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ECHInoderms

The prime low tide walk season doesn't get going until May. Below you will find images of organisms from Seattle tide pools from last summer. Starting May 1st begin contributing your own images through an iNaturalist project. Simply download the iNaturalist app and select "Tide Pool Creatures Seattle" project. Once you have joined, start adding your observations. Together we can build a picture of who is living in Seattle tide pools and inspire others to join us.

CONTRIBUTE HERE

Echinoderms are a phylum, or grouping, of marine animals that are characterized by having five equal body segments where their organs are reproduced within each one (1). This group of organisms includes sea cucumbers and sea stars, both of which are commonly found in Seattle tide pools.  Pollution can pose a threat to sea stars by creating a physical barrier that separates groups of sea stars from intermingling and breeding with one another (2). This limits the ability of a sea star to find a suitable mate, ultimately leading to reduced biodiversity of the species. This can be a problem to the sea stars' survival as increased biodiversity provides a better chance at survival. Another threat to survival of sea stars an unexplained syndrome known as sea star wasting disease. Pisaster ochraceus, one of the most common types of sea stars seen in Seattle, is particularly impacted by this disease. While the cause of the syndrome is unknown, higher temperatures are correlated with a greater prevalence of mortality related to the disease (3) . To help protect sea stars from sea star wasting disease, reduce your impact on the environment by minimizing actions that contribute to global warming. Simply carpooling or using less water throughout your day can help (4)!

Anemones
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Sea anenomes are a group of marine predators belonging to the phylum cnidaria. They are widely prevalent throughout Seattle tide pools. Anthopleura elegantissima, or aggregating anenomes, are some of the most common found. This type of anenome reproduces asexually and each cluster of aggregating anenomes contains individuals that are clones and geneticaly identical to one another. While the impacts of human activities on anenomes are largely unknown (5) the physical impacts of humans visiting tide pools where anenomes exist can create large disruptions to these creatures. By stepping on an anenome, touching or collecting it you can harm the creature or even kill it (6). Take care not to step on anenomes as they are easy to miss when stepping around tide pools. 

Molluscs

Molluscs are an extremely diverse group of organisms! All molluscs have a soft, continuous body, some type of shell and a mantle, which is a shell-secreting fold in the body. Many types of molluscs can be found in Seattle tide pools, including snails, limpets, chiton and mussels. Seventeen of the species of aquatic mollusc found in Washington State are listed as endangered. Some species of aquatic mollusc are only found in one or two specific locations, leaving them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss (7). Another threat to Washington's molluscs are invasive species, such as the Asian Marine Clam. This clam is not yet present in the Pacific Northwest but is found down the coast in California. This successful organism would displace native clams if it reached their habitat. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, clean all aquatic equipment you use when moving from site to site, even locally (8). 

CRUSTACEANS

Crustaceans are a group of animals containing crabs, barnacles and shrimp. All crustaceans have a ridged but flexible exterior or shell. They are symmetrical between the right and left sides of their bodies and have two pairs of mandibles and antennae and one pair of eyes and stalks (9). Like many creatures in the Pacific Northwest, crustaceans are vulnerable to pollution from stormwater runoff. This water is rain that drains to the ocean, picking up contaminants from the city streets along the way. Many consumer products contain ingredients that contribute to stormwater runoff pollution (10). You can learn about these products and find alternatives that are less harmful.   

Vertibrates

The majority of vertebrates featured here are not tide pool inhabitants but can often be seen while exploring tide pools. During your low tide walk don't forget to look up occasionally as you might spot a harbor seal or sea lion discretely watching your actions. Observing birds during tide can often lead to additional discoveries. Low tide is prime scavenging time for blue herons, crows and seagulls. Creatures that make a tasty meal for birds are often interesting low tide organisms. By bringing a trash bag along and collecting debris during a low tide walk you can help out mammals, birds and fish that we share our environment with. Every year over a million marine mammals die because of plastic debris in the ocean (11). You will also be setting a good example for other beach visitors!

REFERENCES

1) Zubi. (2019). Echinoderms (starfish, brittle star, sea urchin, feather star, sea cucumber). Retrieved May 2, 2019, from Starfish.ch website: https://www.starfish.ch/reef/echinoderms.html

2)Leggett, M. (2011). Pollution driving sea stars to evolve apart | Conservation | The Earth Times. Retrieved May 2, 2019, from Earthtimes.org website: http://www.earthtimes.org/conservation/pollution-driving-sea-stars-evolve/455/

3)Bates, A. E., Hilton, B. J., & Harley, C. D. (2009). Effects of temperature, season and locality on wasting disease in the keystone predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus. Diseases of aquatic organisms, 86(3), 245-251.

4)How You Can Stop Global Warming. (2019, March 13). Retrieved May 2, 2019, from NRDC website: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-you-can-stop-global-warming

5)Sea Anemone | Aquarium. (2019). Retrieved May 2, 2019, from Audubonnatureinstitute.org website: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium/sea-anemone

6)Sea Anemone | Seattle Aquarium. (2019). Retrieved May 2, 2019, from Seattleaquarium.org website: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/animals/sea-anemone

7)Pacific Northwest mollusks. (2011). Retrieved May 3, 2019, from Biologicaldiversity.org website: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/Pacific_Northwest_mollusks/index.html

8) Invasive Species Council Priority Species. (2009). Retrieved May 3, 2019, from Wa.gov website: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorities/marine_clam.shtml

9)Crustaceans. (2015). Retrieved May 3, 2019, from Mesa.edu.au website: http://www.mesa.edu.au/crustaceans/

10)Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the waters of the Pacific Northwest | Encyclopedia of Puget Sound. (2015). Retrieved May 3, 2019, from Eopugetsound.org website: https://www.eopugetsound.org/articles/contaminants-emerging-concern-cecs-waters-pacific-northwest

11)Information About Sea Turtles: Threats from Marine Debris – Sea Turtle Conservancy. (2019). Retrieved May 3, 2019, from Conserveturtles.org website: https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-marine-debris/

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