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Local Representatives:Here is a sampeling of local representatives as well as a discription and how to identify them. See the species list for a more complete list of species you may see at each of the sites we visited as a class. |
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Photo Credit: L. McCormick |
Nucella lamellosa (frilled dogwinkle) Also known as the frilled whelk, the shell color ranges from white through yellow, orange, brown and purple. The shell can be smooth in exposed situations, or can be frilled in sheltered areas. They can grow to be to 3 1/8" high, and are most commonly found on exposed or sheltered rocky beaches. 4 This particular grouping was found at Fox Island on the west side under a large boulder. |
Photo Credit: A. Ruby |
Ceratostoma inornatum (Japanese oyster drill) Also known as the Japanese rocksnail, the shell color is dark brown in color, and is commonly mistaken with the leafy hornmouth, however, the shell is smaller and is less frilled. They can grow to be to 1 1/4" high, and are most commonly found in gravel, mud, or sandy beaches. This invasive species was introduced to the Willapa Bay area and is a pest to area oyster farmers. 2 This drill is drill is a part of the research project I am currently working on, looking at the effects of these invasive predators on the morphological responses of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). |
Photo Credit: A. Ruby |
Fusitriton oregonensis (Oregon triton) Also known as the hairy Oregon triton, the shell has distinctive dark brown bristles covering the yellowish periostracum (outer skin). These snails can grow to be to 4 3/4" high, and are most commonly found in the low intertidal zone. This snail can grow to be one of the largest in our area. 4 This snail was found by dredging in Friday Harbor off the coast at the Friday Harbor Laboratories. |
Photo Credit: L. McCormick |
Ceratostoma foliatum (leafy hornmouth) Also known as Purpura foliata, the shell color varies from gray, to yellow or brown, with 3 distinct frills extending the length of the shell. These snails can grow to be to 3 1/2" high, and are normally found on rocky beaches in the intertidal zone. 4 This snail was found under a large boulder at the waters edge at Fox Island. |
This web page is part of the UWT Marine Ecology class of 2008 and was created by Amanda Ruby Top photo credit: H. Beimler |
