This video highlights Team Twilight Zone member Deb Gochfeld as she explains predator deterrence and bioassays. Many of the benthic organisms (such as algae, sponges, and corals) cannot runaway from predators. They have had to develop other means to protect themselves. One type of protection is to produce complex organic chemicals, which makes them taste bad and thus discourages predators from eating them. See how Deb uses these compounds on the omnivorous sharpnose puffer fish to determine potential drugs from the sea. Video courtesy of of the Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OE.
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Cayman Islands Twilight Zone 2007
