Marine Bio Lab

Ulva sp., commonly known as Sea Lettuce, is a type of bright green, thin, leafy seaweed that serves as a favorite food for various marine creatures like chitons, limpets, and sea hares.

Egregia laevigata, commonly known as Feather-boa kelp, is characterized by its flat-strap stem, numerous small leafy blades perpendicular to the stem, and only some leaves having floats. It is also the home of the Seaweed Limpet.

Macrocystis pyrifera, also known as Giant Bladder Kelp, is characterized by its round stem, large floats that spiral around the stem, and large flat, ripple-surfaced leaves. It is considered a keystone species in California due to its ecological importance.

Ralfsia pacifica refers to Tar spot algae, characterized by dark brown to black, very flat patches on rocks, commonly found in the high-tide zone.

Phyllospadix torreyii, also known as Surf Grass, is a flowering plant that can be found near the water line in low tide zones. It is characterized by its long, bright green hair-like strands and has roots but no holdfast for anchoring.

Anthopleura sp. refers to Sea Anemones which are named based on their appearance and characteristics.

Phragmatopoma californica, also known as the Sand Castle Worm, is a marine polychaete worm that constructs tube colonies resembling sandy honeycomb structures.

Nutallina californica, commonly known as Chiton, is known for its distinctive appearance and behavior, which includes rocky shores habitat, brown-and-cream markings, and homing behavior.

Collisella sp. exhibit specific behaviors such as being smaller in size, homing behavior, excavating rocks with their radula, leaving when the tide comes in, and leaving a mucus trail. The other options describe different marine organisms with their unique characteristics and behaviors.

Notoacmaea insessa refers to the Seaweed Limpet, a chestnut brown snail with a tall peak that is only found on the egregia seaweed. The incorrect answers provided do not match the description of Notoacmaea insessa.

Serpulorbis squamigerous is actually a Scaled-Worm Snail, characterized by a big bunch of worm tubes massed together, carrying a black snail and an operculum.

Cthamalus fissus refers to the Brown Buckshot Barnacle, which are known for their small clusters of volcano-like shells on rocks and their unique 't' shape when open.

Pollicipes polymerus, also known as gooseneck barnacles, are marine crustaceans that attach themselves to hard surfaces such as rocks. They are filter feeders and can be found in clusters of white claws, competing with mussels for space, especially higher up on large rocks.

Pagurus samuelis is a species of hermit crab, which is not a true crab as it belongs to a different infraorder.

Olivella biplicata, also known as Purple Olive Snail, is characterized by its purple to brownish color and smooth appearance, differentiating it from the other three options provided.

Larus occidentalis refers to the Western Gull known for its specific physical characteristics and habitat. The incorrect answers provided are descriptions of other bird species to mislead the respondents.

Pelecanus occidentalis refers specifically to the California Brown Pelican. Although there are other species of pelicans such as the American White Pelican, Australian Pelican, and Peruvian Pelican, they are different from the California Brown Pelican in terms of their geographical distribution and physical characteristics.

Enteromorpha sp. are green algae characterized by their flexible hollow green tubes, they are known as Sea Moss due to their appearance and habitat in the splash-zone, causing discoloration of rocks.

Pelvetia fastigiata, also known as Rockweed, has distinct characteristics such as thin and flattened branches, olive-greenish brown color, always branching in twos, and being found in the high-tide zone.

Balanus glandula refers to the Acorn barnacle species, which can be identified by looking down into a hole and observing a W or S-shape. The incorrect answers provided are characteristics of other marine organisms that differ from the description of Balanus glandula.

Epiactis prolifera is commonly known as the Brooding Anemone and is typically found in the Mid Tide zone. It is not a Sea Cucumber found in the Deep Sea, a Clownfish found in Coral Reefs, or a Jellyfish found in the Open Ocean.

Pachygrapsus crassipes, also known as the Lined-shore Crab, can be found specifically in the Mid Tide zone. The other options do not accurately describe the common name and habitat of Pachygrapsus crassipes.

Norrisia norrisi, also known as the Norris Moon Snail, is a type of kelp snail found in the Low Tide zone. The other options listed are different species of marine snails found in various zones, making them incorrect choices.

Aplysia californica, commonly known as CA Sea Hare, is found in the Low Tide zone, not to be confused with the incorrect options provided.

Pisaster ochraceous is commonly known as the Ochre Starfish due to its multicolored appearance, prevalence, diet of mussels, and ability to invert its stomach for feeding.

Patiria miniata, commonly known as Bat stars, have webbed arms that resemble bat wings and are different from other echinoderms like sand dollars, sea cucumbers, and brittle stars.

Phoca vitulina is the scientific name for harbor seals, which are known for being playful and making a barking sound.

Pagurus hirsutiusculus is commonly known as the Hairy Hermit Crab. It is not a true crab species but rather a hermit crab with a hairy exoskeleton. The other options provided are not accurate descriptions of Pagurus hirsutiusculus.