Gratuitous intertidal images

A couple of months ago, during a helpfully low tide, I went to Calshot Beach (Hampshire, southern England) with a group from the Southampton Natural History Society to see what intertidal and saltmarsh beasts we could discover. With few if any of us being marine/littoral specialists, there was a good chance that we would expand our joyous wildlife experience with some new species (well, new to us anyway).

Although many of our findings were invertebrates, one early specimen was a plant, the Perennial Glasswort Salicornia perennis.

On the saltmarsh, Perennial Glasswort showing tiny scale-like leaves.

From there, interest moved onto the invertebrates - some annotated examples as follows - enjoy!

Tapes decussatus, the Cross-cut Carpet Shell from the strandline

Above and below, two colour forms of the Dahlia Anemone Urticina felina. The upper specimen was around 10-12cm across, the lower one around 8cm. Splendid creatures.

 

The splendid Snakelocks Anemone Anemonia viridis, around 8-10cm across.

Not the usual type of seashell, but the shell of a Haminoea sea-slug. Around 1.5cm, several found on the strandline.

 

A N.American introduction, the Quahog Mercenaria mercenaria, carrying another one from across the pond, a Slipper Limpet Crepidula fornicata as well as some tiny Spirorbis worms.

Though not in edible condition, an Edible Crab Cancer pagurus with various hitchhikers...

To finish, above and below views of the Turban Top Shell Gibbula magus - I particularly like the sculptural form of this shell.