Table 5:  Epifauna checklist from the five transects around the Island School. Abundance codes are 3 = abundant, 2 = common and 1 = occasional. Transect 5 is the least diverse of all five transects.

 

TRANSECTS 

 

IS1

IS2

IS3

IS3

IS4

IS5

SPONGES 

Anthosignella varians

Suade Sponge

2

2

 

 

 

 

Chondrilla nucula

Chicken liver sponge

3

3

3

3

2

 

Dysidea etheria

Heavenly Sponge

 

 

1

 

 

 

Haliclona rubensis

Redfinger Sponge

 

1

 

 

 

 

Ircinia felix

Stinker Sponge

3

3

 

3

3

 

Spheciospongia vesparium

Fl Logger head sponge

2

3

 

2

 

 

Chondrosia rigida

black pillow

 

2

 

 

 

 

 Ircinia campana

Bahamian black ball  sponge

 

1

2

 

 

 

CNIDARIA - JELLYFISH 

Casiopeia xamachana

Upside-down jelly fish

 

 

 

1

2

3

CNIDARIA  - CORALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Briareum asbestinum

Deadman's fingers

 

3

 

 

 

 

Diploria strigosa

Symmentrical Brain coral

 

 

 

1

 

 

Favia Fragum

Gold ball coral

 

1

 

 

2

 

Gorgonia sp.

Sea fan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manicina areolata

Rose coral

2

3

1

3

2

 

Millepora alcicornis

Branching fire coral

 

1

 

2

 

 

Plexaura flexuosa

Bent Sea Rod

1

2

 

 

 

 

Porites astreoides

Mustard hill coral

1

2

 

2

2

 

Porites divaricata

Finger/Club Coral

 

 

 

 

 

 

Porites porites

Finger coral

1

2

 

2

2

 

Pterogorgia anceps

Angular Sea Whip

2

3

 

 

 

 

Pterogorgia guadalupensis

Grooved-Blade Sea Whip

1

2

 

1

 

 

Siderasterea radians

Small starlet coral

3

3

1

3

3

 

Stephanocoenia mechelini

Blushing star coral

 

1

 

 

 

 

CNIDARIA - ANEMONES 

Bartholomea annulata

Ringed Anemone

 

1

1

 

 

 

Condylactis gigantea

Pink-tipped anemone

 

2

 

2

1

 

CRUSTACEANS 

Family Portunidae

Swimming crabs

1

 

 

 

 

 

Family Mithrax

Spider and Decorator Crabs

 

1

1

 

1

 

Petrochirus diogenes

Giant Hermit Crab

 

1

1

 

 

 

Panulirus Argus

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

 

1

 

1

 

 

ECHINODERMS 

Eucidaris tribuloides

Slate-pencil urchin

 

1

1

1

 

 

Holothuria mexicana

Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber

 

1

 

2

 

 

Linckia guildingii

Comet sea star

 

 

1

1

 

 

Lytechinus variegatus

Variable or green sea urchin

 

 

1

 

 

 

Ophiaderma sp.

Brittle star- smooth legs

 

1

 

 

 

 

Ophiocoma sp.

Brittle star- spiny legs

 

1

 

 

 

 

Ophiocoma echinata

Spiny brittle star

1

1

 

2

3

 

Oreaster reticulatus

Cushion starfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tripneustes ventricosus

Sea Egg

 

2

1

1

 

 

MOLLUSKS 

Aplysia dactylomela

Spotted Sea hare

 

2

 

1

 

 

Arca zebra

Turkey wing

 

 

 

 

1

 

Astrea phoebia

Star Shell

 

1

 

 

 

 

Atrina rigida

Stiff pen shell

 

 

1

 

 

 

Cerithium eburneum

Ivory cerith

1

1

 

 

1

 

Chione granulata

Beaded venus

 

1

 

 

 

 

Crassos? Rhizophorae

Mangrove oyster

 

 

 

 

1

 

Fasciolara sp.

tulip snail

 

 

 

 

1

 

Stenoplax limaciformis

Slug shaped slender chiton

 

 

 

 

1

 

Strombas costatus

Milk Conch

 

 

 

1

 

 

Strombas gigas

Queen Conch

1

2

 

2

 

 

ANNELIDS 

Family Terebellidae

Bamboo and Medusa worms

 

 

 

 

1

 

Family Capitellidae

Threadworms

 

 

 

 

1

 

Bispira sp.

feather worm

 

3

 

 

2

 

Spirobranchus giganteus

Xmas Tree Worm

 

 

 

2

 

 

Amphinomidae

fire/bristle worm

 

 

1