hisihara's Identifications

Heterosiphonia plumosa is found on sand covered rocks in the low intertidal. This red alga has bushy, deep red-brown fronds, arising from a basal disc. Branching is repeated pinnate, branches are spreading and alternate. They are an invasive species from the Pacific where it occurs in Japan, China and Korea, and from Alaska to California. Using a microscope, it can be seen that main
branches are multiple cells thick and side branches coming off
of the main branch are one cell thick. This is an identifying characteristic!
Source:
http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Heterosiphonia_japonica.php

Fun Fact:
It was first found on the east coast of the U.S. in 2009 in Rhode Island and first found in Maine in 2011.
http://vitalsignsme.org/sites/default/files/content/ci_heterosiponia_japonica_112712.pdf

Common name: Siphoned Japan Weed
Location found: This Heterosiphonia (also known as Dasysiphonia japonica) was found in the water at Canoe Beach, Nahant, MA.
Habitat types: Heterosiphonia is typically found on rocks in the lower intertidal zone. This species is invasive in many areas, but is native to the Pacific in Japan, China and Korea and from Alaska to California. (http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Heterosiphonia_japonica.php)
Physical description: This Heterosiphonia was red in color and was identified under the microscope based on the fact that it was filamentous, had an irregular growth pattern, and had main branches that were multiple cells thick.
Fun fact: The first documented case of Heterosiphonia in Massachusetts was in 2010. (https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/29/non-native-seaweed-fact-sheet.pdf)

Heterosiphonia plumosa is found on sand covered rocks in the low intertidal. This red alga has bushy, deep red-brown fronds, arising from a basal disc. Branching is repeated pinnate, branches are spreading and alternate. They are an invasive species from the Pacific where it occurs in Japan, China and Korea, and from Alaska to California. Using a microscope, it can be seen that main
branches are multiple cells thick and side branches coming off
of the main branch are one cell thick. This is an identifying characteristic!
Source:
http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Heterosiphonia_japonica.php

Fun Fact:
It was first found on the east coast of the U.S. in 2009 in Rhode Island and first found in Maine in 2011.
http://vitalsignsme.org/sites/default/files/content/ci_heterosiponia_japonica_112712.pdf

Vertebrate lanosa (Tubed Weeds) is found in the intertidal zone from the Arctic to Long Island. This red alga is bushy and red, consisting of dense stiff branches. When removed from water, it maintains it's shape. It is epiphytic and commonly found on Ascophyllum nodosum (Knotted Wrack). Its color is dark red to almost black. This species can be identified under the microscope by its uniseriate filament covered with 20-24 pericentral cells. It is commonly confused with Polysiphonia species, but does not have the characteristic 4 cells of the cross section (see Polysiphonia identification)
Source:
Marine Life of the North Atlantic by Andrew J Martinez

Illustrated Key to the Seaweeds of New England by Martine Villalard-Bohnsack

Fun Fact:
This epiphytic alga can sometimes be seen on Fucus species.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysiphonia_lanosa

Dead man's fingers grows on solid substrate, from sub-littoral to 40' from Cape Ann, MA to New Jersey. An isolated population exists in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It grows in large, rope-like, branching strands that are spongy, feel like wet felt and is dioecious. The coloring is green, or yellow green with light green tips, and grows up to 3'.

Fun fact:
And invasive algae, Codium was first seen in 1957 on eastern Long Island and has since gradually spread along our coast.

Source:
Marine Life of the North Atlantic by Andrew J Martinez 

Found in the lower and mid-intertidal zone, on the open coast and in estuaries. They have short stiff tufts, and are epiphytic on Ascophyllum nodosum, with dense branches and rounded tufts. It can grow to 2-5cm tall and is a dark red or black.

Source:
Illustrated Key to the Seaweeds of New England by Martine Villalard-Bohnsack

Found on the open coast and in estuaries, in the low intertidal and shallow subtidal zones down to 12m, attached to rocks and mud or epiphytic on other algae. They are often found floating and accumulating in large masses in the drift, very commonly found south of Cape Cod but occurs sporadically to the north. It can be pinkish-red to bright red, and 1-4cm in diameter without a distinct main axis, branching near tips.

Source:

Illustrated Key to the Seaweeds of New England by Martine Villalard-Bohnsack

Fun fact:
They can accumulate in great density on beaches; many efforts have been made to get rid of them, but all have failed.

http://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/biota/algae/rhodo/spermo.htm

Common Name: Sea Lace

Found on a blue mussels during low tide is Nahant, MA.

Habitat: Grows on almost ANYTHING! Algae, shellfish, etc. from low tide line to shallow waters from MA to Long Island.

Physical Description: Colonial bryozoan. Forms irregularly shaped colonies that can vary in size but typically a few inches. Color is whitish. Zooids are rectangular in shape.

Source: Marine Life of the North Altantic Species Key - Martinez

These individuals were found in tide pools at Pumphouse Beach in Nahant, MA. The Rockpool Prawn is a species native to Europe that is invasive in the United States. They are commonly found in very shallow intertidal waters and tide pools where they are sheltered from strong wave currents. they are mostly clear with bright blue brands on their claws, and only get to about 63 mm long.

In turbid waters where there is low visibility, the bands on their claws may disappear completely!

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/70617

This long-claw hermit crab was found during a dive in pump house beach at Nahant. They are a very abundant species of crustacean, and the most abundant hermit crab in the Northeastern American coastline. They are commonly found in intertidal zones and subtidal zones along the benthos. They are small, only about 11mm long, and are light brown and tan with thin claws. They often are found using the shells of Littorina species as dwellings.

The tails of hermit crabs are often used as fishing bait!

http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/invert/hermit.htm

This portly spider crab was accidentally collected during a help collection dive on Canoe Beach in Nahant. They are found along the North Atlantic Coast. Naturally, they are light tan and white, though they are rarely found to be this color. They are more commonly a mix of dark browns, reds, and greens because they grow algae on their shells, which change their color. They are primarily scavengers and detritivores eating whatever they can find along the benthos in the rocky subtidal region they inhabit.

Spider crabs are one of the few invertebrate species that are extremely tolerant of pollutants and can live in highly polluted waters as well as eutrophic and oil polluted waters.

http://www.edc.uri.edu/restoration/html/gallery/invert/spider.htm

This carpet sea squirt was completely covering several rocks during a dive in East Boothbay. It is an invasive species from Japan and is a colonial organism. They are gray, fleshy, and have a vast range of size due to their colonial nature. They can be found anywhere from the intertidal zone to beyond 80 meters deep, and are usually found covering entire rocks and spreading across the sea floor.

It is also commonly known as marine vomit!

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/107996

Common name: Common Periwinkle Snail
Location found: These periwinkles were found in the rocky intertidal zone of East Point, Nahant, MA.
Habitat types: These snails are usually found in intertidal zones from Labrador to the south side of the Chesapeake Bay. They are often seen attached to seaweed, algae, or on rocks. (Martinez, 2003)
Physical description: These snails were identified as Common Periwinkle due to blunted tip at the end of the shell, the fairly wide bottom of the shell relative to its body size, and the lack of ridges in the shell. The snails shown here were about 2 cm from tip to foot.
Fun fact: These snails, though not eaten frequently in the United States, are considered delicacies in some parts of Africa and Asia. (https://animalsake.com/information-about-common-periwinkle-snails)

Common name: Bladder wrack
Location found: This fucus was found in the Great Salt Marsh between Ipswich and Plum Island. It was found amongst some marsh plants.
Habitat types: Fucus vesiculosus is commonly found in the littoral or sublittoral zones of the North Atlantic. (http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/harris_benj/habitat.htm)
Physical description: This clump was about 30 cm long. It was dark brown/black in color and was identified by the paired bladders characteristic of this species.
Fun fact: This type of fucus is often used as a supplement because of the iodine present in the algae. (https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/bladderwrack.html)

Common name: Tortoiseshell Limpet
Location found: This limpet was found on a rock amongst some algae in the intertidal zone at Bigelow Labs in Boothbay, ME.
Habitat types: These limpets are typically found inter tidally and sub tidally on rocky shores from the Arctic to Long Island. (Martinez, 2003)
Physical description: This limpet was fairly small, probably about 2-3 cm long. It had red and brown dots on its mostly white shell and was identified as a limpet because of the shape of its shell.
Fun fact: Limpets can live to be up to 20 years old! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3A4ChW7EZw)

Common name: Rockweed
Location found: This fucus was found on a rock in the lower intertidal zone of Canoe Beach, Nahant, MA. It was found with some barnacles and Ascophyllum nodosum.
Habitat types: Fucus distichus is found throughout the intertidal zone in sheltered or semi-sheltered shores. (https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/rockweed-bull-fucus-distichus.html)
Physical description: The longest section of this fucus seemed to be about 15 cm long. It was identified based on the forked, bumpy air bladders at the end of each section.
Fun fact: The younger tips of the plant (often found in the Spring) can be added to teas. (https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/rockweed-bull-fucus-distichus.html)

Common name: Siphoned Japan Weed
Location found: This Heterosiphonia (also known as Dasysiphonia japonica) was found in the water at Canoe Beach, Nahant, MA.
Habitat types: Heterosiphonia is typically found on rocks in the lower intertidal zone. This species is invasive in many areas, but is native to the Pacific in Japan, China and Korea and from Alaska to California. (http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Heterosiphonia_japonica.php)
Physical description: This Heterosiphonia was red in color and was identified under the microscope based on the fact that it was filamentous, had an irregular growth pattern, and had main branches that were multiple cells thick.
Fun fact: The first documented case of Heterosiphonia in Massachusetts was in 2010. (https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/29/non-native-seaweed-fact-sheet.pdf)

False Irish moss is found year round mostly on the open coast in exposed areas, attached to rocks around the low-tide level and in mid-to lower intertidal tide pools. The edges of the blades are curved/rolled, with small, irregular, rounded, or elongated proliferations or bumps. They are a dark purplish-red to almost black, and can grow 3-10cm tall.

Source:
Illustrated Key to the Seaweeds of New England by Martine Villalard-Bohnsack

Fun fact:
False Irish moss is harvested for carrageenan, which is used in a variety of products such as ice cream and cosmetics.

https://www.britannica.com/science/Irish-moss

Common Names:
Location Found: found while diving at about 12ft, alive among other algal species
Habitat Types: typically grows as epiphyte on other algae and bivalves
Physical Description: balloon-like when they are young, collapsed with age, brown-yellow, grow up to 250 mm
Fun Fact: This species can attach to oyster shells, fill with air, and then float away taking the oyster with it (where they get their common name from)!
Source: The Seaweed Site: information on marine algae
http://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Colpomenia_peregrina.php

Mya arenaria, more commonly known as the soft-shell clam, lives buried in the mud on the tidal mudflats of the eastern coast of North America. This organism was found in intertidal mudflats at low tide. This species can be distinguished by its thin calcium carbonate shell. They can reach up to 102 mm in length and are white to pale grey in color. A fun fact about this species is that it has become an invasive species on the Pacific coast of North America.

References:
Martinez, Andrew. Marine Life of the North Atlantic: Canada to Cape May. New York: Aqua Quest Publications, Inc. 1994.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft-shell_clam

Saccharina latissima, commonly known as sea belt or sugar kelp, is distributed throughout the northeast Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean in sheltered rocky seabeds. This organism was found attached to a rock while scuba diving in 15 ft of water. This species can grow up to 5 m tall and 20 cm wide. It can be distinguished by its yellowish brown color and long, narrow, undivided blade. A fun fact about this species is that it attaches to hard substrate via stout rhizoids found in its claw-like holdfast.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharina_latissima

Didemnum vexillum

Description: this one found in small small colonies on hard rock substrate is actually an invasive species
Found: On the hard substrate
Fun Fact: The earliest Tunicates were found during the Cambrian period

Scientific name:Cerianthus borealis

Common name:Northern cerianthid anemone

Location:Found when scuba diving at Boothbay, ME, United States(Average depth was 24ft)

Distinguishing feature: Northern Cerianthids resemble feather duster worms, but are actually anemones. they are generally white or light brown colored but can be darker reaching even purple colors. The tentacles were about two inches long outside of the tube, though are much larger under the sediment. They can be found from the Arctic down to Cape Cod, preferring colder watersThe Cerianthids like this one are unique among anemones due to their lacking a pedal disk. Instead of attaching to racks, they make their own protective tube that hides their body burrowed under the sediment. They can retract into the tube when threatened much like feather duster worms.

Martinez: Marine Life of the North Atlantic

Common Name: Rockpool Prawn

Location: Found alive in a tide pool on Pump House Beach, Nahant, MA.

Habitat: Found in shallow sandy or muddy bottom environments with algae.

Physical Description: Maximum lengths reach 2.5 inches. Black striping on carapace, yellow and blue striping on legs.

Fun Fact: Coloring can be affected by environment- in waters with high turbidity, colors can fade almost completely.

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/70617

Location found: This Blood Star was found on a boulder in roughly 10ft of water off Pub House Beach, Nahant, MA.

Habitat types: Its range extends from the Arctic to Cape Hatteras, and it can be found on rocky bottoms from the low tide line to 2,415m.

Physical description: The Blood Star has a small disc and five slender, pointed arms. Its dorsal surface is covered by small spines that form a granular covering. It has two rows of tube feet, and its color ranges from red, orange, yellow, white, and purple. Max radius is 10.2cm.

Fun fact: Unlike other sea stars, the Blood Star can absorb nutrients through its outer surface.

Martinez, Andrew. Marine Life of the North Atlantic: Canada to Cape May. New York: Aqua Quest Publications, Inc. 1994.

Scientific name:Littorina obtusata

Common name:Smooth Periwinkle

Location:Found in tide pool at Canoe beach, Nahant, MA, United States

Distinguishing feature: Typically yellow in color, low flat spire (Martinez, A. J. (1994). Marine Life of the North Atlantic Canada to Cape May. Locust Valley, NY: Aqua Quest)

Colpomenia peregrina, commonly known as the oyster-thief or sea potato, is an invasive species of algae native to the eastern Pacific but introduced to the eastern north Atlantic. It is found in littorial rock pools and in the sublittoral zone up to 3 m in depth. This organism was found attached to a rock while scuba diving in 10 ft of water. This species is distinguishable by its bladder-like, hollow, membranous appearance. This spherical algae can grow up to 9 cm in diameter and has a characteristic olive-brown color. A fun fact about this species is that it attaches itself to hard substrates via rhizoidal filaments.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colpomenia_peregrina