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What the Heck Is That - Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
“What the Heck Is That . . . ?” A Field Guide to Treasures of Florida Gulf Bays by James Tanner Stults A field guide designed for volunteers in association with: Sarasota Bay Watch & Sarasota County Department of Water Resources With financial support from the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Common Name: Drift Algae Scientific Name: There is a wide variety of Drift Algae in Florida Bays Fun Facts: This alga is floating in a bed of Manatee Grass. Drift Algae is found in a dizzying array of shapes, colors and structures. A common problem in this area is that red drift algae washes ashore and rots on the beach creating a bad smell. For this reason, algae is often scraped from the shoreline of public beaches using tractors. Common Name: Green Felt Algae, Dead Man’s Fingers Scientific Name: Codium species Fun Facts: This alga is common in shallow to moderate depths of water attached to hard substrates. Nearly 700 species of macroalgae have been reported in the Gulf of Mexico. Common Name: Name:Shoal ShoalGrass Grass Common Halodulewrightii wrightii Scientific Name: Name: Halodule Scientific Common Name: Shoal Grass Scientific Name: Halodule w Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Shoal ShoalGrass Grassisismore morerobust robustthan thanTurtle TurtleGrass Grassor orManatee ManateeGrass. Grass. It Itwill willoften oftengrow growin inareas areasthat thatare aretoo tooharsh harshand anddisturbed disturbedby bywave waveaction action for forother otherseagrasses seagrassesto togrow. grow.Shoal ShoalGrass Grassisisflat, flat,very verythin thin(~0.1 (~0.1in) in)and andcan can grow growto to13 13inches inchesin inlength. length. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Shoal Grass is mo It will often grow in areas tha Common Name: Name: Turtle TurtleGrass Grass Common Scientific Name: Name: Thalassia Scientific Thalassiatestudinum testudinum Common Name: Turtle Grass Scientific Name: Thalassia test Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Turtle TurtleGrass Grassisisthe themost mostcommon commontype typeof ofseagrass seagrassfound foundoff offof of Florida’s Florida’scoast. coast.The Thecommon commonname name“Turtle “TurtleGrass” Grass”was waschosen chosenbecause becausegreen green sea seaturtles turtlesoften oftengraze grazeon onbeds bedsof ofthis thisseagrass. seagrass.The Theblades bladesare arebetween between4430 30inches incheslong longand and1-1.5 1-1.5inches incheswide. wide.Turtle Turtlegrass grassoften oftenhas hasaagreenishgreenishyellow yellowfuzzy fuzzycoating coatingthat thatconsists consistsprimarily primarilyof ofalgae, algae,diatoms diatomsand andsmall small plants plantscalled calledepiphytes epiphytesgrowing growingon onthe theblade. blade. Fun Facts: Turtle Grass is the m Florida’s coast. The common nam Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Common Common Name: Name:Manatee ManateeGrass Grass Scientific Syringodiumfiliforme filiforme Scientific Name: Name: Syringodium Common Name: Manatee Grass Scientific Name: Syringodium Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Manatee ManateeGrass Grassisisthe thesecond secondmost mostcommon commonseagrass seagrassin inFlorida Florida and andisiseasily easilyidentified identifiedbecause becauseof ofits itscylindrical cylindricalblades. blades.This Thisseagrass seagrassgrows grows anywhere anywherefrom from4-12 4-12inches incheslong longand andisisless lessthan than0.1 0.1inches incheswide. wide.As Asits its common commonname namesuggests, suggests,ititisisaapreferred preferredfood foodof ofthe themanatees. manatees. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Manatee Grass is th and is easily identified because anywhere from 4-12 inches long Common Name: Name:Red RedMangrove Mangrove Common Scientific Name: Name: Rhizophora Scientific Rhizophoramangle mangle Common Name: Red Mangrove Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Red Redmangroves mangroves live liveRhizophora closer closerto tothe theshoreline shoreline than thanother othermangroves. mangroves. Scientific Name: mangle They Theycan cansurvive survivethe theharsher harsherconditions conditionsof ofthe theshoreline shorelinebecause becauseof ofthe the mass massof ofreddish reddishroots rootsthey theyperch perchon. on.These These“prop “proproots” roots”increase increasestability stability and andallow allowfor forgreater greatersupply supplyof ofoxygen. oxygen. Fun Facts: Red mangroves live closer to the shorelin Image Image courtesy courtesy of; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor Harbor National National Estuary EstuaryProgram Program They can survive the harsher conditions of the shore mass of reddish roots they perch on. These “prop ro and allow for greater supply of oxygen. Common Name: Name:Black BlackMangrove Mangrove Common CommonName: Name: Black Mangrove Avicennia Avicennia germinans germinans Scientific Name: Scientific Scientific Name: Avicennia germinans Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Black Blackmangroves mangrovesgrow growfarther fartherback backfrom fromthe thewater waterthan thanred red mangroves, mangroves, where where the theelevation elevation isisslightly slightly higher. higher.Black Black mangroves are easily easily Fun Facts: Black mangroves grow farther backmangroves from theare water than red distinguished distinguished because because of of the the small small root-like root-like projections, projections, called called mangroves, where the elevation is slightly higher. Black mangroves are e pneumatophores, pneumatophores,which whichsurround surroundthe theperiphery peripheryof ofthe theplants. plants. distinguished because of the small root-like projections, called pneumatophores, which surround the periphery of the plants. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Image courtesy of; Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Common Name: Name:White WhiteMangrove Mangrove Common Common Name: White Mangrove Lagunculariaracemosa racemosa Scientific Name: Name: Laguncularia Scientific Scientific Name: Laguncularia racemosa Fun Fun Facts: Facts:The Thewhite whitemangrove mangrovelives livesthe thefurthest furthestfrom fromthe theshoreline. shoreline.One One way wayto toidentify identify white white mangroves mangroves is is by by the the lack lack of of an an aerial aerial root root system, system, such such Fun Facts: The white mangrove lives the furthest from th as aspneumatophores pneumatophoresor orprop proproots. roots.The Thewhite whitemangrove mangroveisisthe theleast least way to identify white mangroves is by the lack of an aerial temperature temperaturetolerant tolerantmangrove mangrovefound foundin inFlorida. Florida.Because Becauseof ofthis, this,ititisisfound found asclimate pneumatophores or prop roots. The white mangrove is th in inthe thewarmer warmerclimate of ofSouthern SouthernFlorida. Florida. temperature tolerant mangrove found in Florida. Because o Florida. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyin of; of;the Charlotte Charlotte Harbor Harborclimate National NationalEstuary Estuary Program Program warmer of Southern Image courtesy of; Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Common Name: Yellow Sulfur Sponge, Yellow Boring Sponge with stone crab Scientific Name: Cliona celata Fun Facts: This sponge can start as a small mass on a shell or rock and then form erect tubes covered with numerous small bumps. Sponges have no nervous, circulatory, or digestive systems and they lack internal organs, making them the most primitive multi-cellular organisms. Common Name: Yellow Sulfur Sponge, Yellow Boring Sponge with stone crab Scientific Name: Cliona celata Fun Facts: This sponge can start as a small mass on a shell or rock and then form erect tubes covered with numerous small bumps. Sponges have no nervous, circulatory, or digestive systems and they lack internal organs, making them the most primitive multi-cellular organisms. Common Name: Sea Anemone and Hydroids on Crab Scientific Name: Hydrozoa (hydroid), Anthozoa (anemone) Fun Facts: Sea Anemones are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower. Both the plant like hydrozoans and sea anemones are related to the jellyfish. All are contained in the Phylum Cnidaria. Common Name: Sea Pork/Tunicate Common Name: Sea Pork/Tunicate Scientific Name: Ascidiacea Scientific Name: Ascidiacea Fun Facts: Phylum Chordata, Subphyulum Tunicata, Class Ascidiacea, Colonial Ascidiacean. This tunicate is found in the same animal phylum as humans! A Fun Facts: Phylum Chordata, Subphyulum Tunicata, Class Ascidiacea, Colonial close up image of some of the individuals can be seen here: Ascidiacean. This tunicate is found in the same animal phylum aswash humans! http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Tunicates/Colonial1.htm. Many up on the A beach when the surf is rough andbe they generally grow attached to hard close up image of some of the individuals can seen here: substrates. http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Tunicates/Colonial1.htm. Many wash up on the beach when the surf is rough and they generally grow attached to hard substrates. Common Name: Tunicate, White Crust Tunicate Scientific Name: Didemnum species Common Name: Tunicate, White Crust Tunicate Fun Facts: This is another type of tunicate; this one has completely Scientific Name: Didemnum species enveloped a blade of turtle grass. Fun Facts: This is another type of tunicate; this one has completely enveloped a blade of turtle grass. Common Name: Name:Sea SeaSquirt Squirt Common Didemnumspecies species Scientific Name: Name: Didemnum Scientific Common Name: Sea Squirt Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Sea Seasquirts squirtsare arefound foundall allover overthe thebay. bay.They Theyare areaatype typeof of Didemnum Scientific Name: tunicate tunicate that thatfilter filterfeed. feed. They Theyinhabit inhabit most mostseagrass seagrassspecies beds bedsand andwill willsquirt squirt water waterififsqueezed. squeezed.They Theyanchor anchorthe thebottom bottommost mostpart partof ofthemselves themselvesin inthe the bay bayfloor floorand andthe therest reststays staysabove abovethe thefloor floorin inthe thewater. water.They Theycan canalso also sport sportaawide widerange rangeof ofcolors. colors. Fun Facts: Sea squirts are found all over the Image Image courtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte Charlotte Harbor National National Estuary EstuaryProgram Program tunicate thatHarbor filter feed. They inhabit most se water if squeezed. They anchor the bottom mo bay floor and the rest stays above the floor in sport a wide range of colors. Common Name: Sand Dollar, Keyhole Sand Dollar Scientific Name: Mellita quinquiesperforata Fun Facts: Sand Dollars get their names form their shape and color when they are dried and sun bleached white. Most people think of the white, sun bleached, boney sand dollar but living ones are greenish and have a small layer of fuzzy feeling spines. Sand Dollars live on sand bars and on the edges of seagrass beds. They burrow a few inches under the sand and usually live in “herds” with a dozen or more sand dollars near them. Sand Dollars are related to sea urchins, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. On rare occasions sand dollars have been observed oriented vertically protruding from the sediment with only one edge buried. This orientation is a filter feeding behavior. They can grow up to be 5 inches in diameter. Common Names: Slender Sea Star, Striped Luidia Scientific Name: Luidia clathrata Fun Facts: Often called starfish, the correct name is Sea Star as these animals are echinoderms not fish. Local Sea Stars such as this one are generally 2 to 6 inches across and can be found clinging to any number of things – such as seawalls, pilings, oysters and other shells, seagrasses, or just sitting on the flats. They are the anaconda of the bay, slowly but relentlessly opening bivalves to feast on the muscle inside. Sea Stars are closely related to sand dollars and sea urchins. Common Name: Decorator Urchin Scientific Name: Lytechinus variegatus Fun Facts: Sea Urchins are a common organism of the bay. They have long spines and are a deep red color. They feed on algae using their mouth, which is found underneath their circular body, or test. As a defensive mechanism, Sea Urchins will collect shells on their outer body to create a protective cover. This “shell shield,” in conjunction with their long outer spines ward off potential predators. Many Sea Urchins are poisonous but are usually harmless to humans. Common Names: Common Sea Urchin, Purple Sea Urchin Scientific Name: Arbacia punctulata Fun Facts: The Purple Sea Urchin is usually found in shallow water, is common in the Gulf of Mexico living on rocks, sand, or shell bottoms and in seagrass beds. Common Name: Sea Urchin Scientific Name: Unknown Fun Facts: This “test” is what is left after a Sea Urchin dies and the spines fall off. The beautiful pattern and delicate coloring make Sea Urchin shells desirable for many ornamental purposes. Common Name: Coquina Shells, Florida Coquina ScientificFlorida Name: Donax variabilis Common Name: Coquina Shells, Coquina Fun Facts: Coquinas are a key swash zone (the area where waves crash) Scientific Name: Donax variabilis species often occurring in high density. They are vulnerable to beach impacts such as red tide and oil spills. They are edible, generally cooked whole to separate the muscle from the shell for chowder. Fun Facts: Coquinas are a key swash zone (the area where waves crash) species often occurring in high density. They are vulnerable to beach impacts such as red tide and oil spills. They are edible, generally cooked whole to separate the muscle from the shell for chowder. Common Names: Scallop, Bay Scallop, Blue Eyed Scallop Common Names: Scallop, Bay Scallop, BlueArgopecten Eyed Scallop irradians Scientific Name: Scientific Name: Argopecten irradians Fun Facts: Scallops are rare jewels of the bay. They once disappeared from the bay for thirty years but have recently started living in Sarasota Bay once again. It is illegal to harvest this tasty treat. Scallops are known for their bright blue “eyes” which are found along the rim of the Scallop, underneath its shell. Although these “eyes” don’t produce images, they detect different light intensities. Scallops are especially important to our bay because they are good indicators of the health of our bay, the more the better! Fun Facts: Scallops are rare jewels of the bay. They once disappeared from the bay for thirty years but have recently started living in Sarasota Bay once again. It is illegal to harvest this tasty treat. Scallops are known for their bright blue “eyes” which are found the rim of the Scallop, Image courtesy of;along Mote Marine Laboratory underneath its shell. Although these “eyes” don’t produce images, they detect different light intensities. Scallops are especially important to our bay because they are good indicators of the health of our bay, the more the better! Image courtesy of; Mote Marine Laboratory Bottom image courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory CommonNames: Names:Oysters, Oysters,Eastern EasternOyster Oyster Common Crassostreavirginica virginica ScientificName: Name:Crassostrea Scientific Common Names: Oysters, Easte Scientific Name: Crassostrea vi Fun FunFacts: Facts:Oysters Oystersare arefound foundmainly mainlyinintwo twosettings, settings,attached attachedon onhard hard surfaces, surfaces,such suchas asdocks docksand andsea seawalls, walls,and andininoyster oysterbars barsininthe thebay. bay.They They generally generallylive liveininlarge largegroups groupsand andare arenotorious notoriousfor fortheir theirrazor razorsharp sharpedges edges that thatare areknown knownto toslice sliceflesh. flesh.Hidden Hiddenwithin withinthe thesharp sharphard hardshells shellsisisthe the delicious deliciousmuscle musclethat thatmany manyanimals, animals,including includinghumans, humans,desire. desire. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Oysters are found m surfaces, such as docks and sea w Common Name: Sun Ray, Sun Ray Venus Clam Scientific Name: Macrocallista nimbosa Fun Facts: This bivalve has a distinctive pattern reminiscent of the rays of the setting sun. Sun Rays can be found buried in sandbars off the beaches and in the bay. They are considered edible but have become somewhat rare. Common Name: Pen Shell Scientific Name: Atrina seminude/Atrina rigida Fun Facts: The fan-shaped Pen Shell is a bivalve, with 2 shells that have thin walls. It buries its point deep in the sand with just a bit of the wider top protruding. The rough, spiny exterior of the shells help anchor it in the sand. The spines are very sharp and can cut fingers or feet if stepped on. The muscle is edible. Common Name: Crown Conch, Florida Crown Conch, King’s Crown Scientific Name: Melongena corona Fun Facts: The Crown Conch received its name because many will have large spines on the shell. It is easy to confuse this predatory snail with the Florida Fighting conch, Strombus alatus, unless the shell is cleaned. This particular shell is covered with a slimy layer of algae. Common Name: Crown Conch Egg Case Scientific Name: Melongena species Fun Facts: Different mollusks lay different types of egg casings that can often be found attached to rocks and washed up on the shore. These are the egg casings of the Florida Crown Conch. Each of the discs contains several eggs that go through multiple life stages to develop into a tiny Crown Conch before being released from the disc into the water. Common Name: Lightning Whelk, Left Handed Whelk Scientific Name: Busycon contrarium Fun Facts: Whelks are familiar shallow-water dwellers in the Gulf of Mexico. There are several species found in southwest Florida, including Lightning, Knobbed, Channeled and Pear Whelks. The Lightning Whelk is the most common. All are carnivorous gastropods, feeding on bivalves that they pry open using the edge of their own shell as a wedge. Common Name: Lightning Whelk, Left Handed Whelk Scientific Name: Busycon contrarium Fun Facts: Of the several species of whelks in southwest Florida, the Lightning Whelk is easily distinguished from the others because when you hold one in your hand, top up, facing the opening, it opens to your left. The other species open to the right. Early native people used whelks for food, tools and decorations. Whelks shaped into artifacts for use as hammers, drills, and fishing net gauges can be found near prehistoric community centers. This type of whelk can grow to over a foot in length! Common Common Name: Name:Whelk WhelkEgg EggCasing Casing Busyconspecies species Scientific Scientific Name: Name: Busycon Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Whelk Whelkeggs eggsare arelaid laidin inintricately intricatelyspiraled spiraledstrings stringsof ofegg eggcapsules capsules that thatresemble resemblethe thecord cordof ofan anold-fashioned old-fashionedhair hairdryer. dryer.Each Eachcapsule capsulehouses houses 100 100--200 200eggs eggsthat thatgo gothrough throughseveral severalstages stagesbefore beforedeveloping developinginto intotiny tiny whelks whelkswithin withinthe theegg eggcase. case.The Thewhelks whelksescape escapeby bypunching punchingholes holesin inthe thecase case and andbegin begintheir theirlife lifein inthe theopen openestuary. estuary. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Common Name: Horse Conch Scientific Name: Pleuroploca gigantea Fun Facts: Horse Conchs have been the official Florida state shell since 1969. They aren’t really conchs but are related to tulip snails. They are the largest marine snail in Florida’s waters and can grow quite large, exceeding one foot in length. In contrast to the whelk, the Horse Conch has a rich brown coloration to its shell, and a distinctive spiral point at the top of its shell. Common Name: Tulip Snail/True Tulip Scientific Name: Fasciolaria tulipa Fun Facts: Both True Tulip and Banded Tulip snails are found in sandy mud and seagrass in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The name comes from the shape of the shell, which is said to resemble a closed tulip, with a slender tapered tip. The True Tulip (3-7") is larger than the Banded Tulip (2-4"). The color patterns of both species vary. However, in general, the True Tulip has muted browns and grays with indistinct stripes while the Banded Tulip is often more colorful with shiny blue-green or gray bands and distinct brown stripes whirling around the shell. Common Names: Shark Eye, Moon Snail, Atlantic Moon Snail Scientific Name: Polinices duplicatus Fun Facts: Shark Eye shells generally are found empty and washed up on beaches. The live animals spend most of their time in the water, under the sand where they plow along searching for bivalves to eat. The snails eat them by drilling a hole into the shell and sucking out the muscle inside. This is one reason why shells can be found on the beach with small holes in them. Common Common Names: Names:Shark SharkEye/Moon Eye/MoonSnail SnailCollar Collar Scientific Scientific Name: Name: Snail Snailorigin originisisunknown unknown Common Names: Shark Eye/Mo Scientific Name: Snail origin is Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Shark SharkEye/Moon Eye/MoonSnails Snailslay laytheir theireggs eggsin ingelatinous gelatinoussheets sheets wrapped wrappedaround aroundthe theparent parentshell, shell,forming formingaa"collar" "collar"that thatbecomes becomescovered covered with withsand. sand.The Theegg egg"collar" "collar"looks lookslike likeaaring ringof ofsoft softtan tanplastic plasticfound foundon onthe the near nearshore shoreocean oceanbottom. bottom. Each Eachsnail snailspecies specieshas hasisisown ownshaped shapedegg egg"collar,” "collar,” which whichcontains containsthousands thousandsof ofeggs eggseach. each.The Theeggs eggsdevelop developinto intolarvae larvaeinside inside the the"collar" "collar"before beforehatching hatchingand andfloating floatingaway. away. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Shark Eye/Moon Sn wrapped around the parent shel with sand. The egg "collar" looks Common Common Names: Names:Spotted SpottedSea SeaHare, Hare,Inkfish Inkfish Aplysiadactylomela dactylomela Scientific Scientific Name: Name:Aplysia Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Sea SeaHares Haresare aresurface surfaceswimmers swimmersand andcan canbeen beenseen seenon onsand sandbars bars at atlow lowtide. tide.Sea SeaHares Haresare aresometimes sometimescalled calledInkfish Inkfishbecause becausethey theywill willsquirt squirt purple/black purple/blackink inkwhen whenalarmed. alarmed.Spotted SpottedSea SeaHares Haresare arecommon commonin inSouth South Florida Floridain inthe thespring springwhen whenthey theycome comeinto intoshallow shallowwater waterto tolay laytheir theireggs eggs that thatcan cannumber numberover overeighty eightymillion. million.They Theyare areherbivores herbivoresand andeat eatalgae. algae. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Florida FloridaFish Fishand andWildlife WildlifeCommission Commission––Image ImageCredit: Credit:Don DonDemaria Demaria Common Name: Hermit Crab Scientific Name: Pagurus species Fun Facts: The Hermit Crab, shown here, is the “squatter” of the bay taking refuge in an empty whelk shell. The Hermit Crab will carry this shell on its back as its home. As the Hermit Crab grows, it will vacate this shell and upscaleHermit to larger quarters. n Name: Crab Hermit Crabs are decapods, with 5 pairs of legs and claws, but they aren't true crabs. There are over 500 species of Hermit Pagurus species fic Name: Crab with the Long-Clawed Hermit being common in shallow waters all along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast. cts: The Hermit Crab, shown here, is the “squatter” of the b in an empty whelk shell. The Hermit Crab will carry this shel s its home. As the Hermit Crab grows, it will vacate this shel to larger quarters. Hermit Crabs are decapods, with 5 pairs ws, but they aren't true crabs. There are over 500 species o ith the Long-Clawed Hermit being common in shallow waters antic and Gulf Coast. Common Common Name: Name:Fiddler FiddlerCrab Crab Scientific Scientific Name: Name: Uca Ucapugilator pugilator Common Name: Fiddler Crab Scientific Name: Uca pugilator Fun Fun Facts: Facts:Fiddler FiddlerCrabs Crabscan canoften oftenbe befound foundon onthe theseashore seashorescurrying scurryingto to their theirholes holesthat thatpuncture puncturethe thebeach. beach.Male MaleFiddler FiddlerCrabs Crabsare arevery verydistinctive distinctive because becausethey theyhave haveone onelarge largeclaw claw(resembling (resemblingaafiddle) fiddle)and andone onesmall smallone. one. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Fiddler Crabs can often be their holes that puncture the beach. Ma because they have one large claw (resem Image courtesy of; Charlotte Harbor National E Common Name: Blue Crab Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus Fun Facts: Blue Crabs are crustaceans with 10 legs, the back pair of which is paddle-shaped and used for swimming. They can be easily identified by their bright blue colors along the claws and leg joints. They shed their exoskeleton when it gets too small and spawn during the summer in Southwest Florida. They are scavengers and eat oysters and clams, as well as seagrass. Their predators include fish such as drum, and humans. Blue Crabs are popular as an important recreational and commercial species in Florida. Common Name: Derelict Crab Trap Scientific Name: NA Fun Facts: Our bays and grass flats are littered with derelict crab traps and other potentially dangerous debris. Here rooted alga have taken up a perch. Common Name: Spider Crab Scientific Name: Libnia emarginata Fun Facts: There are three species of spider crabs in Florida that are very similar in appearance. Spider Crabs frequent the seagrass and mud flats, feeding on detritus and small morsels plucked from the bottom. Like most other crabs, they tend to run away from humans, and don’t hold their ground to fight. Common Name: Stone Crab, Florida Stone Crab Scientific Name: Menippe mercenaria Fun Facts: Stone Crabs are a delicacy, and can only be harvested during certain times, and according to specific rules. Stone Crabs hide under rocks and shells and burrow into holes in the flats, and are seldom seen. Stone Crabs are voracious predators and feed on bivalves, other crustaceans and even fish. They tend to hold their ground to defend their territory. They have powerful claws with tenacious pinchers that can crush a finger. If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you! Common Name: Name:Horseshoe HorseshoeCrab Crab Common Limuluspolyphenus polyphenus Scientific Name: Name:Limulus Scientific Common Name: Horseshoe Crab Scientific Name: Limulus polyphenus Fun Fun Facts: Facts:AAmost mostprimitive primitivecreature, creature,the theHorseshoe HorseshoeCrab Crabisisas asancient ancientas as dinosaurs. dinosaurs.They Theyaren’t aren’treally reallycrabs, crabs,but butrelatives relativesof ofland landspiders. spiders. Their Theirtail tail isn’t isn’taaweapon, weapon,but butisisused usedas asaarudder rudderfor forsteering steeringand andrighting rightingthe theanimal animalifif ititgets getsturned turnedover overonto ontoits itsback. back.The Thefemales femalesare arelarger largerthan thanthe themales malesand and they theyshed shedtheir theirouter outerexoskeleton exoskeletonwhen whenthey theyoutgrow outgrowit. it.Empty Emptymolts moltsare are often oftenfound foundwashed washedup upon onthe theshore. shore.They Theyhave haveblue blueblood bloodthat thatcontains contains copper, copper,unlike unlikeours, ours,which whichcontains containsiron. iron.Horseshoe HorseshoeCrab Crabblood bloodisisused usedin in scientific scientificresearch researchon onblood bloodand andhemoglobin. hemoglobin.This Thisspecies speciesisismost mostcommonly commonly found foundin inthe theGulf Gulfof ofMexico Mexicoand andthe theNorthern NorthernAtlantic. Atlantic. Fun Facts: A most primitive creature, the dinosaurs. They aren’t really crabs, but rel isn’t a weapon, but is used as a rudder for Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program it gets turned over onto its back. The fema they shed their outer exoskeleton when th Common Name: Marine Worm Eggs Scientific Name: Unknown Fun Facts: Egg casings such as these resemble a large string of mucus (feels like it too… eww). The scientific name that describes marine worms is Polychaeta. Common Name: Bird Bones Scientific Name: Bird origin unknown Fun Facts: This bony structure appears to be part of the skull of a bird. Mystery bones are commonly found on the flats and beaches. Common Name: Fishing Tackle Scientific Name: Not Applicable Fun Facts: Forsaken fishing tackle like these pose a serious threat to marine life. Birds are especially threatened by monofilament (fishing line) as they can become entangled in it, limiting their mobility. Without help, they often die. Common Name: Sea Turtle Nest Scientific Name: The type of turtle is unknown Fun Facts: Here is a marked Sea Turtle nest. Female turtles will come ashore at night and build a nest for their eggs. After the eggs are laid, the females will retreat into the ocean, never to see their young again. Approximately 45-75 days later the young turtles hatch and make a mad dash to the ocean. There are five species of Sea Turtles found in Florida. Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are the most common. Common Name: Name:Dolphin, Dolphin,Bottlenose BottlenoseDolphin Dolphin Common Scientific Name: Name: Tursiops Scientific Tursiopstruncatus truncatus Common Name: Dolphin, Bottlenos Scientific Name: Tursiops trunca Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Dolphins Dolphinsare areone oneof ofthe thefavorite favoriteanimals animalsin inthe thebay. bay.Mote MoteMaine Maine Laboratory Laboratoryhas hasconducted conductedthe thelongest longestcontinuous continuousstudy studyof ofdolphins dolphinsin inthe the world. world.Visit Visithttp://www.mote.org/ http://www.mote.org/to tolearn learnmore. more. Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Fun Facts: Dolphins are one of th Laboratory has conducted the lon Common Names: Names:Manatee Manatee(West (WestIndian IndianManatee…commonly Manatee…commonlyfound foundhere) here) Common Trichechusmanatus manatus Scientific Name: Name:Trichechus Scientific Common Names: Manatee (West I Scientific Name: Trichechus mana Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Manatees Manateesare arefound foundthroughout throughoutour ourbays, bays,but butsurface surface infrequently infrequentlyand andonly onlylong longenough enoughto togulp gulpsome someair airas asthey theyare aremammals mammalsthat that breathe breathethrough throughlungs. lungs.If Ifyou youare arelucky luckyyou youmay maysee seeits itsarched archedback backand and broad broadtail tailas asititheads headsback backunder underwater. water.While Whilemanatees manateesoften oftentravel travelalone, alone, they theycan canbe beseen seenin inpods podsfrom fromtime timeto totime timeand andtend tendto tocongregate congregatein inareas areas of ofwarm warmwater waterduring duringcold coldwinter wintermonths. months.Manatees Manateesspend spendtheir theirdays days cruising cruisingthrough throughseagrass seagrassmeadows meadowsmunching munchingon onthe thegrasses grassesand andnapping, napping,but but can canalso alsobe beseen seenmoving movingalong alongshorelines shorelinesand andseawalls. seawalls. Fun Facts: Manatees are found th infrequently and only long enough t breathe through lungs. If you are Image Imagecourtesy courtesyof; of;Charlotte CharlotteHarbor HarborNational NationalEstuary EstuaryProgram Program Common Name: Happy Volunteer Common Name: Happy Volunteer Homo Homo sapiens sapiens Scientific Scientific Name: Name: FunFun Facts: Facts:A healthy A healthy baybay is everybody’s is everybody’s business. business. Volunteers Volunteers help help thethe baybay in many in many different different ways. ways. Common Common Name: Name: PropProp Scars Scars Scientific Scientific Name: Name: Not Not Applicable Applicable Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Although Although this this may may looklook like like a crop a crop circle circle in the in the seagrass seagrass bed,bed, these these markings markings are definitely are definitely of human of human origin. origin. Boaters Boaters thatthat findfind themselves themselves in water in water that’s that’s a little a little too shallow too shallow leave leave a scar a scar fromfrom theirtheir propeller propeller thatthat often often takes takes years years to heal. to heal. Acknowledgements Amanda Dominguez, Environmental Specialist, Sarasota County Environmental Utilities Project Creator/Advisor – Thanks for all the excellent guidance and encouragement! Emily R. Hall, Ph. D, Staff Scientist, Chemical Ecology, and Jim K. Culter, Manager, Benthic Ecology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory For review and scientific identification Judy Ott, B.S., M.S., Program Scientist, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program For review and scientific identification Sarasota Bay Watch, Sarasota Bay Watch is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to protecting and restoring Sarasota Bay's ecosystem through community education and citizen participation. “A Healthy Bay Is Everybody’s Business” http://sarasotabaywatch.org/ Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program: Working together to protect the natural environment from Venice to Bonita Springs to Winter Haven The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is a partnership that protects the estuaries from Venice to Estero Bay. This partnership gives citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users in the 4,700-square-mile study area a voice to address diverse resource management concerns, including fish and wildlife habitat loss, water quality and flow and stewardship. The watershed in the study area includes all or portions of Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and DeSoto counties. Contact information includes the program website – www.CHNEP.org – and the program phone number –239/338-2556 ext 240 or toll free 866/8355785 ext 240. ʹͲͳʹ ǡǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ ʹͲͲǤ ǤǤǤǫ Ǥǡ Ǥ
