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A rendering of an underwater marine scene depicting life ~145-65 million years ago, when rudist clams were the major reef builders.
Article

Long Before Coral, Mollusks Built the Ocean's Reefs

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The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System consists of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, and several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. The system's seven sites illustrate the evolutionary h
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Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

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a young family of three celebrate the mother's graduation
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Graduation Day

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A photo of a squid using bioluminescence to hide in the deep sea.
Overview

Bioluminescence

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A fish made from pieces of plastic found on the beach swims above a bleached reef made of Styrofoam.
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Bleached Styrofoam Reef

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A beaked whale at the ocean's surface
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A Ship-Wary Beaked Whale

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This species of bamboo coral, discovered in 2004 in the Pacific Northwest, has unusually long and impressive tentacles.
Slideshow

Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Corals

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Photograph of the underside of a gelatinous octopus with a bright yellow bioluminescent ring around her mouth.
Slideshow

Bioluminescent Animals Photo Gallery

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Two nurse sharks hover over a baited cage
Lesson Plan

It’s Sedimentary, My Dear Watson

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an illustration of two surf ducks
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Surf Duck

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This species of bamboo coral, discovered in 2004 in the Pacific Northwest, has unusually long and impressive tentacles.
Photo

New Bamboo Coral

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A photo of a seaside town with boats docked in the harbor and buildings along the shore.
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Seaside Fishing Town

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