Category Archives: Species

Gorgonocephalus eucnemis: Basket star-The Race Rocks taxonomy

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What are basket stars ?

Basket stars are entirely marine invertebrate animals with a pentaradial symmetry. Their bodies are composed of a central disk with multitudes of arms branching dichotomously forming thousands of branchlets. The central disk can be approximately 14cm and the arms 4-5 times the length of the disk. Their colours vary between individuals and often on different parts of the body ranging from beige to almost white.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Ophiuroidea
Order 0phiurida
Suborder Euralina
Family Gorgonocephalidae
Genus Gorgonocephalus
Species eucnemis
Common Name:Basket Star

Habitat.

Can be found in rocky intertidals in areas with high high currents only (~10cm/s or more ). Juveniles typically cling to adults and on octocoral colonies ,while adults locate crevices in which to hide during day and then climb to an elevated point to feed at night.

How do they feed ,On What and When.

When feeding, they extend several of their arms into the water, the branchlets spread out like a fan, oriented so that they are more or less perpendicular to the water current. Macroscopic zooplankton including chaetognaths are caught by an array of microscopic hooks on the arms. Branchlets in the vicinity curl and wrap around captured prey forming a localized knot. Mucus extruded from glands further immobilise the prey. At some point knot-laden arms roll in towards the underside of the disk and the captured prey is transferred to the mouth. At the mouth there is a comb like structure the arms pass through to remove all the trapped prey. The prey is then ingested as the arm is redeployed. The gut is very simple and is contained entirely within the central disk hence if the disk is not puffy and inflated the star is starving.

Reproduction and feeding in Basket stars .

This is an example of a juvenile basket star, nestled into the lobes and surrounded by the polyps of the soft pink coral, Gersemia rubiformis.
G.Fletcher photos.

The sexes are separate and they spawn planktonic larvae. They can grow back their limbs if they happen to get chopped off .They also have tube feet and a water vascular system and also pedicellariae for protection. They are also filter feeders and they have a one way digestive system -meaning that the mouth performs the functions of a mouth plus those of an anus .

Who Preys on them?

Though they are cryptic and difficult to spot, they do have predators. Their main predators are fish and other invertebrates like crabs . There actually isn’t much to eat in a basket star but evidence suggests that most contents of some fish guts are basket star arms .

Biological association.They have mutualistic relations with other animals particularly sponges and Gthe soft coral, Gersemia. In such relationships, both the star and the host animal benefit. They either hide underneath the sponge (because it is poisonous and only a few animals other animals can dare touch it), or they live in canals or openings in sponges called ostia . The star thus gains protection from predators and at night it is usually seen sweeping over the surface of the sponge removing the large debris clogging the sponge and consumes it, and once again the star gains something –food. However, the sponge also benefits in that it gets cleaned whereas if it had continued clogged with debris as it was, its feeding efficiency would be reduced since it’s a filter feeder

References

www.reefs.org–(date-1/31/02) ,

Intertidal Invertebrates of California –(Robert H .Morris et.al.)

Other Members of the Phylum Echinodermata at Race Rocks 
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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.

 February-2002- Moreblessing Nkomo (Zimbabwe) (PC yr 28)

Mytilus californianus: California Mussel

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musshand2

Very old and large Mytilus californianus in the intertidal zone at Race Rocks. This is one of the advantages of long term preservation of the area as an Ecological Reserve.

The pea crab (as one can see in the picture), Fabia subquadrata is found in 1 to 3% of California mussels along the central California coast and 18% of mussels along Vancouver Island. This is a parasite that lives within the shell, because they rob food from their host and sometimes damage one of the gills. Public health codes usually prohibit the marketing or serving of parasitized animals but since the pea crab is very tasty, organisms with this crab are sometimes sold. Moreover, in a small portion of the population you can find imperfect pearls. These are of no value. http://www.lanecc.edu/science/zonation/mussel.htm (accessed 31 January 2002)

Morris, R., P. Abbott and E. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 690 pages.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Subclass Pteriomorpha
Order Mytiloida
Family Mytilidae
Genus Mytilus
Species californianus

Common Name: California mussel
Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
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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.
Simon Michaud PC Yr. 28



Pandalus danae: Coonstripe shrimp –The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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Ryan Murphy took the pictures on this page and followed up in getting the identifications sorted out between this shrimp and Pandalus stenoplepsis and verification from Greg Jensen of the University of Washigton.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The coonstripe shrimp has large eyes, a thick shell and a surface finely pitted. The color of the shrimp is transparent, milky, and has irregular stripes and spots of chocolate brown all over the body, including its antennae. The antennae are long and heavily banded. Total length of the male shrimps can become about 123mm and the females about 140mm.

HABITAT

As one of the common names suggests, the dock shrimp is often living on or by wooden wharves, in shallow water bays and inlets. The coonstripe shrimp ranges from Alaska to central California.

FEEDING

The diet of the shrimp consists mainly of amphipods, mysids and polychaete worms.

PREDATORS

Lingcods are the main predators, except for humans who exploit the shrimp in the prawn industry.

REPRODUCTION

The shrimp lives about three years. Each of the shrimps starts the life cycle as male and the first fall, breeds come. By the time the shrimp has reached its second spring, the shrimp becomes a female and breeds come fall. After that happens as a female the shrimp holds the fertilized eggs until the hatching come spring.

REFERENCES

Links:
http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/english/programs/fhiip/species/coonstrp.htm

References:
A Bibliography of Shrimps of the Family Pandalidae by J.C. Scrivener
Shrimps of the Pacific Coast of Canada by T.H. Butler
Pacific Coast Crabs and Shrimps by Gregory C. Jensen

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 written by Anna Ihle Thingnaes,  Pearson College student year 28 in January 2002

 

Phyllolithodes papillosus: Heart Crab –The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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The Heart Crab – Phyllolithodes papillosusGeneral Description:

This very distinct crab is most commonly identified by the heart shaped markings on its back, hence his common name, the Heart Crab. This triangular carapace measures from 50X60mm (female) to 90X90mm (male), and is coloured a muddy greenish brown with dark red ridges. The claws, legs and carapace are covered in prickly spines, which helps to camouflage and as a defense mechanism. The Heart Crab has three pairs of walking legs coloured dark brown and a pair of chelipeds that are dark brown with turquoise bumps. Another distinction that is evident on the Heart Crab is the two blunt horns above his eyes and a large spine between them.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animal
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Malacostraca
Order Decapoda
Family Lithodidae
Genus Phyllolithodes
Species papillosus
Common Name: Heart Crab
Habitat and Range:

The Heart Crab is rarely sighted in the open nor do they inhabit the intertidal zone, instead they prefer to live subtidally in a rocky habitat, hiding in crevices with moderate exposure and strong currents. They range along the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California inhabiting areas as deep as 183m.

Predators and Prey:

The main predator of the Heart Crab is the octopus, and the main prey of heart crabs are sponges and sea urchins, however they are observed eating other things in captivity.

Reproduction:

All mature female Heart Crabs undergo an obligate molt occuring in the spring, from March through May. At this time of molting female are held by the chelipeds of a male. After the molting is finished and the female’s exoskeleton has hardened, the couple copulate. During this a ribbon containing spermatophores is attached around the female. The fertilization occurs within hours, after this the male separates from the female. The female then incubates her eggs for almost twelve months. Eggs are layed in the late summer, August through September. Newly laid eggs are bright yellow, orange or dark red coloured which eventually dull to a muddy brown prior to hatching.

Biotic Association:

An interesting behavior observed of the Heart Crab is the form of symbiosis,commensalism, the association between two organisms when one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited. After molting, the Heart Crab takes shelter under the tentacle canopy of the snakelock anemone, as he is not harmed by this and the crab is protected,
References:Accessed Jan.25, 2001

http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/biodiversity/heartcrab.html

http://www3.bc.sypatico.ca/kerryw/creature/heart.htm

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/kodiak/photo/triangle.htm

 

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.

Cait Caines–year 28(PC)

Acmaea mitra: whitecap limpet– The Race Rocks taxonomy

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Introduction:The White Cap Limpet, very common on the British Columbia coast, is usually found on the lower zones as compared to the intertidal zones of other limpets. White cap limpets shells are white in colour amd rather thick in nature. The animal extends from 19-44cm (0.75-1.75″) in size.

The limpet, however, can only be seen as white after it is dead. When alive, it usually is covered by a pinkish coralline algae, Lithothamniom sp. which is also its main source of food. This forms an excellent comouflage. It’s predators include sea stars.

References: now defunct
http://web.mit.edu/corrina/tpool/limpets.html#whitecap
http://www.gastropods.com/shell_pages/m/Shell_Acmaea_mitra.html
taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
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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. January2002-Amardeep Kaur (PC yr. 27)

Euphausia Pacifica: Krill–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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A swarm of krill in a kelp bed. November 2006 PC Divers

Euphausia pacifica is, with Thysanoessa spinifera, the most common krill off the West coast of Vancouver Island.General description Krill are shrimp-like in appearance (Body plan of krill).The abdomen is large, and well-developed. Antennules are long, biramous and may be modified in males. Antennae are equipped with large scales. The mandibles usually have a palp and the two pairs of maxillae are small and flattened. All the thoracic legs are similar, and carry a gill formed from a typically branched epipodite and natatory setea. The last one or two pairs of legs however are often reduced or vestigial The first two pairs of pleopodes are modified as copulatory parts in males. along the British Columbia coast range up to 25 mm (1″) in length, but average 16 mm (5/8″) in length.

Habitat Krill undergo a daily or ‘diurnal’ migration, where they spend the daylight hours in the twilight depths of the ocean (~100 m or 300 feet), out of sight of their predators. As the daylight decreases, the krill rise to the surface to feed in the dark on phytoplankton. In the morning, as the sky gets brighter, the krill will return to the twilight zone. A clear day may push the krill as deep as 150 m (450 feet); on a cloudy day, the krill may be at depths of only 60 m (180 feet). Krill are not distributed evenly within a body of water; they form characteristic ‘clouds’ or patches of high biomass in some areas, whereas other areas may be devoid of krill. Euphausia pacifica is found by the Pacific ocean’s coast from the south of USA to Japan (Distribution of Euphausia pacifica).

Feeding Most krill are herbivorous, but some are omnivorous feeders. Adults migrate diurnally to the surface at night, to feed on the phytoplankton. They are exclusively filter-feeeders: water enters in a “filter” as the animal swims, and food is shoved forward to the mouth.

Reproduction Males produce spermatophores in the dilated terminal part of the sperms ducts, and transfer them to the female with the aid of the first abdominal appendages. The female stores the male’s sperm and releases it to fertilize her eggs, which appear as small bubbles in her feeding basket. Females can produce many sets of eggs (totaling more than 20 000) during the summer spawning season. Krill larvae emerge from their shells at depths of several hundred meters, where, safe from predators, they subsist on yolky materials. Eggs hatch as non-feeding nauplii and pass through protozoea, zoea, and postlarval cyrtopia stages.

Predators Their predators are mainly finfish and baleen whales (picture of krill: stomach content of Bryde whale). Krill are a large dietary proportion of many local finfish (hake, herring, rockfish, salmon) and if krill stocks should fall, finfish could be affected. Humans are also a predator. A emerging commercial krill fishery exists on the B.C. coast with a current annual limit of 500 tonnes. Krill in B.C. are harvested mainly as a feed supplement for both fish farms (gives salmon their ‘pink’ colour) and aquariums. In other areas of the world (e.g., Japan) they are also used for human consumption in limited quantities. Fresh, uncooked euphausiids have almost no taste. Frozen or dried krill develop a strong, rather discouraging flavor. They constitute the ocean’s richest source of protein and are rich in vitamins (especially vitamin A)

Biotic association Some organisms are associated with the Euphausia pacifica but it seems that few are identified. Some of the identified ones are cilliates attached to eggs of the krill, and the parasite Thalassomyces fagei that belongs to the family Ellobiopsidae (Protista (Incertae sedis))  and infests the euphausiids. The Ellopbiopsidae have been classified at various times as protistans, colorless algae, fungi, or protozoans. They are multinucleate protistans with reproductive structures outside the host (here Euphausia pacifica) and absorptive portions inside.  The organ of fixation has fine protoplasmic filaments, which are believed to absorb nutrients from the host. The parasite usually affects the maturation, molting, and growth of the Euphausia pacifica.

Traditionally, krill and other plankton have been captured with net tows. Now the use of bioacoustics allows for the detection of plankton at a much greater rate than net sampling, but does not provide any information about what species and what age classes are being sampled.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Subclass Eucarida
Order Euphausiacea
Family Euphausidae
Genus Euphausia
Species pacifica
Common Name: Krill

References
Kozloff, E. N. 1996. Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Washington, United States of America.Meglitsch, P. A. 1972. Invertebrate Zoology. 2nd edition. Oxford University Press, United States of America.Gomez Gutierrez, J. 2001.Non- identified parasite associated to Euphausia pacifica: Part I and Part
I

Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca at Race Rocks.

taxonomyiconReturn to the Race Rocks Taxonomy
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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. The original text for this file was written by Marie-Noelle Belanger-Levesque (Quec, Canada) PC Year 28

 

Cryptochiton stelleri: Gumboot Chiton

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gumbootchiton

Cryptochiton grazing on red filamentous algae.

 

Characteristics: Chitons are characterised by their eight calcareous plates that are embedded in their dorsal surface. The Gumboot Chiton is usually dark reddish-brown in colour. The tough girdle that completely overgrows the plates is bristly and leathery in texture. The chiton has a large muscular foot and feeds using the radula.

Diet: Chitons, like limpets, are grazers that feed using their rasping radula. The radula consists of two rows of sharp teeth that function by scraping algae and benthic diatoms off rock surfaces.

Reproduction: Chitons are dioecious, which means there are both male and female chitons. The male releases the sperm into the water as shown in the video above, and it is taken up by the females. Fertilised eggs are shed singly or in gelatinous strings. The eggs develop into trochophore larvae before they metamorphose into the adult chiton form.
Classification:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Polyplacophora
Order Neoloricata
Family Acanthochitonidae
Genus Cryptochiton
Species stelleri
Common Name: Gumboot Chiton

gumchiton1

In one section of the video linked below,  a very rare sequence is shown. A male Gumboot Chiton on the end of the docks at Race Rocks was shedding his gametes into the water. This was observed by our divers on several consecutive days. in the spring of 2002

This video shows the gumboot chiton in several locations at Race Rocks. Note the gills under the mantle on each side of the large foot. Of particular interest is the rare sequence taken at one meter depth in the surging water right off the docks, showing a male shedding gametes into the water.

Locomotion: Chitons have a broad and flat muscular foot which functions in adhesion as well as locomotion. Chitons move slowly and gradually by waves of muscular activity called ‘pedal waves’. The plates fuction to help them attach onto curved surfaces of the rocky intertidal zone.

Predators: The chiton’s main predator is the sea star Pisaster ochraceous, which are common on the coasts of Vancouver Island, but rare at Race Rocks and certain species of octopus.

Longevity: Gumboot chitons can live for approximately 20 years and can grow up to 30cm.

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: Sarah Mason PC yr 28

Cliona celata: Boring Sponge–Race Rocks taxonomy

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cliona

Cliona celata: This closeup image was taken by Ryan Murphy in May 2010. Clicking on the image gives a very large magnification. Clicking on the image below gives a sample of that level of magnification.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Hadromerida
Family Dysideidae, Tetilla
Genus Cliona
Species celata
Common Name: Boring sponge

Cliona celata is lobular in shape with wart like projections on it surface. This species is commonly found in colonies and the portions of the colony showing at the surface have projections appearing  as yellow in color. They are evenly distributed on the sponge and are inhalent and seive like. Below the surface, the Cliona celata shell may look like a honeycomb. Cliona celata is commonly referred to as the boring sponge because it bores into soft limestone, using an acid digestion technique thus forming systems of interconnecting chambers within the matrix of the substrate

The opened up hinge area of the Purple Hinged Rock Scallop. Calliostoma is the snail and Metridium is the anemone. G.Fletcher photo.

 

The sponge can also bore as a parasite into mollusc and barnacle shells. It is common on many of the purple hinged rock scallops that we see underwater at Race Rocks.

At Race Rocks, the boring sponge is commonly found around the Rosedale Reef area. Its exhibits a biotic association with the purple -hinge rock scallop (Hinnites giganteus ) . Below is a picture of a complete rock scallop with small yellow dots where the sponge is located.

Boring sponges are the small yellow dots on the outside of this live Rock Scallop

Boring sponges are the small yellow dots on the outside of this live Rock Scallop which measures 18 cm in diameter.

 

References: As of 2001

http://web.ucs.ubc.ca/csmecher/demospon.htm 

http://www.diveinfo.com/porifera

http://www.itsligo.ie/biomar/porifera/clicel.htm

Kozloff, Eugene.N, Keys to the Marine Invertebrates of Puget Sound, the San Juan Archipelago, and Adjacent Regions; University of Washington press, 1974.
Other Members of the Phylum Porifera 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.  Dec. 2001–Misozi Phiri PC year 27

 

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Haliacetus leucocephalus: Bald Eagle–The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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In November 2009, Ryan Murphy captured this set of images when a juvenile eagle was making his daily pass by to prey on a seabird. The juvenile california gull provides the meal for that day. Click the image to see a slide show video of this sequence..See the Eagle Set on Ryan’s Flickr site

Bald Eagles measure from 30″ to 43″ ( 76 to 109 cm) in length and from 70″ to 96″ ( 2 to 2.4 m) in wingspan. They have a high thin, chittering voice which contrasts with its magnificent appearance. Bald Eagle’s diet is primarily based on fish catching. It also eats carrion and crippled waterfowl. At Race Rocks, eagles frequently take adult Gulls and Pigeon Guillemots as can be seen in the accompanying images.

The adult Bald Eagle has a snow-white head and tail, the immature ones have brown head feathers which develop white underneath and gradually grow out over several years.
It was formerly found living all over North America. Hunting, poaching and the growth of civilization has had a negative impact in the Bald Eagle population whch has dimished considerably in the last decades. Nowadays it is found only in the Aleutians, Alaska, sections of Northern and Eastern Canada, British Columbia, Northern United States and Florida.

Its habitat is on or near seacoasts as well as close to large lakes and rivers, where the fish population is abundant. It nests in tall conifers, often old growth Douglas Fir or Cedar. Nests are common in the Southern part of Vancouver island. The closest to Race Rocks are on Bentinck Island and along Taylor Beach. The nests are renovated every year starting in January with new sticks, often ripped from tall dead fir trees. The eggs are white and come in groups of 1 to 3 each time.Its beachcombing , scavenging role, and the fact that it eats at the highest trophic level, can cause the Bald Eagle to accumulate pesticides in its body ( from contaminated fish and wildllife. ) The Bald Eagle population remains high in the rain forest coastal area of central and Northern British Columbia and Alaska.

This image comes from the slide show “Fresh Kill” It provides a closeup of an eagle whose head coloring is almost mature, but has not yet lost its dark speckling.
Reference: Miklos D. F. Uduvardy ,1977 The Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Birds, Western region., Chanticler press, fifth edition: NY

 

The nictitation membrane is a transparent inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals that closes to protect and moisten the eye. It is also called the third eyelid.
Pam captured these images of young eagles close to camera 5 in the spring of 2005 to help us demonstrate this adaptation.You can find further information about this feature at: http://ebiomedia.com/gall/eyes/protect.html

Bald Eagles in the Rain

 

 

 

 

Bad Hair Day for the Eagles

 

 

 

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. Carolina Munoz 1987

 

Haliclystus salpinx –Stalked jellyfish: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

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These animals are best desribed as “upside down” medusae, with their bell extended into a stalk which is attached, in the case of this species, mostly to surfgrass leaves. They occur from low intertidal to the subtidal littoral. They feed mostly on caprellid amphipods. Natural size up to 1cm :

 

Stalked Jellyfish Haliclystus salpinx

Stalked Jellyfish Haliclystus salpinx

Note update on Taxonomy of :STAUROZOA*

“Stauromedusae are little stalked jellyfishes that spend their entire life attached to the substrate (rock or algae, usually), rather than swimming freely up in the water column like most other jellyfish. They have long been considered to be in the Order Stauromedusae in the Class Scyphozoa of the Phylum Cnidaria, but recent morphological and molecular studies (Marques and Collins, 2004; Collins and Daly, 2005) argued convincingly that they should be elevated to a rank equal to both the Scyphozoa and Cubozoa, as the Staurozoa. For those who prefer to apply taxonomic ranks, these might now all be considered Classes, but many scientists are pulling away from the concept of tight adherence to the old hierarchies of rank, in which case just “Staurozoa” will do.” (C.Mills)

rm18910stalked

Image by Ryan Murphy of the habitat of this animal, showing attachment to eel grass. Taken at Swordfish Island at 4 metres depth.

The Haliclystus salpinx is among the order of cnidarians which the more commonly known are jelly fish. Unlike jelly fish however this family of cnidarians is not free floating but more or less fixed, and always attached to the blade of eelgrass. It occurs frequently in the eelgrass bed around Swordfish island and Emdyck Pass near Bentinck island adjacent to Race RocksIt moves on very slowly or by somersaulting itself from one plant to another. Its physiological makeup has not been studied in enough detail at the present time how ever it shares some characteristics with more documented species. The Haliclystus salpinxas can be seen by the photo appears as an upside down medusae or in common terms jelly fish with its tentacles pointing outwards. The bell of the hydroid is then attached to a stalk that is stationery on the eel grass. It is found in the tidal and intertidal zones rendering it more conducive to shallow water as opposed to deep water.

Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Staurozoa*
Order Stauromedusae
Suborder Eleutherocarpida
Family Lucernariinae
Genus Haliclystus
Species salpinx   (Clark, 1863)
COMMON NAME: Stalked Jellyfish

RANGE:

It is located most abundantly in the North Atlantic, Europe and Asia where areas are generally free external influences on rocky coasts. They are generally found in intertidal and tidal zones attached to surf grass.

REFERENCES CITED:

Mills, C.E. Internet 1999-2001. Stauromedusae: list of all valid species names. Electronic internet document available at http://faculty.washington.edu/cemills/Stauromedusae.html Published by author, web page established October 1999, last updated December 2nd 2001.

This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, volunteers and staff of Lester B. Pearson College– Dec 2001, by Sarah Gross