A method for analyzing the burrowing and sand-sifting behavior of marine benthic animals and applications thereof

Abstract

The application provides a method for analyzing burying and sand turning habits of marine benthic animals and application and relates to the field of biological research. The method for analyzing burying and sand turning habits of marine benthic animals comprises a water pool, a liquid is arranged in the water pool, a bottom substrate simulation device is arranged on the lower inner wall of the water pool, a cover plate is arranged at the upper end of the water pool, a light supplementing plate is arranged at the front side of the water pool, an image analysis computer is arranged at the other side of the water pool, and a data acquisition device is electrically connected to the other end of the image analysis computer. The activities of the biological in the bottom substrate are recorded by using a camera and other data acquisition equipment for a long time or regularly, then the activity track of the biological in the bottom substrate is analyzed by using image analysis software, and conditions are provided for further analyzing and researching the habits of the biological in the bottom substrate and the influence of the biological on the bottom substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological research technology, specifically to a method and application for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals. Background Technology

[0002] Crustaceans, reptiles, sipuncula, and pygmy worms living in the sediment at the bottom of the ocean play a role in burying sediment, disturbing the sediment, and promoting biological deposition. However, because they live in the sediment and other bottom materials for a long time, it is difficult to observe and analyze their living habits. Marine benthic organisms live in the ocean sediment for a long time, and their activities have also had a significant impact on the ocean sediment, such as affecting the transport and exchange of sediment and ocean bottom materials, and promoting or affecting carbon fixation and burial.

[0003] Taking the worm *Urechis unicinctus* as an example, it has long inhabited the intertidal zone and the subtidal zone, at depths of several to ten meters on the seabed. How it digs burrows, how it lives within these burrows, and what impact it has on the seabed remain unresolved questions. Although underwater cameras can capture information about the range of these organisms' activities in the ocean over a certain period, their activities under sediment cannot be recorded. Therefore, those skilled in the art have provided a method and application for analyzing the burrowing and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals to address the problems mentioned in the background. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a method and application for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals, solving the problem that existing technologies cannot observe and analyze the living habits of marine benthic animals.

[0006] Technical solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: a method for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals, comprising a pool containing liquid, a substrate simulation device disposed on the lower inner wall of the pool located inside the liquid, a cover plate disposed at the upper end of the pool, a supplementary lighting plate disposed on the front side of the pool, an image analysis computer disposed on the other side of the pool, and a data acquisition device electrically connected to the other end of the image analysis computer;

[0008] The substrate simulation device includes an observation plate, a first adjustment device at the upper end of the observation plate, a fixed base at the lower end of the observation plate, and a simulated substrate inside the observation plate. The first adjustment device includes a metal frame, an adjustment screw at the center of one side wall of the metal frame, one end of the adjustment screw passing through one side wall of the metal frame and leading to the interior, and a movable frame fixedly connected to the end of the screw. Sponge pads are respectively provided on one inner side wall of the metal frame and one side wall of the movable frame. The fixed base includes a second adjustment device, and a weight is fixedly connected to the lower end of the second adjustment device.

[0009] Preferably, the first adjusting device and the second adjusting device have the same structure.

[0010] Preferably, the marine benthic animals specifically refer to one or more of the crustaceans, reptiles, sipuncula, and pygmy worms that live in the mud and sand at the bottom of the ocean.

[0011] A method for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals, characterized by the following steps:

[0012] S1. Prepare a water tank for observation in advance, and add seawater to the inside of the tank;

[0013] S2. Prepare a substrate simulation device, and add an appropriate amount of simulated substrate inside the substrate simulation device;

[0014] S3. Select one or more of the crustaceans, reptiles, sipunculids, and pygmy worms from the ocean bottom sediment and place them inside the sediment simulation device;

[0015] S4. By installing supplementary lighting panels, data acquisition devices, and image analysis computers next to the pool;

[0016] S5. Observe and collect data over a long period of time using a data acquisition device, and analyze the collected data using an image analysis computer.

[0017] Preferably, the data acquisition device specifically refers to one or more of the following: ordinary cameras, infrared cameras, and high-speed cameras with camera and video recording functions; and the image analysis computer specifically refers to a computer with image or video recording analysis functions.

[0018] Preferably, the observation plate specifically refers to one or more of the following: a glass plate, a transparent plastic plate, and a rigid plastic film.

[0019] Preferably, the simulated substrate specifically refers to one or more of the following: ceramic particles, plastic particles, natural sand, natural soil, colored sand, and colored soil.

[0020] Preferably, the analysis of marine benthic animal burial and sand-turning habits specifically refers to one or more of the following: the disturbance of the substrate by benthic animals, biological sedimentation, and their living habits in the substrate.

[0021] Preferably, the pool specifically refers to a sealed container made of one or more of glass and transparent plastic panels, used to house a substrate simulation device and seawater or freshwater.

[0022] This invention provides a method and application for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. In this invention, the activities of these organisms in the substrate are recorded over a long period or periodically using data acquisition devices such as cameras, and their activity trajectories in the substrate are analyzed using image analysis software, which provides conditions for further in-depth analysis and research on the habits of these organisms in the substrate and their impact on the substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate simulation device in this invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall device in this invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the observation process of Ulva unicornu digging a burrow in this invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the experiment analyzing the disturbance of the substrate by Ulva monocyclic auricularia in this invention.

[0028] The components include: 1. First adjustment device; 2. Observation plate; 3. Simulated substrate; 4. Fixed base; 5. Metal frame; 6. Sponge pad; 7. Movable frame; 8. Adjustment screw; 9. Second adjustment device; 10. Weight; 11. Lighting plate; 12. Cover plate; 13. Liquid; 14. Water tank; 15. Data acquisition device; and 16. Image analysis computer. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1

[0030] like Figure 1-4As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a method for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals, including a pool 14. The pool 14 is filled with liquid 13, which can be filled with seawater, fresh water or other liquids required for the experiment, depending on the characteristics of the experimental animals. A substrate simulation device is provided on the lower inner wall of the pool 14 inside the liquid 13. A cover plate 12 is provided at the upper end of the pool 14 to prevent water evaporation or sample leakage during the experiment. A supplementary lighting plate 11 is provided on the front side of the pool 14. The supplementary lighting plate 11 is used for illuminating the device and can be composed of a fluorescent light panel or an LED light strip. It is movable and can be placed at any position of the device as needed for supplementary lighting. An image analysis computer 16 is provided on the other side of the pool 14. The other end of the image analysis computer 16 is electrically connected to a data acquisition device 15.

[0031] The substrate simulation device includes an observation plate 2, with a first adjustment device 1 at the upper end and a fixed base 4 at the lower end. The observation plate 2 contains a simulated substrate 3. The first adjustment device 1 includes a metal frame 5, with an adjustment screw 8 at the center of one side wall of the metal frame 5. One end of the adjustment screw 8 passes through one side wall of the metal frame 5 and leads to the interior, and the end is fixedly connected to a movable frame 7. Sponge pads 6 are respectively provided on one inner side wall of the metal frame 5 and one side wall of the movable frame 7, which can adjust the gap between the observation plates 2 according to the size of the organism to be observed. The fixed base 4 includes a second adjustment device 9, with a weight 10 fixedly connected to the lower end of the second adjustment device 9. The second adjustment device 9 and the weight 10 are directly connected by screws or welding.

[0032] The first regulating device 1 and the second regulating device 9 have the same structure. Marine benthic animals specifically refer to one or more of the crustaceans, reptiles, sipuncula, and pygmy worms that live in the mud and sand at the bottom of the ocean.

[0033] A method for analyzing the burial and sand-turning habits of marine benthic animals includes the following steps:

[0034] S1. Prepare a water tank 14 for observation in advance, and add seawater to the inside of the water tank 14;

[0035] S2. Prepare a substrate simulation device, and add an appropriate amount of simulated substrate 3 inside the substrate simulation device;

[0036] S3. Select one or more of the crustaceans, reptiles, sipunculids, and pygmy worms from the ocean bottom sediment and place them inside the sediment simulation device;

[0037] S4. By installing a supplementary lighting panel 11, a data acquisition device 15, and an image analysis computer 16 next to the pool 14;

[0038] S5. The data is observed and collected over a long period of time by the data acquisition device 15, and the collected data is analyzed by the image analysis computer 16.

[0039] The data acquisition device 15 specifically refers to one or more of the following: ordinary camera, infrared camera, and high-speed camera with camera and video recording functions; the observation plate 2 specifically refers to one or more of the following: glass plate, transparent plastic plate, and rigid plastic film; the simulated substrate 3 specifically refers to one or more of the following: ceramic particles, plastic particles, natural sand, natural soil, colored sand, and colored soil; the image analysis computer 16 specifically refers to a computer with image or video recording analysis functions; the analysis of marine benthic animal burial and sand-turning habits specifically refers to one or more of the following: the analysis of benthic animal disturbance of the substrate, biological sedimentation, and living habits in the substrate; and the pool 14 specifically refers to a sealed box made of one or more of the following: glass and transparent plastic plates, used to place the substrate simulation device and seawater or freshwater.

[0040] Example 2: Analysis of the activity of Ulva unicinctus in the substrate

[0041] Clean sea sand was filled into a sediment simulation device. One *Ulva unicinctus* was randomly selected, and after expelling its body water, its average body diameter was measured to be 0.8 cm. The thickness of the simulation device was adjusted to 0.8-1.2 times the average body diameter of the *Ulva unicinctus*. The *Ulva unicinctus* was carefully placed in the sediment simulation device, and then clean seawater, a standard optical camera, a computer, and supplemental lighting were assembled. 24-hour continuous video recording was performed, and the movement trajectory of the *Ulva unicinctus* in the sediment was obtained by analyzing the recorded images. The results are as follows: Figure 3 As shown, due to the limited thickness of the sediment in the substrate simulation device, after Ulva unicornu burrows into the sediment, its activity in the burrow will be visible on at least one side; as in this experiment, the process of Ulva unicornu building burrows can be clearly observed.

[0042] Example 3: Analysis of the disturbance effect of Ulva unicinctus on the substrate

[0043] Different colored sediments were used to replace ordinary sea sand and were layered with ordinary sand in a substrate simulation device. The device was recorded continuously for 10 days (24 hours a day). The changes in the colored sand were then analyzed using software. Image processing software was used to integrate the color range of the acquired images to analyze the disturbance effect of *Ulva unicinctus* on the substrate. The results are as follows: Figure 4 As shown, sand samples of different colors simulate different depths of sediment. After 7 days of living in the sediment, the colors of different layers mixed. By integrating the various colors in the image using the image analysis tool Photoshop, the change curves of each layer at different depths in the sediment can be plotted, thus directly reflecting the disturbance effect of Ulva pertusa on the sediment.

[0044] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing the burying and sand-sifting behavior of marine benthic animals, comprising a water basin (14), characterized in that: The inside of the pool (14) is provided with liquid (13), the lower inner wall of the pool (14) inside the liquid (13) is provided with bottom quality simulation device, the upper end of the pool (14) is provided with cover plate (12), the front side of the pool (14) is provided with light supplementing plate (11), the other side of the pool (14) is provided with image analysis computer (16), the other end of the image analysis computer (16) is electrically connected with data acquisition device (15); The bottom quality simulation device comprises an observation plate (2), the upper end of the observation plate (2) is provided with a first adjusting device (1), the lower end of the observation plate (2) is provided with a fixed base (4), and the inside of the observation plate (2) is provided with a simulated bottom quality (3); the first adjusting device (1) comprises a metal frame (5), one side wall center of the metal frame (5) is provided with an adjusting screw (8), one end of the adjusting screw (8) penetrates through one side wall of the metal frame (5) and extends to the inside, and the end is fixedly connected with a movable frame (7); one inner side wall of the metal frame (5) and one side wall of the movable frame (7) are respectively provided with a sponge gasket (6); the fixed base (4) comprises a second adjusting device (9), and the lower end of the second adjusting device (9) is fixedly connected with a heavy object (10), The method comprises the following steps: S1. Prepare the observation pool (14) in advance, and add seawater in the inside of the pool (14); S2. Prepare the bottom quality simulation device, and add an appropriate amount of simulated bottom quality (3) in the inside of the bottom quality simulation device; S3. Select one or more of the following: crustaceans, reptiles, starworms and worm-like animals in the marine bottom mud; S4. Set up the light supplementing plate (11), the data acquisition device (15) and the image analysis computer (16) beside the pool (14); S5. Observe and collect the data for a long time by the data acquisition device (15), and analyze the collected data by the image analysis computer (16).

2. A method of analyzing the habits of burying and sand-sifting of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first adjusting device (1) and the second adjusting device (9) have the same structure.

3. A method of analyzing the habits of burying and sand-sifting of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The marine benthic animals are one or more of the following: crustaceans, reptiles, starworms and worm-like animals in the marine bottom mud.

4. A method of analyzing the burrowing and sand-sifting behavior of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data acquisition device (15) is one or more of the following: a common camera, an infrared camera and a high-speed camera with the functions of taking pictures and recording videos.

5. A method of analyzing the burrowing and sand-sifting behavior of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The observation plate (2) is one or more of the following: a glass plate, a transparent plastic plate and a hard plastic film.

6. A method of analyzing the burrowing and sand-sifting behavior of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The simulated bottom quality (3) is one or more of the following: ceramic particles, plastic particles, natural sand, natural soil, colored sand and colored soil.

7. A method of analyzing the habits of burying and sand-sifting of marine benthic animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The analysis of the burying and sand-turning habits of the marine benthic animals is one or more of the following: the disturbance of the benthic animals to the bottom quality, the biological sedimentation and the living habits in the bottom quality.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: Said aquarium (14) is a sealed tank made of one or more of glass and transparent plastic sheeting for holding the substrate simulation and sea or fresh water.

9. Use of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for analysing the behaviour of marine benthic animals.

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