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Species
Invertebrates
Learn more about the invertebrates monitored by the LiMPETS program. The list below includes:
- 17 core taxa that are monitored at as many sites as possible
- 5 other taxa (denoted with *) that are monitored at only one or two sites
Go to Datasheets and Forms to find out which species are monitored at your LiMPETS site of interest.
- Abalone – Haliotis cracherodii
- Aggregating anemone – Anthopleura elegantissima
- Chitons – Mopalia spp./Nuttalina californica/Lepitochitona spp./others
- Common acorn barnacles – Balanus glandula/Chthamalus dalli/fissus
- Giant green anemone – Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Hermit crabs – Pagurus spp.
- Honeycomb tube worm – Phragmatopoma californica
- Limpets – Lottia spp.
- Leaf barnacle – Pollicipes polymerus
- Ochre sea star – Pisaster ochraceus
- Owl limpet – Lottia gigantea
- Pink acorn barnacle – Tetraclita rubescens
- Purple sea urchin – Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
- Sea mussel – Mytilus californianus
- Sunburst anemone – Anthopleura sola
- Turban snails – Tegula brunnea/funebralis
- Whelks – Acanthinucella spp./Nucella spp.
- * Broken back shrimps – Heptacarpus spp.
- * Bat star – Patiria miniata
- * Brooding anemone – Epiactis prolifera
- * Six-armed star – Leptasterias hexactis
- * Yellow introduced sponge – Hymeniacidon spp.
- We also monitor:
- Bare rock
- Loose sand
- Tar (petroleum)
Common Acorn Barnacles(Balanus glandula/Chthamalus dalli/fissus)
- Description:
- Balanus glandula is moderate in size (~2 cm), white with a diamond-shaped operculum and more heavily ribbed walls. Chthamalus dalli/fissus is smaller (<1 cm), brownish with an oval shaped operculum, and smoother walls.
- Distribution:
- Alaska to Baja California. Balanus glandula has been introduced to the shores of Argentina in the past 30 years, and has become an invasive species there.
- Habitat:
- Found along the open coast and in bays. Balanus glandula is common in mid to low intertidal on mussels and rocks. Chthamalus dalli/fissus is common in the high to mid intertidal.
- Diet:
- Plankton. Barnacles filter plankton from the water using their feathery, segmented legs.
- Fun Fact:
- Barnacles are hermaphrodites. They fertilize one another internally by means of a long penis. The eggs are brooded by the parent and released as nauplius larvae.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- Competitors for space in the high and mid zone. Major prey for many intertidal species. Susceptible to high mortality from oil spills because oil can stick to high intertidal habitat.
- References:
- Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
- MaRINE: Multi-agency Rocky Intertidal Network