. To survive in this changed environment, the Australasian sea otter is very tolerant to all levels of salinity. Like the species of river otter, //Enhydra Australis// is able to survive in freshwater environments, however, prefers the marine environment of the Great Barrier Reef. References Links
 * Sea Turtle
 * Blue Coral
 * Sharks

Bibliography
 * Infoquis Publishing, Co. (2009). //Information and Facts about Otters//. Retrieved June 22, 2011, from []
 * Brown, R. D. (2008). //The Future Evolution of Animals//. Retrieved, June 25, 2011, from, []
 * //20 Deadliest Effects of Global Warming.// (n.d.) Retrieved, June 25, 2011, from, []
 * Prit. (2007). //Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem//. Retrieved Jun 25, 2011, from, []
 * //Food Chain of Coral Reef//. (2011). Retrieved, June 25, 2011, from, []