Wando High School: CCSD

Sullivans Island Field Guide

Biodiversity Study
CP MARINE SCIENCE

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Algae Sargassum Annelida: Nereis Virens polychaete Trumpet worm Acorn worm Shingle tube worm Plumed worm Lugworm Bryozoan Rubbery Bryozoan Cnidaria Jellyfish o Cannon ball - MH o Lionsmane-MH o Mushroom-MH o Moon-MH o Sea nettle-MH o Sea wasp (box)-MH o Man of war-MH Coral o SeaWhip/Fan Leptogeorgia hebes Leptogeorgia virgulata o Star coral (Northern) Crustacean Gooseneck barnacle Acorn barnacle - SW Fiddler crab -CM Blue crab Banded hermit crab -CM Long wrist hermit - CM Stone crab Ghost crab - Parker Ghost shrimp Leopard crab Mole crab Ctenophore Comb jelly Echinoderms o Sand Dollar o Keyhole o Clypeaster o Mellita o Sea Stars o Common sea star o Gray sea star o Striped sea star - Katie o Anemone o tricolor Anemone Calliactis tricolor o Sea cucumber -MK AG o Pentamera pulcherrima o Sclerodactyla briarius (brown) o Urchin o Variegated o Purple urchin ICthyes Osteicthyes Flounder Puffer fish Jake Stargazer -Parker

Sheep head- Austin Myctophid - CB Anchovies - CB pipefish Chondricthyes Sharks o Scalloped hammerhead o Lemon shark o Sand tiger o Sand bar o Tiger o Smooth dogfish StingRays o Atlantic - CM Skates o Smooth-TN o Spiny skate Mammalia Bottlenose Dolphin -TN Porpoise-TN Mollusca Gatropoda o knobbed whelk o Channeled whelk o Banded Tulip snail o Lightning whelk o Oyster drill o Moon Snail -CV Bivalve o Atlantic Giant Cockle o Atlantic Slipper Snail o White Baby Ear shell -MK o Atlantic razor clam o Atlantic Calico scallop - Joe o Coquina clams o Oyster(eastern) - Michael o Pen shell (saw tooth and half naked) -Joe o Ribbed Mussels (guekensia demissa) o Common jingle shell (anomia simplex) o Wood boring clam - David o Angel Wing Clam Cephalopod o Squid - Josh Plants Sea lettuce (ulva) Marsh grasses (spartina) Sea Oats Penny wort Prickly pear cactus Porifera (sponges) Red Bearded Halicliona oculata Birds: Pelican Heron Seagull Ibis - Christian Oyster catcher - Christian egret Tunicata: Sea pork (tunicate)

Sam

ALGAE
Sargassum
Stomolophus meleagris
Classification Kingdom: Chromalveolata Phylum: Phaeophyta Class: Phaeophyceae Order: Fucales Family: Sargassaceae

Description: A type of algea. Can grow several meters in length Generally brown or dark green in color Rough, sticky texture Many have berry-like gas-filled bladders, which helps keep them afloat Habitat/Distribution: Commonly found on the beach drift Also known as gulfweed Typically found in more tropical areas

Sea Lettuce
LATIN NAME: Ulva Lactuca Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Chlorophyta Class: Ulvophyceae Order: Ulvales Family: Ulvaceae

Description: Edible Green Plant found underwater in various oceans Also known as Ulva Grow about 16 in length The rotting leaves release hydrogen sulphide Habitat/Distrbution: Wash up typically in Britain and France Underwater in almost every ovean

Rubbery bryozoans
LATIN NAME:

Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Bryozoa Class: Phylactolaemata, Stenolaemata, Gymnolaemata Order: Family:

Description: Cannonball shape Brown-colored rim Dome bell can reach 25 inches Do NOT commonly sting humans Although it has TOXINS that stings eyes and creates cardiac problems Habitat/Distrbution: Warm waters (73.6 degrees F) Pacific Ocean & Mid-West Atlantic Ocean Gulf Coast

ANNELIDA
plumed worm
Serpula vermicularis
Phylum: Class: Subclass: Order: Family: Genus: Description: Annelida Polychaeta Palpata Canalipalpata Serpulidae Serpula

Serpulids live in calcareous tubes and use a plumed fan to find food.
Habitat/Distrbution: grows on hard substrates. It favours shells of bivalves, boulders and man-made structures. Around the United Kingdom, juveniles were found to be plentiful growing on the bryozoan, Flustra foliacea. Large colonies sometimes form, but these are seldom on rocks. Larvae may settle on the tubes of other worms and their subsequent development can form reefs. These reefs are very fragile and often break up. This is sometimes due to the activity of certain boring sponges, such as Cliona celata (red boring sponge).

Lugworm
LATIN NAME: Arenicola Marina Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Annelida Class: Polychaeta Order: Capitellida Family: Arenicolidae

Description: Can be pink, brown, red, black or green. Can find them by looking for their U or J shaped burrows. It is round and has two very distinct regions that you can see. Habitat/Distrbution: The lugworm lives in burrows in the sediment at depths of 2040cm. It feeds on organic matter in the sediment by drawing water into the burrow and filtering particles from the current. The sexes are separate, and spawning typically occurs in late autumn and winter. Males release sperm, which rests in puddles on the sediment surface before being dispersed by the tide. Females release eggs into the burrow, where they are fertilized by sperm that is drawn into the burrow with the respiratory current.

The Acorn Worm

Saccoglossus
Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Hemichordata Class: Enteropneusta

Description: 9-45 centimeters in length Acorn shaped proboscis Skin is covered in cilia and secretes mucus Rarely seen by humans because of their lifestyle underground in burrows Habitat/Distribution: Live in U shaped burrows on the sea bed From the shoreline to a depth of 10,000 feet

Shingle Tube Worm

Diopatra cuprea Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Annelida Class: Polychaeta Order: Eunicida Family: Onuphidae Description: Long and grab on to shells. Some may compare it to a shell version of a Nerds Rope. Habitat/Distrbution: Can be found on beaches. Usually covered in shells. One will be unable to see the worm. Called a shingle worm because the shells create a shingle type texture and look. They have tiny bodies but are can be very long.

CNIDARIA
MOON JELLYFISH
Aurelia aurita
Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Order: Semaeostomeae Family: Ulmaridae Prickly sensations to mild burning when touched Description: Transparent, saucer-shaped bell 4 pink gonads in center Average of 6-8 inches Habitat/Distribution: Infrequent in our waters From tropics to northern waters Prefers seas with consistent currents

SEA NETTLE JELLYFISH

hrysaora quinquecirrha Classification
Class Order Family Genus Scyphozoa Semaeostomeae Pelagiidae Chrysaora

Description: Red tint to the bell Can span over 3 feet Tentacles can be up to 15 feet long Habitat/Distribution: Pacific Ocean California & Oregon-commonly found

SEA WASP JELLYFISH

LATIN NAME: Chiropsalmus quadrumanus Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Class: Cnidaria Cubozoa

Description: Cube-shaped Stings are fatal to humans VERY venomous Habitat/Distribution: Tropical waters From California to South Africa

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LIONS MANE JELLYFISH

LATIN NAME: Cyanea capillata Classification & Taxonomy

Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Genus:

Animalia Cnidaria Scyphozoa Semaeostomeae Cyaneidae Cyanea

Description: AKA winter jelly Bell is 6-8 inches Red-brown color 8 tentacles hanging down Moderate stingers Mild burning sensation when touched Habitat/Distribution: Appears during cold months Eastern north Atlantic Clumps around Canada

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Cannonball Jellyfish
Stomolophus meleagris
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum:Cnidaria Class:Scyphozoa Order:Rhizostomae Family:Stomolophidae Genus:Stomolophus
Description: Cannonball shape Brown-colored rim Dome bell can reach 25 inches Do NOT commonly sting humans Although it has TOXINS that stings eyes and creates cardiac problems Habitat/Distrbution: Warm waters (73.6 degrees F) Pacific Ocean & Mid-West Atlantic Ocean Gulf Coast

MUSHROOM JELLYFISH
Rhopilema verrilli Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria Order: Rhizostomae Family: Rhizostomatide

Description: often mistaken as Cannonball Jelly does NOT have brown rims flatter & softer, no tentacles NOT a hazard to humans Habitat/Distrbution: Gulf Coast, Western Atlantic Inshore mouth of bays

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Northern Star Coral

Northern Star Coral is the only hard species of coral that lives in the cool, turbid waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Though it can be found from Cape Cod down to Florida, Northern Star Coral thrives around Long Island Sound and along the Jersey Shore. It does not form massive reefs, but instead attaches itself to stones, old shells, pilings, and shipwrecks, where it grows to 4 inches in height. When alive, Northern Star Corals are beautiful looking, off-white to pink in color with bushy polyps extending outward. Most people, however, just find the hard bleached skeleton on the beach.

Sea Pansy Renilla Reniformis

The Sea pansy is quite frequently found washed ashore on northeast Florida beaches following northeasterly winds or rough surf conditions. It also can often be found living intertidally completely buried in the sand. The Sea pansy is a collection of polyps with different forms and functions. A single, giant polyp up to two inches in diameter forms the anchoring stem (peduncle). This peduncle can be distended to better anchor the colony in the substrate. The pansy-like body bears many small, anemone-like feeding polyps. A cluster of tentacleless polyps form an outlet valve that releases water to deflate the colony. If the colony is on a sand bar at low tide, it usually deflates and becomes covered with a thin film of silty sand. Small white dots between the feeding polyps are polyps that act as pumps to expand the deflated colony. The feeding polyps secrete a sticky mucus to trap tiny organisms suspended in the water. The colonys rigidity and purple color come from calcium carbonate spicules throughout the polyps tissues. The sea pansy is strikingly bioluminescent when disturbed, due to a Green Fluorescent Protein.

Its predator is the striped sea slug.

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CRUSTACEA
BLUE CRAB
Callinectes sapidus Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Arthropoda Subphylum:Crustacea Class:Malacostraca Order:Decapoda Infraorder:Brachyura Family:Portunidae

Description: Average width of 9 inches Blue tint Habitat/Distribution: Western Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Mexico

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calico box crab

Hepatus epheliticus Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Crustacea Class: crustation Order: decapoda Habitat/Distrbution: : Tital creeks and sandy bottoms in depths of up to 150 (46m) Description: Size up to 3.5 inches concave shape with unusual shaped red and brown spots resembaling a leapord.

Fiddler Crabs
Fiddler crabs are easily recognized by their square body and marked difference in size between the right and left claws of males. As the male grows to maturity, the relative weight of its large claw, or cheliped, changes from 2% to 65% of its total body weight. The common English name Fiddler Crab comes from the feeding of the males, where the movement of the small claw from the ground to its mouth resembles the motion of a someone moving a bow across a fiddle (the large claw). Redjointed Fiddler Crab Uca minax Red-jointed fiddlers (Uca minax) are larger than the other two species. The joints of the male's large claw are red and a row of tubercles line the inner face of the palm

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Sand Fiddler Crab Uca pugilator The sand fiddlers carapace is typically a pinkish-purple color, with a bright patch of purple in the center of the carapace. The legs range in color from orange to brown.

Mud Fiddler Crab Uca pugnax Mud fiddlers, Uca pugnax, have an Hshaped depression in the middle of the carapace and their eyestalks are long and thin. They are brown in color, with the front of the shell and eyestalks ranging from blue to turquoise. The large claw of the male is usually yellowish orange to yellowish white, and its walking legs are dark and banded.

Ghost Crab
Stomolophus meleagris Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Crustacea Order: Decapoda Family: Ocypodidae

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Description: Straw-colored/Grayish white Measures 5 cm across the back Only goes into water to moisten its gills Habitat/Distrbution: Oceanfront beaches from Rhode Island to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico Common during every season except winter

Portly Spider Crab

Libinia emarginata Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Malacostraca Order: decapoda Family: Epialtidae

Description: 4 inch carapace length Triangular in outline Live in 160ft deep water Habitat/Distrbution: Eastern North American coast

Speckled Swimming Crab

Arenaeus cribrarius Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Malacostraca Order: decapoda Family: Portunidae

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Description: 12mm carapace width Brownish color with white spots Habitat/Distrbution: Shallow gulf

Stone Crab
Arenaeus cribrarius Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Malacostraca Order: decapoda Family: Menippidae

Description: 5-6.5 inch carapace width Brownish red color with grey spots Habitat/Distrbution: Western North Atlantic

Ghost Shrimp
Callichirus major

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Classification

Crustacean

Description: Beachcombers always wonder what causes those tiny holes, and what those small black "chocolate sprinkles" really are. They are both produced by the Ghost Shrimp that we almost never see. They are very small shrimp that live in tubes they build under the sand in intertidal areas. They send their waste up the tubes onto the beach to keep their homes clean. As the tide comes and goes, the tubes may be exposed, or they may only show as tiny holes.

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Longwrist Hermit Crab (Pagurus longicarpus)

The longwrist hermit crab is common in South Carolina estuaries (where rivers meet the sea) and is often located within the crevices of oyster reefs. The longwrist hermit crab is unlike fiddler crabs and other "true" crabs because its abdomen lacks a protective exo-(outer) skeleton. To protect its soft posterior, the longwrist hermit crab uses the shell of a deceased snail, such as a marsh periwinkle (Littorina irrorata). As the crab grows, it looks for larger shells to occupy. The longwrist hermit crab feeds mainly on decaying plant and animal material, called detritus, and is eaten by various fish, birds, and crabs. The longwrist hermit crab (Pagurus longicarpus) is often located within the crevices of oyster reefs.

Thin striped Hermit Crab (Clibanarius vittatus)

The sea anemone, Calliactis tricolor, is often found attached to the shell that is occupied by Clibanarius vittatus.[2] This seems to be a mutualistic arrangement in which the crab benefits from the fact that potential predators are detered by the anemone's stinging cells while the anemone gains a greater access to food as the crab moves around.

Distribution and habitat:

found in shallow parts of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the western Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from Virginia in the eastern United States southwards as far as Brazil. Clibanarius vittatus is a scavenger and mostly feeds on detritus that it finds on the seabed.

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Gooseneck Barnacle
Pollicipes pollicipes Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Maxillopoda Order: Pedunculata Family: Cirripedia

Description:
It is called this because of its resemblance to a goose neck and head; the gooseneck barnacle forms dense colonies in crevices on rocky shores with strong waves. Barnacles anchor themselves to rocks by a tough, flexible stalk (peduncle), which also contains the ovaries.

Habitat/Distrbution:
Lives on rocks in the middle of the ocean & point to the land so they can feed easier. Gooseneck barnacles become sexually mature at about five years of age and may live for up to 20 years.

Acorn Barnacle
Semibalanus balanoides
Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda -Crustacea Class: Maxillapoda -Cirripedes Order: Sessilia

Description: Comprise of barnacles without stalks, instead looking like acorns Comprised of dull grayish colors Barnacles have no gills- gasses are exchanged through cirri (feathery legs) and body walls Habitat/Distribution: Found in the north-east Atlantic from Spitzbergen to north-west Spain, as well as the Pacific coasts of North America reaching south to British Columbia, and on the Atlantic coast south as far south as Cape Hatteras 21

ECHINODERMATA
Atlantic Keyhole Sand DollarEchinodermata

The term "sand dollar" derives from the appearance of the tests (skeletons) of dead individuals after being washed ashore. The test lacks its velvet-like skin of spines and has often been bleached white by sunlight. To beachcombers of the past, this suggested a large, silver coin, such as the old Spanish or American dollar (diameter 38-40mm). Sand dollars live beyond the mean low water line on top of or just beneath the surface of sandy or muddy areas. The spines on the somewhat flattened underside of the animal allow it to burrow or to slowly creep through the sediment. Fine, hair-like cilia cover the tiny spines. Sand dollars, like all members of the order Clypeasteroida, possess a rigid skeleton known as a test. The test consists of calcium carbonate plates arranged in a fivefold radial pattern.[2] In living individuals the test is covered by a skin of velvet-textured spines; these spines are in turn covered with very small hairs (cilia). Coordinated movements of the spines enable sand dollars to move across the seabed. The velvety spines of live sand dollars appear in a variety of coloursgreen, blue, violet, or purpledepending on the species. The tests of dead individuals are often found on beaches, the textured skin missing and the skeleton bleached white by sunlight.

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Striped Seastar Gray Seastar

Luidia clathrata Classification
Kingdom Animalia Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Asteroidea Order: Paxillosida Family: Luidiidae Genus: Luidia

Description: Luidia clathrata is a member in the family Luiidae. This sea star has a small central disc surrounded by five long, flat arms. The arms contain tube feet which are used for locomotion (Pomory and Lares 2000). The arms of the gray sea star are 2 - 3 times the size of the disc diameter. The surface of the body is covered in plates. The upper surface of the body ranges from gray to light brown, rose or salmon color, although most living specimens are gray. This species differs from other Luidia species by the dark gray or black stripe on the dorsal midline of each arm Habitat/Distrbution: occurs from the Virginia coast to Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean and as far west as Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico (benthic)

Common Sea Star Forbes Sea Star

Asterias forbesi

Common sea stars can move from area to area by drifting with the tide. To do this, they curl up the edges of their arms to release their grip and float along with the current. This, of course, is much faster than it could move by crawling. Sea stars can evert their stomach out of their body and onto the prey for digestion. To open a shell, a sea star will wrap its arms (usually 5) around potential prey, thus fatiguing the animal and allowing the sea star to open its shell just enough to feed. It has been estimated that sea stars can apply about 12 lbs. of pressure with its tube feet. In locomotion, the tube feet operate like little legs that inch along the substrate. Tube feet also allow this animal to grasp onto rocks for stability in the intertidal zone. The common sea star is commonly found in subtidal areas, around oyster beds, rock jetties, and piers. They can be found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Maine southward to the Gulf of Mexico.

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Variegated Sea Urchin

Clathria prolifera Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Eumetazoa Class: Echinodermata Order: Temnopleuroida Family: Microcionidae

Description: Globular shell Diameter: 4.3 inches Comes in purple, green, or dull red Most spines are short Habitat/Distrbution: Tropical waters of the west Atlantic Ocean

Hairy Sea Cucumber

Sclerodactyla briareus
Echinodermata Holothuroidaea Description: Sclerodactyla briareus is an elongated oval or cigar-shaped sea cucumber and grows to about 15 centimetres (5.9 in). It often adopts a characteristic pose with both ends raised above the substrate. At the anterior end there is a mouth surrounded by a ring of ten, short, branched feeding tentacles. These are modified tube feet that can be retracted back into the mouth when the animal is not feeding Distribution: Sclerodactyla briareus is found in shallow water along the east coast of the United States from Massachusetts to Florida, plus the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and extending southward as far as Venezuela 24

ICTHYES
CHONDRICTHYES
Atlantic Stingray
Dasyatis Sabina

Description-teeth are rough like sand paper and they are white and skinny. The stingray is a kind of grayish brown color. One of the smallest stingray species, the Atlantic stingray attains a maximum length of 61 cm (24 in) and a weight of 4.9 kg (11 lb). It has a spade-shaped pectoral fin disk 1.1 times as wide as long, with rounded corners and concave anterior margins. The snout is relatively long. There are three stout papillae on the floor of the mouth; the teeth are rounded, with a flat, blunt surface Habitat- Benthic zone, western Atlantic, range from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay all the way down to the Gulf, moves into the deeper water when the water tempeture drops.

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Sandtiger Shark
Carcharias taurus
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Order: Lamniformes Family: Odontaspididae Genus: Carcharias The physical appearance of a sand tiger shark strongly reflects the many prejudices which people tend to have about sharks: large, with permanently visible, long and dagger-formed teeth. In reality, however, sand tiger sharks are completely harmless. They have extremely small eyes but no Nickhaut (a third eyelid which it can pull over its eyes, a feature found, e.g. with gray sharks). In addition to its prominent teeth, its equally sized dorsal finds are considered another typical feature. Sand tiger sharks are light brown in color, with bronze- colored backs, a white abdomen and very often red spots on its flanks.

Feeding Habits
Sand tiger sharks prefer to feed on fish such as herring, snappers/Schnapper, eels, mackerels or other fish, and in rare cases, some smaller shark species. According to reports this species also goes hunting together, driving together swarms of fish and thus making them easy prey.

Behavior
Sand tiger sharks are often found in large groups which gather to mate or go hunting. Latest observations show that sand tiger sharks display a distinct social behavior. They like to linger socially underneath cliff overhangs or similar structures, remaining there motionless - with the help of swallowed air - for longer periods of time.

Distribution
Sand tiger sharks are found practically around the world in regions with moderate climates. They live in the western Atlantic from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico, but are not found in the Caribbean waters, although occasionally they are spotted around the Bahamas. Further territories include southern Brazil to Argentina, Bermuda, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. Around the African continent they are found mostly in South Africa and the Red Sea as well as Australia and Tasmania.

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Sand Bar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Chondrichthyes Subclass:Elasmobranchii Order:Carcharhiniformes Genus:Carcharhinus

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The sandbar shark is also called the thickskin shark or brown shark. It is one of the biggest coastal sharks in the world, and is closely related to the dusky shark, the bignose shark, and the bull shark. Itsdorsal fin is triangular and very high. Sandbar sharks usually have heavy-set bodies and rounded snouts that are shorter than the average shark's snout. Their upper teeth have broadly uneven cusps with sharp edges. Its second dorsal fin and anal fin are close to the same height. Females can grow to 2/2.5 m, males up to 1.8 m. Its body color can vary from a bluish to a brownish grey to a bronze, with a white or pale underside. Sandbar sharks swim alone or gather in sex-segregated schools that vary in size.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION

The sandbar shark, true to its nickname, is commonly found over muddy or sandy bottoms in shallow coastal waters such as bays, estuaries, harbors, or the mouths of rivers, but it also swims in deeper waters (200 m or more) as well as intertidalzones. Sandbar sharks are found in tropical to temperate waters worldwide; in the western Atlantic they range from Massachusetts to Brazil. Juveniles are common to abundant in the lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Bonnethead Shark
Dardanus calidus
Kingdom Animalia (animals) Phylum Chordata SubPhylum Vertebrata (vertebrates) Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Subclass Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) Order Carcharhiniformes Family Sphyrnidae Genus Sphyrna

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The average Bonnethead shark (also known as the Shovelhead shark) is a small, common hammerhead shark with a smooth, rounded head. It is a harmless, timid shark that is gray-brown above and lighter on the underside with short pectoral fins. The average Bonnethead shark averages about 3.3 feet (1 m) long.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Bonnetheads are found in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, in the surf zone, reefs, on sandy bottoms and in estuaries. Large schools of Bonnethead sharks migrate to warm water in the winter and cooler water in the summer.

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Spiny Tail Skate & Egg Sack

The Spiny Skate eggsack also known as the mermaids purse because of how it feels like leather thats where the skate starts off their first stages of life. Description The spinytail skate also known as the spinetail ray - is differentiated from other northwest Atlantic skates by the presence of the single row of relatively large, thornlike spines beginning slightly in front of the axils of the pelvic fins and extending along the midline of the tail, and by the one large spine separating the two dorsal fins, which have ragged edges. The upper surface of the disc is spine-free but rough with prickles, and mature males have 3 or 4 rows of spines on the outer parts of their pectoral fins. The ventral surface is white with irregularly distributed sooty markings around the edges of the pectorals. Habitat This skate is usually captured at depths below 165 m where the water temperature ranges from -1.5 to 3.3C. It has been captured at depths of 1463 m.

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ICTHYES
OSTEICTHYES
Pipefish
Syngnathus acus

Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Subfamily:

Animalia Chordata Actinopterygii Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Syngnathinae

Pipefish look like straight-bodied seahorses with tiny mouths. The name is derived from the peculiar form of their snout, which is like a long tube, ending in a narrow and small mouth which opens upwards and is toothless. The body and tail are long, thin, and snake-like. They have a highly modified skeleton formed into armored plating. This dermal skeleton has several longitudinal ridges, so that a vertical section through the body looks angular, not round or oval as in the majority of other fishes.
Description: Habitat/Distrbution:

Most pipefish are marine dwellers; only a few are freshwater species. Pipefishes are abundant on coasts of the tropical and temperate zones. Most species of pipefish are usually 3540 cm in length and generally inhabit sheltered areas in coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy lagoons. There are approximately 200 species of pipefish.
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Southern Flounder
(Paralichthys lethostigma) General Description Dorsoventrally flattened body with both eyes on the left side. Pigmented side light to dark brown (controlled by chromatophores) with diffuse nonocellated dark spots and blotches; blind side of body is white or dusky. Average Size 12 14 inches, 1 2 pounds; South Carolina State Record: 17 pounds, 6 ounces (1974); maximum age: approx. males 5 years, females 7 or 8 years; females are generally larger and outlive males.

Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Appearance:
Basic silvery color with 5 or 6

distinct vertical black bars on the sides; bars are not always the same on both sides Prominent teeth, including

incisors, molars and rounded grinders No barbels on the lower jaw Strong and sharp spines on the dorsal and anal fins

Habitat:
Sheepshead are an inshore species and are commonly found around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks. They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning

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MAMMALIA
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus Taxonomy: Mammal Diet: Carnivore Size: 10-14 feet Weight: 1,100 pounds (500 kg) Life span: 45-50 years

Description: It is known for its smiling face. Also is used in many aquariums as the main attraction. They are also the most well-known dolphin in the world. They are a light blue-ish-grey. They have smooth, leathery-soft skin. Known for their mating calls and how affectionate they are. They travel in pods.

Habitat/Distribution: Bottlenose dolphins are found in tropical oceans and other warm waters around the globe. They are no longer hunted but are threatened by getting caught in the nets of fishing companies around the globe. They usually target bottom feeding fish when they are hunting.

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Harbor Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
Classification

Mammalia

Diet: Carnivore Size: 4.9 to 6.6 ft Weight:110 to 200 pounds Life Span: 20 years on average

Description:

They are very shy. They are the smallest of the cetacean and can dive to 665ft deep but usually stay near the surface. Unlike their dolphin relatives, they have a blunt, rounded head rather than a prominent forehead and snout. Their mouths are short with black, inward-curving lips and spatulate, or spade-shaped, teeth. Their necks, short and immobile, are virtually undistinguishable from their grayish bodies, which taper to a tail with small, curved flukes and a middle notch.
Habitat/Distrbution: Harbor porpoises are found throughout the temperate coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. As their name suggests, they prefer the shallows, less than 500 feet (152 meters) deep, and are commonly seen in harbors and bays. They are also known to frequent inland waters, including rivers, estuaries, and tidal channels.

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MOLLUSCA
Pen Shell
Atrina fragilis Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Mollusca Class:Bivalvia Order:Pterioida Family:Pinnidae The shells are fragile and have a long and triangular shape, and in life they are anchored in sediment using a byssus. The shells have a thin inner layer of nacre in the part of the shell near the umbos (the pointed end).

The Pinnidae have considerable economic importance in many parts of the world. They produce pearls of moderate value

Ship Worm Wood boring Clam

Teredo navalis

They are part of the clam famliy! Description: It looks like a worm, but it is actually a clam. It eats wood. It is like an underwater termite. Habitat/Distrbution: It lives in underwater wood.

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Coquina Clam
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Veneroida Family: Donacidae Genus: Donax

Location: The coquina clam is found on the sandy beaches along coasts worldwide. Origin: The word coquina is a geologic term of Spanish origin for a limestone composed chiefly of shells.

Physical Characteristics: These invertebrates measure only about 10 to 25mm in length. It has a wedge-shaped shell and the color of the clam verys greatly. The Coquina clam is very active; they migrate up and down beaches and can currow between every wave. Eating Characteristics: They eat suspended plant material and detritus.

Angel Wing Clam

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Subclass: Heterodonta Order: Myoida Suborder: Pholadina Family: Pholadidae

Description: similar to a clam; however, they are unique in that each side of their shells is divided into 2 or 3 separate sections.Warm waters (73.6 degrees F) Some species of Pholadidae may reach up to 18 cm (7). Their coloration is typically white,
though through consumption of red tide algae some may develop a pink coloration.

Pacific Ocean & Mid-West Atlantic Ocean, Gulf Coast

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Atlantic Giant Cockle

Dinocardium robustum Mollusca: Bivalve

SHELL LENGTH: Approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) The Atlantic Giant Cockle, also known as the Great Heart Cockle, is the most common cockle, out of the seven found in the Carolinas. This large and sturdy shell can grow up to 5 inches in length and is creamy white to tan in color, although some have dark, reddish-brown spots. Radial ribs run from the hinge to the outer edge of the shell on both the inside and the outside, leaving the edges scalloped. Each half of the shell is identical in shape and size and is therefore called equivalves. A strong muscular foot allows them to burrow into sediment where they extend siphons above into the water to filter for plankton and detritus. Cockles are found living in shallow water to water that is 100 feet deep. This species is 65 million years old. Other species such as the Yellow Cockle and Atlantic Strawberry Cockle are found in large numbers on some beaches in the Carolinas. Cockles are eaten in European countries and also used in chowder in the United States.

Atlantic Jack-knife Razor Clam

Ensis directus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Veneroida Family: Pharidae Genus: Ensis Species: E. directus Characteristics: The Atlantic jackknife , Ensis directus, also known as the bamboo clam, American jackknife clam or razor clam (but note that "razor clam" sometimes refers to different species), is a large species of edible marine bivalve mollusc, found on the North American Atlantic coast, from Canada to South Carolina as well as in Europe. Habitat: This clam lives in sand and mud and is found in intertidal or subtidal zones in bays and estuaries. Because of its streamlined shell and strong foot, it can burrow in wet sand very quickly, and is also able to swim. 36

Eastern Oyster
LATIN NAME: Crassostrea virginica Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Ostreidia Family: Ostreidae

Description: Filter feeder One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Provide a habitat for a variety of species of animals. Habitat/Distrbution: Native to the eastern seaboard and coast of North America

Jingle Shell
Anomnia Simplex
Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Mollusca Class:Bivalvia Order:Ostreoida Family:Anomiidae

Description: Alternate common names: Gold Shell, Toenail Shell. Color: Shell is shiny lemon yellow, golden, brownish, silvery black, or pale buff. Lower valve is white. Size: 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Habitat: Shallow waters, beaches, oyster beds, and mollusk shells. Seasonal appearance: All year.

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Physical Characteristics: Moon snails have shells that are sometimes large enough to fill a person's hand and a foot that extends well beyond the size of the shell. The rest of the snail's body is contained within the shell. It moves using its foot to burrow into the sand or travel across the top of it. The snail normally sucks water through its foot and mantle to increase its weight. When faced with a threat, the snail pumps the water out, pulls its foot inside its shell and seals the shell with something called an operculum, which acts like a lid.

Moon Snail
Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropod Scientific Name: Naticidae Reproduction:

Habitat: Moon snails live on sandy substrates, at a great variety of depths depending on the species (from the intertidal zone to thousands of meters in depth). They are often seen ploughing along in the sand searching for prey. The moon snail is found in the waters off Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its also found in the northeast United States as far south as North Carolina.

Unique: The powerful foot enables this gastropod to plow under the sand in search of other mollusks. Upon finding one, it "drills" a hole into the shell with its radula, releases digestive enzymes, and sucks out the somewhat predigested contents.

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Channeled Whelk
Busycotypus canaliculatus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Family: Buccinidae Genus: Busycotypus

The channeled whelk, Busycotypus canaliculatus, previously known as Busycon canaliculatum, is a very large predatory sea snail, a marine prosobranch gastropod, a busycon whelk, belonging to the family Buccinidae. Shells of the channeled whelk typically reach 5 to 8 inches in length. Channeled whelks prefer

sandy, shallow, intertidal or subtidal areas, and can be common in these habitats. They tend to be nocturnal and are known to eat clams.

Lightning Whelk
LATIN NAME: Busycon contrarium Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mullusca Class: Gastropoda Order: Neogatropoda Family: Melongenidae

Description: Large gastropod in the family Melongidae. Shell spirals towards the left. Juvenile shells have lightning bolt shaped stripes on the shell. Adult shells can vary from white, pale yellow to orange or bright red. Habitat/Distrbution: Occurs along the North American coastline from New Jersey to Texas. Commonly encountered in estuaries, creeks and around oyster bars. 39

OYSTER DRILL
Urosalpinx cinerea Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Molusca Class: Gastropoda Order: Neogastropoda Family: Urosalpinx

Description: Knobby having rugged whorls Rounded shoulders usually numbering 5 Oval with an open canal at the base Shells: usually yellow sometimes orange, red, or white and occasionally bearing brown streaks Interior of shell: purple, red-brown, or yellow The operculum can be orange or yellow-brown Habitat/Distrbution: Northwestern Atlantic to Southeastern Florida, Pacific Coast and Eastern North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Shallow sub-tidal waters in estuaries and bays to a maximum depth of approx. 15 m Common on rocks and oyster reefs

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Atlantic slipper snail

Crepidula fornicata Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Mollusca Class:Gastropoda Order:Littorinimorpha Family:Calyptraeidae Genus:Crepidula

Description: The common slipper shell, Crepidula fornicata, has many other common names including common Atlantic slippersnail, boat shell, quarterdeck shell, fornicating slipper snail, and it is known in Britain as the "common slipper limpet". This is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Calyptraeidae, the slipper snails and cup and saucer snails. Habitat/Distrbution: The species is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Eastern coast of North America. It has been introduced accidentally to other parts of the world and has become problematic. Distribution of Crepidula fornicata ranges from 48N to 25N; 97.2W to 25W[1] from as far north as Nova Scotia to as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Life cycle The species is a sequential hermaphrodite. The largest and oldest animals, at the base of a pile are female, the younger and smaller animals at the top are male. If the females in the stack die, the largest of the males will become a female

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Lettered Olive Olive Sayana

History Was designated as the official State Shell by Act No. 360 of 1984. The Lettered Olive was found and named by Dr. Edmund Ravenel of South Carolina. He chose the name for the shell because of its hieroglyphic markings. Description and Location The shell has a smooth, shiny, cylindrical shape and is typically found in shallow waters near the shore. It is quite prolific along the South Carolina Coast.

Food The predacious snail lives in the sand along the shore, and feeds on the tiny Coquina and other smoothsurfaced small clams

White babys ear

Sinum Perspective
Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gatropoda Order: Gastropod Family: Naticidae

Description: Shell length is 51mm has a shallowly coiled shell with a wide opening graceful curved outline It is white both outside and inside Habitat/Distrbution: Gulf and bay Sandy bottoms

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KNOBBED WHELK
LATIN NAME: Busyon carica Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusk Class: gastropod Family: Buccinidae

Description: Dextral shell Knobs on the shell Preys on bivalves Habitat/Distrbution: migratory North Atlantic coast of North America

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Brief Squid
Lolliguncula brevis Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Cephalopoda Order: Teuthida Family: Loliginidae Description: Brief squid are relatively common in the nektonic community (water column) and make up a considerable portion of the estuarine biomass. Squid are also known to be cannibalistic, with adults feeding on juveniles (Whitaker 1978). As the squid increases in size, its prey preferences change. Small squid feed on benthic crustaceans and possibly small fish or fish larvae, whereas larger squid often feed on small fish, probably schooling species such as anchovies and silversides. Habitat/Distrbution: Squid are most commonly found in salinities in excess of 17 ppt and are generally confined to the lower portions of estuaries where salinities are relatively high. The Atlantic brief squid occurs most frequently in shallow waters along the eastern seaboard of the United States as far north as Maryland. It has also been found in Argentina, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela

PLANTAE

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The Spartina Marsh Grass

LATIN NAME: Spartina alterniflora Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Angiosperms

Description: Can grow from 3-5 feet tall The flowers are a yellow green color, that turn brown in the winter Produces flowers and seeds on one side of the stalk Habitat/Distribution: Found in intertidal wetlands, mostly saltwater marshes From the shoreline to a depth of 10,000 feet

Penny Wart
Hydrocotyle umbellata Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Plantae Class: Greanie Order: Apiales Family: Araliaceae Description: Round leaves Long grassy stalks Also called Dollarweed Edible weed Habitat/Distrbution: Warm waters (73.6 degrees F) Pacific Ocean & Mid-West Atlantic Ocean North America and South America

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Sea Oat
Uniola Paniculata Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Plantae Class: Greanie Order: Poales Family: Poaceae

Description: Lengthy roots Provides a home for some nests Protected plant Defend against hurricanes Habitat/Distrbution: Warm waters (73.6 degrees F) Barrier Islands North American East Coast

Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia Compressa Classification Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Plantae Class: Greaniespikiey Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Description: Pink flower Survives off little water Invasive species Various species Habitat/Distrbution: All over warm areas Beaches and dunes

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PORIFERA
Red Beard Sponge
Clathria prolifera Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera Class: Demospongiae Order: Poecilosclerida Family: Microcionidae Description: The only red branching sponge on the U.S west coast 20cm tall Base is 3mm thick 20cm across Habitat/Distrbution: US west and east coast

Haliclona Oculata
haliclona oculata Classification & Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera Class: Demospongia Order: Haplosclerida Family: Chalinidae Description: Is an elegantly branching, soft sponge with a rose-brown or yellowbrown colour. Grows up to 30 cm. The branches are somewhat flattened. The surface is velvety. Yellowish brown snot color Habitat/Distrbution: It is a northern species occurring all over the North Atlantic (including North America), reaching its southern limits along the Atlantic coasts of Portugal. 47

TARDIGRADA
Water bear tardigrade
Tardigrades (commonly known as waterbears or moss piglets) are small, water-dwelling, segmented animals with eight legs. They are notable for being one of the most complex of all known polyextremophiles. (An extremophile is an organism that can thrive in a physically or geochemically extreme condition that would be detrimental to most life on Earth. They are found on sand particles.

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XIPHOSURA
Atlantic Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus
Description: Horseshoe crabs have three main parts to the body: the head region, known as
the prosoma, the abdominal region or opisthosoma, and the spine-like tail or telson. The smooth shell or carapace is shaped like a horseshoe, and is greenish grey to dark brown in colour. The sexes are similar in appearance, but females are typically 25 to 30% larger than the male and can grow up to 60 cm (24 in) in length (including tail). Horseshoe crabs possess the rare ability to re-grow lost limbs a manner similar to sea stars. A wide range of marine species become attached to the carapace, including algae, flat worms, mollusks, barnacles, and bryzoans, and horseshoe crabs have been described as 'living museums' due to the number of organisms they can support. In areas where Limulus is common, the shells, exoskeletons or exuviae(molted shells) of horseshoe crabs frequently wash up on beaches, either as whole shells, or as disarticulated pieces.

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TUNICATA
Sea Pork
Aplidium Stellatum Classification

Polyclinidae family

Description: The cartilage-like exoskeleton (tunic) is composed primarily of cellulose, and houses a colony of individual animals called zooids. Rock like Habitat/Distrbution:

Ranges from Maine through Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Sea pork is subtidal, found from the low tide line to depths of approximately 30 feet. Colonies grow on hard substrates such as mangrove roots, rock jetties, pilings and floating docks.

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AVES
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula Classification

Kingdom: Phylum: Class: Subclass: Infraclass: Superorder: Order: Family: Genus:

Description: Adults are typically 61 centimetres (24 in) long and weigh 375 grams (0.83 lb) They have a slim black bill and long black legs with yellow feet. The area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes, is yellow but turns red during the breeding season, when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back, making for a "shaggy" effect. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs. Habitat/Distrbution: All along the eastern shore of the United States ranging from Maine to Texas Live in colony type near marshy areas Most breeding occurs inland Can be found in Central America and some areas in the Pacific as well

Animalia Chordata Aves Neornithes Neognathae Neoaves Pelecaniformes Ardeidae Egretta

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American Herring Seagull Larus smithsonianus

Taxonomy and Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Suborder: Lari Family: Laridae Description: Large gull with long yellow bill Gray back, bright white head and underparts Red spot near tip of lower bill Habitat/Distrbution: Live along the atlantic coast of the United States Reside near the beaches and marshes

American White Ibis

The American White Ibis pairs up in spring and breeds in huge colonies, often with other waterbird species. Nesting begins as soon as suitable foraging and nesting habitat is available. The female selects the site, usually in the branches of a tree or shrub, which is often over water, and builds the nest, and males assist by bringing nest material.

American Oystercatcher
Oystercatchers are closely tied to coastal habitats. They nest on beaches on coastal islands and feed on marine invertebrates. The large, heavy beak is used to pry open bivalve molluscs. Oystercatchers raise a clutch of two or three eggs. In winter, they are found in flocks along the coast from central New Jersey to the Gulf of Mexico.

H. palliatus

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All descriptions and images used were taken from online resources such as Wikipedia, the SC Aquarium website, DNR and google docs. These pages are not meant to indicate our own ideas, but rather a compilation of research on what we can expect to find on a typical South Carolina barrier island.

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