Salps are gelatinous animals that live in the open ocean, but are closely related to the “sea squirts” (tunicates) seen in tidepools. Colonial salps such as this one in the genus Heliosalpa often form long chains, with new animals budding off from others in the chain. By rhythmically contracting their bodies, salps propel themselves through the water and pump water through their guts, filtering out microscopic algae and other tiny organisms for food. This allows them to swim and eat at the same time. With such a simple feeding strategy, salps can multiply very rapidly when they have plenty of food. Most salps are found within 100 meters of the sea surface, where there is enough sunlight for algae to grow. Along the Central California coast, salps are typically seen in fall, when warm, open-ocean water flows toward shore.

This squid, Taonis borealis, is one of the many interesting deep-sea organisms MBARI’s Midwater Ecology group observed on their research expedition in October 2012. You can learn more about their research and see more of the interesting animals they found by reading the group’s cruise logs.

MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle photographed this “flytrap anemone” about 1,900 meters (6,200 feet) below the sea surface during a dive on Davidson Seamount. Marine biologists have not been able to determine the exact genus or species of this animal, but they have placed it in the family Hormathiidae. We often see flytrap anemones up to 30 cm (one foot) across growing on exposed rock outcrops on seamounts and deep sea ridges, where currents are relatively strong. Although some scientists have suggested that flytrap anemones eat bits of debris carried on the ocean currents, their body shape suggests that they feed on small animals, such as shrimp, that happen to swim by. Flytrap anemones were recently discovered to release bioluminescent slime when disturbed.

In 2011-2012, a research team led by Ken Smith traveled to the area of the western North Atlantic known as the Sargasso Sea to study the effects of climate variation on surface Sargassum and deep-sea ecosystems. In this sample, feathery hydroids are interspersed with the fronds and floats of Sargassum seaweed. Today the team embarks on their last cruise in the Sargasso Sea on R/V Walton Smith, the Rosenstiel School at University of Miami’s primary research vessel. To read more about the research Smith’s group conducted in the Sargasso sea, see these cruise logs from the previous expedition: http://www.mbari.org/expeditions/Sargasso3/index.htm. Photo: Debbie Nail Meyer

About 2,400 meters (a mile and a half) below the surface of Monterey Bay, this “sea lily” clings to the wall of Monterey Canyon. Marine biologists call this animal a “stalked crinoid.” Crinoids are relatives of sea stars and sea urchins that live by capturing tiny food particles that drift by on ocean currents. The stalk on this crinoid keeps it up above the muddy seafloor, where the currents are slightly stronger. Like many sea stars, this stalked crinoid has five-fold symmetry, and a mouth located at the center of its feathery arms.

MBARI staff, scientists, and engineers will share their knowledge and enthusiasm about oceanographic research at our annual Open House this Saturday, July 21, 2012 from noon to 5 p.m. in Moss Landing, California. Highlights include science exhibits, technology demonstrations, deep-sea videos, presentations, robotic submersibles, and children’s activities. This free event is fun for the whole family! For more information, visit www.mbari.org/about/openhouse.html 

Lithodid crabs, small red shrimp (Pandalopsis sp.), bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea), yellow sponge (Staurocalyptus sp.), and a white branching finger sponge (Asbestopluma sp.).

Growing up to two meters (six feet) long, Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) are formidable predators that hunt krill and a variety of fishes. Their normal habitat is within the tropical and subtropical waters of the East Pacific.