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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./Nuttallina californica/Lepidozona 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)
Honeycomb Tube Worm(Phragmatopoma californica)
- Description:
- These marine solitary, polychaete worms form large aggregations of cemented sand-grain tubes. Tubes form masses up to 2 m in length and are positioned in a honeycomb arrangement, each tube with a flared rim. Though the group of tubes looks like a colony, each tube is the result of one individual worm settling near other worms and building its home. These worms are up to 5 cm in length and bear a crown of lavender tentacles.
- Distribution:
- Range from central California to Ensenada, Baja California.
- Habitat:
- Common mid to low intertidal; often overgrowing mussels, barnacles, and algae; solitary tubes meander on rocks in high mid zone.
- Diet:
- Plankton and detritus.
- Fun Fact:
- This worms captures sand with its tentacles and transports the grains to an organ behind the mouth. Liquid cement is added to the sand for the construction of the walls of its tube.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- Major space competitor, mid zone indicator.
- References:
- Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.