Gallery | Marine animals found in the algal turf
Hundreds of species of small, benthic invertebrates call the algal turf home. The handful of organisms (or the segments of their bodies) pictured in this gallery range in size from one millimeter to thirteen millimeters. The turf surrounding them is made up predominantly of coralline algae which provides them protection from predators, shelter from drying out during low tide and a food source for herbivores.
The purpose of this gallery is to demonstrate the variety of animals that can occupy the surface area of a single footstep in the intertidal zone at Bird Rock. Most of the animals have been identified by their family name. The size listed represents only the part of the animal visible in the photo. These animals were photographed live through a dissecting microscope and later returned to Bird Rock. See "About This Project" for more information.
The purpose of this gallery is to demonstrate the variety of animals that can occupy the surface area of a single footstep in the intertidal zone at Bird Rock. Most of the animals have been identified by their family name. The size listed represents only the part of the animal visible in the photo. These animals were photographed live through a dissecting microscope and later returned to Bird Rock. See "About This Project" for more information.
Caecum californicum
Of the family Caecidae
Mimulus sp.
Mimicking Crab
Of the family Epialtidae
