User:Caroline t04/sandbox

 Final Submission 

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Article evaluation: Sea Cucumbers

Is everything in the article relevant to the article topic?


 * Yes

Is there anything that distracted you?


 * A lot of words I don't know but they tend to have links attached that allow you to read on it real quick.

Is any information out of date?


 * I mean some references are older, like older than 20 years, but if those claims are still supported today in relevant research I don't see anything wrong is using it as a reference.

Is anything missing that could be added?


 * I think the article had a section for just about everything related to sea cucumbers. I liked how they touched on the topics of medicine, aquaculture and how they are relevant to humans. They even had a section for sea cucumbers relevance in literature.

What else could be improved?


 * I think the article is a bit busy, and at times might have extra information that is not completely necessary. But the good thing is that it is very detailed, and wikipedia allows you to be able to hop to certain sections if you are just looking for something specific. it is difficult to fully evaluate this page without a motive for something I am looking for about sea cucumbers, however if I was just someone who wanted to learn everything about them in a concise article I believe this article does a very good job.

Is the article neutral?


 * Yes

Are there any claims that appear heavily biased toward a particular position?


 * Not that I noticed...

Check a few citations. Do the links work?


 * I clicked on one of the links that sent me to a 404 error- page not found, so some of the sources may not be credible, or I just do not have access to them. Most of the links do work however.

Does the source support the claims in the article?


 * Some of the cited sources seem to just lead me to another wikipedia page, which doesn't make me confident that it is credible. I think it would be more convincing if the facts were supported by outside sources.

Is each fact referenced with an appropriate, reliable reference?


 * Most of the facts are supported with relative, and appropriate references from academic journals and universities.

Where does the information come from? Are these neutral sources? If biased, is that bias noted?


 * Some information comes from peer-reviewed research papers. Some are from websites, one of which I clicked on that is basically a glossary for all echinoderm terms of anatomy and region in the world.

What kinds of conversations, if any, are going on behind the scenes about how to represent this topic?


 * There is a discussion on referring to the sea cucumber as something other than that, such as the "trepang" term, which one is fighting that it is a word to desscribe the harvested sea cucumber, not the organism itself.

How is the article rated?


 * It is rated as a C-class article

Is it a part of any WikiProjects?


 * It is a part of a couple WikiProjects...
 * Food and Drink
 * Fish and Fishing
 * Japan/Flora and Fauna
 * Indonesia
 * Animals
 * Marine Life

Possible 3 organisms:


 * California Two-Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculatus)
 * Southern pygmy squid (Xipholeptos notoides)
 * Large Pacific Striped Octopus (Octopus sp)

These three are all good choices. - Josh

Adding a citation to Octopus bimaculatus draft:

Studies have observed the predator-prey interactions between the Octopus bimaculatus and the Californian Scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) in aquariums. Findings suggest that the Californian Scorpionfish is a part of the diet of Octopus bimaculatus in their natural habitat, specifically juvenile scorpionfish.

DRAFTING MY ARTICLE - Main Outline w/ some edits

 Description  (new section)

In this section I will discuss the distinct characteristics of Octopus bimaculatus and octopus in the general family of Octopdidae.

My additions:

Octopus bimaculatus is typically light brown and spotted in color with a distinctive blue and black false eye, or ocelli, under each eye. The mantle, including the beak and mouth, is located at the center of the eight tentacles. Each of the tentacles is lined with suckersthat are used to help with grasping prey, rocks, and forming shelters. Similar to other octopus species, octopus bimaculatus has skin covered in chromatophores. There are few chromatophores in octopus postlarvae and they are called "founder chromatophores." However, more chromatophores form and increase as the octopus matures. These chromatophores are pigments that the octopus can expand to create large disc of color that can blend in with their surrounding environment. This is an important behavior in defense against predators. Fully mature octopus grow to be about 18 inches long. Octopus bimaculatus is often confused with Octopus bimaculoides due to the similarity in looks, however they are two different species. They both have two distinctive black and blue ocelli beneath the eyes and above the arms. There are a few key differences to tell the two apart. The blue ring of the ocelli for Octopus bimaculatus does not have the distinctive chain-like pattern that the octopus bimaculoides has. The two also differ in egg size, with Octopus bimaculatus eggs being much smaller which had into planktonic larvae rather than benthic hatchlings like the octopus bimaculoides. Additionally, octopus bimaculatus is generally the larger of the two species.

Diet (continued section...)

In this section I will discuss the observations of the predator prey relationship between the octopus and the scorpionfish. I will also discuss how the diet varies depending on male or female, or the during the time of sexual maturity.

My additions:

Studies have observed the predator-prey interactions between the O. bimaculatus and the Californian Scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) in aquariums. Findings suggest that the Californian Scorpionfish is included in the diet of O. bimaculatus in their natural habitat, specifically juvenile Scorpionfish.

As juveniles, the octopi also tend to prey on smaller benthic, marine invertebrates which include chitons, bivalves, snails, and crabs.

Habitat - (new section)

My additions:

The Octopus bimaculatus mainly resides off the coast of Southern California in the intertidal and subtidal regions but have also been ranging down to the Gulf of Mexico. These octopus have been observed in kelp forests, bed rock, and rock walls. Typically found on the seafloor these octopus occupy areas beneath rocks, inside of holes and inside crevices. Juvenile octopus utilize the smaller areas in bedrock. This includes empty shells they find around the bedrock. Frequently used shells for shelter include the shells of Cypraea spadicea, Astraea undosa, and Hinnites giganteus. Larger octopus have the ability to "blow" sand or move sand to create shelter. They do this through a mechanism called jet propulsion, which allow them to pump water out quickly through a siphon exerting enough force to move sediment. This process allows the Octopus to dig deep holes for shelter in a matter of minutes. They are also capable of moving small rocks and structures with their suckers and arms. Octopus tend to move from shelter to shelter only residing in one shelter for a short 1-3 month time period before moving onto the next. Octopus leave their shelters for a number of reasons, the primary reason being to forage. Other reasons however include competition for space with other octopus or high risk of predation. Predators include the California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher), the kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), and the California moray eel (Gymnothorax mordax)

Lifespan (continued section...)

Original Wikipedia text from page for this section:

O. bimaculatus lives about 12–18 months. Young are planktonic for one to several months before settling on the ground.

My additions:

However in captivity, octopus bimaculatus have been observed to live up to 2 years.

Reproduction ( continued section...)

In this section, I will add to what is already on the Wikipedia page to elaborate more on where the eggs are laid, how many eggs, the role the male plays and the role the female plays, etc.

Original Wikipedia text from page for this section:

Most matings occur in May and June when water temperatures are rising, but they may mate throughout the year. Most females then lay their eggs between April and August.

My additions:

The females lay their eggs in a sheltered area protected by rocks. The amount of eggs laid depends on the size on the female, but typically the number of eggs are very high, with the average being approximately 20,000 eggs, about 100 to 250 per strand. The larger females tend to lay more eggs than the smaller females. After the eggs are laid, the females stay to care for and protect the eggs until they hatch into planktonic larvae. Females tend to die during the process of watching over the eggs due to starvation and exhaustion.

Find source for how male octopus transfer spermatophores, they die after mating.

Development (new section)

In this section I will discuss the developmental stages of the Octopus bimaculatus starting with fertilization, to hatching and the juvenile stage.

My additions:

The stages of development on average range over a period of 50.4 days after fertilization occurs. The eggs fully develop over a range of 30-90 days depending on water temperature. Studies have found development time is shortest, 31 days, when the water temperature is at 19.7 degrees C. There are two major stages in the development; the rapid initial stage and the later and slower stage. Newly hatched eggs are planktonic and on average are 4 mm long from the top of the mantle to the end of the arms. Much of the embryonic development is similar and can be described by the development of Octopus vulgaris.

'Octopus bimaculatus'' grows and matures quickly due to its short life span of one to two years. When in the embryo stage, it goes through two different stages of growth: a rapid initial stage and a slower phase in which its beaks, shells, and brain tissue begins to develop. Each individual octopus develops and matures at their own individual rate, resulting in varying growth factors. Once hatched, the young octopuses are completely independent and ready to catch their own prey. Once they reach one to two years of age, they are ready to reproduce.'''

 Final Submission 

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