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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)
Pink Acorn Barnacle(Tetraclita rubescens)
- Description:
- Pink acorn barnacles are large (3-5 cm), ribbed, and reddish-pink in color. They are usually found growing as solitary individuals rather than in groups.
- Distribution:
- Mendocino County to southern Baja California.
- Habitat:
- Common, but scattered, in mid-low intertidal zones; often found amongst mussels.
- Diet:
- Plankton
- Fun Fact:
- This barnacle is an effective competitor for space in the low intertidal zone, and individuals may grow to a size large enough to exempt them from predation by many gastropods and sea stars. Some individuals may live as long as 10-15 years.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- These barnacles are a southern species nearing their northern limit in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). Their abundance in the MBNMS is expected to increase if global warming continues. This species might be sensitive to sewage pollution.
- References:
- Littler, M.M. and Murray and S.N. Murray 1975. Impact of sewage on the distribution, abundance, and community structure of rocky intertidal macro-organisms. Marine Biology 30:277-291.
- 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