Category Archives: Species

Mitrocoma cellularia : jellyfish – Race Rocks Taxonomy

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mitrocoma

Mitrocoma cellularia


In this video you can see two different species of jellyfish, Solimissus marshalli and Mitrocoma cellularia. These invertebrates are part of the phylum Cnidaria which include hydroids, scyphozoan jellyfishes, sea anemones, sea pens and corals. They are constructed of 2 layers of cells-the outer covering and the inner covering of the digestive cavity. Between is a jellylike layer (mesoglea). Some cells are specialized for digesting or stinging. The jellyfish is the sexual ‘medusa stage’ of a hydroid. The hydroid medusa has a membrane (velum) that grows inward from the margin of the bell. Most of the 60 or so local jellyfishes are medusaes of hydrozoans; surprisingly very attractive, but usually very small and they often go unnoticed. These specimens were videoed by Jean-Olivier Dalphond and Damien Guihen on a sunny day of June 2001. Identification was by Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss. Anita regularly samples the waters of Race Rocks as well as nearby Eemdyck passage, Beecher Bay , Pedder Bay and Sooke harbour where the upwelling water from the Strait of Juan de Fuca often brings numerous hydroid medusae. 

From NCBI taxonomy

See this link for other hydroids:  https://www.racerocks.ca/tag/hydroid/ Link to the Race Rocks Taxonomy index

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers  of 
 Date:
2005		 Garry Fletcher

Caprella laeviuscula: Caprellid shrimp– The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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We found these Caprellids at a depth of 20 metres attached to hydroids on a Balanus nubilus. They frequently dwell amongst hydroids. The size of this individual was 3mm. These individuals were photographed using a Motic Digital Microscope at 10X magnification. Note the response to stimulation by a dull probe.

In the picture below , the current meter float which was in the water for a year, came up covered with Caprellids. See this file on the Current meter:

Look closely to see these tiny skeleton shrimp clinging to bryozoans, hydroids or algae. Their body shape and color help the shrimp to blend into their background. Their bodies are long, cylindrical and range from pale brown and green to rose. Some species can quickly change color to blend into their backgrounds.

Skeleton shrimp look like, and sometimes are called, “praying mantises of the sea.” They have two pairs of legs attached to the front end of their bodies, with three pairs of legs at the back end. The front legs form powerful “claws” for defense, grooming and capturing food. The rear legs have strong claws that grasp and hold on to algae or other surfaces. They use their antennae for filter feeding and swimming.

Diet
diatoms (microscopic plants), detritus, filtered food particles, amphipods 
Size
to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long 
Range
low intertidal zone and subtidal waters in bays,

Conservation Notes

Skeleton shrimp are abundant and live in many habitats, including the deep sea. They play an important role in the ecosystem by eating up detritus and other food particles. 

Cool Facts

Shrimp, sea anemones and surf perch prey on skeleton shrimp. The females of some skeleton shrimp species kill the male after mating. 

Skeleton shrimp use their front legs for locomotion. To move, they grasp first with those front legs and then with their back legs, in inchworm fashion. They swim by rapidly bending and straightening their bodies. 

To grow, skeleton shrimp shed their old exoskeletons and form new, larger ones. They can mate only when the female is between new, hardened exoskeletons. After mating, the female deposits her eggs in a brood pouch formed from leaflike projections on the middle part of her body. Skeleton shrimp hatch directly into juvenile adults.

Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium:
Online Field Guide http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/default.asp?hOri=1&inhab=521

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. This file was originally started by Kevin Mwenda PC Yr 31

Anthopleura xanthogrammica: Giant Green Anemone–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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rmintertidalanem

Anthopleura xanthogrammica : photo by Ryan Murphy

Physical Description: As says its name, the Giant Green Anemone is the largest green anemone. The diameter of its column can easily reach 175 mm and its height, 300 mm. The column is covered with adhesive tentacles that are short and conical. The green color of the anemone changes, from bright green to a dark greenish brown.

Global Distribution: Anthopleura xanthogrammica lives in the tide pools along the Pacific coast. It can be found from Alaska to Panama.

Habitat: The Giant Green Anemone most likely lives on the rocks of tide pools, usually not deeper than 30 m. Also, it can be found in deep channels in exposed rocky shores.

Feeding: It eats with the help of thousands of nematocysts located on its tentacles. These paralyze the prey. Usually, the Giant Green Anemone feeds on detached mussels, crabs, sea urchins and small fishes.

Predators: This anemone can be eaten by crabs and sea stars, but its most common predator is the snail, which feeds on its tentacles or its column, and the sea spider, which feeds on its column.

Reproduction: To reproduce, Anthopleura xanthogrammica releases sperm and brownish eggs. When the larvae is formed, it swims or floats for a period of time and becomes dispersed. The reproduction of the Giant Green Anemone happens in late spring and summer
.
Interesting fact: Bright sunlight makes the green color of the anemone brighter by encouraging the algae that lives in its tissue to grow. But in the shade, the algae grows weak, making the anemone less colourful and more white in color. Also, a compound from Anthopleura xanthogrammica is now used as a heart stimulant.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Subclass Zoantharia
Order Actiniaria
Family Actiniidae
Genus Anthopleura
Species xanthogrammica
Common Name: Giant Green or surf anemone

References:
Gotshall, Daniel W. Guide to marine invertebrates. Monterey : Sea Challengers, 1994.
Abbot, Donald P., Eugene C. Haderlie and Robert H. Morris. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford : Stanford University Press, 1980.
Giant Green Anemone. 1999. Monterey Bay Aquarium. 8 Nov 2005.

return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy gallery

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students , faculty, staff and volunteers of
Pearson College UWC
 Date:
2005		 by Caroline Laroche, Québec year 32

Hinnites giganteus: The purple-hinged rock scallop

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scallopnumbered

Hinnites giganteus, the purple hinged rock scallop with associated organisms,  (sponges, barnacles, hydroids etc.)

hinge

This is the “purple hinge” on an open shell of a rock scallop. It is almost obscured by the growth of other invertebrates. The yellow spots are from a parasite, the boring sponge, Cliona sp.. The white anemone is Metridium sp .The snail is Calliostoma sp.

Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca 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 2005

 

Branta bernicla: Black Brant Goose–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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inwater1

Branta bernicla Black Brant Goose

The Black brant Branta bernicla is a very unusual visitor at Race Rocks. There are only single individuals that appear, usually in late summer or fall.

Pam  Birley has sent the following images taken with the remote camera 5 which we have put into a short video:

brant-moviePam  writes:
“The dimensions of the Brant are 17″ long and 46″Wingspan, A Canada goose is given as 16″-25″L and 50-68″W (which is quite a variation)
A Glaucous gull is given as 24″L and 50″W Thayer’s  are 20″L and 55” W. So according to that the gulls are all bigger than the Brant – so perhaps the camera was not lying “
The goose continued to hang out with the Canada geese for several months.

ntblackbrantnov14

Black Brant Branta bernicla at Race Rocks see posting of November 22, 2014-for other  photos by Ecoguardian Nick Townley

Physical description
The black brant is a small goose with black head, neck, breast, tail and flight feathers. Its abdomen and tail coverts are white and the back and upper abdomen tend to be brownish-black. Its weight ranges from about 1.5 – 2.7 kilograms.

Global distribution
Black brants nest along the shores of the western Arctic, where they lay eggs in June. In mid-September the young travel to the California and Mexican coasts. The main flock flies over the sea, being seldom observed in British Columbia. There is another migration that may winter as far north as Haida Gwaii. However, the majority winters off the coast lines of Oregon, California and Mexico. The favourite stops for Black Brant Geese are Sooke Harbour, Oak Bay and Sidney Island.

Habitat

Black Brant makes a landing on the heli-pad.

Branta bernicla travel in flocks. The amount of geese in a flock varies, though usually remains at low levels. The brants are considered one of the fastest flying geese.Feeding
They feed mainly on eel grass, which is a significant part of their diet. Other marine plants are also being eaten by them, such as green algae.Reproduction
Black brant’s nests are always placed along shores, never far from the water. In June they lay 4 to 8 eggs and by mid-September the young are ready for a long journey. Immature black brants lack white neck marking and are more black at the bottom.

Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Sub-Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anserifomes
Family; Anatidae
Genus: Branta
Species: bernicla
Common Name: Black Brant Goose,also called Brent goose.

References:
1. Guiguet, C.J. (1915). The Birds of British Columbia: (6) Waterfowl. Victoria: British Columbia Provincial Museum.
2. Robbins, Chandler S., Bruun, Bertel, & Zim, Herbert S. (1966). A guide to field Identification- Birds of North America. New York: Golden Press.
3. Godfrey, E. (1986). The birds of Canada (2nd ed.). Ottawa: National Museum of Natural Sciences.
See the other posts on this website documenting Brants at Race Rocks
See the index of the Taxonomy of Race Rocks

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers  of Lester B. Pearson College  — 2005–Kamil Mika —year 32

 

Velella velella : The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Velella vellella are actually colonial hydroids, related to jellyfish and most closely related to the Portuguese Man-of-War. They occur only rarely in the waters of Race Rocks, coming in apparently with warmer Pacific currents. They were found washed up and stranded in a tide pool. The little fringe hanging on the bottom side are made up of the feeding tentacles. velella “I have only seen Velella at Race Rocks twice since 1976. This picture I took in the early 1980’s shows a ‘flotilla’ in a tidepool.” (Garry Fletcher, 2005.) hand In May of 2005, Wilfred Kroese of the Netherlands sent in this picture of a specimen he had found while touring in BC. When we informed him of the identity, he replied: “Due to your answer I was also able to find the Dutch name for it:‘bezaantje’, a name similar to one of the sails on a large sailboat. One that is attached to the rear mast.”
Velella are actually colonial hydroids, related to jellyfish and most closely related to the Portuguese Man of War. They occur only rarely in the waters of Race Rocks, coming in apparently with warmer Pacific currents. They were found washed up and stranded in a tide pool. The little fringe hanging on the bottom side are made up of the feeding tentacles. They actually use their sails to traverse the open ocean in a group, and apparently in different hemispheres their ‘sails’ are angled differently to catch the wind and go with the proper currents…( Maybe that’s where early sailors figured out how to rig a ship!)

Physical appearsance: The Velella velella as been given the common name of by-the-wind-sailor because of its semicircular sail placed in a 45° angle on the float. The float contains a series of sealed air chambers that provide its buoyancy. This part of the by-the-wind-sailor is easily recognizable by its deep blue color; it can also measure up to 10cm in length. Hanging down from the float, you can also observe short tentacles. If the wind is blowing … – North-West, South-East: the float will drift left of the wind direction – South-West, North-East: the float will drift right of the wind direction Global distribution: This organism is found all around the world, in temperate or tropical seas.

Habitat: The Velella velella lives on the surface of the open ocean. After a storm you can also found them by the coasts.

Feeding: This organism feeds on pelagic organisms,  including young fish and zooplankton. Predators: The by-the-wind-sailor has three predators: a sea slug, Fiona Pinnata; a sunfish, Mola Mola and a violet snail, Janthina Janthina. 

Mode of reproduction: the sexual reproduction and early development are little none. Interesting fact: The Velella velella is not dangerous to humans but its better if you don’t touch them. If you do, don’t touch sensible skin such as your eyes or your face because some irritation may result.

Classification:

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Hydroida
Family Velellidaea
Genus Velella
Species velella
Common Name: by-the-wind sailor

References: N. Kozloff, Eugene. Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle and London: university of Washington press, 1996 Morris, Abbott, Haderline. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1980. Velella velella. By-the-wind-sailor. 2003. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. November 10th 2005. http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Velellavelella.htm Velella Velella. 2003. National Sea Grant College Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 10th 2005.http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/sgpubs/onlinepubs/g03004.pdf “David Wrobel.” Velella Velella (Linnaeus, 1758): By-the-wind Sailor. The Jellies zone. November 10th 2005. http://jellieszone.com/velella.htm

see this link for other hydroids:  https://www.racerocks.ca/tag/hydroid/

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty,staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College
 2005  Virginie  PC year 32

 

Lottia instabilis: The Race Rocks taxonomy

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The unstable limpet measuring approximately 3-4 cm is brown on its exterior and interior. It’s saddle-shaped when turned on it edge. Its habitat at Race Rocks is on the stipes (stems) of Pterygophora always growing subtidally.Thus the uneven margin underneath. It’s range is from Alaska to California

Joel Julius PC year 31 , with the shell of the unstable limpet.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
(unranked): clade Patellogastropoda
Superfamily: Lottioidea
Family: Lottiidae
Genus: Lottia
Species: L.Instabilis

 

 

 

 

 
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.  2005-Joel Julius PC year 31.

Lottia digitalis: Finger Limpet– The Race Rocks taxonomy

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Shamsher is pointing to a cluster of Lottia digitalis in the high intertidal area by peg 5b.

the artificial tidepool, this cluster of Lottia digitalis has been in the same place, to the left of the built stone wall since the building of the pool.

Behavior: These Limpets breath by drawing water from the left site over the gills out to the right site.

Description: Limpets are basically conical but they have an off-centre peak that curves over. Dark ridges extend from the peak to the edges of the shell. They grow to about 3 cm in diameter.

previously referred to as Collisella digitalis

 

 

 

 

 

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
(unranked): clade Patellogastropoda
Superfamily: Lottioidea
Family: Lottiidae
Genus: Lottia
Species: L. digitalis
Lottia digitalis
(Rathke, 1833)
Synonyms
Collisella digitalis
Acmaea digitalis

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. March  2005- Shamsher Virk

Sebastes melanops: Black Rockfish– The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Physical description

We frequently see schools of these rockfish hanging about when we are diivng at Race Rocks. As you can see in the video, they remain at a distance as the diver swims into the group. They are a thin bass-shaped fish with few head spines. It is black, blue and black, spotted with grey or blue and grey, with black spots on the backs and dorsal fins.


Global distribution:
It lives in the ocean from the area of Amchitka Island (Auletian Islands) southeast to S. Miguel island and S. Barbara (southern California). We can find it from central California to south eastern Alaska.
Habitat:
It usually lives in mid-water or surface, but it has been captured down to 1.200 feet.
Feeding:
Young fish eat plankton and larvae, old eat mainly fish and zooplankton.

Predators:
Their predators are ling cods, sea lions and pigeon guillemots.
Reproduction:
Females are viviparous. From September to November they store the sperm before fertilizing the eggs. They let go young from January to May, peaking in February off California. One interesting fact: They live in groups of thousand of elements. They are good swimmers, in fact they can move hundred of miles.References:
Probably more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast, M. Love,
Really Big Press, II edition.

Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell: “Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest”
J.L Hart: “Pacific fishes of Canada”

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
sub phylum vertebrata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Pereciformes
Family Scorpaenidae
Genus Sebastes
Species melanops
Common Name:Black Rockfish

 

Other Members of the Class Actinopterigii  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. March 15 2005- Stefania Marchese PC, year 32 (Italy)

Name: Stefania Marchese,
PC, year 32 (Italy)

Caprella laeviuscla: Smooth skeleton shrimp

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Skeleton shrimp Caprella laeviuscula

 

We found these Caprellids at a depth of 20 metres attached to hydroids on a Balanus nubilus. They frequently dwell amongst hydroids. The size of this individual was 3mm. These individuals were photographed using a Motic Digital Microscope at 10X magnification. Note the response to stimulation when disturbed by a dull probe.

 

Garry and a Pearson College diver, stabilize the Institute of Ocean Sciences float before hauling it into the boat, This was at the end of one year of monitoring the tidal currents. From this process the Current Tables for Race Passage were developed by IOS.

This Post tells the story of the Current Meter Installation :

Look closely to see these tiny skeleton shrimp clinging to the bryozoans,The  shape and color help the shrimp to blend into their background. Their bodies are long, cylindrical and range from pale brown to green Some species can quickly change color to blend into their backgrounds.

Skeleton shrimp look like, and sometimes are called, “praying mantises of the sea.” They have two pairs of legs attached to the front end of their bodies, with three pairs of legs at the back end. The front legs form powerful “claws” for defense, grooming and capturing food. The rear legs have strong claws that grasp and hold on to algae or other surfaces. They use their antennae for filter feeding and swimming.

Diet
diatoms (microscopic plants), detritus, filtered food particles, amphipods
Size
to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long
Range
low intertidal zone and subtidal waters in bays,

Conservation Notes

Skeleton shrimp are abundant and live in many habitats, including the deep sea. They play an important role in the ecosystem by eating up detritus and other food particles.

Cool Facts

Shrimp, sea anemones and surf perch prey on skeleton shrimp. The females of some skeleton shrimp species kill the male after mating.

Skeleton shrimp use their front legs for locomotion. To move, they grasp first with those front legs and then with their back legs, in inchworm fashion. They swim by rapidly bending and straightening their bodies.

To grow, skeleton shrimp shed their old exoskeletons and form new, larger ones. They can mate only when the female is between new, hardened exoskeletons. After mating, the female deposits her eggs in a brood pouch formed from leaflike projections on the middle part of her body. Skeleton shrimp hatch directly into juvenile adults.

Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium:
Online Field Guide http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/default.asp?hOri=1&inhab=521

Also see:

http://www.nwmarinelife.com/htmlswimmers/c_laeviuscula.html

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
SubclassEumalacostraca
SuperorderPeracarida
Order Amphipoda
SuborderCaprellidea
InfraorderCaprellida
Family
Genus Caprella
Species laeviuscula
Common Name: Smooth skeleton shrimp

 

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. March 15 2005- Kevin Mwenda- Pearson College Year 31.