Phylum Arthropoda Phylum Mollusca Other Phyla Acorn Barnacle Balanus glandulus Yellow-Green Encrusting Sponge Blue Mussel Mytilus trossulus ~ 6 smooth plated sides Halichondria panicea Phylum Porifera ~ smooth shell with growth lines ~ diameter usually less than 1.5 cm ~ simplest multi-cellular organism ~ attaches to rocks with byssal threads ~ stays moist by staying closed ~ no organs; body acts as a filter for ~ a favorite food of sea stars feeding ~ opens up and feeds when under water Calcareous Tube Worm Thatched Barnacle Semibalanus cariosus Seaslug Nudibranch Phylum Annelida ~ 6 wall plates composed of vertical ~ Latin: nudus, naked + brankhia, gills ~ tubes formed from calcium tube-like ribs giving a thatched look ~ breaths through feathery gills carbonate found in sea water ~ eats by kicking food into its mouth ~ sheds its shell after its larval stage ~ crown serves the dual purpose of ~ lives up to 15 years respiration and filter feeding Black Katy Chiton Katharina tunicata Beach Hopper Traskorchestia traskiana ~ has 8 shell plates Clam Worm Nereis vexillosa ~ sometimes called sand fleas ~ butterfly-shaped plates are often left Phylum Annelida ~ length less than 1.8 cm by birds in the woods ~ can grow to 30 cm ~ has 14 legs and looks like a shrimp ~ a food source for native Alaskans ~ secretes an acid that it uses to ~ found at high tide line under algae burrow through clam shells Isopod Idotea spp. Shield Limpet Collisella pelta ~ important food source for birds ~ various species ~ snail with a cone-shaped shell Gunnels and Pricklebacks ~ 1.5 cm, flattened body ~ uses a muscular foot to attach to rocks Phylum Chordata ~ lives under rocks ~ rasps food from rocks with file-like ~ many members of these two ~ scavenger tongue called a radula families look similar ~ lives under rocks Hermit Crab Pagurus spp. Sitka Periwinkle Littorina sitkana ~ 28 Species in Alaska ~ round spiral shell, up to 1.5 cm long Tide Pool Sculpin Oligocottus maculosus ~ lives in a snail shell for protection ~ most are brown or gray Phylum Chordata ~ fight among selves for food and shells ~ some have lighter bands ~ big head and tapering body ~ large pectoral fins ~ not true crabs Snails and Welks ~ can change color to blend in Graceful Kelp Crab Pugettia gracilis ~ protected by a hard calcium shell Sea Anemone ~ carapace resembles a sheriff’s badge ~ has plume-like gills and eyes on tentacles Phylum Cnidaria ~ length about 5 cm ~ has a single muscular foot with a cover called an operculum ~ cylindrical shape with an oral disk at the top ~ found living on and eating kelp which protects it from predators and water loss ~ tentacles have stinging cells called nematocysts ~ often attaches kelp to carapace ~ tentacles fold in to capture prey Pygmy Rock Crab Cancer oregonensis ~ heavy-looking, claws have black tips Frilled File ~ adults are reddish brown Hairy Triton Dire Welk ~ legs covered with small hairs ` Dogwinkle Dogwinkle Fusitriton Nucella Lirabuccinum ~ up to 5 cm wide Nucella lima oregonensis lamellosa dirum Christmas Burrowing Rose Urticina crassicornis Anthopleura artemisia Urticina piscivora Marine Algae Phylum Echinodermata Sea Lettuce Ulva spp. Green Sea Urchin Stronglocentrotus droebachiensis ~ at least 11 different species Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park ~ thin, transparent blade consisting of ~ can be red, purple, green or white two cell layers ~ has 5 teeth operated by a jaw structure called an Aristotle’s lantern ~ edible Guide to Marine Life Sea Star Black Pine Algae Neorhodomela larix ~ Class Asteroidea ~ color is brownish-black to black ~ has a water vascular system ~ looks like “dreadlocks” that operates its tube feet ~ often has Sea Cauliflower attached Common Star Rainbow Star Pisaster ochraceus ~ can regenerate lost limbs Orthasterias koehleri Sea Sac Halosaccion glandiforme ~ sometimes called “deadman’s fingers” ~ water-filled sacs make good squirt guns when gently squeezed Blood Star Six-Rayed Star Sunflower Star Mottled Star Henricia leviuscula Leptasterias hexactis Pycnopodia helianthoides Evasterias troschelii Crustose Corallines Clathromorphum, Lithothamnion, Melobesia, and Mesophyllum Intertidal Zone The intertidal zone is the area between the ~ exact species hard to identify highest high tide and the lowest low tide of the year. It is broken up into zones based upon vertical height and tide ~ calcium carbonate in cell walls ~ contain chlorophyll coverage. Intertidal animals are adapted to life in specific ~ are photosynthetic zones. Zone One The splash zone of life extends from the highest splash of Sea Cauliflower Leathesia marina ocean spray and storm waves to the average of all high tides. Most of ~ thick, convoluted outer layer these organisms are land dwellers that can withstand exposure to - ~ very slimy when torn salt water and air that can dry them out. ~ often attaches to Black Pine Algae Zone Two The high intertidal zone extends from the average high tide mark to mean sea level. Most of the animals of Zone Two are Rock Weed or Pop Weed Fucus distichus accustomed to tolerating air exposure. ~ can reach lengths of 25 cm Zone Three This zone is below mean sea level. It is uncovered by ~ fronds have air bladders on tips that most low tides and covered by most high tides. There are a variety contain reproductive structures of different habitats in this zone. ~ provides shelter for other organisms Zone Four This zone is only uncovered during minus tides. Only a few animals are exposed to wave action, sun and wind. This zone Bull Kelp Nereocysitis luetkeana has the greatest diversity of intertidal life. ~ holdfast attaches alga to ocean floor ~ stalk ends in round bulb-shaped float Images and documentation compiled for ~ bulb has flat blades attached Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park by volunteers, Nancy & Melissa Meitle, Summer 2011. ~ bulb used for containers by native This document is available at http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kodiak/ftaber.htm Alaskans .