Spectacular Swordfish Island

Abigail and Annie measuring dimensions

Erik measuring temperature and salinity

Matias and Erik measuring

Matilda and Millie observing

Matilda

D block marine scientists were very fortunate to get to Swordfish Island yesterday to do a tidepool study. In addition to measuring the dimensions of two tidepools, they compared temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen of high and low tidepools. Students also made species lists for both of the tidepools they were examining.

We did expand our exploration beyond tidepools because this is such a stunning place. Here are a few of the spectacular marine species:

New bull kelp in intertidal zone

Giant green anemone with barnacle molts

Striped sun star with commensal worm

Leather chitons and channeled dogwinkle with egg capsules

Six armed sea star

And two terrestrial species:

Camas

Succulents

So beautiful!

East Sooke Park – March 2013

First year marine scientists travelled to East Sooke Park during block week (D block on 5 March and B block on 6 March) where they explored the intertidal zone.  We saw many amazing creatures and seaweeds, including:

Spawning Nucella lamellosa with an interloping N. canaliculata on the far right.

More spawning Nucella lamellosa

Lacuna egg masses

The dwarf mottled blood star, Henricia pumila & eggs (the bright orange goo to the right of the black leather chiton, Katharina tunicata). I have not seen these eggs before and was very interested to learn that this species has only recently been described (2010) and it broods its eggs, unlike other Henricia species which are broadcast spawners.

Amit with another species of Henricia.

This nemertean Cerebratulus californiensis was crawling on the sandy beach when Alba spotted it.  Alba certainly has an eye for worms – she also spotted the nereid worm pictured below.

The worm (Nereis vexillosa) did show off its big black jaws (but not in this photo unfortunately).

Lucas found this striped sun star, Solaster stimpsoni,  which did have a commensal worm…

 

Solaster stimpsoni and its commensal scale worm,  Arctonoe vittata (seen to the right of sea star’s mouth).

Kiera found a pair of six armed stars (Leptasterias hexactis).

And Griffin found a sea leopard, Dialula sandiegensis.

The sea leopard, Dialula sandiegensis.

The brooding anemone, Epiactis prolifera, one with no offspring and the other (on the right) with many offspring!

A well camouflaged decorator crab…

…not so well camouflaged on Marc’s hand.

Mastocarpus sp. and Ulva lactuca.

Periwinkles (Littorina sitkana) in the crack of a boulder

Students had a wonderful time on Wednesday, despite the wet weather!

It only drizzled on Tuesday, but Steph still managed to get quite wet – she filled her boots!

Here is a fairly complete species list from the two days at East Sooke Park:

Haliclona sp., Halichondria panicea, Ophlitospongia pennata

Anthopleura elegantissima, Urticina crassicornis, and other Urticina spp.

Cerbratulus californienesis

Eudistylia vancouveri, Nereis vexillosa

Mopalia muscosa, Katharina tunicata, Mytilus californiensis, Diadora aspera  (with commensal worm), Littorina sitkana, Nucella ostrina, Nucella lamellosa, Nucella canaliculata, Archidoris montereyensis, Dialula sandiegensis (and egg mass)

Pollicipes polymerus, Balanus glandula, Semibalanus cariosus, Chthamalus dalli, Idotea wosnesenskii, Hemigrapsus nudus, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, Petrolisthes sp., Decorator crab, Pagurus hirsutiusculus, Pugettia producta, Cancer productus (juvenile), Cancer oregonensis

Pycnopodia helianthoides, Pisaster ochraceus, Evasterias troschelii, Henricia pumila (with eggs), and other Henricia spp., Lepasterias hexactis

Oligocottus maculosus, Gobiesox meandricus, Gunnels (one guarding eggs)

Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Acrosiphonia coalita, Codium fragile

Hedophyllum sessile, Fucus gardeneri, Nereocystis luetkeana, Macrocystis integrifolia (drift)

Mazaella sp., Corallina vancouverensis, Bossiella sp., Lithothamnion sp., Odonthalia floccosa, Endocladia muricata, Prionitis lanceolata