Category Archives: Species

Sertularia sp. :Race Rocks Taxonomy: Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss

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Stem up to 20 cm long, with the colony having the appearance of a thin bottlebrush. It is found in the same location as Tubularia regalis, the floor of the cave at Swordfish island – near Race Rocks.

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Leptothecata (=Leptomedusae)
Family Sertulariidae
Genus Sertularia
Species sp.
Common Name:

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/

Aglaophenia latirostris: Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss

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Aglaophenia latirostris . This featherlike hydroid is common, mostly subtidal , RaceRocks and Swordfish Island. Natural size to 5 cm.4aglaophenia

aglao-1

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Leptothecata (=Leptomedusae)
Family Aglaopheniidae
Genus Aglaophenia
Species latirostris (Nutting, 1900)
Common Name:

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/

Aglaophenia inconspicua : Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss

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Aglaophenia inconspicua (?) (Hydrozoa , Leptothecatae, Aglaopheniidae)

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Leptothecata (=Leptomedusae)
Family Aglaopheniidae
Genus Aglaophenia
Species inconspicua (Torrey, 1902)
Common Name:

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/

Campanularia sp. : Photomicrography of Dr. Anita Brinckmann-Voss-The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Campanularia sp. (Hydrozoa, Leptothecatae, Campanulariidae) Race Rocks, low intertidal.

61_05campanularia_sp_abieti

 

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hydrozoa
Order Leptothecata (=Leptomedusae)
Family Campanularidae
Genus Campanularia
Species sp.
Common Name:

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/

Research paper indicating possible medicinal properties: accessed July, 2014

4-Hydroxybenzoyl Derivative from the Aqueous Extract of the Hydroid Campanularia sp.

Marine Natural Products Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, U.K.
J. Nat. Prod., 2005, 68 (3), pp 453–455
DOI: 10.1021/np049666n
Publication Date (Web): February 26, 2005
Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy

A new compound, N-(4-guanidinobutyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-acetamide (1) was isolated from the aqueous extract of the hydroid Campanularia sp. Its structure was elucidated using NMR spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometric analysis. The most stable conformation was determined using molecular modeling and the results of a NOESY experiment. Although compound 1 shows structural similarities to some highly potent histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), e.g., suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) (2) and trichostatin A (TSA) (3), it does not inhibit the growth of ARP-1 cells at 100 μM concentration, a significant indication that it has no inhibitory activity to HDACs.

molformula

Katharina tunicata: The leather Chiton

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Katharina

Katharina tunicata the leather chiton

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.

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 Hameeduddin Mehri (PC yr 29)

 

 

Euphysa flammea : The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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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)

Chlamys hastata: Swimming scallop

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ah052010scallop

This image of the scallop with very bright eyes was taken by Adam Harding on a dive in June 2010

The swimming scallop is closely related to clams, oysters and cockles. Unlike some of its relatives, the swimming scallop is not sessile. The ribs of the swimming scallop are rendered rasplike by the presence of curved spines. The shell can grow up to 5 – 6 cm in height. They have beautiful, green iridescent and almost luminous eyes called ocelli that are found around the edge of the mantle in both valves. The ocelli are sensitive to light intensity and are rather complicated but do not form images. They also have sensitive tentacles that project out of the edge of the mantle.

They are usually found in subtidal areas and sometimes in shallow water. They live at depths ranging from 2 – 150 m.

Swimming scallops normally lie with their right valves against the substratum, and they may be attached periodically when they are younger by means of a byssus, a fine elastic fibre as in that secreted by mussels. Scallops are free spawning organisms. Reproduction is done through the release of sperm by males and eggs by females into the water.

Swimming scallops are filter feeders. They feed with the shell agape as it the picture above.They process water, using their ctenidia (or gills) to collect microscopic food and Oxygen from the water.

Sometimes spontaneously, and just about always when menaced by a predator, such as certain sea stars (Pisaster and Pycnopodia). They swim by a sort of jet propulsion, clapping the valves together and forcing water out through openings on both sides of the hinge. This shows in the video when the Pycnopodia is brought close to the scallop. The scallop senses the pycnopodia by a chemical sensor. The swimming scallop also swims away when there is a change in environmental conditions.

Swimming scallops are usually colonized by sponges, mostly on the left valve, that form thick coatings. The sponges provide camouflage for the scallop as well as defense against predators. The sponge’s porous nature hinders potential predators, such as sea stars from getting a good grip on the scallop, and they may also provide a repulsive chemical odor. This shows biological mutualism, where both organisms benefit in the symbiosis.

References:

Kozloff, E. N. Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast .4th Edition (1996). University of Washington Press. 539 pages.

Kozloff, E. N. Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. (1996). University of Washington Press. 370 pages.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Order Ostreoida
Sub Order Pectinina
Family Pectinidae
Genus Chlamys
Species hastata
Common Name: Swimming Scallop

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.

Victoriano de Jesus PC year 28

 

Ophlitaspongia pennata: velvety red sponge–The Race Rocks taxonomy

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The red sponge, Ophlitaspongia pennata and the nudibranch Rostanga sp. were found at a low tide in the late evening in November near the end of the docks, just beside the slipway at Race Rocks. These images are from the video below.

 

There are likely to be several types of encrusting red sponges growing in narrow crevices and on the undersides of overhanging ledges. Indeed, there are about ten intertidal species of red to orange encrusting sponges along the Pacific coast. Ophlitaspongia pennata is a beautifully coral-red form characterized, especially after drying, by starry oscula; its surface is velvety. De Laubenfels (1932) remarked that it occurs clear up to the half-tide mark (higher up than any other sponge), especially on vertical rocks under pendant seaweed, hence shaded from direct sunlight. Ophlitaspongia pennata is recorded from (Vancouver Island), British Columbia, to near Puertocitos, Baja California.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Poecilosclerida
Family Clathriidae
Subclass Ceractinomorpha
Genus Ophlitaspongia
Species pennata
Common Name Velvety Red Sponge/ Red Midtide Sponge

This type of Red Sponge can be colored bright red to almost a dull orange-red. It has a smooth and tough surface. It has holes scattered around on it: the holes are about 2 millimeters wide. Its predators are nudibranchs, snails and seastars. They feed on shrimp, crabs and many other organisms.These tiny flat red to orange colored sponges encrust vertically on rocks shaded from sunlight.Biotic Associations: Often found with a predator, Rostanga pulchra

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College February 2002 Sarah  MonsalveR.
Colombia PC Yr 28

Link to other sponge species from Race Rocks

Link to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image Gallery 

Eupentacta quinquesemita:white sea cucumber–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Here are the tentacles extended on a cluster of Eupentaca.Their bodies are hidden. Photo by Dr.A. Svoboda

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Eupentacta quinquesemita is stiff to touch due to abundant calcareous ossicles in the skin and tube feet. The body grows 4-8 cm in length. The non-retractile tube feet give it a spiky look. It has five rows of tube feet (four tube feet in width) with smooth skin between. The two ventral feeding tentacles are smaller than the other eight. This character is useful for identifying this species when only the tentacles are visible. The expanded tentacles are creamy white with tinges of yellow or pink at the bases.

Skin ossicles: numerous large, porous, ovoid bodies dominate the ossicles but among them are small, delicate baskets. The latter are important in differentiating this species from Eupentacta pseudoquinquesemita.

HABITAT

They are fairly common under the rocks and in cervices, low intertidal zone on rocky shores; common on concrete piles and marina floats in Monterey harbor, Vancouver (British Columbia) to Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo. Co). High densities of this species occur in strong currents. Juveniles (up to 1 cm) settle among hydroids and small algae in high current areas and on floating docks.

REPRODUCTION

Eupentacta quinquesemita is a suspension feeder. It spawns from late March to mid May. The female produces eggs greenish in color, 370 to 416 um diameter: the male releases sperm, and fertilization takes place in open water. The yolky egg develops into a non-feeding evenly ciliated larva. In culture, the larva grows to the armoured stage in 11 to 16.5 days.

 

PREDATORS

The predators of Eupentacta quinquesemita are: the Sun Star (Solaster stimpsoni), the Sunflower Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), the Six-armed Star (Leptasterias hexactis) and the Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus).

BIOTIC ASOCIATION

The internal parasite, Thyonicola americana, a shell-less wormlike snail, attaches elongated coils of eggs to the intestine of E. quinquesemita. The larvae are released into the intestine and probably scape through the anus. Any parasites that are ejected by evisceration perish.

FEEDING

Is by shovelling of sediment into the mouth and digesting the microfauna within. No direct feeding is required. Is omnivore.

DomainEukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
SubclassDendrochirotacea
Order Dendrochirotida
Family Sclerodactylidae
Genus Eupentacta
Species quinquesemita
Common name White sea cucumber

REFERENCES

Lambert, P. 1997. Sea Cucumbers of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound. UBC Press, British Columbia Canada. 166 pages

Morris, R., P. Abbott, and E. Haderlie.1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Standford University Press, Stanford, California. 690 pages.

Kozloff, E. 1996 . Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast. Fourth Edition. University Of Washington Press. Seattle and London. 370 pages.

 

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.

 Patricia  (PC year28)

Orthasterias koehleri: Rainbow sea star– The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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General description:

Arms radius to 21cm, gets fairly big to 50cm; disk small, with five slender arms; aboral surface bearing prominent sharp spines and a conspicuous ruff of pedicellariae, which are white; color vivid; varying from rosy pink with a gray mottling, to bright red mottled or banded with yellow, the spines whitish or lilac.

Habitat

Uncommon, on mud, sand, and kelp but occurs in the very low intertidal zone, on shaded rock surfaces. It is more common at scuba depths and extends to 250m, being found from Alaska to Southern California.

Feeding
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Asteroidea
Order Forcipulatida
Family Asteriidae
Genus Orthasterias
Species koehleri
COMMON NAME: Rainbow sea star

Orthasterias koehleri feed on small snails, limpets, clams, scallops, chiton, barnacles, and tunicates. They can dig clams out of cobbled bottoms, and use the pull of the tube feet to spread apart the outer layer of a clam shell until a small opening is made between the valves. The stomach is then inserted through the opening and the clam digested.

Reproduction

To expose the gonads in a rainbow sea star, make a 1-2 inch cut in the ray near the junction with the disk, push the digestive gland gently aside to expose the underlying gonad, then firmly grasp the gonoduct with forceps and cut it free from the gonopore. Fragments of gonad can be removed, but the cut gonad will leak gametes into the body cavity. Suture the incision or leave it to heal unsutured in clean and strongly flowing seas water. Recovery is better if the insicion is small, the digestive gland is undamaged, and all air is removed from the body cavity. This method has been used with success.

References

Intertidal Invertebrates of California, Between Pacific Tides
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.

Esrah Ugurlu (PC year 28