UK Species List
Here is a list of all the species I have drawn or written about so far. They are ordered alphabetically in Phyla the following ordered catergorises, Marine Algae, Marine Invertebrates and Marine Vertebrates. Don’t want to waste your time scrolling … no worries just search in the searchbar below!
Each species is put next to its illustrated painting and picture if avalible.
Just click on the species name to be taken to the post about it.
MARINE ALGAE
Micro Algae
Noctiluca scilliants – Sea Sparkles
Phylum: Myzozoa
Class: Dinophyceae
If you have ever seen water sparkle, like firefly lights, as you have moved through water, that beautful occurance was these little guys.
Macro Algae
Chrondrus Crispus – Irish Moss
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Red/burgundy coloured seaweed, whose fronds may irridesce underwater in the light.
Corallina officinalis – Coral Weed
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
A crunchy seaweed, with calcium carbonate skeleton.
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvaphyceae
Two very common and vibrant green seaweeds that brighten up the shore.
MARINE INVERTEBRATES
Arthropods
Carcinus maenas- Common Shore Crab
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Brown/yellow/green coloured crab, can be slighty agressive but will more likey run away if found.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malostraca
Green isopods often seen inbetween seaweeds or rocks on the rocky shore.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
The most agressive species in exsistent – a small angry awesome little crab with red eyes and blue legs. Handle with care!
Annelids
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Small green worm can be found under rockys, lays large ‘green blobs’ of eggs.
Phylum: Annelid
Class: Polychaeta
Bright orange worm found in a sandy tube on lower shore.
Phylum: Annelid
Class: Polychaeta
Worm found on sandy shores that forms a sand tubes.
Cnidaria
Actinia equina – Beadlet Anemone
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Common rocky shore anemone with deep red colouration.
Anemonia viridis – Snakeslock Anemone
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Rocky shore anemone with long green tentacles and pink tinted tips.
Ctenophores
Pleurobranchia pileus – Sea Gooseberry
Phylum: Ctenophora
Class: Tentaculata
Often found as small clear clobs washed up on the shore.
Echinoderms
Asterias Rubens – Common Star Fish
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Common orange/yellow starfish found on many shores.
Molluscs
Crepidula fornicata – Slipper Limpet
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Invasive species, smooth pink shells with each organsim settling on top of each other.
Littorina saxatilis – Rough Periwinkle
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropods
Small rough shelled snails found on the shore.
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Blue/black shelled organsim that attach to surfaces with threads.
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Small shelled snails found on the floor.
Patella vulgata – Common Limpet
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Cone shelled organsim, stuck solidly onto rocks.
Patella pellucida – Blue Rayed Limpet
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Beautiful small limpet, with irridescnt bright blue stripes. Lives and feeds on kelp..
Sepiola atlantica – Bobtail Squid
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Small, cute and gorgeous little squid-like creature.
MARINE VERTEBRATES
Elasmobranchs
Scyliorhinus canicula – Lesser spotted dogfish
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Elasmobranchus
A small shark that will always try to rub there rough skin backwards around your arm if handled.
Fish
Ciliata mustela – 5-beared Rockling
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Elongated, smooth skinned fish with 5 barbels on its face.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Rare, bizaree but cute looking fish with a sucker on the underside of its body.
Pleuronectes platessa – European Plaice
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Orange spotted flatfish.
Mammals
