Daily Archives: Sunday,December 15, 2002

Larus philadelphia: Bonaparte’s gull – The Race Rocks taxonomy

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Bonaparte`s Gull is one of the smallest North American gull. The small size12″-14″( 33 cm) and light buoyant flight of They are reminiscent of terns. Wingspreads range from 24 to 63 in. (0.6-1.6 m).

Summer adults have black heads, grey mantles and white underparts and tail. The wings show white outer primaries with black trailing edges. The bill is slender and black. The legs and the feet are reddish-orange. In winter, the black head becomes white with dark round spot behind the eye. Juveniles show dark ear spot on the head. They have brown on the mantle, scapulars and sides of the breast. The tail is white with a black terminal band. The legs are pinkish. By late September, young birds have moulted into the first winter plumage, characterized by a narrow dark bar on the upper wings, a dark leading edge to the primaries, which together form an “M” across the upper surface of the wings. They lose the juvenile`s brown but retain the terminal band on the tail. In their first summer, they begin to show a dark hood, and the”M” pattern on the wings begins to fade through wear. Bonaparte`s Gull attain adult winter plumage in their second year.

They are escpecially common in late August , September and October when swarms of Krill enter the waters.

Bonaparte`s Gulls are present in Race Rocks as omnivores. They feed on insects, worms, fish, mollusks, crustaceans in Pedder Bay and in the waters from Pedder Bay out to Race Rocks. They nest as isolated pairs or in small colonies, in other parts of British Columbia
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum  Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Charadiformes
Genus Larus
Species philadelphia
Common Name: Bonaparte`s gull

Websites and references:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/BO NGUL/
Peterson Field Guides. Peterson , Roger Tory. “Western Birds”. third edition(1990) Hougthon Mifflin Press: p. 96,102

 

Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. December 2002- Giulio Esposito PC year 29

Boats in The Ecological reserve to Dec 2002

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Partial records from the old Race Rocks Log transferred to this log. GF Includes boat section and infractions section from the database,

(16, ‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 0, ‘HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 27 Ecotour boats, 8 pleasure craft and Second Nature through the reserve today.\r\nposted by Carol or Mike S at 7:05 PM\r\n’, ‘Mike’, ’15:33:14′),
(2, ‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 8, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:52:33′),
(3, ‘2002-08-13’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:55:47′),
(4, ‘2002-08-13’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 33, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:56:18′),
(5, ‘2002-08-13’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 33, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:58:47′),
(6, ‘2002-08-12’, ‘Pleasure’, 13, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:06:32′),
(7, ‘2002-08-12’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 50, ”, ‘Mike’, ’06:46:55′),
(8, ‘2002-08-11’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:13:16′),
(9, ‘2002-08-11’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:13:51′),
(10, ‘2002-08-11’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:14:14′),
(11, ‘2002-08-03’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:20:37′),
(12, ‘2002-08-03’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 21, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:20:57′),
(13, ‘2002-08-11’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Chris in Hyaku’, ‘Mike’, ’11:42:45′),
(14, ‘2002-08-09’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 34, ’34 tour boats through the reserve today, many boats toured the reserve early today in the thick fog. With visibility severely limited, many pushed too close to the islands under current regulations. As well, with so many boats and so little visibility, so’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:56:02′),
(15, ‘2002-08-15’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 23, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:02:16′),
(17, ‘2002-08-16’, ‘Fishing’, 1, ‘3 on board fishing No. ( WN 5065 LN )’, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’15:33:53′),
(18, ‘2002-08-16’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 2, ‘light day’, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’21:27:49′),
(21, ‘2002-08-23’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 25, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:56:53′),
(22, ‘2002-08-23’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:57:34′),
(23, ‘2002-08-23’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:57:58′),
(24, ‘2002-08-23’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Station Boat to Pedder Bay’, ‘Mike’, ’22:58:38′),
(25, ‘2002-08-25’, ‘Pleasure’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:06:30′),
(26, ‘2002-08-25’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 28, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:07:07′),
(27, ‘2002-08-25’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:07:24′),
(29, ‘2002-08-02’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:46:13′),
(30, ‘2002-08-02’, ‘Pleasure’, 7, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:46:41′),
(31, ‘2002-01-03’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:56:08′),
(32, ‘2002-08-04’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 53, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:51:25′),
(33, ‘2002-03-05’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ‘1 Pleasure craft through the M.P.A. today.’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:51:41′),
(34, ‘2002-08-04’, ‘Pleasure’, 13, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:51:45′),
(35, ‘2002-01-03’, ‘Diving’, 1, ‘ 1- 4 metre boat with 3 divers between Gr. Race and West Race.\r\n’, ‘Garry’, ’15:52:22′),
(36, ‘2002-03-05’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Race Rocks boat over to Parry Bay to Bring Garry over to work on the data system.’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:52:28′),
(37, ‘2002-01-03’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ”, ‘Garry’, ’15:54:01′),
(38, ‘2002-01-04’, ‘Other’, 1, ”, ‘Mike or Carol’, ’15:59:02′),
(39, ‘2001-12-24’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ’11:30 am 1 Whale Watcher Boat’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’16:01:36′),
(40, ‘2002-08-08’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 23, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:07:20′),
(41, ‘2002-08-08’, ‘Pleasure’, 4, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:07:36′),
(42, ‘2002-08-10’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 25, ”, ‘Garry’, ’16:12:51′),
(43, ‘2002-08-10’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:13:06′),
(44, ‘2002-08-10’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Marine Mammal Monitor boat in the reserve today. The station boat made a return trip to Pedder Bay and a trip to the Campus in the afternoon to return Ryan back to civilization – Thank you Ryan!\n’, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:14:15′),
(45, ‘2002-11-30’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:04:11′),
(46, ‘2002-11-30’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:04:34′),
(47, ‘2002-11-30’, ‘Diving’, 1, ‘The Juan de Fuca Warrior made morning dive along the north shore of Gr. Race and an afternoon dive off West Race. Did not observe any  interference with the wildlife.’, ‘Mike’, ’14:07:33′),
(48, ‘2002-12-01’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:09:07′),
(49, ‘2002-12-01’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:09:39′),
(50, ‘2002-12-15’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 2, ‘with the storm warnings up was surprised to see 2 tour boats come through about 11:30 -both from Springtide.’, ‘Mike’, ’11:23:11′),

‘2002-08-11′, ’18:14:00’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ’14K 29105′, ‘Unfortuately there are still sports fishers who have either not familiarized themselves with the fishing regulations or are just ignoring them but today, because the tide was too low to launch the station boat we had to call Chris to come out in the Hyaku’, ‘Mike’, ’11:33:21′),
‘2002-08-09′, ’19:19:00’, ‘Speed’, ‘Boat’, ”, ‘At a quarter to 4 one tour zodiac decided to disregard the no-wake regulation and sped past Great Race, an unfortunate incident not repeated by other tour boats today.\r\n’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:57:19′),
‘2002-08-15′, ’09:20:19’, ‘Landing’, ‘Other’, ”, ‘Coast Guard Helicopter landed near tower leading to a great disturbance of the gulls. Escaping youngsters were attacked by groups of parents . ‘, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’14:14:13′),
‘2002-08-15′, ’15:23:28’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ”, ‘hi Garry just looking at precipitation could we get it to read.\r\n”Precipitation Rain ____mm Snow ___cm  Total ____mm’, ‘Mike’, ’15:29:15′)

 

‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 0, ‘HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 27 Ecotour boats, 8 pleasure craft and Second Nature through the reserve today.\r\nposted by Carol or Mike S at 7:05 PM\r\n’, ‘Mike’, ’15:33:14′),
‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 8, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:52:33′),
‘2002-08-13’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:55:47′),
‘2002-08-13’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 33, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:56:18′),
‘2002-08-13’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 33, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:58:47′),
‘2002-08-12’, ‘Pleasure’, 13, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:06:32′),
‘2002-08-12’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 50, ”, ‘Mike’, ’06:46:55′),
‘2002-08-11’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:13:16′),
‘2002-08-11’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:13:51′),
‘2002-08-11’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:14:14′),
‘2002-08-03’, ‘Pleasure’, 9, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:20:37′),(16, ‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 0, ‘HUMAN INTERACTION: There were 27 Ecotour boats, 8 pleasure craft and Second Nature through the reserve today.\r\nposted by Carol or Mike S at 7:05 PM\r\n’, ‘Mike’, ’15:33:14′),
‘2002-08-14’, ‘Pleasure’, 8, ”, ‘Mike’, ’10:52:33′),
‘2002-08-03’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 21, ”, ‘Mike’, ’11:20:57′),
‘2002-08-11’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Chris in Hyaku’, ‘Mike’, ’11:42:45′),
‘2002-08-09’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 34, ’34 tour boats through the reserve today, many boats toured the reserve early today in the thick fog. With visibility severely limited, many pushed too close to the islands under current regulations. As well, with so many boats and so little visibility, so’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:56:02′),(1, ‘2002-08-11′, ’18:14:00’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ’14K 29105′, ‘Unfortuately there are still sports fishers who have either not familiarized themselves with the fishing regulations or are just ignoring them but today, because the tide was too low to launch the station boat we had to call Chris to come out in the Hyaku’, ‘Mike’, ’11:33:21′),
‘2002-08-09′, ’19:19:00’, ‘Speed’, ‘Boat’, ”, ‘At a quarter to 4 one tour zodiac decided to disregard the no-wake regulation and sped past Great Race, an unfortunate incident not repeated by other tour boats today.\r\n’, ‘Ryan’, ’11:57:19′),
‘2002-08-15′, ’09:20:19’, ‘Landing’, ‘Other’, ”, ‘Coast Guard Helicopter landed near tower leading to a great disturbance of the gulls. Escaping youngsters were attacked by groups of parents . ‘, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’14:14:13′),
‘2002-08-15′, ’15:23:28’, ‘Fishing’, ‘Boat’, ”, ‘hi Garry just looking at precipitation could we get it to read.\r\n”Precipitation Rain ____mm Snow ___cm  Total ____mm’, ‘Mike’, ’15:29:15′),
‘2002-08-15’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 23, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:02:16′),
‘2002-08-16’, ‘Fishing’, 1, ‘3 on board fishing No. ( WN 5065 LN )’, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’15:33:53′),
‘2002-08-16’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 2, ‘light day’, ‘Mike-Carol’, ’21:27:49′),
‘2002-08-23’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 25, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:56:53′),
‘2002-08-23’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:57:34′),
2002-08-23′, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’22:57:58′),
‘2002-08-23’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Station Boat to Pedder Bay’, ‘Mike’, ’22:58:38′),
‘2002-08-25’, ‘Pleasure’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:06:30′),
‘2002-08-25’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 28, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:07:07′),
‘2002-08-25’, ‘Diving’, 1, ”, ‘Mike’, ’23:07:24′),
‘2002-08-02’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 6, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:46:13′),
‘2002-08-02’, ‘Pleasure’, 7, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:46:41′),
‘2002-01-03’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:56:08′),
‘2002-08-04’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 53, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:51:25′),
‘2002-03-05’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ‘1 Pleasure craft through the M.P.A. today.’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:51:41′),
‘2002-08-04’, ‘Pleasure’, 13, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’15:51:45′),
‘2002-01-03’, ‘Diving’, 1, ‘ 1- 4 metre boat with 3 divers between Gr. Race and West Race.\r\n’, ‘Garry’, ’15:52:22′),
‘2002-03-05’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Race Rocks boat over to Parry Bay to Bring Garry over to work on the data system.’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:52:28′),
‘2002-01-03’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ”, ‘Garry’, ’15:54:01′),
‘2002-01-04’, ‘Other’, 1, ”, ‘Mike or Carol’, ’15:59:02′),
‘2001-12-24’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 1, ’11:30 am 1 Whale Watcher Boat’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’16:01:36′),
‘2002-08-08’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 23, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:07:20′),
‘2002-08-08’, ‘Pleasure’, 4, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:07:36′),
‘2002-08-10’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 25, ”, ‘Garry’, ’16:12:51′),
‘2002-08-10’, ‘Pleasure’, 1, ”, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:13:06′),
‘2002-08-10’, ‘Other’, 1, ‘Marine Mammal Monitor boat in the reserve today. The station boat made a return trip to Pedder Bay and a trip to the Campus in the afternoon to return Ryan back to civilization – Thank you Ryan!\n’, ‘Carol or Mike’, ’16:14:15′),
‘2002-11-30’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:04:11′),
‘2002-11-30’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:04:34′),
‘2002-11-30’, ‘Diving’, 1, ‘The Juan de Fuca Warrior made morning dive along the north shore of Gr. Race and an afternoon dive off West Race. Did not observe any  interference with the wildlife.’, ‘Mike’, ’14:07:33′),
‘2002-12-01’, ‘Pleasure’, 2, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:09:07′),
‘2002-12-01’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 3, ”, ‘Mike’, ’14:09:39′),
‘2002-12-15’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 2, ‘with the storm warnings up was surprised to see 2 tour boats come through about 11:30 -both from Springtide.’, ‘Mike’, ’11:23:11′),

‘2002-08-26’, ‘Pleasure’, 4, ”, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:56:52′),
‘2002-08-26’, ‘Eco-Tour’, 27, ”, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:57:07′),

Aphriza virgata: Surfbird–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Inset of the photo below showing the surfbirds

Inset of the photo below showing the surfbirds as winter visitors in January, 2009.

bf1009surfbirds-1

The surfbirds above seen in January 2009 on Race Rocks, are the larger of the two species shown here. The smaller birds are Rock Sandpipers. Photo by Barry Herring

rm0109surfly

Surbirds in flight. Photo by Ryan Murphy
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae
Genus Aphriza
Species virgata
Common Name: Surfbird
Below, in this photo by Barry Herring we can contrast the back coloration in flight of the Surfbird. on the left and the Black Turnstone on the right.

Below, in this photo by Barry Herring we can contrast the back coloration in flight of the Surfbird. on the left and the Black Turnstone on the right.

Return to the Race Rocks taxonomy Index

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, s staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College Dec. 2002 Claude Bajada
(PC Yr 29) Malta

Zalophus californianus: The california sea lion

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calif

California Sea Lion, note dry one on the left , wet one (black) on the right: photo G. Fletcher

DESCRIPTION:
California sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. Their color tends toward chocolate brown, although females are often a lighter golden brown. Males may reach 1,000 lbs. (more often 850 lbs.or 390 kg) and 7 feet (2.1 m) in length. Females grow to 220 lbs. (110 kg) and up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in length. They have a “dog-like” face, and around five years of age, males develop a bony bump on top of their skull called a sagittal crest. The top of a male’s head often gets lighter with age. These members of the Otariid, or walking seal, family have external ear flaps and are equipped with large flippers which they use to “walk” on land. The trained “seals” in zoos and aquaria are usually California sea lions.

In 1970 , Trevor Anderson reported to David Hancock for the Journal article “California Sea Lion as a Regular Winter Visitant off the British Columbia Coast” that ” California Sea Lions had hauled out on rocks near the light every winter since 1966…. and a peak of population of 30 was reached in February, 1969.”

It is clear that the population of these animals has risen considerably over the years, and by 2007, up to 300 may haul out in the fall of the year. ( 500 in 2015)

They tend to move out of the dock area with the winter storms which bring swells from the North East. They also haul out mixed in with the Northern or Steller’s sealion.

 

RANGE/HABITAT:

seali2sleep

Ecological Equivalents: a subspecies of california sea lion from the Galapagos Islands.

California sea lions are found from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. They breed mainly on offshore islands from southern California’s Channel Islands south to Mexico, although a few pups have been born on Año Nuevo and the Farallon Islands in central California. There is a distinct population of California sea lions at the Galapagos Islands.

 

 

We keep track of the branded sealions at Race Rocks: two links: https://www.racerocks.ca/race-rocks-animals-plants/marine-mammal-tracking/

5477-1-of-1Records of Sea Lion brands: You can  see the Ecoguardian’s notes and images of the branded sea lions in the log for 2011-2013 etc. here.

Previous photos and observations of tracking devices prior to 2011 can be seen in this linked file:

 

BREEDING

Sea lions do not pup at Race Rocks, it is strictly a winter haulout colony. Most pups are born on the outer coast to the South in June or July and weigh 13-20 lbs. (6-9 kg). They nurse for at least 5-6 months and sometimes over a year. Mothers recognize pups on crowded rookeries through smell, sight, and vocalizations. Pups also learn to recognize the vocalizations of their mothers. Breeding takes place a few weeks after birth. Males patrol territories and bark almost continuously during the breeding season. Gestation lasts about 50 weeks and lactation 5 to 12 months. The longevity is estimated to be around 17 years.

SUBSPECIES

Three subspecies are recognized: Zalophus californianus californianus (Lesson, 1828), Zalophus californianus wollebaeki (Sivertsen, 1953) and Zalophus californianus japonicus (Peters, 1866), each living in a clearly separate range. According to Rice (1998), the differences between these types justifies classification as separate species: Zalophus californianus, Zalophus wollebaeki and Zalophus japonicus

ecotourimpactsSee this link to several archived videos of marine mammals. In particular note the effect of DND blasting on the colonies.

 

 

 

FEEDING HABITS

California sea lions are opportunistic feeders and eat such things as squid, octopus, herring, rockfish, mackerel, anchovy and whiting. The California sea lion competes with the Northern Sea Lion Eumetopias jubata for habitat and food.

NOTES

sealionraft

rafting sealions

California sea lions are very social animals, and groups often rest closely packed together at favored haul-out sites on land, or float together on the ocean’s surface in “rafts.” They are sometimes seen porpoising, or jumping out of the water, presumably to speed up their swimming. Sea lions have also been seen “surfing” breaking waves.

The males are probably the most vocal of all mammals, and let out a loud incessant honking bark to protect over their territories. They are faithful to their territories, and to their harems of up to 15 females. Sea Lions swim up to 25mph which makes them one of the fastest aquatic carnivores.

Sea lions are known to damage fishing gear and steal or destroy fish in the nets. As a result a lot of California sea lions drown in nets and they are frequently shot at by commercial fishers. September, 2003 : This past few months we have seen three California and Northern Sea lions with fishing flashers hanging from their mouths. These animals pursue fishing lures , probably especially when live bait is used. They swallow the bait, and take down the meter plus length of leader line before the flasher comes to their mouth. The individuals will be seen for several days trailing these flashers. It is not known whether they eventually shed the flasher or whether this leads to an untimely death. Although they can pick up a flasher in waters at some distance from their haulouts, it certainly makes sense to restrict fishing activity when marine mammals are in the vicinity of a fishing vessel. This video shows a sea lion with a flasher in his mouth.

Sea lions are preyed upon by killer whales. Sea lions are known to have such diseases as pneumonia, caused by a parasitic lungworm, and a bacterial infection called leptospirosis, which affects their livers and kidneys.

Other problems for California sealions involve humans. Sea lions have been found illegally shot and also caught in drift or gill nets and other marine debris. However, their population is growing steadily, and California sea lions can be seen in many coastal spots.

At Race Rocks they can become a problem in the fall when they arrive in large numbers. We have to put up electric fencing to keep them from damaging the infrastructure on the island as they will crush pipes and instruments.

rmsept1411slstair-1

In the fall of 2011, the California sea lions were especially attracted up near the house in mid September . They all departed when an earthquake struck the north end of Vancouver island.

The Californian Sea lion was once killed in great numbers for their blubber which could be made into oil, and the rest would be made into dog food. Today the seal lion is protected by international treaty which has led to a positive shift in their populations.

rmuwoct11califswim

California Sea Lion underwater by Ryan Murphy Oct 2011

Unusual Events:

redtailThis unusual event involving a red-tailed hawk and a sea lion was observed in October 2003.

 

 

 

INJURIES:
RMdetail_20090823Sea lions bear the brunt of many actions by humans, many which could be avoided with more caution in driving boats through congregations of the  mammals.

 

 

 

 

flash2Fishers should bear some responsibility for the many instances of fishing flashers attached to hooks inside.

 

 

 

 

rmoct2011slneckWhen the sea lions are present in great numbers, we are always seeing individuals with entanglements, usually in the plastic hoops that fishers use for net bundles, Posts at this tag show many examples of injuries and entanglements.

 

 

 

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Pinnipedia
Family Otariidae
Genus Zalophus
Species californianus
Common Name: California Sea Lion

Other Members of the Class Mammalia at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Original by Caroline Mwaniki (PC yr. 27)

 

Pagurus hirsuitiusculus: hairy hermit crab–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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This video shows the two species, the Hairy hermit crab Pagurus hirsuitiusculus and the sponge Suberites in a commensal biotic association.

hairy-pagurus

Hairy Hermit Crab: photo by Ryan Murphy

bandedantennae

A distinguishing feature of the hairy hermit crab is te banded antennae shown in this image from the video

The specimens studied were collected at  Race Rocks in November of 2002. They were unique specimens because of their choice of home. Usually hermit crabs use the shells of snails that have died then discard them as they grow larger in place of a bigger shell. However, these Hairy Hermit Crabs had decided to become the hermit crabs of Hermit Crab Sponges.

Hermit Crab Sponges, Suberites.spp are sponges that attach themselves to a mobile animal who has a solid exoskeleton, usually a snail or crab. In the hermit crab’s case, the sponge begins to grow on their adopted home by first thinly encrusting the shells. As the sponge grows, it begins to cover the shell and can surround it completely, sometimes making locomotion difficult for the crab. Once the sponge has buried the shell inside itself, the hermit crab leaves its shell to occupy a chamber in the sponge it had hollowed out.

CLASSIFICATION:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Superfamily: Paguridea
Family: Paguridea
Genus: Pagurus
Species: hirsuitiusculus
Pagurus hirsuitiusculus
Common Name: Hairy Hermit Crab

Other Members of the Phylum Arthropoda at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams.

 

Suberites suberea: Hermit Crab Sponge–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Suberites suberea is also known as Suberites ficus .This sponge begins its life by attaching to a mollusc shell. As it grows, it overtakes the shell and eventually dissolves it. A hermit crab (Pagurus sp.) is usually found in the cavity of the sponge, but the sponge is usually quite larger than the crab itself. The sponge is hard and rubbery in texture, and is dark orange in colour. It is Found all around the intertidal and shallow subtidal areas of Race Rocks.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Hadromeridia
Family Suberitidae
Genus Suberites
Species suberea
Common Name: Hermit Crab Sponge

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students of Lester B. Pearson College Dec. 2002 Jana Morehouse Link to other sponge specimens from Race Rocks Link to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image gallery index

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers  of Lester B. Pearson College Dec. 2002 Jana Morehouse

 

Costaria costata: five- rib kelp–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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ccostata3Costaria ( latin= rib) is a brown handsome kelp often growing with Laminaria sp.. It is found around the Race Rocks shallow sub-tidal area. Costaria‘s blade is up to 2 m long and it has five midribs running its length, three on one side and two on the other. The midribs are concave on the bottom. The blade tissue, sitting between the ribs, is elaborately contorted into a system of ridges and valleys. Costaria costata is an annual. distributed from Alaska to southern California in the low intertidal and upper sub-tidal regions.This brown algae displays a range of shapes, reflecting the degree of wave exposure it encounters. In wave-exposed sites the plants are narrow and thick. their stipes are ridged and a series of regular perforations run the length of the blade. Wave-sheltered plants are broad and thin, having smooth stipes and no perforations. Transplant studies have shown these differences in morphology to be environmentally induced. For example, a plant moved from a wave-exposed locality to a sheltered are will produce new blade tissue characteristics of wave-sheltered plants. this morphological response to environmental differences is called phenotypic plasticity. In sheltered waters the blade is long and narrow while in surf waters it grows in a big, wrinkled egg shape.

Classification
Domain: Eyukarya
Kingdom: Protochtista
Division: Phaeophyta
Class: Phaeophyaceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Laminariaceae
Genus: Costaria
Species: costata
Common Name: five- rib kelp
References:
Druehl,Luis. “Pacific Seaweeds”,Harbour, Canada, 2000

Other Phaeophytes or Brown Algae at Race Rocks

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Jana Morehouse  PC 2002

 

Eagles Congregate in Winter at Race Rocks

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In January, on a planned dive off West Race Rocks, the divers had to divert to another location because of a large number of eagles on the island. They shot this clip as they went by the island. Carol Slater had counted 43 on the Rocks earlier in the day. This is typical of their peak in numbers every January. The brown juveniles and the white headed adults number fairly equally.


 

Alaria nana: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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alariadry

Alaria nana desiccating at low tide. Alaria photos by Ryan Murphy

Alaria nana
Description: The plant is olive brown to yellowish-brown in colour with a conspicuous blade(eroded at maturity), stipe, and holdfast.         The holdfast is made up of short, firm root-like structures and is 3-7cm. long, 5-8 mm. in diameter, merging into a slightly compressed rachis 2-4 cm. long. The rachis in turn merges into the blade, which is linear, tapering gradually to the apex and abruptly tothe rachis; the blade is 40-60 cm. long and 3-8 cm. wide with a conspicuous, solid percurrent midrib 4-6 mm. wide.

Habitat:           On rocks in the middle and upper intertidal zones in exposed areas.
Kingdom: Chromista
Phylum: Phaeophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Alariaceae
Genus: Alaria
Species: nana
Robert Scagel, 1972
See other Brown Algae, Phaeophytes of Race Rocks

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File
pearsonlogo2_f2The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Ryan Murphy  PC yr 26

 

Ophiodon elongatus: Ling Cod-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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LIFE HISTORY:

Spawning takes place from December to March .Females deposit their eggs in a mass under the rocks in shallow water .The eggs vary around 3.5 millimeters in diameter when water hardened and have a tough membranous shell.The newly hatched young are 7 to 10 millimeters long and have blue eyes.The yolk sac is absorbed in about 10 days .After a few weeks growth, the young fish are attracted to lights at night .Females reach 1 meter at 10 to 14 years .Male seldom exceed 1 meter in 12 years.Newly maturing females produces (60,000)100,000 to 150,000 eggs. Large females may produce as many as 500,000 eggs.

HART, J.L, Pacific Fishes of Canada, FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA. Ottawa, 1973

IMPORTANT NOTES:

-Lingcod have been over fished in British Columbia to the extent that there is now a closure on the fishing .They have been protected at Race Rocks since the fishing closure in 1990 .Divers see them frequently in water 6 to 12 meters depth.Their eggs masses appear on vertical rock walls in protected niches the adult fish patrols and defends the egg mass from predators. It will attack divers during incubation period in January and February.

 

LING COD CONSERVATION

Report from the Vancouver Aquarium on Link Cod Egg mass surveys. http://www.vanaqua.org/lingcodsurvey/

From DFO press July, 2002: “Lingcod Conservation Measures Strengthened”

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today the expansion of management measures in the recreational fishery for the protection of lingcod in the Strait of Georgia.

A 2001 Pacific Scientific Advice Review Committee (PSARC) report on lingcod confirmed that, despite a variety of conservation measures in recent years, lingcod stocks in the Strait of Georgia remain at low levels. Fisheries and Oceans Canada had delayed opening the Strait of Georgia recreational lingcod fishery pending further analysis of the PSARC information and review of additional material received from the recreational community.

After careful consideration of all the information, the Department has decided to maintain the recreational closure for lingcod fishing in the Strait of Georgia (Areas 13 to 19, and Areas 28 and 29). If a lingcod is incidentally caught in these Areas, it should then be immediately released back into the water. The recreational lingcod fishery will continue in the North Coast and on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Harvest by First Nations for food, social and ceremonial purposes will continue in the Strait of Georgia. The impact of this fishery is small.

Since 1990, the commercial lingcod fishery in the Strait of Georgia has been closed. In the recreational fishery, management measures have included an eight month winter closure (October to May) to protect nest guarding males, a size limit restriction (to allow a fish to reproduce prior to harvest), and daily and annual catch limits. However, until a sustained improvement is noted for these stocks of concern, the Department feels that additional measures are required.

Like rockfish, lingcod are believed to be fairly sedentary, livingmost of their lives in the same rocky area or subtidal reef. However, unlike rockfish, the mortality of lingcod in catch-and-release fisheries is low (less than 10 per cent).

As an important component of both the recreational and commercial groundfish fisheries, lingcod are also expected to benefit from the inshore rockfish conservation strategy that is being developedand implemented. Inshore rockfish conservation measures, such as fishing restrictions in selected areas on the coast, will assist with protecting and rebuilding both inshore rockfish and lingcod stocks. In addition, a stock assessment framework for lingcod will be developed, which will further our understanding of lingcod and their distribution.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has made a commitment to ensure the sustainability of British Columbia’s inshore rockfish and lingcod fisheries for the benefit of Canadians today and in the future. With the cooperation of all harvesters, lingcod and inshore rockfish stocks can be protected and rebuilt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region

FISH BASE reference

Dec-2002- Fariba Hussaini, (PC yr 29)

CLASSIFICATION
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterigii
Order Scorpaeniformes
Family Hexagrammidae
Subfamily Ophiodontinae
Genus Ophiodon
Species elongatus
Common Name: Lingcod