Marine Plankton
Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire UK
Aims of the Site
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To share marine plankton information
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Display photos of plankton biodiversity
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Provide an educational resource
Welcome. This site covers coastal plankton washing on to the stunning shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is an amazing biodiversity of microscopic life living in every drop of seawater. Collections are made around Milford Haven, part of the Special Area of Conservation, with the most regular ones made in Dale. Other locations. Before looking at the details of The Species check the species chosen each month in the Previous Photo of the Month. You may want to have quick look at the Biodiversity page while Methods looks specifically at how the samples are taken and photographed. The monthly Blog is full photos of the latest species found.
Photo of the Month
Autumn is a time when siphonophores like the Portuguese man'o war arrive. Muggiaea is a tiny siphonophore, 2 -4 mm, that eats copepods and has been common since August. Photographed on 15th October this is a calanoid copepod caught by the Muggiaea. At the top are the polyps of the Muggiaea holding the prey. Particularly interesting is the ectoparasite on the back of the copepod clearly visible through the siphonphore's gelatinous bell. It is an isopod (think woodlice) crustacean.
To see and find out more go to this month's blog here.
Calanoid copepod caught by the siphonophore Muggiaea. On the copepod back is a Bopyrid parasite