Which describes neritic and pelagic habitats, and which organisms are typically associated with each along a continental shelf?

• A. Neritic habitats lie over the continental shelf from nearshore to shelf-break (corals on reefs, seagrasses, juvenile fish); pelagic habitats are the open ocean beyond the shelf (tuna, sharks, zooplankton).
• B. Neritic habitats are open ocean; examples: whales; Pelagic includes coral reefs.
• C. Neritic habitats are the deep-sea trenches; examples: squid; Pelagic includes mangroves.
• D. Neritic habitats are offshore current zones; examples: kelp forests; Pelagic includes tidal pools.

Answer: (C)