RED ALGAE GIANT KELP MARINE BACTERIA PHYTOPLANKTON FRONT

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1 FRONT RED ALGAE GIANT KELP Genus: Gigartina Genus: Macrocystis Size: Up to 10 cm (4 in.) Range: Shallow temperate oceans and rocky intertidal zones worldwide pyrifera Size: Up to 65 m (215 ft.) long Range: Rocky coasts in temperate or polar seas MARINE BACTERIA PHYTOPLANKTON Genus: varies Genus: varies Size: 1 3 µm (micrometer) Range: Worldwide in oceans Size: µm (micrometer) in length or diameter Range: Worldwide in oceans, lakes, and ponds

2 BACK GIANT KELP Natural History: Giant kelp grow in extensive, thick stands on rocks. Food: Produced through photosynthesis Predator: Abalone, crabs, sea urchins, and some fish Shelter: In rocky coastal waters up to a depth of 80 m (262 ft.) Reproduction: Reproductively active once a year. Giant kelp are sporophytes; they produce spores from special blades located near the holdfast. These spores develop into microscopic male and female plants that produce sperm and eggs. They produce millions of gametes that are released into the water. The generation that results from this fertilization grows into the giant kelp that will produce spores. Abiotic Impact: Kelp require cold temperatures, below 12ºC (53.5ºF), to reproduce sexually. Human Impact: Giant kelp are harvested with a ship designed to cut the tops off and leave the holdfast in place. The harvest is regulated by the Department of Fish and Game. Harvesters collect approximately 140,000 tons of kelp from southern California kelp beds each year. RED ALGAE Natural History: Red algae are common seaweeds with worldwide distribution, with more than 4000 species. These algae do not grow as big as kelp and are often overlooked. Food: Produced through photosynthesis Predator: Sea urchins, snails, abalones, and some fish Shelter: A tough outer layer of cells and thick bumps on fronds help protect the algae from predators. Red algae are benthic. Many species grow on the surface of rocks, sea grass, and kelp and make them look reddish and fuzzy. Reproduction: Red algae have three distinct life forms: a sporophyte, a male plant, and a female plant. The female plant can produce spores. Red algae can reproduce asexually with spores or sexually with sperm from the male and eggs from the female. Human Impact: People may overharvest Gigartina for agar, causing populations to shrink. Photos: David Hall, Photo Researchers, Inc.; National Park Service (inset) Photo: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve Collection PHYTOPLANKTON Natural History: Phytoplankton represent a huge array of microorganisms, mostly single-celled protists. The ones shown here are dinoflagellates. Plankton cannot move against the current, so they drift with water movement. Food: Produced through photosynthesis Predator: Zooplankton, bryozoans, corals, sea fans, sea anemones, worms, tunicates, sponges, brittle stars, and fish Reproduction: Most reproduce asexually by splitting into two new cells. Abiotic Impact: Productivity depends on light, water, and temperature levels. Human Impact: Runoff from sewage can cause huge population increases, called blooms, that can clog fish gills and prevent gas exchange. MARINE BACTERIA Natural History: Marine bacteria float in the water and attach to substrates of all kinds, including rocks, sand, algae, animals, and any other organism they touch. Food: Detritus (decaying organic material) Predator: Filter feeders, such as sea anemones, brittle stars, bryozoans, sponges, baleen whales, tunicates, and barnacles Reproduction: Bacteria reproduce quickly via cell division. Photo: William C. Jorgensen, Visuals Unlimited Photo: Paul W. Johnson, Biological Photo Service

3 FRONT ZOOXANTHELLAE GIANT GREEN ANEMONE Genus: Zooxanthella Genus: Anthopleura Size: Microscopic Range: Tropical and temperate oceans xanthogrammica Size: Up to 30 cm (12 in.) tall; 25 cm (10 in.) diameter Range: Shallow temperate ocean to rocky intertidal zone; Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Panama FOLIATE KELP CRAB TURBAN SNAIL Genus: Mimulus Genus: Tegula foliatus Size: Up to 15 cm (6 in.) diameter funebralis Size: 2.5 cm (1 in.) long; 3.2 cm (1.25 in.) wide Range: Subtropical to temperate oceans and rocky intertidal zone from British Columbia to Baja California Range: Subtropical oceans

4 BACK GIANT GREEN ANEMONE Natural History: Sea anemones have stinging cells that inject a small amount of poison into their prey. Although anemones are attached to rocks, they can move from place to place by slowly inching along the surface. Food: Zooplankton, phytoplankton, zooxanthellae, small fish, and mussels. Zooxanthellae that live within the tissue of this anemone help nourish it. Predator: Garibaldi and nudibranchs Shelter: Sea anemones live in tidal zones, where currents bring food to them. Reproduction: Anemones can reproduce either sexually or asexually. During asexual reproduction the animal divides itself into two genetically identical individuals. During sexual reproduction millions of sperm and egg cells are released into the water. The larvae float through the water as plankton until settling on the substrate. Abiotic Impact: When the tide goes out, sea anemones protect themselves from drying out by closing up and being covered by small rocks and shells that reflect the light and heat. ZOOXANTHELLAE Natural History: Zooxanthellae live inside another organism in a symbiotic relationship. When exposed to sunlight, zooxanthellae use photosynthesis to produce their own food, some of which is transferred to the host organism. Food: Produced through photosynthesis Predator: Sea anemones, sea fans, corals, urchins, and parrot fish Shelter: Protected in the tissues of the host organism Reproduction: Divides into two new cells. When the host organism reproduces, zooxanthellae are present in the tissue of the offspring. Abiotic Impact: Needs light to survive. Productivity depends on light, water, and temperature levels. Photo: Art Explosion Photo: William Fitt, University of Georgia TURBAN SNAIL Natural History: Young snails live high in the tidal zone. As they mature, they migrate into deeper water. Turban snails feed on algae, scraping the surface of rocks with their hard, serrated tongues called radula. Food: Red algae, coralline algae, and kelp Predator: Garibaldi and sea otters Shelter: Rock crevices between high- and low-tide lines. Like all aquatic snails, the turban snail has an operculum that it closes as it retreats into its shell. If a turban snail accidentally falls onto an anemone, it quickly closes. The anemone will attempt to eat the snail, but since it cannot digest the shell or open the operculum, it will eventually discard the snail. Otters, on the other hand, have no problem cracking open the shell for a tasty morsel. Reproduction: Black turban snails release eggs and sperm into water. Larvae are planktonic for the first few months of their lives, then settle down onto the rocks as young snails. FOLIATE KELP CRAB Natural History: The foliate kelp crab can be found clinging to the stipes and holdfasts of giant kelp. Food: Kelp Predator: Octopuses, giant kelpfish, garibaldi, and sheepheads Shelter: Kelp crabs hide among the kelp and camouflage themselves by attaching bits of kelp and sponges to their carapaces. Reproduction: After fertilization, the female carries the eggs on her abdomen until they hatch as larvae. Larvae are planktonic, floating in the water until they settle and spend their lives in kelp beds. Photo: Al Lowry, Photo Researchers, Inc. Photo: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve Collection

5 FRONT ABALONE Genus: Haliotis Size: cm (4 10 in.) across; up to 7.5 cm (3 in.) thick Range: Subtropical to temperate oceans ZOOPLANKTON Genus: varies Size: 100 µm (micrometer) to a few millimeters long Range: Worldwide in oceans SPINY BRITTLE STAR CALIFORNIA SPINY LOBSTER Genus: Ophiothrix Genus: Panulirus spiculata Size: 1.9 cm (0.75 in.) disk; arms 15 cm (6 in.) long Range: Tropical and temperate oceans from central California south to Peru interruptus Size: Up to 40 cm (16 in.) long Range: Temperate oceans from the California coast down to Baja California

6 BACK ZOOPLANKTON Natural History: Zooplankton are microscopic adult animals and larval forms of animals. They represent nearly every group of animals found in the oceans. Like all planktonic organisms, zooplankton cannot swim well enough to move against currents, so they drift in the water. Food: Phytoplankton, fish, and marine bacteria Predator: Filter feeders, such as sea anemones, brittle stars, bryozoans, baleen whales, tunicates, and barnacles Reproduction: Many zooplankton are larval forms of animals, such as crabs, lobsters, snails, octopuses, sea urchins, sea stars, barnacles, and fish. Others stay planktonic all their lives and reproduce by releasing sperm and eggs into the water. ABALONE Natural History: Abalone attach themselves to the surface of rocks, where they blend in with the surroundings. They feed at night and rarely move during the day. Food: Algae and kelp Predator: Sea otters and octopuses Shelter: Abalone clamp tightly onto rocks to protect themselves from predators. Reproduction: Larvae are planktonic, floating in the water until they settle and spend their lives in kelp beds. Human Impact: Abalone are considered a delicacy and have been hunted almost to extinction in some areas. Photo: D. P. Wilson, Photo Researchers, Inc. Photo: Brandon Cole, CORBIS CALIFORNIA SPINY LOBSTER Natural History: Lobsters are nocturnal hunters and emerge from their rocky shelter only when hunting. During the day only antennae are visible. Food: Detritus (decaying organic material) and sea urchins Predator: Octopuses Shelter: Cracks and crevices of rocky reefs Reproduction: Spawning occurs May through July. A male deposits a sac of sperm on a female's abdomen. The female inserts the eggs into the sperm sac for fertilization, and carries the eggs in grapelike clusters on small legs called swimmerets. The eggs hatch as larvae, which are planktonic for up to 8 months and then settle to the bottom to become young lobsters. Human Impact: Lobsters may be overharvested in some areas. There are limits on the size that can be caught, so that the population can continue to grow. SPINY BRITTLE STAR Natural History: Brittle stars are not in the same class of echinoderms as sea stars. They are sensitive to light and stay in shaded, secluded spots by day, emerging at night to hunt for food. They anchor themselves with the spines of one or more arms and use the others to filter-feed. They move about by whipping their arms. Food: Kelp, red algae, zooplankton, phytoplankton, bryozoans, and detritus (decaying organic material) Predator: Garibaldi Shelter: Dark, secluded spots under rocks, in crevices, and in holdfasts of giant kelp Reproduction: Brittle stars release eggs and sperm into the water. Larvae are planktonic for the first few months and then settle down to become young brittle stars. Photo: National Park Service Photo: Art Explosion

7 FRONT PURPLE SEA URCHIN Genus: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus Size: Up to 7 cm (3 in.) diameter Range: Temperate to polar oceans and rocky intertidal zone from Alaska to Baja California SEA OTTER Genus: Enhydra lutris Size: Up to 1.2 m (4 ft.) long Range: Along the coasts of Russia, Alaska, and central California BAT STAR GIANT KELPFISH Genus: Asterina Genus: Heterostichus miniata Size: Up to 10 cm (4 in.) Range: Temperate to polar oceans and rocky intertidal zone from Alaska to Baja California rostratus Size: Up to 61 cm (24 in.) long Range: Temperate oceans from British Columbia to southern Baja California

8 BACK SEA OTTER Natural History: Sea otters dive to the bottom of the kelp forest in search of food. They can stay underwater for as long as 160 seconds. When a prey item is found, a sea otter returns to the surface and floats on its back to devour its meal. An otter may carry a favorite rock under its arm while diving. At the surface it lays the rock on its chest to pound the shells of clams and urchins to crack them open. Food: Invertebrates, including abalone, sea urchins, snails, and other mollusks Predator: Killer whales Shelter: Sea otters rarely, if ever, leave the water. They live, eat, and sleep in the kelp forests. Reproduction: A sea otter mother leaves the water to give birth, returning immediately with the newborn pup, which she carries on her belly. The pup can float, but the mother will leave it just long enough to dive and gather food. Human Impact: Sea otters were almost hunted to extinction for their prized fur coats. They are now protected. PURPLE SEA URCHIN Natural History: A sea urchin moves about on tiny tube feet that emerge among the spines. Its mouth is in the center of its underside. A circular structure in the mouth, called an Aristotle's lantern, has five teeth and opens and closes like a bird's beak. The tough teeth extend to scrape algae off rocks. Food: Algae and detritus (decaying organic material) Predator: Sea otters, sea stars, lobsters, and some fish. Predators bump sea urchins off rocks and bite into their exposed undersides. Shelter: Sea urchins hide in cracks and crevices of rocky reefs and among the kelp. They are found from the low-tide line to a depth of about 91 m (300 ft.). Reproduction: Urchins release millions of eggs and sperm into the water. Larvae are planktonic and then settle to the bottom to become young sea urchins. When one urchin releases its eggs or sperm, this triggers all other urchins in the area to release theirs as well, thus increasing the rate of fertilization. Human Impact: The eggs of this sea urchin, called uni, are considered a delicacy in Japan. Photo: Art Explosion Photo: Art Explosion GIANT KELPFISH Natural History: Kelpfish hide in the kelp forests, waiting for prey. Food: Small crustaceans and some mollusks Predator: Octopuses Shelter: The kelpfish hides among the blades of the kelp, where it is well camouflaged. Reproduction: Larvae are planktonic, floating in the water until they settle and spend their lives in kelp beds. Human Impact: The kelpfish is not usually kept if caught by anglers. BAT STAR Natural History: Bat stars move around the hard surfaces in the kelp forest on rows of tiny tube feet. Food: Sea urchins, anenomes, snails, and clams Predator: Sea otters Shelter: Bat stars can hold tightly onto rocks and hide in crevices to protect themselves from predators. Reproduction: Bat stars release sperm and eggs into the water. Larvae are planktonic and then settle to the bottom to become young bat stars. Photo: National Park Service Photo: Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

9 FRONT CALIFORNIA SHEEPHEAD SEÑORITA Genus: Semicossyphus Genus: Oxyjulis pulcher Size: Up to 90 cm (3 ft.) long Range: Temperate ocean from central California to the Gulf of California californica Size: Up to 25 cm (10 in.) long Range: Temperate oceans from northern California to Baja California GARIBALDI RED OCTOPUS Genus: Hypsypops Genus: Octopus rubicundus Size: Up to 38 cm (15 in.) long Range: Temperate ocean from central to southern California rubescens Size: Up to 50 cm (1.5 ft.) arm span Range: Temperate to polar oceans from Alaska to Baja California

10 BACK SEÑORITA Natural History: Señoritas are a type of wrasse. These fish clean dead tissue and parasites from other fish. If frightened, señoritas retreat to the kelp fronds. At night they bury themselves in the sand with only their heads sticking out. Food: Detritus (decaying organic material), small snails, worms, larval fish, parasites, and bryozoans Predator: Octopuses Shelter: Señoritas hide among the kelp. Most fish won't eat wrasses, but they allow señoritas to clean them. Reproduction: Señoritas spawn from May to August. The larval fish are planktonic, floating in the water until they settle and spend their lives in kelp beds. Human Impact: Señoritas can be caught using very small hooks, but they are considered too small to eat. CALIFORNIA SHEEPHEAD Natural History: All sheepheads hatch as females and change to males later in life. Food: Invertebrates, such as sea urchins, crabs, barnacles, mussels, clams, and bryozoans Predator: Seals, cormorants, and octopuses Shelter: Sheepheads sleep in the cracks and crevices of the rocky reef at night. They live around reefs and in kelp beds. Reproduction: Sheepheads spawn in spring and summer. The eggs float in the open ocean, where they hatch. The larvae are planktonic and live in the currents for several months. Finally, they settle into a kelp bed, where they spend the rest of their lives. Human Impact: Sheepheads are a popular game fish for anglers, but their numbers have declined in recent years. Photo: Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Photo: Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation RED OCTOPUS Natural History: An octopus is an eight-armed mollusk related to squid, oysters, and snails. It does not have a shell, and the only hard part is a small beak in its mouth at the center of its head. There are two rows of suckers along the length of each arm. An octopus moves by using the suckers on the underside of its tentacles. Octopus eyesight is among the best in the ocean. Food: Crabs, hermit crabs, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish Predator: Sea otters Shelter: An octopus will retreat into cracks and crevices during the day, coming out at night to hunt. You can find their holes by looking for the octopus's garden, a pile of debris, shells, and remains of previous meals piled up at the entrance. Reproduction: Larvae are planktonic, floating in the water until they settle and spend their lives in kelp beds. GARIBALDI Natural History: Adults are very territorial and defend their small portion of the kelp bed. They will charge any intruder, including fish and scuba divers. Food: Sponges, anemones, bryozoans, algae, worms, crustaceans, clams, mussels, snail eggs, and their own eggs Predator: Sea lions and sharks Shelter: Rocky bottoms in open areas and protected shallow bays Reproduction: Garibaldi breed from March through July. The male clears a nesting spot and performs an elaborate courtship dance to attract a mate. When a female selects a mate, she deposits 15,000 80,000 eggs in the nest and is chased away by the male. He fertilizes the eggs and protects the nest from predators until the eggs hatch. Human Impact: Garibaldi are not good to eat, but juveniles adapt easily to home aquariums. They could easily be exploited; therefore, they are protected, and it is illegal to own them. They are sometimes caught in lobster traps and must be returned to the water alive. Photo: Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Photo: National Park Service