Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

The Great Hamlet Debate
The Great Hamlet Debate
The Great Hamlet Debate
Ebook33 pages9 minutes

The Great Hamlet Debate

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

There has been a debate for decades on how many species of hamlets exist. The original classification was for one species (Hypoplectrus unicolor), and color variations didn’t matter enough to differentiate a new species. As this debate has raged, scientific research is shedding light on the differences - or not - for the many color variations of the hamlet group. The crux of the debate runs like this: All of the hamlet color variations are strikingly similar in physical characteristics and behavior - body shape, fins, size and diet. The indigo hamlet is the only color variation that is different, in two important ways. Indigos are the largest of the hamlets, and they feed primarily on blue chromis rather than crabs, shrimp and worms. Looking a bit deeper into the debate, we find good arguments for color patterns as definitive criteria for defining species. And now scientists are finding some differences in the molecular structures of the color variations. Another interesting study shows areas of concentration by color pattern. These areas are called population centers, defined by the predominantly abundant species of all hamlets in the area. And according to that map blue hamlets are the kings of the reef in the Keys.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 9, 2017
ISBN9781370998968
The Great Hamlet Debate
Author

Tim Grollimund

Tim spent nearly a decade in Key Largo, Florida. He wrote the scuba diving column for the local newspaper, The Reporter, for over three years, and also served as a Working Group member and Alternate Representative on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. His ebooks are all based on his newspaper columns. Each ebook has a collection of underwater images shot by Tim. The ebooks cover a wide range of marine life species and ocean conservation topics.

Read more from Tim Grollimund

Related to The Great Hamlet Debate

Related ebooks

Outdoors For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for The Great Hamlet Debate

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    The Great Hamlet Debate - Tim Grollimund

    The Great Hamlet Debate

    Tim Grollimund

    Author: Tim Grollimund

    Date Published: March 6, 2017

    ISBN: 978-1-3709989-6-8

    Publisher: Smashwords Edition

    Copyright © Apex Global Solutions LLC 2017. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the prior and express written permission of the copyright holder. All inquiries via timgrollimund.com

    Table of Contents

    The Great Hamlet Debate

    Acknowledgments

    Introduction

    The Reporter

    Hamlets

    About The Author

    Other eBooks, Prints and Keepsakes

    Articles I used to write this column

    Acknowledgments

    To Dad, who knew I loved the sea, and always encouraged me to pursue my passion.

    Introduction

    When I moved to the Florida Keys in 2009, I had one objective in mind. Simply, to become highly proficient as an underwater photographer. For the previous several years, I had helped

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1