Observations by andrewmccue

This Forbes' Sea Star (Asterias forbesi) was found on a boulder while diving at Canoe Beach. Approximate depth 20 feet. Forbes' sea stars are found on sandy and rocky bottoms from the intertidal to 150 feet. Forbes' sea stars can be found from Maine to Texas. Forbes' sea stars are identified by their stout cylindrical blunt tipped arms as well as their large orange madreporite. Forbes' sea stars range in color from brown to red and can have a radius of 5 inches. The coloration of the madreporite during a dive is not always orange due to changing light conditions at depth.

This Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus) was found as an epiphyte growing on a Common Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) in the rocky intertidal. Irish moss is found in the intertidal and subtidal from the Arctic to New Jersey. Irish Moss is identified by its flat tapered blades that converge to at a single disk shaped holdfast. Irish moss is deep red to yellow green depending upon how close they are to the surface and the intensity of sunlight. Irish moss grow to be 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. Irish moss is harvested commercially for it's carrageenin which is utilized in a variety of cosmetics and baked goods.

This 5 foot tall sample of Knotted Wrack (Ascophylum nodosum) was found during a dive off the dock at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Approximante depth 18 feet Ascophylum nodosum is found in sheltered intertidal waters from the Arctic to Long Island. Ascophylum nodosum is identified by it's green ripple blades which have thick air bladders and short branchlets that extend from the thallus except at the ends. Ascophylum nodosum typically grow to be 3 feet in size. Ascophylum nodosum is commonly used as packing material for lobster transportation.

Found this patch of Carpet sea Squirt (Didemnum vexillum) on a boulder during a dive on Pump House Beach. Approximate depth 15 feet. Carpet sea squirts are found on solid substrate from the intertidal to a depth of 200 feet. Carpet sea squirts are found worldwide. Carpet sea squirts are typically yellow or whitish yellow and can be up to two inches tall. Carpet sea squirts are invasive to North America and were likely introduced via ballast water of ships traveling between Europe and North America.

Found this patch of Dulse (Rhodymenia palmata) while diving at Pump House Beach. Approximate depth 17 feet. Dulse is typically found in the intertidal and subtidal from the Arctic to Cape Cod. Dulse is identified by it's short stipe and long flat blade that widens and divides as it grows outwards. Dulse can grow to be 1 inch wide and 10 inches long. Dulse is red or purple and is commercially available as a dried seaweed snack.

This deceased common slippersnail (Crepidula fornicata) was found on a rock that was removed from the intertidal and placed at the beach entrance. These snails are found intertidally and subtidally to a depth of 40 feet on rocky shores from Canada to Texas. These snails have shells that are convexed with a coiled apex that is turned to one side. The outside and inside of the shell are often ccovered with white and brown markings. These snails can grow to be 2 inches in diameter. These snails use their foots to anchor themselves to hard substrate and prevent desiccation until the tide comes back in. Common slipper snails can often be found in stacks where the bottom snail is female while the snail on the top is male. If more than 2 snails are stacked, the ones in the middle are hermaphroditic.

This Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) shell was found washed up on Crane Beach. Northern quahogs are identified by their thick oval shell. Beak points towards the anterior of the shell. Northern quahogs are typically gray or white and have concentric growth ridges on the exterior of the shell. On the interior of the shell there is a white and purple boarder. Northern quahogs grow to be 5 inches long and 4 and a half inches wide. Northern Quahogs are found in shallow sand and mud between the Gulf of St. Laurence and Florida. The town of Quahog in the TV show Family Guy is the namesake of the Northern Quahog.

This colony of Sea Lace (Membranipora membranacea) was found as an epiphyte on a sample of Ascophyllum nodosum collected from Pump House Beach. Sea lace is found growing on hard substrate and algae from low tide to shallow waters between Massachusetts and Long island. Sea lace is identified by it's irregular lacy crust. Sea lace is white and is 1/32 of an inch thick and up to 3 inches wide. Sea lace is protandrous and is capable of fertilization with in and between colonies.

This Spiral Tufted Bryozoan was found in the salt marsh along the trail at Strawberry Hill. Spiral Tufted Bryozoan are identified by their bushy thick main branch and secondary branche that spiral around it. Spiral Tufted Bryozoans are found from the Bay of Fundy to Florida living epiphyically on eel grass and algae and on the surface of rocks from the low tide line to a depth of 90 feet. Spiral Tufted Bryozoans are generally yellow, tan or orange and can form colonies up to 3 inches tall and 1 inch wide. Spiral Tufted Bryozoan canvas prints are being sold online for nearly 100 dollars each.

Found this rough periwinkle (Littorina saxatilus) among the rocks during low tide at canoe Beach. Rough periwinkles are found from the Arctic to New Jersey farther up in the intertidal than the common or yellow periwinkle. Rough periwinkles are identified by their tall spiral and 4-5 convex whorls. The apex is pointed. Rough periwinkles are typically yellow or gray and are typically 1/2 inch in size. Rough periwinkles brood larvae internally and release them as juvenile snails.

Found this shell from an Atlantic Razor Clam (Ensis directus) washed up on Crane Beach. Atlantic razor clams are identified by their moderately curved shells which have concentric growth ridges. Each shell has a long posterior tooth and two ventral teeth. Atlantic razor clams can be found on sand flats between the intertidal and shallow waters. Atlantic razor clams are typically white or brownish green and are typically six times as long as they are wide. They can grow to be 10 inches in length. Atlantic razor clams can be found from Florida to Labrador. Atlantic razor clams got their name because they resemble an old fashion strait edge razor commonly used in barber shops.

This Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) was found in the salt marsh on the western side of the bridge across the street from Nichols Field. Eastern oyster's shave varies depending upon the substrate and nutrient availability of their local environment. Their shell has unequal valves which are narrow at the hinge, widen and curve gradually. Eastern oysters can grow to be 10 inches long. Eastern oysters are found intertidally to a depth of 40 feet from the Gulf of St. Laurence to the Gulf of Mexico. Eastern oysters can release 100 million eggs per spawning cycle. Eastern oysters can spawn multiple times per year.

These sinistral spiral tube worms (Spirorbis borealis) were found growing on Fucus distichous at Grimes Cove. These small worms are typically found in the intertidal growing on hard surfaces as well as Fucus sp and Chondrus crispus. Sinistral spiral tube worms can be found from the bay of Fundy to Cape Cod and are typically white. Sinistral spiral tube worms are identified by their counter clockwise coil and one modified tentacle on their head that acts as operculum. sinistral spiral tube worms are similar to the dextral spiral tube worm which has a clockwise coil. The direction of the coil is relative to the outer edge of the tube worm moving inwards towards the substrate.

This piece of Codium fragile was found in the wrack line of Canoe beach. Codium fragile grows on solid substrate from the sub-littoral to a depth of 40 feet from Boothbay Harbor in Maine to New Jersey. Codium fragile is identified by it's spongy rope like branches. Codium fragile is typically green or yellow although it can look white or grey when bleached by the sun. Codium fragile is an invasive algae that was brought to New York from Europe in 1957. Codium fragile is edible and recipes are readily available for making Codium salad.

Found this Common Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) on the surface of a small rock on the face of the salt marsh at low tide. Common periwinkles are typically found on the surface of algae whether it be Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus sp or algal films such as Lithothamnium sp. Common periwinkles are identified by their smooth thick shell with a whitish columella and blunt apex. Common periwinkles range in color from gray to dark brown and can grow to be 1 inch in length. Common periwinkles can be found from Labrador (Canada) to Chesapeake Bay. Common periwinkles attach themselves to rocks to reduce moisture loss and survive desiccation untill the tide comes back in.

This Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) was found along the trail at Strawberry Hill. Atlantic horseshoe crabs can be found on sand or mud bottoms intertidally to 75 feet between Maine and the Gulf of Mexico. Atlantic horseshoe crabs are identified by their horseshoe shaped carapace, spiked telson and two pairs of compound eyes. Atlantic horseshoe crabs can grow to be 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. Atlantic horseshoe crabs have 5 pairs book gills which are on it's ventral surface. These gills are protected by a chitin layer that prevents damage from benthic surfaces as the Atlantic horseshoe crab moves.

This valve from a Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa) was found on the bank of the salt marsh at Strawberry hill. Ribbed mussels are found in salt marshes and in the intertidal zone and are found from the gulf of St. Laurence (Canada) to Florida. Ribbed mussels are distinguished from other mussels by their radiating ribs on the surface of the shells. Ribbed mussels are typically yellow, brown or black and can grow to be 4 inches in length. Ribbed mussels are edible but concerns about waste products and foul taste have hindered their widespread consumption.

This shell from an Atlantic Surfclam (Spisula solidissima) was found while diving by the jetty at Green Harbor. Approximate depth:7 feet
Atlantic surfclams are typically found in sand and mud from the low tide line to a depth of 100 feet. Atlantic surfclams can be found from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. Atlantic surfclams are identified by their large yellow beaks and fine concentric lines on the surface of their triangular shell. Atlantic surfclams range in color from white, yellow and black. Atlantic surfclams can grow to be 8 inches long and 5 inches tall. The Atlantic surfclam extends it's foot between it's valves and buries itself in the sand, exposing only their siphons.