Category Archives: Species

Aechmophorus occidentalis: Western grebe- The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water. ( see reference below)

It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.

The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk.

Research on Foraging indicating a night-feeding pattern is presented in the research of James Clowater, See this link to his thesis.
CLASSIFICATION:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae
Genus Aechmophorus
Species occidentalis
Common Name: Western Grebe

 

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.  G. FLetcher

Telmessus cheiragonus:Helmet Crab-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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helmet crab

Telmessus cheiragonus

 

helmetventral

Telmessus cheiragonus, the helmet crab, ventral inage

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Family: Cheiragonidae
Genus Telmessus
Species cheiragonus
Common Name: Helmet crab

helmet3

Telmessus cheiragonus, Helmet crab photos by G. Fletcher

This crab shows up frequently when we are diving at Race Rocks

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.  G. Fletcher

 

Zostera marina: eel grass–The Race Rocks taxonomy

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This true sea grass, is not an algae, but a flowering plant. It does have a close relative, the other sea grass Phyllospadix scouleri which does live at Race Rocks. We have included it here because it often ends up on the small pocket beach areas as drift along marine algae and logs. So technically its energy is imported into the Race Rocks Ecosystem with the help of storms. It actually grows in shallow offshore areas in a sand sediment bottom. The closest to Race Rocks is around Bentinck Island and in Emdyck Passage

Asexual Reproduction: In the photos you can see that it grows on a sediment substrate and has creeping roots or rhizomes just below the surface. They serve as its main method of propagation. It also can produce seeds from small inconspicuous flowers. A bed of this grass may be closely related genetically as it is joined by a network of these rhizomes underground.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Zosteraceae
Genus: Zostera
Species: marina
Common Name: Eel Grass

 

Other Members of the Angiosperms 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.

 name –year (PC)

Solaster stimpsoni: Stripped Sun Star–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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This is a frame taken from the video beside. The blue color is because white light does penetrate to a depth of 8 metres, so only the parts of the picture that are illuminated from the video light show the true colors.. Note in the video how objects appear to change color when illuminated, but, they don’t actually do so. In the foreground is a broooding anemone , red with a band of babies at its girth. The pink coral is hydrocoral.

“Invertebrates at Race Rocks” is an introductory piece on a few of the invertebrate phyla. This was one of the first hinted streaming videos done by the Pearson College divers in April 2000. There is a good section on Soalaster Stimpsoni in the film. It was taken by Rowena and Shamsher on a Sony Digital camera, and edited by Hannah and Garry on a G4 Macintosh Computer using iMovie.

 

Physical Description
It has 8-12 arms, but usually it has 10 arms, which has length is about 23 cm. The diameter about 20 inches (51 cm). And the central disc about &Mac185; of total diameter. It&Mac226;s mouth just below the central disc. And, as the common sea star, it uses its tube feet which under main arms to move.

Global Distribution
This kind of sea star could be found at Bering Sea to Salt Point California (Trinidad Head, Sonoma Country, Kodiak Island and Oregon) and Pacific Northwest (Sunrise Beach and Gig Harbor).

Physical Description
It has 8-12 arms, but usually it has 10 arms, which has length is about 23 cm. The diameter about 20 inches (51 cm). And, as the common sea star, it uses its tube feet which under main arms to move.

Habitat
This sea star is possible to find at rocky bottoms but sometimes in sand or in the lowest zone.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroida
Order Spinulosida
Suborder Eugnathina
Family Solasteridae
Genus Solaster
Species stimpsoni
Common Name: Stripped Sun Star, Sun Star, Stimpson’s
Feeding
This animal is a carnivore. It usually feed at sea cucumbers (the most favorite foods), tunicates, lampshells, sea pens, brachiopods, holothurians, sea squirts and nudibranch.

Predator
The predator of this animal is Sunflower Star ( Solaster dawsoni).

Reproduction
It reproduces sexually. It is breeding from February to March. Gametes are discharge into water. The eggs then become larvae and start to metamorphosis for about 40-50 days.

Interesting Thing
It can curl its arms up over its body to take on a spherical shape. This allows it to tumble across the seafloor in the along-shore currents.

References
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Sun Sea Star Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
British Columbia Creature Page. Internet
Edmonds Discovery Programs. Internet
Gotshall Daniel (1994) Guide To Marine Invertebrates. California
King Country (1999) Sun Star &Mac246; Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
Lambert Philip (1965) Sea Star. Vancouver, Canada
Morris Robert, Donald A & Eugene H (1980) Interditial Invertebrates of California. California
Photo Gallery. Internet
Strathmann Megumi (1987) Reproduction And Development of Marine Invertebrates of The Northern Pacific Coast. Friday Harbour Laboratory
Verrill (1880) Solaster Stimpsoni. Internet
Yates Steve (1988) Marine Wildlife. Washington

 

Other Members of the Phylum Echinodermata 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.

January 2006 Winda (PC year 32)

Crossaster papposus: Rose star–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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We dont find the rose star very often when diving at Race Rocks . These sunstars are scavengers and are omnivores, ir predators of anything edible. Sunflower stars and Northern sunstars are its predators. 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Velatida
Family Solasteridae
Genus Crossaster
Species papposus,

(C. papposus Linnaeus, 1776)

Common Name: Rose Star

Other Members of the Phylum Echinodermata 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.

Garry Fletcher

Pisaster ochraceus: Purple or ochre star–The race Rocks Taxonomy

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Along the low intertidal shores of Vancouver Island, this sea star is frequently found. It is amazing however that this is the only specimen we have been able to find at RaceRocks. Since these sea stars inhabit the lower intertidal zone they are subject to strong forces by crashing waves. This single individual with a diameter of over 50 cm. has a protected niche at the inside base of the cliff in a crevice on the small intertidal island on the West side of Great Race Rocks. Its main food, Californianus mussels are abundant all around so it has probably been in this same position for more than 20 years.

The Pisaster ochraceus or ochre star as it is more commonly known can be found along the coast of the Pacific Ocean from the Baja California up to Alaska. However it is more common around the Northwest coast as it is a cold water species. Ochre stars typically have five arms and are dotted with small white blunt spines which form line patterns. The bottoms of their arms are covered in small extendable suction like feet.

The ochre star mainly eats mussels, snails, limpets, chitons, barnacles or sea urchins. By moving on top of its prey, the ochre star then opens the shell and everts its stomach onto its prey digesting it. The ochre star is also prey to birds and sea otters. The ochre star plays an important role as a keystone species. It has been noted that in areas where the ochre star has been removed, the ecological diversity has gone down.

Interestingly enough, the ochre star can withstand being out of water for an extended period of time. It is able to lose a substantial amount of water. It can also regenerate a lost arm, though this may take up to a year. Ochre stars have been known to live up to 20 years.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Forcipulatida
SuborderAsteriadina
Family Asteriidae
Genus Pisaster
Species ochraceus
Common Name: Purple or ochre star

References:
http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/projects/rocky/oochstar.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pisaster_ochraceus.html

Other Members of the Phylum Echinodermata 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.    Alex Chan  ( PC year 31)

Plantago maritima, Goose tongue–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Jen pointing to the plantain near the docks

Seaside plantain is a perennial growing to 0.2m. . The flowers are
hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by
Wind. The plant is self-fertile.The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils
and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and
basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the
shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime
exposure.It grows on the rocks at Race Rocks where the soil is well drained and
dry. It is exposed to the sea spray and so it can tolerate changes in
salinity.
It is used is a laxative – Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage
which swells up in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing
irritated membranes. Sometimes the seed husks are used without the seeds.The young leaves are edible leaves raw or cooked.Reference:
http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=529711

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Plantago+decipiens&CAN=LATIND

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Plantae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta
Superdivision Spermatophyta
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Asteridae
Order Plantaginales
Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Plantago
Species maritima ssp. juncoides
Common Name: goose tongue

Other Members of the Angiosperms 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.

 Jennifer Davies PC Yr 30

Desmarestia herbacea: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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desm

Desmarestia herbacea at the base of a Laminarian Photo by Ryan Murphy

Desmarestia herbaceaPhylum: Phaeophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Desmarestiales
Family: Desmarestiaceae
Desmarestia herbacea (Lamouroux)

Description:  This plant is erect, up to 2m. high, flattened, 1-2 cm. wide, tapering abruptly to a short cylindrical stipe with a discoid holdfast.   The plant has 3-4 orders of branches from a percurrent axis; branching opposite; base of branch esstipitate.  The main axis and branches have a conspicuous thick percurrent midrib, and branch apices are densely clothed with acute hairs.

Habitat:  On rocks in the lower intertidal zone and upper subtidal zones.

Pacific Coast Distribution:  Alaska to Mexico. Robert Scagel, 1972
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. —–——- PC yr 31

 

Hemigrapsus oregonensis: Shore crab-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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hemigrap?

Hemigrapasus oregonensis photo by Anne Stewart. In log

Physical description:
Hemigrapsus oregonensis (Beige shore crab) has dull olive-coloured hairs on its legs and it is lack of reddish spots on the claws. The legs have abundant setae and the chelipeds have no purple spots, but have yellow or white on the tips. There are 3 teeth on the anterolateral margin of the carapace. It has a carapace width ranging up to 34.7mm for males and 29.1 mm for females. It is usually dark or grayish green in color, but white or mottled patterns are common, especially among juveniles. It also has a four-lobed anterior margin.

Global Distribution:
Hemigrapsus oregonensis occurs from the high to low intertidal zones of bays and estuaries from Resurrection Bay (Alaska) to Bahia de Todos Santos (Baja California).

Habitat:
It is most commonly found under rocks, throughout the intertidal zone. They live on open mud flats and in mats of the green alga Enteromorpha and beds of the eelgrass Zostera. It can also be found in rocky habitats within estuaries, gravel shores and in estuaries where it constructs burrows in mud banks. Generally, it prefers more protected and slow water current area. Hemigrapsus nudus always stay together with Hemigrapsus oregonensis.

Feeding:
Hemigrapsus oregonensis feeds mainly at night. The diet of it consists primarily of diatoms, sea lettuce and green algae, but occasionally includes meat if it is available. It scraps up diatoms and crop algae. It also preys on a wide range of small invertebrates, scavenges if it is possible. It can filter-feed by using its third maxillipeds.

Predators:
Predators include shorebirds and Carcinus maenas. A type of red ribbon worm is also a predator of the eggs of Hemigrapsus oregonensis. .

Reproduction:
In northern waters ovigerous females are seen from February to September. The number of eggs carried by the female is ranged from 100 to 11,000 (with an average number of 4,500). Hatching occurs from May to July with one pre-zoeal stage occurring inside the egg. Planktonic larvae develop through five post-hatching zoeal stages. The larvae typically spend five weeks in the plankton.
In August some females produce a second brood which hatches in September. Time from egg deposition to adult recruitment is variable and depends on several factors: the quantity and quality of food available, water temperature and salinity. Altogether it takes about 8-13 weeks for a brood to hatch, metamorphose and be recruiting into the adult population.

oregonshorecrab

Oregon Shore crab G.Fletcher photo

Scientific Classification
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Order Decapoda
Family Grapsidae
Genus Hemigrapsus
Species oregonensis
Common Name: shore crab

Sea otters, currently abundant in Elkhorn Slough and only historically abundant in more northern bays, are limiting Hemigrapsus oregonensis populations. One paradigm in the study of exotic species is that healthy ecosystems, with a full complement of native species, are more difficult to invade than modified systems. In this case, sea otters may be eating the introduced species, as evidenced by Hemigrapsus oregonensis parts in recent scat analyses. While the current West Coast range for Hemigrapsus oregonensis is Morro Bay, California to Barkley Sound, British Columbia, studies at Elkhorn Slough may change how scientists and resource managers predict the impacts of introduced marine species.”

References:(accessed 2005)
http://oregonstate.edu/~yamadas/crab/ch9.htm
http://people.wwc.edu/staff/cowlda/KeyToSpecies/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda/
Brachyura/Family_Grapsidae/Hemigrapsus_oregonensis.html
http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/intertidal/arthropod.html
http://www.nwmarinelife.com/htmlswimmers/h_oregonensis.html
http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/Discovery_Programs%20Website/Crustaceans.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~yamadas/crab/ch5.htm

Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest by Eugene N. Kozloff

by Student  Karyn Wong, PC yr 32 -2005
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.

Corallina officianalis: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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geniculatecor1

Corallina officianalis – all photos by Ryan Murphy

Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Cryptonemiales
Family: Corallinaceae
Corallina officinalis (L.)

geniculate corallinacostaria

Description: This plant is erect, 4-6 cm. high, dark pink in colour, arising from an encrusting basal layer attached securely to the substrate. The erect portion is a branched system of jointed segments. The segments below are cylindrical, about 0.75 mm. diameter; above slightly cgracilis2compressed and about 1 mm. broad. The axes are clothed with narrower short lateral branchlets that shorten to the apex. Branching pattern gives the plant a clumpy appearance.

Habitat: On rocks in the lower intertidal and upper subtidal zones and in tide-pools.

 

Pacific Coast Distribution: Alaska to Mexico.

 
Other Rhodophytes or Red 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. Ryan Murphy PC yr 26