limacina_helicina_2c__edited2_.jpg Limacina_helicina (Pteropod), this subpolar/polar species of shelled pteropod can reach up to 1cm. [from Gulf of Alaska] rhabdosoma_brevicaudatum_1c__edited_.jpg Rhabdosoma brevicaudatum. This amphipod (sea flea) was pulled from the salp above where it was likely a commensal (like clown fish and anemones), it stretched the full length of the salp. branchistoma__1a__edited_.jpg Branchistoma. A cephalochordate ~8mm... just before fish on the evolutionary scale, thus the strong resemblance. creseis_virgula_1d__edited_.jpg Creseis virgula. 'Curved-needle pteropod' - shell length 8-10mm. diphyes_dispar_1b__edited_.jpg Diphyes dispar. A siphonophore, a special type of colonial jellyfish - the string coming out are the feeding individuals in the colony... it's like long-line fishing when they are fully deployed out over a distance ~10x-30x as long as the swimming bell (17mm) you see here. limacina_bulimoides_1b__edited_.jpg Limacina_bulimoides. Tiny pteropods, shell ~1mm. linuche_thimble_jelly_1l__edited_.jpg Linuche (unguiculata?). Thimble jelly. ~1cm. This species was packed with commensal algae that provide the color, and probably much of its nutrition. hippopodius_hippopus_b_1d__edited_.jpg Hippopodius hippopus. Another colonial siphonophore. We can see several swimming bells surrounding the red and yellow feeding tentacles (size up to 1.5 cm). There is only one species in ITIS (www.itis.usda.gov): H. hippopus, BUT the color on this is very different from the ones we got last April in the Sargasso Sea. undinula_vulgaris_1a__edited_.jpg Undinula vulgaris. A common tropical herbivorous copepods (total length ~2.5 mm). eucheata_marina_1i__edited_.jpg Eucheata marina. A predatory copepod 3.6mm long -this one is carrying a clutch of sapphire colored eggs. g5_leptocephalus_1f__edited_.jpg Leptocephalus. This is an eel larva - they are flat like a ribbon with transparent bodies reaching up to 30cm long before they move to the seafloor. pterosoma_planum_1a__edited_.jpg Pterosoma planum. A heteropod (yet another group of predatory pelagic snail) with its body expanded out into a disk, a thin shell surrounds the dark visceral mass in center, and a mouth with hooked teeth hangs below (up to 3cm). pterotrachea_hippocampus_1c__edited_.jpg Pterotrachea hippocampus. Another heteropod without the disk - the pink snout holds a viscous set of hooked teeth. A sucker on the ventral fin helps it hold its prey (often shelled pteropods) while it feeds - I've seen this species up to 7-8cm. pyrosomella_verticilliata_1a__edited_.jpg Pyrosomella verticilliata. A type of colonial tunicate (sea-squirt) related to the salps 1-3cm. haloptilis_plumosa__edited_.jpg Haloptilis plumosa. This is a very plumose copepod, the frills keep it from sinking while it hangs quietly in the water - likely a predator... possibly a scavenger. army_ostracod_1h__edited_.jpg Army ostracod (likely Codonocera) - a clam-shrimp. ~4mm -scavengers and detritous feeders. phronema_2h__edited_.jpg Phronema - this amphipod is sticking its head out of its house, the hollowed out living body of a salp, where it will eventually lay its eggs and raise its family.... you thought the movie Alien was a wild idea, see any resemblance? size up to 2 cm. salpa_cylindrica_solitary_2b__edited_.jpg Salpa cylindrica. Herbivorous salps move by jet propulsion using the bands of muscles surrounding the body; this specimen ~3cm. carinaria_lemarcki_1b__edited_.jpg Carinaria lemarcki. a heteropod (a pelagic predatory snail) ~3cm. These are visual predators and the spherical lenses and dark retina in the eyes are obvious. A fragile shell worn like a hat on the back covers the vital parts, including the gills we can see hanging out neocalanus_robustior_1h__edited_.jpg Neocalanus robustior. A copepod (dominant zooplankter). Length ignoring spines is 4 mm. squid_leachia_paralarva_edited.jpg Leachia sp. The eyes on this 4 cm para-larval squid are out on stalks, perhaps to provide a more complete view of predators and prey, for added depth perception, or to make it less visible. cepholopod_1b__edited_.jpg Cepholopod. Baby octopus ~7-8mm Total length. They live and hunt in plankton initially, then settle to the sea-floor. scyphomedusa_5_9a__edited_.jpg Scyphomedusa. Small jellies 0.5-2 cm. cavolina_uncinata_3b__edited_.jpg Cavolinia uncinata - a pteropod or pelagic "wing-footed" snail 7-10mm shell length. These feed by secreting large feeding nets or bubbles to which food sticks as they sink through the water... they then suck in the net along with the food stuck to it (think this is funny, of coarse it's snot). duck_siphonophore_1b__edited_.jpg "Duck" siphonophore. A siphonophore, a special type of colonial jellyfish. The colony here is 24mm long (could be rare). cuvierina_columnella_1a__edited_.jpg Cuvierina columnella. Another pteropod (they are just so photogenic!) shell 7-9mm. gymno_pteropod_a_1h__edited_.jpg Gymnosomatid pteropod - this is a "naked" pteropod. It preys on the other shelled forms. Inside that cute head are tentacles and/or suckers with which it grabs its prey's shell while chainsaw-like teeth extract the flesh of the prey (an evolutionary precursor to the Texas Chainsaw thing) up to 20mm length. little_blue_jelly_porpita_1i__edited_.jpg Porpita (porpita?). This hydrozoan 'blue button' jelly floats on the film at the ocean's surface, the dark blue proving protection to the sun's UV light (this one 3-4mm but up to 1-2cm). candacia_ethiopica_1d__edited_.jpg Candacia ethiopica. A predatory copepod 2mm - large claws on big mouth parts hidden below animal... avoid finding a 6 ft one in a dark alley.