Grice Marine Laboratory
On April 4, 2019 at the Grice Marine Labratory on James Island, from the time of 1:00pm to 4:00pm (3 hours), I made observations through the iNaturalist app and posted them to my account. On that Thursday, it was very sunny with a temperature of 73 degrees. While it would seem like it was a warm climate, due to the wind blowing it was fairly cool and almost cold even. Throughout the time at the site, I used a weighted net to disturb the sediment in the water and collect what was residing in it. From the animals collected in the net, I made observations and identified them through the iNaturalist app.
Stepping out onto the beach I noticed a similar reddish-brown color throughout the water and upon moving closer to inspect it, I realized that it was from some type of seaweed. After posting an image to the iNaturalist app, I found out that it was Gracilaria. Gracilaria is a genus of red algae, notable for its economic importance as it is used for food for humans and various shellfish. This species of algae is becoming an issue for the fishing industry in Charleston due to the fact that it gets caught in the nets. In fact, Gracilaria is so common that it has now been declared an invasive species. The algae is speculated to have been introduced during WWII and has since been increasing in population. While I don't know the exact species, I am certain of the genus, but my observation has yet to be verified as research grade. Before beginning the process of casting the weighted net, I took another look at the shore and noticed some more interesting things. In addition to the Gracilaria, there was also a knobbed whelk (Busycon carica). The knobbed whelk is a species of very large predatory sea snail. Knobbed whelks are protandric hermaphrodites, which means they are initially males and then change into females as they age. The snail eats clams and is differentiated between others by the fact that its opening is on the right side. In addition to the knobbed whelk, I also identified, what I thought was a serpulid tubeworm, but know now to be a plumed worm (Diopatra cuprea). Plumed worms is a species of polychaete worm found largely in South Carolina. The plumed worm features a long narrow tube which it attaches to the sea floor and has a retractable “plume” that it extends to take in nutrients from surrounding waters. My identification of the knobbed whelk has been verified but the identification of the plumed worm has yet to be verified as a research grade observation. After observing from the shore, I began the process of collection with the net and from there observed what was caught.
After the first time using the net, there were some notable discoveries such as a small flat fish with a golden-brown color to it. I believed that the fish was a small puffer but was later corrected and informed that it was a filefish (Monacanthidae). After this individual made this correction, another person stated that the fish could be a juvenile planehead filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus). Unfortunately for both corrections, they are only speculations and the exact species of the fish I observed is still unknown. In addition to the possible planehead filefish, was an Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia). The Atlantic silverside is a small species of fish found in the West Atlantic and is often the subject of scientific research because of its sensitivity to environmental changes. The Atlantic silverside is a long, slender, and thin-bodied fish with two dorsal fins, a rounded white belly, and large scales. It has a short head with large eyes and a small mouth. Along each side, is a distinct silver band outlined by a narrow black stripe. Due to commonness of the fish, my post of the Atlantic silverside was almost instantly verified as a research grade observation. After identifying these species, I began a second attempt at the collection process, and was able to identify more species.
From the net, I noticed a repeat of some fish species that were already observed, such as the Atlantic silverside, but there were new ones in addition to that fish such as a swimming crab (Portunidae). Portunidae is a fmaily of crabs and while the exact species of the one that I identified is unknown, all members of this family share the feature of a pair of legs that are flattened into paddles for swimming. Due to the fact that the species is unknown, my observation has not been verified as research grade.
Overall, the Grice Marine Laboratory is in a prime location for research and has access to large amount of marine life diversity. The area is unique not only in the species that inhabit it but also the effects that are experienced due to commercial cargo ships that are constantly passing through the Charleston harbor, ultimately creating abnormal wave and current patterns.
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