Celia Diaz Caro
Bio 470
11/20/2006
Natural History Project
1. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)
Description
To identify this animal, one must look at the color dark gray in their winds, with a
stocky body, webbed feet and hooked bill.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 7, at 4:30 in the afternoon with a nice sunny day,
and low temperature.
Taxonomy:
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Laridae
Genus Larus
Species Occidentalis
Ecological Facts
Western Gulls feed in pelagic and intertidal environments. At sea they take fish and
invertebrates like krill, squid and jellyfish. They cannot dive, and feed exclusively on
the surface. On land they will feed on seal and sea lion carcasses, as well as cockles,
limpets and snails in the intertidal zone. They will also use human-altered habitats,
feeding at landfills and taking food from people at marinas and beaches. At times
some Western Gulls can be predatory, preying on the young of other birds and even
adults of some species
They are currently vulnerable to climatic events like El Niño events and oil spills.
Citations
ITIS REPORT. 2002. November 18, 2006.
http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search
_value=176819
Pierotti, R. J., and C. A. Annett. 1995. Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). In The
Birds of North America, No. 174 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of
Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union,
Washington, D.C.
2. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)
Description
One of the most likely features of this animal is the color bluish head and back with
white in collar and chest. It also has a shaggy crest.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 7, at 5:06 in the afternoon.
Taxonomy
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Coraciiformes
Family Alcedinidae
Genus Cerile
Species Alcyon
Ecological Facts
The female is more glamorous on color than the male, while in most of 99% of
species of birds the male is more colorful than the female.
Their nest burrow is usually in a dirt bank near water. Fascinating thing is that they
make their tunnel slopes upward from the entrance, to keep the water from going
inside.
Citations
Hamas, M. J. 1994. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). In The Birds of North
America, No. 84 (A. Poole, and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
November 18, 2006.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Belted_Kingfisher.html
Florida Nature. 2006. November 18, 2006.
http://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Ceryle_alcyon
3. Acorn Barnacle (Balanus glandula)
Description
Crustaceans with hard body. They are mostly white color with a hole in the middle;
they have a cone shape shell wall.
Field notes
I found the specimen on October 7, at 3:21 in the afternoon.
Taxonomy
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Cirripedia
Order Thoracia
Family Balanidae
Genus Balanus
Species glandula
Ecological facts
When they are crowed, they grow into tall hexagonal columns.
The cement used by barnacles to attach themselves to hard surfaces has been studied
and reproduced in a class of glues that include dental adhesive and Super-Glue.
Citations
Edmonds Discovery Programs. 2003. November 18, 2006
http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/Discovery_programs_website/Crustaceans.html
Leah Behrends. Taxonomy of Balanus glandula. 2002 November 18, 2006
http://www.uas.alaska.edu/biology/Tamone/catalog/arthropoda/balanus_glandul
a/taxonomy.html
4. Moon Snail (Polinices lewisii)
Description
Body very smooth, white with brownish color. Mostly found in the north part of
Edmonds beach.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 7, at 2:11 in the afternoon, by walking on the wet
sand close to the rail.
Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Order Caenogastropoda
Family Naticidae
Genus Polinices
Species lewisii
Ecological Facts
Sea gull eat snail by picking them up and throwing them from high in the sky so they
can break their shell.
It lays its eggs in a molded round collar with mucus, sand surrounding the collar to
retain it.
Citations
Gotshall, Daniel. Guide to Invertebrates. 2002. November 18, 2006.
http://oceanlink.island.net/youth%20forums/surrey%20forum%20nov02/jessie%20ne
da/moon%20snail.htm
The Taxonomicon. 2006. November 18, 2006.
http://sn2000.taxonomy.nl/Taxonomicon/TaxonTree.aspx?id=35934
5. Rock Oyster (Pododesmus cepio)
Description
They are found everywhere in Edmonds Beach, its really hard to recognized. Round
from viewing up, it has a shell on the inside with a hole in it. Upper shell is thicker.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 7, at 2:20 in the afternoon, by walking on the wet
sand close to the rail.
Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Order Ostreoida
Family Anomidae
Genus pododesmus
Species cepio
Ecological Facts
The name "Jingle Shell" comes from the sound a handful of these shells make in the
pocket of a beachcomber.
They are filter feeders.
Citation
Edmonds Discovery Programs. 2003. November 18, 2006
http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/Discovery_programs_website/Clams_Mussels.html
6. Native Littleneck (Protothaca staminea)
Description
Many fine ridges radiate out from the hinge. These ridges are crossed by growth
rings. Color cream or gray. Really hard to identified (got help from the guy managing
the ferry tickets)
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 21st, at 1:03 pm walking down next to the rail.
Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Order Veneroida
Family Veneridae
Genus Protothaca
Species staminea
Ecological facts
they are delicious when steamed open and dipped in hot butter. This clams does not
live as long out of the water as the Manila. Commercially they are dug by hand and
mechanical harvesters. They are sold primarily in the fresh market with a large
percentage of the production shipped to California. The littleneck clam is important to
sport and commercial interests.
Citation
Phipps, Melissa. Intertidal Marine Invertebrates of the Puget Sound. November 18,
2006. http://www.nwmarinelife.com/htmlswimmers/p_staminea.html
7. Manila Clam (Ruditapes japonica)
Description
They are abundant just below the surface in sheltered bays. Varies from gray to
brown, with streaking pattern radiating from the hinge common.. Ridges radiate from
out the hindge.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 21st, at 1:16 pm walking down next to the rail.
Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Order Veneroida
Family Veneridae
Genus Ruditapes
Species japonica
Ecological Facts
They are also called Japanese littleneck because ships introduced them on 1930’s
with imported Japanese oyster seed. Species has out competed Native Littleneck in many
places.
The Manila clam resource currently supports commercial, depuration and recreational
harvests, and First Nations' food and ceremonial requirements.
Citations
Fish Stock of the Pacific Coast.2006. November 18, 2006. http://www.pac.dfompo.gc.ca/comm/publications/speciesbook/invertebrates/manila.html
8. Cockles (Clinocardium nuttalli)
Description
They are recognized by the giant ridges coming from the hinge evenly space. The
shells are lightly brown and close with a shape of a heart.
Field notes
I found the specimen on October 21st, at 2:36 pm.
Taxonomy
Phylum Mollusca
Class Bivalvia
Order Veneroida
Family Cardiidae
Genus Clinocardium
Species nuttalli
Ecological facts
The cockle has a powerful muscular foot, which gives it a high degree of mobility.
They have been observed moving along the bottom by springing with the foot. Each
hop can cover two to three feet.
Thick shell is brittle and cracks open easily when dropped onto rocks by gulls.
Citations
Washington Department of fish and Wildlife. 2005. November 18, 2006.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/beachreg/1clam.htm#little
Kozloff, E.N. 1983. Seashore life of the northern Pacific coast. Douglas & McIntyre,
Vancouver: 290.
9. Bread Crumb Sponge (Halichondria panicea)
Description
Soft, yellow, bread like texture sponge. Easily to identify
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 21st, at 1:32 pm walking down next to the rail
Taxonomy
Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Cornacuspongida
Family Halichondriidae
Genus Halichondria
Species panicea
Ecological Notes
The main reason for its yellowish color is the symbiotic relation with an algae.
This sponge is also known for its offensive, sulfuric odor released when broken apart
or decaying.
Citations
Ward, A. Marine Intertidal Zone Investigation. 1999, November 18, 2006.
http://alpha2.bigelow.org/mitzi/animals_3.html
Gomoiu, T-A. Halicondria Panicea. November 182006
http://www.grid.unep.ch/bsein/redbook/txt/halichon.htm?%20SPONGIA
10. Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadelphia)
Description
Dark head and rear, light grey winds and white chest.
Field Notes
I found the specimen on October 21st, at 2:01 pm.
Taxonomy
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Laridae
Genus Larus
Species philadelphia
Ecological Facts
The Bonaparte's Gull is the only gull that regularly nests in trees
During the breeding season, the Bonaparte's Gull feeds mainly on insects, often
catching them on the wing.
he English name of the Bonaparte's Gull honors Charles Lucien Bonaparte,
presumably because he collected his specimen there.
Citations
Hamas, M. J. 1994. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). In The Birds of North
America, No. 84 (A. Poole, and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
November 18, 2006.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bonapartes_Gull.html