This
is a very-close-up image showing the colorful tentacles of a Giant
Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica).
The brilliant colors come not from the anemone but from microscopic
green algae that live in the tentacles of the anemone. |
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Ochre
Sea Star, also called Common Sea Star (Pisaster
ochraceus). This is the largest and most common sea star.
They are yellow, orange, brown, red, plum or purple with five
stout arms.
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This
nudibranch's common name is Shaggy
Mouse (Aeolinda
papillosa) because...well, because it looks like a mouse--before
you put your glasses on. Feeds almost exclusively on anemones
and consumes 100% of its own body weight each day. |
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 In
this photo, you can see several Ochre
Sea Stars (different colors), Giant
Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
and California Mussels (Mytilus
californianus) among other things! |
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 This
striking image features the empty shells of the Giant
Acorn Barnacle (Balanus nubilis). The
barnacle's outside plates are clearly visible. |
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 Hermissenda
Nudibranch (Hermissenda (Phidiana) crassicornis) also
called Opalescent Nudibranch, this 1-3 inch long sea slug is
bluish white with an orange line with electric blue margins
down the middle of its back and colorful white-tipped projections
all over. It is one of the most abundant nudibranchs on the
Pacific Coast. It feeds on hydroids and other invertebrates. |
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Photo
Credits:
Gary Hayes, Pelican Productions, Ochre Sea Star, anemone tentacles, Shaggy
Mouse Nudibranch, Hermissenda Nudibranch
Hugh A. Jennings, Barnacle shells
Corsi, California Academy of Science
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to HRAP's main program page |
