An Introduction to the Marine Life of the Oregon Coast:
A Personal ”Field Guide” to the Organisms of the Pacific Northwest
To prepare you for what you’ll hopefully encounter in the natural environment on our coastal
field trip, I am asking you to keep a descriptive journal of common organisms. The purpose is to
familiarize yourself with the names, natural history and anatomy of common Oregon Coast
organisms so you will feel comfortable in their identification in the field! In addition, you’ll
most likely learn some interesting and cool facts about them as you go!
The assignment: For weeks 2-7, you will be given a list of organisms (see following page). For
EACH organism, I expect you to write a short paragraph about the natural history, including
interesting and unique characteristics. What does it eat? Who eats it? Is it ecologically or
commercially significant? I also ask that you either draw your own pictures or find good images
online of each organism. Please be as creative if you desire! You are welcome to include more
than one external picture from the web. I have picked some of the major organisms we will see
at the coast, but you are welcome to include more if you so desire!
Materials: Please present your observations on white, unlined paper that will be turned into
me each Thursday in lab (see following page for due dates). You may type or hand-write your
observations, however, if you chose to hand-write, please make sure your writing is LEGIBLE!!.
To keep organized, please place each organism on a SEPARATE sheet of paper, writing the name
of the organism (include common name and scientific name (genus & species)) in a clear and
easily readable location (i.e. the top of each page!) I will return your observations the following
week and expect you to compile each week’s organisms in a 3-ring binder (or another source if
you want to be creative). I will have the journals graded and ready to be used on our field trip.
Grading: You will receive 10 points per week/group of organisms for a total of 60 points (please
take this assignment seriously!). I am not grading you on your artistry, but want to see that you
have put time into looking up these organisms—it will only help you later on!!!!
Where to find information: Field guides are the best sources! The Beachcomber’s Guide to
Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest by J. Duane Sept is wonderful (and a great resource for
your coastal trips too!). Sept’s other field guide, Common Seashore Creatures of the Pacific
Northwest is a good one to check out too. See your syllabus for more ideas, as there are quite a few
others listed. Please do NOT copy information directly out of field guides/online resources—put
things in your own words!!!
Please see the following page for your organism responsibilities and timelines
Organisms of the Week
Week Two: Algae/Seaweeds
Due date: Thursday January 15th, 2015
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Rock Weed: Fucus
Bull Kelp: Nereocystis luetkeana
Sea Palm: Postelsia palmaeformis
Choose Either: Branching Coralline Algae Corallina or Encrusting Coralline Algae Lithothamnion
Week Three: Sponges and Anemones
Due date: Thursday January 22nd, 2015
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Red OR Purple Encrusting Sponge: Ophlitaspongia or Haliclona
Aggregating Anemone: Anthopleura elegantissima
Giant Green Anemone: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Plumose Anemone Metridium senile
Week Four: Worms & Mollusks
Due date: Thursday January 29th, 2015
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Northern Feather Duster Worm: Eudistylia vancouveri
Black Katy Chiton: Katharina tunicata
Giant Pacific Chiton: Cryptchiton stelleri
Black Turban Snail: Tegula funebralis
Week Five: Mollusks & Arthropods, con’t
Due date: Thursday February 5th, 2015
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Orange-spotted nudibranch: Triopha catalinae OR Ringed nudibranchs Dialulula sandiegensis
Pacific Blue Mussel: Mytilus trossulus
Barnacles (you may chose): Thatched Semibalanus cariosus, Acorn Balanus glandula, Little Brown Chthamalus
dalli or Goose Barnacle Pollicipes polymerus
 Giant Pacific Octopus: Octopus dofleini
 Grainyhand Hermit Crab: Pagurus granosimanus
Week Six: Crabs and Starfish
Due date: Thursday February 12th, 2015
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Dungeness Crab: Cancer magister
Purple Shore Crab: Hemigrapsus nudus
Leather Star: Dermasterias imbricata
Purple/Ochre Star: Pisaster ochraceus
 Tide Pool Sculpin: Oligocottus maculosus
Week Seven: Birds and Mammals
Due date: Thursday February 19th, 2015
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Brown Pelican: Pelecanus occidentalis
Pelagic Cormorant: Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Herring Gull: Larus argentatus
Sea Lion: Zalophus californianus
Humpback Whale: Megaptera novaeangliae