Euryhaline

Euryhaline refers to the ability of an organism to adapt to a wide range of salinities. These organisms can live in freshwater, brackish water, or salt water. They are commonly found in habitats such as estuaries and tide pools where the salinity changes regularly. Some organisms are euryhaline because their life cycle involves migration between freshwater and marine environments, as is the case with salmon and eels.

Euryhaline species

  1. Salmon: Many species of salmon, such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), are euryhaline. They migrate from freshwater rivers to the ocean and can adapt to both environments.
  2. American Eel (Anguilla rostrata): The American eel is found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They are known for their remarkable migrations, where they travel from freshwater rivers to the ocean to reproduce.
  3. Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas): Bull sharks are known for their ability to tolerate both freshwater and saltwater. They can be found in rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas around the world.
  4. European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): The European sea bass is a popular fish species found in coastal areas of Europe. It can live in a wide range of salinity levels, from full seawater to nearly freshwater.
  5. Mugilids (Mullet): Mullet is a family of fish that includes several euryhaline species. They can be found in estuaries and coastal areas worldwide, with some species able to migrate between freshwater and saltwater habitats.
  6. Mangrove Rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus): The mangrove rivulus is a small fish species that inhabits brackish water, including mangrove swamps. It can tolerate a wide range of salinity levels and even survive in isolated pools during low tide.
  7. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus): The blue crab is a well-known euryhaline species found in the coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It can tolerate a range of salinities and is capable of migrating between freshwater and saltwater.
  8. Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin): The diamondback terrapin is a species of turtle that inhabits brackish water habitats such as estuaries, salt marshes, and tidal creeks. It has the ability to tolerate varying levels of salinity.
  9. Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens): The freshwater drum, also known as sheepshead or gaspergou, is a fish species found in freshwater rivers and lakes of North America. However, it can also tolerate brackish water and has been known to enter estuaries.
  10. Mangrove Tree Crab (Aratus pisonii): The mangrove tree crab is a small crustacean species found in mangrove forests of the Americas. It can tolerate a range of salinities and is well adapted to both terrestrial and aquatic environments.