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 ·
#rocky-shore
8 articles
Encyclopedia7 min read
Frilled Dogwinkle (Nucella lamellosa): The Whelk That Changes Shape for Its Enemies
The frilled dogwinkle drills barnacles on rocky shores and famously thickens its shell when crabs patrol — a textbook case of predator-induced defence.
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 ·
Encyclopedia8 min read
Striped Surfperch (Embiotoca lateralis): Species Profile
Meet the striped surfperch (Embiotoca lateralis), the copper-striped, blue-flecked surfperch of rocky shores and kelp beds from Alaska to Baja California.
Tom Okafor ·
Explore9 min read
Tidepooling After Dark: A Different Low-Tide World
The night low tide belongs to octopus, crabs and hunting snails. How to tidepool after dark safely, what light to carry, and what you'll see that daylight hides.
Tom Okafor ·
Encyclopedia7 min read
Black Oystercatcher: Sentinel of the Rocky Shore
The black oystercatcher lives its whole life on kelp-fringed rock, hammering limpets and mussels. Ecology, bill lore, breeding and its role as an indicator.
Dr. Mara Ellison ·
Encyclopedia8 min read
Shag Rug Nudibranch (Aeolidia papillosa): The Anemone Hunter in a Grey Coat
Meet Aeolidia papillosa, the shag rug nudibranch: a cold-water sea slug that hunts anemones, steals their stinging cells and wears them as armour.
Dr. Mara Ellison ·