Site Species Summaries

Home Reproduction Feeding Biology Local Species References

Here you will find lists of the various species encountered on the field trips for Dr. Becker's 2008 Marine Ecology class.

They are not grouped by phyla, only listed in the order they were discovered with brief descriptions of location and

appearance.

Species	Location	Description
Rock Oyster (Pododesmus cepio, invalid)( Pododesmus macrochisma, valid)	East side of bridge. Under a rock. Muddy substrate. Middle intertidal.	Rough circular shell. One hole in bottom shell. Photo in Kozloff book (page 85).
Saddle Back Gunnel (Pholis ornata)	East side of bridge. Under a rock. Muddy substrate. Middle intertidal.	Long, laterally compressed body. Eel-like appearance. Olive coloration with u-shaped patterns on dorsal side.
Sea Cauliflower (Leathesia difformis)	East side of bridge. Laying in open muddy substrate.	Spherical shape. Yellow-green coloration. Identified by student.
Turkish Towel (Chondracanthus corymbiferus, invalid) (Chondracanthus exasperatus, valid)	Subtidal. In water up to five feet deep. Both sides of bridge	Brownish-red coloration. Large flat leaves. Flashing iridescence under water.
Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)	West side of bridge. Middle to low intertidal. Undersides of large rocks.	Twenty arms with a soft center. Prominent spines on aboral side. Coloration a mixture of red, orange, and yellow.
Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troschelli)	West side of bridge. Middle to low intertidal. Undersides of large rocks.	Yellow-brown coloration. Can resemble P. ochraceus, but calcareous ridges on aboral side are in straight lines instead of random patterns. Arms are slightly more slender.
Purple Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)	West side of bridge. Middle to low intertidal. Undersides of large rocks.	Purple coloration. Random patterns of calcareous ridges on aboral side.
Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta)	Open areas on both sides of bridge. Sandy and muddy substrates.	Dark red coloration. Distinctive shield shaped carapace.
Sea Lettuce (Ulva fenestrata)	West side of bridge. Open area with a sandy substrate. Low intertidal.	Wide, flat fronds with a dark green coloration.
Grey Barnacles (Balanus glandula)	Both sides of bridge. Encrusted on all sides of large rocks. Upper to middle intertidal.	Smooth, grey, cone shaped shells. Larger than the brown barnacle.
Aggregating Anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima)	Top and undersides of large rocks. West side of bridge. Middle to low intertidal.	Green body with darker green spots. Tentacles have purple tips.
Orange Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria miniata)	West side of bridge. Middle to low intertidal. Wedged into crevices on the undersides of large rocks.	Cylindrical body. Orange color. Tentacles may or may not be extended. If extended, may be purple but can be other colors as well.

Species	Location	Description

Eel grass (Zostera marina)	Low to middle intertidal. Isolated clumps in muddy and sandy substrates.	Long, flat, ribbon-like blades. Light green to dark green coloration.
Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister)	Low to middle intertidal. Partially buried in sediments. Muddy and sandy substrates.	Large with a purple carapace. Claws are white at the tips. Some had barnacles attached to the shell.
Giant Pile Worm (Nereis brandti)	Low intertidal. Buried in shallow, sandy sediments.	Very large, with a dark red coloration. Parapodia visible on each segment.
Heart Conkle (Clinocardium nuttallii)	Low intertidal. Buried about 15cm in sandy sediments.	Yellow-brown color with prominent ridges. Profile shows a heart shape where the two shells join.
Sandworm (Nephtys spp #1)	Low intertidal. Buried about 15cm in sandy sediments.	Pale pink with an iridescence to the skin. Parapodia visible on each segment.
False Mya (Cryptomya californica)	Low intertidal. Buried about 10cm in sandy sediments.	Small, white, oval shell with concentric rings. Short siphon.
Pacific Gaper (Tresus nutallii)	Low intertidal. Buried about 40 cm in sandy sediments.	Large, dark colored shell. Very elongated oval with patches of yellow and white. Large siphon.
Sand Sole (Psettichthys melanostictus)	Low intertidal. Sandy substrate but found in a shallow tide pool.	Laterally flattened body. Grey tinted but almost transparent. Black spots on dorsal side. Both eyes on dorsal side. Very small, about 2.5 cm. Probably a juvenile.
Softshell clam (Mya arenaria)	Low intertidal. Buried in sandy sediments to about 10 cm.	Soft, white, medium sized shell. Rounded projection on the hinge.
Razor Clam (Siliqua patula)	Low intertidal. Sandy sediments. Depth of burial unknown.	Yellow-brown color. Very long oval shape. Smooth shell (no ridges).
Sea Lettuce (Ulva fenestrata)	Middle intertidal. Both sandy and muddy substrates. Only two small patches seen.	Wide, flat, dark green blades.
Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas)	Lying exposed in muddy substrate. Near the abandoned oyster farm racks. Middle intertidal.	Roughly elongated oval with an irregular shape. Overlapping layers of rough ridges. Barnacles attached to shell.
Pacific Blue Mussel (Mytilus trossulus)	Muddy sediments but attached to abandoned oyster farm racks. Middle intertidal.	Smooth, black, wedge shaped shell. Both solitary and grouped with others.
Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta)	Walking in exposed areas. Middle to low intertidal. Sandy and muddy substrates.	Reddish-brown color. Distinctive, shield-shaped carapace. Long legs.
Ghost Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis)	Middle intertidal in muddy sediments up to 12 inches deep. Burrows are slightly depressed with a ½ inch wide opening.	Smooth, narrow, bright orange body. One claw much larger than the other. Red copepods present underneath the shell.
Gaper Pea Crab (Pinnixa littoralis)	Low intertidal in muddy sediments. Found inside shell of the Fat Gaper clam.	Very small about ½ inch in diameter. Cream colored with a few dark patches
Acorn Barnacle (Balanus glandula)	Low to middle intertidal. Sandy and muddy sediments. Found on crab shells and oyster farm racks.	Grey-white color with smooth, cone-shaped shells.
Armored Scale Worm (Halsydna brevisetosa)	Middle intertidal in muddy sediments.	Segmented body with a reddish color. Clearly defined parapodia.
Red Copepod (Clausidium vancouverense)	Middle intertidal in muddy sediments. Found inside the shells of the Ghost Shrimp.	Very small (about 2 mm) with bright red coloration. To small to observe any details in the field.
Oyster Drill (Urosalpinx cinerea)	Middle intertidal in muddy sediments. Found near oyster farm racks.	Greyish-white shell about 2 cm long. Prominent ridges and spiral.

Species	Description

Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)	Globular shape with spines up to one inch long. Green-brown coloration but can be very pale green almost white color.
Smooth Pink Scallop (Chlamys rubida)	Rounded shells with prominent radial ribs. Coloration pink to red-purple. Lower shell is more pale in color.
Blood Star (Henricia leviuscula)	Size roughly six inches. Long, slender arms and a small central disk. Coloration orange to dark red.
Leafy Hornmouth (Ceratostoma foliatum)	Shell is white or white with streaks of brown. Size roughly three inches.
Tennis Ball Sponge (Craniella villosa)	Globular shape. Size three inches. Dirty grey coloration.
Spiny Pink Scallop (Chlamys hastata)	Size three inches. Rounded shells with coarse radial ribs and smaller riblets in between.
Armored Sea Cucumber (Psolus chitonoides)	Oval, dome-like body. Bright orange coloration. Some overlapping plates.
Yellow Branching Sponge (Syringella amphispicula)	Upright body with thick, tree-like branches. Rough texture and dull yellow coloration.
Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)	Long stalks with large floats attached. Broad, flat blades. Olive to dark brown coloration.
Pacific Lyre Crab (Hyas lyratus)	Carapace is slightly longer than wide. Often overgrown with barnacles and other attached species.
Peanut Worm (Phascolosoma agassizii)	Tear-drop shaped body. Coloration light to dark brown. One end of body noticeably thicker than the other.
Lampshell (Terebratalia transversa)	Resembles a bivalve. Shell has irregular shape to it. Coloration grey to dark brow.
Sea Fir Hydroid (Abietinaria spp 1)	Upright, fern-like shape. Yellow-green coloration. Feeding polyps on both sides of branches.
Hairy Oregon Triton (Fusitriton oregonensis)	Spiral pattern shell with large axial riblets. Thick, shaggy, grey-brown shell covering.
Spiny Pink Shrimp (Pandalus eous)	Size roughly four inches. Fine red spots over a nearly translucent body. Spines along the back.
California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus)	Elongated, cylindrical body. Fleshy protrusions cover exterior. Coloration dark red to brownish-red.
Strawberry Anemone (Corynactis californica)	Size roughly one inch. Bright red coloration with white tips on the tentacles.
Plumose Anemone (Metridium senile)	Small specimen but can grow very large (12 inches wide). Body is smooth with a large number of tentacles that give the top a “bushy” appearance. Coloration white to tan.
Merton’s Chiton (Lepidozona mertensii)	Size roughly one inch. Scales are reddish-tan.
Black Clawed Crab (Lophopanopeus bellus)	Size roughly two inches. Body color between purple and reddish-brown. Dark colored claws.
Butter Clam (Saxidomus gigantea)	Size roughly five inches. Oval shell with concentric rings. Coloration grayish-white.
Ostrich Plume Hydroid (Aglaophenia spp 1)	Upright, feather-like branches. Pale green coloration. Feeding polyps on either side of branch.
Cup Coral (Gersemia rubiformis)	Small clusters of soft polyps. Coloration a mixture of pink and cream.

Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troschelli)	Very large specimen (fifteen inches across). Small central disk. Arms are tapered. Tan coloration with straight lines of calcareous ridges on arms.
Spot Prawns (Pandalus platyceros)	Ranged in size from two to six inches. Red body with distinctive white spots on the abdomen.
White Sea Cucumber (Eupentacta quinquesemita)	Short, elongated, cylindrical body. Size roughly three inches. White coloration but may have black speckling.
Painted Anemone (Urticina crassicornis)	Size roughly three inches. Column has variable patterns of red and green. Tentacles are short and thick.
Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae)	Size three inches. Coloration white with orange on the tips of the rhinophores and the tubercles (the fleshy projections).
Yellow Margin Dorid (Cadlina luteomarginata)	Size one inch. Oval, white body with a yellow ring around the outermost edge. Yellow tips on tubercles.
Side-Striped Shrimp (Pandolis dispar)
Dungeness Crab (Cancer magister)	Size roughly six inches. Purple-grey coloration. Claws are white.
Bamboo Worm (Axiothella rubrocincta)	Dull red coloration. Segmented body with thick, distinct bands between each segment.

Species	Location	Description
Chiton spp 1 (Mopalia spp1)	Zone 1. Mid-creek. Attached to rock in six inches of water.	Smooth scales. tan to dark brown coloration. Size roughly one inch.
Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum)	Zone 3. Twelve inches from shore. Laying in open in three inches of water.	Size two inches. Elongated oval shell. Pronounced radial ribs. Coloration grey to white.
Dog Whelk (Nucella spp1)	Zones 1-4. Attached to rocks in shallower water (less than six inches). More abundant near shore.	Spiraling shell. Colors ranging from white to yellow to brown. Sizes varied but averaged one inch.
Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas)	Zone 1. Near shore in three inches of water. Lying in open.	Size four inches. Fluted shell. Grey-white coloration with ridges of new growth.
Pacific Blue Mussel (Mytilus trossulus)	Zones 1-4. Mid-creek. Attached to rocks in twelve inches of water. Dominant in all four zones.	Size varied from less than inch to two inches. Narrow, elongated shells with curved end. Coloration blue to black.
Acorn Barnacle (Balanus glandula)	Zones 1 and 2. Attached to rocks at various depths. Mid-creek and near shore.	Roughly ½ inch in diameter. Cone like shells with grey to white coloration.
Thatched Barnacle (Semibalanus cariosus)	Zones 1 and 3. Attached to rocks at various depths. Mid-creek and near shore.	Larger than Balanus, roughly ¾ inch in diameter. Ribbed walls with white to dirty grey coloration.
Purple Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus nudus)	Zone 4. Near retaining wall in one inch of water. Lying in open near shore.	Size one inch. Dull red coloration with white spots on the back.
Green Algae (Ulva fenestrata)	Zone 4. Mid-creek in twelve inches of water.	Dark green color with wide, flat blades.

Green Algae (Ulva fenestrata)	In tide pools and sub tidal open water. Mixed with red and brown algae.	Dark green color with wide, flat blades.
Sea Lemon (Anisodoris nobilis)	Sub tidal. Near shore in twelve inches of water. Lying in open.	Slender body. Pale yellow coloration. Some dark spots visible between the tubercles.
Rockweed (Fucus gardneri)	Low to high intertidal. Covering large boulders. Dominant part of the area.	Flattened branches with bladder-like objects on the ends. Coloration ranges from olive green to yellow-brown.
Plate Limpet (Tectura scutum)	Low to middle inter tidal. In tide pools, under rocks and in crevices. Prevalent through out the site.	Sizes varied from ¼ inch to one inch. Shell relatively flattened. Tan to grey coloration with light and dark streaks or a checkerboard pattern.
Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta)	Middle intertidal. In a tidepool with a hermit crab and dog whelks, some red algae present.	Dark red coloration. Distinctive shield shaped carapace.
Aggregated Anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima)	Middle intertidal. Attached to undersides of rocks and within crevices. Clustered together in large groups.	Green body with darker green spots. Tentacles have purple tips.
Graceful Decorator Crab (Oregonia gracilis)	Middle intertidal. In tide pools. Found with hermit crabs, dog whelks, and red and brown algae.	Triangular shell. Color unknown as shell is totally covered in pieces of seaweed and sediments. Legs are fairly long.
Hairy Hermit (Pagurus hirsutlusculus)	Middle intertidal. Found in tide pools with other crabs, dog whelks, and red and brown algae.	Size about ½ inch. Reddish-brown body with a white spot on each of the walking legs.
Eel grass (Zostera marina)	Low intertidal. Sparse, isolated clumps found attached to rocks. Also found in tide pools.	Long, flat, ribbon-like blades. Light green to dark green coloration
Thatched Barnacle (Semibalanus cariosus)	Low to middle intertidal. Attached to all sides of rocks. Found where there is no rockweed (empty patches).	Larger than Balanus, roughly ¾ inch in diameter. Ribbed walls with white to dirty grey coloration.
Feather Boa Seaweed (Egregia menziesii)	Sub tidal open water and low intertidal. Mixed with other red and brown algae.	Long, strap-like stems. Densely covered with blades and elongated floats. Coloration olive to dark brown.
Blood Star (Henricia leviuscula)	Low intertidal. Attached to the side of a large boulder underneath some rockweed.	Small central disk. Long, thin arms. Coloration orange to dark red. Size roughly six inches.
Sea Cauliflower (Leathesia difformis)	Low intertidal. Small, isolated patch in rock crevice.	Spherical shape. Yellow-green coloration. Identified by student.
Dog Whelk (Nucella spp 1)	Low intertidal. Found in tide pools and crevices filled with water. Found with decorator crabs and red and brown algae.	Spiraling shell. Colors ranging from white to yellow to brown. Sizes varied but averaged one inch.
Northern Feather Duster Worm (Eudistylia vancouveri)	Low intertidal. Attached to side of large boulder in a crevice.	Light grey to brown parchment-like tubes. Animals were withdrawn into tubes and not visible.
Purple Laver (Porphyra perforata)	Sub tidal open water and low intertidal. Attached to rocks and mixed in with other red and brown algae.	Thin, wide blades with a small, disc-shaped holdfast. Coloration an iridescent purple to a purple-green.
Black Katy Chiton (Katherina tunicata)	Low intertidal. Attached to sides of rocks and within small tide pools.	Size roughly three inches. Very dark brown to black coloring. White stripe down center.
Mossy Chiton (Mopalia muscosa)	Low intertidal. Attached to sides of rocks and within small tide pools.	Size 2 ½ inches. Brown to grey coloration. Girdle has a “bushy” look to it.
Sailfin Sculpin ( Nautichthys oculofasciatus)	Low intertidal in a tide pool. Found with crabs, limpets, and red and brown algae.	Size roughly 4 inches. Brown with bands on the dorsal side. Tall dorsal fin.
Red Encrusting Sponge (Ophlitaspongia pennata)	Low intertidal. Found covering a large boulder near waters edge.	Bright red to orange color. Smooth texture.
Painted Anemone (Urticina crassicornis)	Low intertidal. Underside of large boulder.	Size roughly three inches. Column has variable patterns of red and green. Tentacles are short and thick.
Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)	Sub tidal in open water. Mixed in with other red and brown algae.	Long stalks with large floats attached. Broad, flat blades. Olive to dark brown coloration.
Sitka Periwinkle (Littorina sitkana)	Middle intertidal. Shallow, water filled crevice between two large boulders.	Very small size (1/4 inch to ½ inch). Black, roughly circular shells.

Pacific Lugworm (Abarenicola pacifica)	Middle intertidal in clay sediments. Depth roughly six inches. Look for coiled piles of castings near burrow holes.	Size roughly three inches. Green to red body.
Ghost Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis)	Middle intertidal in clay sediments. Depth roughly six inches. Burrow holes are slightly depressed and about ½ inch wide.	Size three inches. Smooth, slender body with bright orange color. One claw much larger than the other
False Mya (Cryptomya californica)	Middle intertidal in clay sediments. Depth roughly twelve inches.	Small, white, oval shell with concentric rings. Short siphon
Bent Macoma (Macoma nasuta)	Middle intertidal in clay sediments. Depth roughly twelve inches.	Size 2 ½ inches. Thin, white shell bent to the right at one end.

Black Katy Chiton (Katherina tunicata)	Low intertidal. Attached to sides of rocks and within small tide pools. Mixed in with mussels and sugar kelp.	Size roughly three inches. Very dark brown to black coloring. White stripe down center.
Purple Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)	Middle intertidal. On rocks and in tide pools. Found mixed in with mussels.	Purple or tan coloration. Random patterns of calcareous ridges on aboral side.
Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)	Low intertidal. In tide pools. In holes that they have bored into large boulders.	Globular shape. Sizes ranged from 2-4 inches. Short, purple spines roughly 1 inch long
California Mussel (Mytilus californianus)	Low intertidal. In tight clusters on large rocks within the splash zone.	Thick shells, pointed at the anterior end. Strong rounded ridges run along length of shell (although may be worn down on larger specimens). Blue to black coloration. Size ranged from 2-4 inches.
Black Turban (Tegula funebralis)	Middle intertidal. On rocks, in tide pools, and in patches of eelgrass.	Roughly 1 inch in diameter. Purple to black shell with a white or yellow top.
Goose Barnacle (Pollicepes polymerus)	Low intertidal. On tops of large boulders within the splash zone.	Tear-drop shape with a white or cream colored shell. Size from 1 to 2 inches.
Brown Barnacle (Chthamalus dalli)	Low to middle intertidal. Covering large boulders with bare patches in between clumps.	Small size (roughly ¼ inch). Tan colored shell. Cover plates form a cross.
Eel grass (Zostera marina)	Middle intertidal. In tide pools and attached to rocks in open, flat areas.	Long, flat, ribbon-like blades. Light green to dark green coloration
Surf Grass (Phyllospadix scouleri)	Low intertidal. Attached to rocks within the splash zone.	Flat, narrow blades roughly 2 feet long. Bright green coloration.
Rockweed (Fucus gardneri)	Low to high intertidal. Attached to rocks. Complete coverage in some places, others are mixed in with other algae.	Flattened branches with bladder-like objects on the ends. Coloration ranges from olive green to yellow-brown.
Sea Lettuce (Ulva fenestrata)	Middle intertidal. Attached to rocks. Mixed in with rockweed and nail brush seaweed.	Dark green color with wide, flat blades.
Nail Brush Seaweed (Endocladia muricata)	Low to middle intertidal. Attached to large rocks. Mixed in with rockweed.	Dense, stiff, “bushy” clumps. Dark red to dark brown coloration. Size roughly 2 inches high.
Giant Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)	Low to middle intertidal. In tide pools, crevices between rocks, and water filled depressions..	Column is green to olive green. Tentacles are a uniform bright emerald green.
Tide Pool Sculpin (Oligocottus maculosus)	Low intertidal. In tide pools and water filled crevices.	Size roughly 3 inches. Slender body. Reddish-brown color. Dark bands along dorsal side.
Thatched Barnacle (Semibalanus cariosus)	Low intertidal. Attached to tops of large rocks. Mixed in with other species of barnacles.	Larger than Balanus, roughly ¾ inch in diameter. Ribbed walls with white to dirty grey coloration.
Six Rayed Star (Leptasterias spp.)	Low intertidal. In tide pool underneath a rock.	Six arms. Broad at the base but tapering to blunt tips. Mottled coloring with splashes of black, grey, brown, orange or green.
Split Kelp (Laminaria setchelli)	Low Intertidal. Attached to sides of rocks within the splash zone.	Dark brown color with a large stipe. Blade is split down the middle.
Ribbed Limpet (Lottia digitalis)	Low intertidal. Attached to large rocks. Mixed in with mussels, brown barnacles, and green algae.	Size roughly 1 inch in diameter.Elongated oval shell with peak near anterior end. Prominent ribs radiate from apex. Color grey with green mottling.
Sea Moss (Cladophora spp.)	Low intertidal. Attached to rocks in moist and water filled areas.	Low mats with a filamentous shape and a bright green color.
Blood Star (Henricia leviuscula)	Low intertidal. In water filled crevice attached to side of rock. Purple sea stars and green anemones nearby.	Small central disk. Long, thin arms. Coloration orange to dark red. Size roughly six inches
Sea Cabbage (Hedophyllum sessile)	Low intertidal. Attached to side of rock in water filled crevice.	Smooth blades with a leather-like look and feel to them. Dark brown color.
Sea Cauliflower (Leathesia difformis)	Low intertidal. Small, isolated patches attached to tops of rocks. Mixed in with Nail Brush Seaweed.	Globular shaped clusters. Color varies from yellow-green to golden. Clusters roughly 1 inch high and 4 to 5 inches wide.
Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas)	Middle intertidal. Lying in open next to shallow tide pool.	Size four inches. Fluted shell. Grey-white coloration with ridges of new growth.