Encyclopedia9 min read
California Mussel: The Rocky Shore's Ecosystem Engineer
Mytilus californianus builds wave-swept mussel beds that shelter hundreds of species. Glue chemistry, keystone starfish, zonation and conservation.
Dr. Mara Ellison ·
#molluscs
7 articles
Encyclopedia8 min read
Chestnut Cowry: The Polished Alarm Bell of the Reef
Neobernaya spadicea, the chestnut cowry, is the only cowry native to California — a glossy chestnut shell beneath a blazing orange mantle, grazing the reef by night.
Dr. Theo Nakamura ·
Encyclopedia8 min read
Giant Keyhole Limpet: The Mantle-Cloaked Gardener
Megathura crenulata, the giant keyhole limpet, cloaks its shell in a living mantle and bleeds blue blood prized by medicine. Identification, diet and reef role.
Dr. Theo Nakamura ·
Encyclopedia9 min read
Green Abalone: Life on the Kelp Forest Edge
Haliotis fulgens, the green abalone, is a kelp-trapping herbivore of Baja and southern California. Shell, life cycle, fishery history and recovery.
Dr. Theo Nakamura ·
Encyclopedia7 min read
Mossy Chiton: The Eight-Plated Grazer with a Hairy Girdle
The mossy chiton is a surf-swept grazer in eight overlapping plates, its girdle bristling like a tiny hedgehog. Meet Mopalia muscosa of the rocky shore.
Dr. Mara Ellison ·
Encyclopedia9 min read
Owl Limpet: The Territorial Gardener of the Rocky Shore
Lottia gigantea, the owl limpet, farms a private algae garden on Pacific rocks and bulldozes rivals off it. Biology, territory defence and status.
Dr. Theo Nakamura ·
Encyclopedia9 min read
Gumboot Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri): Species Profile
The gumboot chiton is the world's largest chiton — a hand-long, magnetite-toothed grazer nicknamed the wandering meatloaf. Meet the kelp coast's gentle giant.
Dr. Theo Nakamura ·