More on sea squirts

Many of you know Lorna and I are particularly keen on rockpool creatures. On our last expedition at Bruichladdich we found many sea squirts which seemed to defy identification so I contacted the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth and spoke to the very helpful project officer who has provided some interesting information. I'll repost the photos here with the additional information.

The non-native species Corella eumyota. Distinguishing features are the smooth curve to the gut which you can see through the body, orange tips to the siphons and the second lower siphon is on the right of the body. 

Bortylloides schlosseri  with the large openings of a boring mollusc growing beneath the squirt. You can actually see the eggs. This photo had the experts puzzled for a while!

Rockpooling at Bruichladdich

Surprisingly there were no takers for the Kilchiaran ramble today. Lorna and I went rockpooling at Bruichladdich instead and have been discovering a whole new world under the rocks we usually turn over and discard as being devoid of life - how wrong we were! Watch this space for potentially yawn-worthy information about sea squirts and sponges! Meanwhile, here's a taster of what you're missing when you fail to look closely or turn over a stone on the shore. Becky

Baby shore crab

Small brittlestar

Myxilla incrustans Sponge

Hymeniacidon perleve (Estuary sponge) 

Sea Sponge/mat

These mating Shore Crabs were not amused when we disturbed them! We quickly left them to it!

Leucosolenia botryoides

Hymeniacidon perleve

Leptasterias muelleri (Northern starfish)