For the last 24 years, the first year environmental systems students have had their final term exam at Race Rocks. In May of 2002, Laura Verhegge continued the tradition with her two classes. They endured the west wind and went through the six stations of the exam. In this video the students and Laura provide the commentary about the investigations.
Category Archives: ER Warden Report
Northern Sea Lion , (Steller Sea lion)
Several hundred Northern Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubata, formerly known as “Steller’s Sea Lion” visit Race Rocks in the winter months. They are now on the Endangered Species list as their numbers in the Northern Pacific have declined significantly in recent years. “I got this clip on a calm day when the swells were breaking on the islands and the sea lions were hauled out in a sheltered area just below the tower. By creeping up slowly on the ground, I was able to look down on them from a few meters distance without disruption. In this way, some of the normal patterns of behaviour can be observed. Note that there are a few Californian sea lions mixed in with this group and the occasional barking sound comes from them. The low growls are from the Northern Sea Lions.” (GF)
See other images of the Northern Sea Lion in the Race Rocks Taxonomy
Albinism in The California Sea Cucumber
The Sea Cucumber Parastichopus californicus is normally a reddish-orange to brown color, although there is also a beige color phase with dark brown spots.( leucistic). In the past year, 2 of these white variants have shown up near Race Rocks
Hybocodon prolifera : Race Rocks Taxonomy: Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss
Medusa of Hybocodon prolifer. Although this medusa was collected elsewhere (off Malcolm Island, B.C.) the hydroid ofHybocodon prolifer is common in Race Rocks in deep tidal pools and subtidal. Medusa production is in Winter until March in Race Rocks water temperatures. The medusa buds hydroids from its one tentacle and eggs from the manubrium. (see picture below with medusa budding )
This hydroid grows in low tide pools, and subtidal on various substrates as large barnacles and rock scallops. The medusae bud in late winter. Without medusae, they are difficult to distinguish from Ectopleura (former Tubularia) hydroids.
The medusa of Hybocodon sp.
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by Lester B. Pearson College and local scientists. Copyrighted 1999–All Images on this page are the property of: Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss. .They can not be used or modified without her written permission.
See this link for other hydroids: https://www.racerocks.ca/tag/hydroid/
Tubularia regalis: Race Rocks Taxonomy
Tubularia regalis Boeck, 1860 (family Tubulariidae).
This large Tubularia with a stem up to 20 cm was originally described from Northern Norway. It was later found to be a circumpolar species, with records from Greenland , Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk. The present record from Swordfish Island, Juan de Fuca Strait, is the most southern record of this species, and the first from the Canadian Pacific coast.The stems of this species are often host to other hydroid species.
This clip profiles the Pearson College Divers and the invertebrates of a cave on an island a kilometer from Race Rocks. The hydroid species, Tubularia sp. shown near the end of the video is a rare species, which according to Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss has so far been found in only two locations; here and in Norway. Note it is growing in association with colonial ascidians. We have observed this species here over the last twenty years. It is very limited in distribution, with no more than one or two polyps appearing at any one time. It’s height is 15 cm. Video taken by Pearson College Divers, edited by GF.
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- Tubularia regalis
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- This photo is by Dr.A.Svoboda
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Class | Hydrozoa |
| Order | Anthoathecatae |
| Family | Tubulariidae |
| Genus | Tubularia |
| species | regalis, Brook 1860 |
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by Lester B. Pearson College and local scientists. Copyrighted 1999–All Images on this page are the property of: Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss. . They can not be used or modified without her written permission.
Rhysia fletcheri: Race Rocks Taxonomy: Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss
Rhysia fletcheri(female polyps above) is a new species of colonial atheccate hydroid described by Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss from samples collected at Race Rocks and Friday harbour.
Rhysia fletcheri male polyps
Rhysia fletcheri differs from Rhysia autumnalis and Rhysia halecii in the gastrozooid having distinctive cnidocyst clusters on its hypostome and few, thick tentacles. Most of its female gonozooids have no tentacles. Colonies of R. fletcheri are without dactylozooids. The majority of R. fletcheri colonies are found growing on large barnacles or among the hydrorhiza of large thecate hydrozoans. Rhysia fletcheri occurs in relatively sheltered waters of the San Juan Islands and on the exposed rocky coast of southern Vancouver Island.
For the COMPLETE TEXT OF THE PAPER DESCRIBING THIS SPECIES see:BRINCKMANN-VOSS, A., LICKEY, D. M., and MILLS C. E. 1993. Rhysia,fletcheri(Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Rhysiidae), a new species of colonial hydroid from Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada) and the San Juan Archipelago (Washington, U.S.A.). Can. J. Zool. 71: 401-406.
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Class | Hydrozoa |
| Subclass | Leptolida |
| Order | Anthoathecatae |
| Family | Rhysiidae |
| Genus | Rhysia |
| Species | fletcheri |
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by Lester B. Pearson College and local scientists. Copyrighted 1999–All Images on this page are the property of: Dr. Anita Brinckmann- Voss..They can not be used or modified without her written permission.
See this link for other hydroids: https://www.racerocks.ca/tag/hydroid/
Tidepool Lab on a Windy Day at Race Rocks
In April of each year we begin to get tides that are low enough for intertidal research. This video starts with students measuring temperature and salinity in tidepool #4 , then collecting “harpacticoids ” in tidepool #10, then doing further measurements in the new artificial pool #13. The wind was blowing at West 25 kn., but it didn’t deter our class!
Katharina tunicata: The leather Chiton
Katharina tunicata the leather chiton
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- The side view of a Kathariina tunicatachiton
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- the ventral side showing the foot and mantle. compared with the ventral side of a limpet.
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- The inside view of a leather chiton after the soft partshave been eaten by an Oystercatcher.
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- Chiton shells where black oystercatchers deposit the remains.
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- Habitat of Katharina exposed at low tide.
The black oystercatcher is the main predator of the leather chitons. at Race Rocks. We find chitons occuring abundantly in the lower intertidal zone . In the picture above they are located above a small cave in the intertidal zone on the West shore of Great Race. In order to withstand the heavy impact of waves and swell, they are able to clamp onto the rock tightly.
Description:
Chitons are marine molluscs with oval shapes and shells divided into eight dorsal plates. The chiton Katharina lives in the medium intertidal region at Race Rocks. It is very abundant on the north and west shores of Great Race Rock.
Color:
Body to 12 cm long, elongate-oval ; all chevron-shaped shells are deeply embedded in girdle, exposed only in mid-dorsal area. The interior of valves is whiteas visible above. The girdle is thick and shiny, like black leather.
Life history:
Katharina feed on brown and red algae and on benthic diatoms which it rasps from the rocks. Young animals isolated in pools grow to a length of 15 mm in 1 year and 55 mm in 3 years. They reach sexual maturity at a weight of 4 gms (33-36mm). Spawning takes place from March to July depending on latitude, with the later spawning occuring in colder regions. The eggs are green and the life span seems to be about 3 years.
Classification:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Polyplacophora
Genus Katharina
Species tunicata
Common name: Leather Chiton
Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca at Race Rocks.
 Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomyand Image File |
 The 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 Hameeduddin Mehri (PC yr 29) |
Euphysa flammea : The Race Rocks Taxonomy
Indentification
1. The Bell is anywhere up to 12mm tall with 4 radial canals
2. Usually have 4 rounded tentacle bulbs with 1-4 tentacles (may be different lengths); without occelli
3. Tubular manubrium
4. Gonad completely encircles manubrium.
Bell transparent
manubrium, tentacle bulbs and tentacles often have a scarlet pigment, but may be white, yellow, or orangeish.
Natural History:
Seen nearly any month of the year, but it is uncommon in many localities such as Race Rocks. There are several present along the west coast, in both shallow and deep water. The first sighting of this species was made by student divers from Pearson College in June 2002. This has been the only sighting and it remains uncommon in the vicinity of Race Rocks. it was sighted in the summer along the sea floor in relatively shallow water. Although an immediate identification was not made, but identified later on by Dr. Anita Brinckman Voss.
Range: California to the Bering Sea, sighted at Race Rocks
Classification:
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Class | Hydrozoa |
| Subclass | Hydromedusae |
| Order | Anthomedusae |
| Family | Euphsidae |
| Genus | Euphysa |
| Species | Euphysa flammea |
| Common Name: | none |
References: “Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates” by David Wrobel and Claudia Mills
| This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty,staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College | Dec. 2002 | Adrian Thorogood (PC yr29) |
Mussel Mariculture Lab
PURPOSE: This lab enables you to experience in a small way the process of mariculture, involving everything from planning, experimentation, siting and the economics of the process. It will further give you a chance to review some of the concepts you have studied in the course.
OBJECTIVES: After doing this lab, students will be able to:
a) Understand the elements of costs involved in food production.
b) Relate to the problems of fouling, predation, parasitism and environmental impact.
c) Electronically and statistically document and analyze your findings.
d) Prepare an individual report on the process you have encountered .
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- Environmental Systems Student with tray ready to be photographed.
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- Note ruler for measurement
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- Fouling growth on baskets after 2 months
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- Inspection of suspended tray at the college docks.
PROCEDURE:
1. In groups of 3 or 4 discuss the objectives and procedure to be sure you clearly understand them. Question the teacher where necessary, and record the process you are going through at each step.
2. Make an initial attempt to define the roles of the group, but revisit them periodically to be sure that one person is not being left with the bulk of the work. Record this as well. You should also be sure that everyone involved understands each step of the process rather than overspecializing.
3. Since the goal is to produce a model of a mariculture setup, with all it’s inherent problems and achievements, you will be given some basic parameters to work with but must plan what is necessary to achieve the goals.
4. All costs are in an arbitrary currency we will call mussel dollars.
The present value of ten mussel dollars ($10m) can be equated to what the current cost of a Kilogram of mussels is in the marketplace
Lease cost of equipment :
| Cage and equipment: $m1.00 | Lease Space: $m1.00/mo | Seed Stock:$m1.00/doz |
| Computer rental $m.50/hr | Labor Cost:$m1.00/hr | Lab space Costs: $m.50/hr |
| Franchise cost: $m10.00 | Insurance costs$m1.00/mo. |
5. You will be given one month to complete the project (Apr1). You will be responsible for progress reports every two weeks to the teacher (Your company is a subsidiary of that of the teacher called mothermussel.com.) (using the media of your choice ) .
6. A record of the initial size of your mussels should be done using the scanner. Be sure to ask for help on how to do this, as a transparent sheet has to be used . This will become an important record for future calculations. Alternately, you can use the digital camera with the ruler included for a photographic record.
7. You will be required to include in your final report, a calculation of wet and dry biomass, and if possible, an energy conversion for your data.
8. Since this is not a full scale operation you are doing, you should devote a section of your analysis to the scaling-up conversions.
9. Be careful, Mussel mariculture has inherent risks: Be sure to list all of these in your analysis!!
10. Each one of you must do research on the internet and in the library ( see the mariculture magazines, eg.Aquaculture North America to find out the global picture on mussel mariculture. In your final report, answer such questions as : Where and to what extent does mussel mariculture take place? How important is mussel production for human consumption on a world basis in comparison to other protein sources. Is there an environmental impact associated with this industry.
OPTIONAL: Use software such as ” NIH Image ” to measure the surface area of each individual mussel for growth comparisons.