Plankton

Caligus sp.

Caligus sp.

Common Name: Sea louse (sea lice) Scientific name: Caligus spp. This is a genus of parasitic arthropods (copepod) that are ectoparasites that feed upon mucous secretions and epidermal tissues of host fishes.   Plankton tow:  Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia,...

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Brachyura Zoea

Brachyura Zoea

Brachyura (True Crab) Zoea Author: Rachel Walker This is likely the zoea of a Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) Plankton tow:  Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia Illustration by Spencer Sivertson

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Hermit Crab Megalopa

Hermit Crab Megalopa

Hermit Crab Megalopa (Pagurus sp.) Plankton Tow: Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, September 18, 2019 Photo by Sophie and Nele

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Cyprid Larva

Cyprid Larva

Cyprid Larva (Barnacle Larva) Author: Judah This is the last planktonic larval stage of a barnacle before it becomes permanently anchored as an adult to a substrate. February 19, 2013 Plankton Tow – Cadboro bay, Victoria BC  

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Nauplius Larva

Nauplius Larva

Barnacle Larva  (Nauplius Larva) Author: Alondra The nauplius larva is the first swimming larval stage of a barnacle.  After this stage it changes into a cyprid larval stage and then anchors itself onto a substrate as it develops into an adult barnacle. February 19,...

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Gammarid Amphipod

Gammarid Amphipod

  Gammarid Amphipod Photo by Samantha O’Keefe February 19, 2013 Plankton Tow Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia

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Brachysira

Brachysira

Brachysira (Diatom) Plankton Tow: Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, September 18, 2019 Photo: Zoe Jennings

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Coscinodiscus wailesii

Coscinodiscus wailesii

Author: Micaela Day Photos:  Zoe Jennings and D. Young Size: Diameter is between 300um and 500um Brief Description: This phytoplankton is apart of the Biddulphiales order and is typically considered as one of the largest marine planktonic diatom genera. Coscinodiscus...

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Chaetoceros 

Chaetoceros 

Chaetoceros (Diatom) Plankton Tow: Cadboro Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, September 18, 2019 Photo: Chloe Stone

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Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish

Author: James Murray Illustrations: by Moloud Mazaheri Scientific name: Aurelia labiata Size range: 25-40cm (9,8-15.8in) Identifying Features:   The Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia labiata) ranges from 25 to 40 cm (9.8 to 15.8 in) in diameter and can be easily recognized by...

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Crystal Jellyfish

Crystal Jellyfish

Crystal Jellyfish Author:  Julia Traill Scientific name: Aequorea victoria Size:  Bell Diameter can be up to 25cm, though the size of this jellyfish can vary depending on where it is found. Identifying Features: They have many radial canals with more than one-hundred...

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Cross Jellyfish

Cross Jellyfish

Authors: Kelsey Baker and Danielle Boutcher Scientific name: Mitrocoma cellularia Size range: to 90mm in diameter. Authors: Kelsey Baker and Danielle Boutcher Identifying features:  The Cross Jellyfish (Mitrocoma cellularia) may grow to 90mm in diameter.  They have up...

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Leuckartiara sp.

Leuckartiara sp.

Leuckartiara spp. Author: D. Young Common Name: A member in the family Pandeidae within the order Anthomedusae of the subclass Hydromedusae. Scientific Name: Leuckartiara sp. Total length of specimen in photo is 3cm (30mm).

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Catablema nodulosa

Catablema nodulosa

Author: Erin Henley Scientific name: Catablema nodulosa Size:  up to 20mm wide. Identifying features: This species has a very distinct bell in the shape of a ball. Catablema nodulosa is a relatively newly discovered jelly fish in the class Hydrozoa.  It is easily...

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Hanging Stomach Jellyfish

Hanging Stomach Jellyfish

Author: Julia Traill Scientific name: Stomotoca atra Size: 25mm wide bell Distribution: The Bering Sea to Southern California.  Commonly seen in the summer in Puget Sound, British Columbia, and Alaska. This hydromedusa is characterized by a long manubrium that hangs...

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Nanomia bijuga

Nanomia bijuga

Scientific Name: Nanomia bijuga Size Range: Up to 30cm in total length Nanomia bijuga belongs to the order Physonecta within the subclass Siphonophorae within the class Hydrozoa. It is a predator that represents a colony of many genetically identical individuals...

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Sea Angel

Sea Angel

Common name: Sea angel, Naked sea butterfly,  common Clione Scientific name: Clione limacina Author: Chloe Stone Photos:  Special thanks to Alexander Semenov for allowing us to use his beautiful images of Clione limacina.  Size range:  3 cm to 8 cm Identifying...

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Pacific Wingfoot Snail

Pacific Wingfoot Snail

Pacific Wingfoot Snail Author: Shelbie Montagnaro Common names: Pacific wingfoot snail, Pacific winged sea slug, sea butterfly Scientific name: Gastropteron pacificum Size Range: to 33mm (1.3 inches) in length Identifying Features:  The Pacific wingfoot snail has a...

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Phronima sedentaria

Phronima sedentaria

Phronima Sedentaria Scientific Name:  Phronima sedentaria Author:  Eduarda Ferro Braga Laurindo Correia Size Range:  These are tiny creatures with sizes ranging from 1.2-4.2 cm (~0.5 to 1.7 inches).  Life Expectancy:  They live around one year.  Identifying Features: ...

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Opossum Shrimp

Opossum Shrimp

Opossum Shrimp Author: Jamie Lenihan Common Names:  Mysid Shrimp, Opossum Shrimp Scientific name:  (Order) Mysida Size range: 5-25mm long (mature length)   Identifying Features:  Mysida is an order of over 1000 species of similar shrimp-like crustaceans. The...

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Sea Gooseberry

Sea Gooseberry

Sea Gooseberry Author:  Max Newell and Marlo Osborne-Subasic Common name: Sea Gooseberry Scientific name: Pleurobrachia bachei Size range: Up to 15 mm Identifying Features:  Pleurobrachia bachei  are the most common comb jelly in the Victoria region.  They are...

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Lobed Comb Jelly

Lobed Comb Jelly

Lobed Comb Jelly Author: Micaela Day Scientific name: Bolinopsis infundibulum Size Range: up to 15 (6 inches) long Identifying Features:  The Lobed Comb Jelly has an oblong rounded body, and can be up to 15 cms. They have medium-sized lobes, with short and flat...

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Beroid Comb Jelly

Beroid Comb Jelly

Beroid Comb Jelly  Author:  Adam Kitzler Common name: Beroid Comb Jelly Scientific name: Beroe abyssicola Size range: up to 7 centimetres   Identifying features:  Beroe abyssicola  has a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, they bear eight evenly spaced rows of...

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