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. Before looking at the details of The Species check the specimens chosen each month in the Previous Photo of the Month. The monthly Blog is full of photos of the latest species found. You may want to have a look at the Biodiversity page that gives a plankton overview while Methods looks specifically at how the samples are taken and photographed. More below.
Photo of the Month
There are two genera of Ctenophores or Comb Jellies found on the UK coast with the most abundant one being the Sea Gooseberry Pleurobranchia. However, during June the second Beroe has been increasing offshore. The main difference is the lack of a pair of tentacles (see Pleurobranchia here). Beroe is much bigger with a slit-like mouth and will happily feed on the Pleurobranchia which have been abundant for the last few months This photo, taken on 21st June, is of a juvenile, just 15mm long, when they will grow easily to 10 cm. In the net were several other Beroe individuals but smaller. There are two species of Beroe but need to be adult for the correct identification.
The photo also shows a bloom of the circular dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans, being drawn along it by the ctenes beating a current.