User:Larissaraewilcox/Sea Circles

Definition

Sea circles, also called fairy circles, are strange circles at the bottom of the sea that closely resemble that of crop circles. They are ornate symmetrical patters that are temporarily carved into the sea floor. Sea circles are large, seven feet in diameter, sandy nest structures that lie approximately 80 feet under the ocean. The sea circles are constructed into two distinct shapes with an outer region that contains ditches and is composed of 25-30 holes arranged in a circular fashion and an inner region that consists of superficial holes in the center. It was discovered that the sea circle artist is none other than a small puffer fish who, using only one fin, works tirelessly day and night to perfect his piece with the intention of attracting a mate.

History

Sea circles were first discovered in 1995 off the southwest coast of Japan on Amami-Oshima Island. They were discovered by the native diver Yoji Ookata who was taken aback by the peculiarity of the circles. Ookata then brought colleagues and a television crew to further study the underwater circles. Researches have since attempted to uncover what causes these but have repeatedly failed. Recently, in 2001, a group of Japanese researchers discovered the answer and took the first photograph. History will be updated as more is discovered.

Folklore

At first this structure was called a mystery circle as its origin was unknown. There has been much speculation surrounding this topic. They were also known by the term “fairy circles,” because they closely resemble “fairy rings” which are rings of mushrooms that surround a plants mycelium. Some believe these fairy rings and fairy circles are portals to the fairy realm.

Biology

The origins of Sea circles were discovered in 2011. They are built by the tiny male pufferfish Torquigener albomaculosus who measures approximately 120mm in length. This fish is said to be found only in the southwest coastal seas of Japan. The circles are constructed throughout several different stages. During the earliest stage the preliminary circular shape is obtained through the use of pectoral, anal, and caudal fins. The back and forth, as well as the linear movement of the fins of this fish, is what aids in building the peaks and valleys in the circle. During the middle stage of construction, the circle becomes clearly visible. The male will also use his tail to usher sand towards the middle of the circle to stir it up in order to create a nest structure in the middle. During the last stage of this dubious process the circle is completed, and the peaks are embellished by the male fish with corals and shells to serve it primary purpose. The more design and complex the circle is, the higher the probability that a female will be attracted to the structure. The purpose of the sea circles built by Torquigener albomaculosus, is for mating. The sole functions of this structure are to utilize the circle to protect the eggs from the ocean current as well as attract a mate. The way the process proceeds is once the circle is rendered complete a female will visit. The female enters the middle of the circle to the portion that resembles a nest and the male leaves, in a concerted fashion. The male remains close to the nest and visits the female on several occasions during her egg spawning period. Females are said to return to the same nest within the spawning period and release their eggs in the central area of the nest. After the process of spawning is complete the male cares for the eggs for up to six days and stays close to the circle, however, does not maintain any upkeep on the structure. Resulting from this negligence the structure collapses, and the sand returns to the state it had maintained prior to this procedure. Interestingly, once the eggs hatch, the nesting site is never revisited again by the same puffer fish. There is a large amount of competition over nesting sites and it takes a span of 7-9 days to construct the sea circles, so questions have been posed to examine why the same nests are not reused. The answer to this question is that due to the sand particles not retaining their fine texture the structures are completely abandoned. Once the babies are on their way, the industrious male begins work on another circle. Interestingly, the pufferfish never re-uses his circles, instead making an entirely new one every time.

Implications

The circles imply that they help display mating patterns of female fish, which is an important factor in examining biodiversity. The sea circles show how architecture of nesting structures in the bottom of the ocean are imperative to female mating choices. The more enticing the circle is, the more distinguished patterns and embellishments are, as well as the size, and peak height which are all factors that the female fish favors.. These factors can all influence the mating choice of the female. Even details such as the quality of the sand that is placed in the center of the structure are influential on Torquigener albomaculosus mating choice. In addition, studying these circles is important because it shows how males compete over similar niches. It also highlights the aggressive behavior in male pufferfish who compete over important resources. Sea circles are integral to Darwin’s theory of reproductive success to understand why certain circles are chosen over others by a female Torquigener albomaculosus.