Both hermit crabs live in the shells of Lunella coronata (formerly Turbo coronatus). Port St Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called left-handed hermit crab. Nippers dark brown with white fingers, that of the left side greatly enlarged to block the shell opening when the crab withdraws. Eyes blue, eyestalks and first… Continue reading Blue-eyed hermit crab (Calcinus laevimanus)
Tag: South Africa
Banded brittlestar (Ophiarachnella capensis)
Banded brittlestar under a boulder. Fishhoek, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Disc granular, arms strikingly patterned with alternating dark grey and pink (or red) bands. Very short spines flank the arms. The lower surface of the disc has a single long genital slit on either side of each arm. About 45 mm. Lives under boulders… Continue reading Banded brittlestar (Ophiarachnella capensis)
Green rock crab (Grapsus fourmanoiri)
Green rock crab cruising in a rock pool. Port St Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Very similar to the Natal rock crab in structure, but dull khaki-green tinged with yellow and with pale nippers. The sides of its carapace are almost straight, not obviously convex as in the Natal rock crab. About… Continue reading Green rock crab (Grapsus fourmanoiri)
No Money, No Data, No Biodiversity 💸 🇿🇦 [15 min]
Let's Start A Conversation ! 💬 #5 - Biological & Ecological News Video published on my YouTube channel as part of the 'Let's Start A Conversation' playlist, that shares biological and ecological news in a fun and concise manner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufkR9h0EzVI&t=16s CONSERVATION, or the protection of wildlife and natural habitats is all the rave. New protected… Continue reading No Money, No Data, No Biodiversity 💸 🇿🇦 [15 min]
Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
Large alikreukel covered in spiral fanworms (Spirorbis spp.) and pinkish barnacles. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called the giant periwinkle, or the South African turban shell. Large and round, height less than width. About three rows of low nodules spiral around each whorl - though they may erode and disappear in… Continue reading Alikreukel (Turbo sarmaticus)
Ridged burnupena (Burnupena cincta)
Ridged burnupena cruising at the bottom of a rock pool and covered with patches of encrusting coralline algae. Fishhoek, Western Cape (2020). Shell robust. Outer surface with coarse spiral ridges, although West Coast specimens may lack these. Aperture about 1.5 times longer than the spire. Posterior end of outer lip strongly kinked inwards. Dull brown,… Continue reading Ridged burnupena (Burnupena cincta)
Pink-rayed limpet (Cymbula miniata)
Pink-rayed limpet overgrown by algae. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Shell thin, flat and nearly oval, with about 80 fine riblets that alternate in size and are slightly prickly. Pale, shot with numerous beautiful pink rays. Interior pale in the center and with a bluish sheen over the pink rays. About 80 mm.… Continue reading Pink-rayed limpet (Cymbula miniata)
Giant feather-duster worm (Pseudobranchiomma longa)
Details of the spiral whorls of feeding appendages of the tube worm. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also known as the giant fan worm or by its former scientific name, Sabellastarte longa. Head crowned with two magnificent spiral whorls of feeding appendages. Commonly purple, white or orange. The absence of tiny external… Continue reading Giant feather-duster worm (Pseudobranchiomma longa)
Natal rock crab (Grapsus tenuicrustatus)
Natal rock crab waiting for the waves on rock boulders. Port St Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Carapace black, usually speckled with green. Sides obviously convex. The posterior part of the carapace has about eight fine grooves that run outwards to the edge. Legs red-brown and yellow. Nippers dark red. 'Hand' weakly… Continue reading Natal rock crab (Grapsus tenuicrustatus)
Dwarf chiton (Ischnochiton oniscus)
Gang of dwarf chitons under a boulder. Old Woman's River, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Colour often white but can occur in a wide variety of patterns and colours. Valves textured with fine pits, which are often arranged in rows, but lacking radiating ridges. Girdle narrow, covered in tiny scales that appear smooth to the… Continue reading Dwarf chiton (Ischnochiton oniscus)
F*CK FISH 