Marine Life (207) – Alphabetical Index by 113 Families by Scientific Name
Acanthasteridae Family of Venomous Starfish (1)
Crown-of-Thorns, Ancanthaster planci
Acroporidae Family of Reef Corals (1)
Staghorn Coral, Acropora cervicornis
Actiniidae Family of True Sea Anemones (5)
Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone, Condylactis gigantea
Fish-eating Anemone, Urticina piscivore
Stelloides Sea Anemone, Isoaulactinia stelloides
Sunburst Anemone, Anthopleura sola
White-spotted Rose Anemone, Urticina eques
Aglajidae Family of Sea Slugs (1)
Navanax, Navanax inermis
Alpheide Family of Caridean Snapping Shrimp (1)
Coral Pistol Shrimp, Alpheus lottini
Amphinomidae Family of Bristle Worms and Fireworms (1)
Gulf Fireworm, Eurythoe complanata
*Antipathidae Family of Corals (1)
Galapagos Black Coral, Antipathes galapagensis
Aphroditidae Family of Sea Mice (2)
Japonica Sea Mouse, Aphrodita japonica
Mexican Aphrodite Worm, Aphrodita mexicana
Aplysiidae Family of Sea Hares (3)
Blunt End Sea Hare, Dolabella auricularia
California Sea Hare, Aplysia californica
Rickett’s Lined Sea Hare, Stylocheilus rickettsi
Aplysinidae Family of Sea Sponges (1)
Stovepipe Sponge, Aplysina archeri
*Arenicolidae Family of Polychaete Worms (1)
Glassell’s Lugworm, Arenicola glasselli
*Argonautidae Family of Argonauts (2)
Pacific Argonaut, Argonauta argo
Paper Nautilus, Argonauta cornutus
Arminidae Family of Nudibranchs (1)
Striped Nudibranch, Armina californica
Asteriidae Family of Sea Stars (3)
Giant Spined Starfish, Pisaster giganteus
Ochre Starfish, Pisaster ochraceus
Sunflower Star, Pycnopodia helianthoides
*Asterinidae Family of Sea Starfish (1)
Bat Star, Patiria miniata
*Asterodiscid Family of Sea Stars (2)
Prickly Sea Star, Paulia horrida
Spiny Sea Star, Amphiaster insignis
Astropectinidae Family of Sea Stars (4)
Channeled Sea Star, Tethyaster canaliculatus
Fragile Sand Star, Astropecten fragilis
Peruvian Sand Star, Astropecten brasiliensis peruvianus
Spiny Sand Star, Astropecten armatus
Astropseidae Family of Starfish (2)
Keeled Sea Star, Asteropsis carinifera
Leather Star, Dermasterias imbricata
Axiidae Family of Mud Shrimp (1)
Keeled Mud Lobster, Calocarides quinqueseriatus
Balanidae Family of Acorn Barnacles (1)
California Acorn Barnacle, Mebafalanus californicus
Balaenopteridae Family of Baleen and Rorqual Whales (2)
Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Brissidae Family of Heart Urchins (1)
Obese Heart Urchin, Brissus obesus
Callianassidae Family of Ghost Shrimp (1)
Bay Ghost Shrimp, Neotrypaea californiensis
*Caudinidae Family of Sea Cucumbers (1)
Sweet Potato Sea Cucumber, Caudina arenicola
Cerianthidae Family of Tube Anemones (1)
Pacific Tube Anemone, Pachycerianthus fimbriatus
Chelonidae Family of Sea Turtles (4)
Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata
Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta
Pacific Black Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas
Chromodorididae Family of Nudibranchs (7)
Agassiz’s Nudibranch, Felimare agassizii
California Chromodorid, Felimare ghiselini
Dall’s Chromodorid, Chromolaichma dalli
MacFarland’s Chromodorid, Felimida macfarlandi
Norris’ Chromodorid, Felimida norrisi
Porter’s Chromodorid, Felimida porterae
Sedna, Chromolaichma sedna
Cidaridae Family of Pencil Urchins (3)
Caribbean Slate Pencil Urchin, Eucidaris tribuloides
Perplexing Sea Urchin, Hesperocidaris perplexa
Slate Pencil Urchin, Eucidaris thouarsii
*Cirolanidae Family of Isopods (1)
Harford’s Isopod, Cirolana harfordi
*Clypeasteridae Family of Sea Biscuits (2)
Europacific Sea Biscuit, Clypeaster europacificus
Sea Biscuit, Clypeaster Sp.
Corallimorphidae Family of Coral Anemones (1)
Strawberry Anemone, Corynactis californica
Coryphellidae Family of Nudibranchs (1)
Three-lined Aeolid, Coryphella trilineata
Cryptocelididae Family of Flatworms (1)
California Flatworm, Hylocelis californica
Cymodoceaceae Family of Manatee Grasses
Shoal Grass, Halodule wrightii
Cynotoidae Family of Fish-gill Isopods (2)
Sharp-point Fish Clinger, Nerocila acuminata
Vulgaris Fish-gill Isopod, Elthusa vulgaris
Delphinidae Family of Dolphins (7)
Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus
False Killer Whale, Pseudorca crassidens
Killer Whale, Orcinus orca
Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Sagmatias obliquidens
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, Stenella attenuata
Rough-thoothed-Dolphin, Steno bredanensis
Short-finned Pilot Whale, Globicephalus macrorhynchus
Dendrasteridae Family of Sand Dollars (1)
Eccentric Sand Dollar, Dendraster excentricus
*Dendronotidae Family of Nudibranchs (1)
Giant Nudibranch, Dendronotus iris
Dendrophyllidae Family of Stony Coral (1)
Orange Tubastraea, Tubastraea coccinea
Diademantidae Family of Sea Urchins (2)
Crowned Sea Urchin, Centrostephanus coronatus
Cushion Sea Urchin, Astropyga pulvinata
Discodoridae Family of Nudibranchs (2)
Mimic Dorid, Baptodoris mimetica
San Diego Dorid, Diaulula sandiegensis
Echinasteridae Family of Sea Stars (1)
Thin-spined Sea Star, Echinaster (Othilia) tenuispina
Echinometridae Family of Sea Urchins (1)
Van Brunt’s Sea Urchin, Echinometra vanbrunti
Elapidae Family of Sea Snakes (1)
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Hydrophis platurus
Epizoanthidae Family of Epizoantid (2)
Red Epizoanthid, Epizoanthus Sp.
White Epizoanthid, Epizoanthus Sp.
Eschrichtiidae Family of Whales (1)
Gray Whale, Eschrichtius robustus
Facelinidae Family of Nudibranchs (1)
Las Cruces Acolid, Phidiana lascrucensis
Faviidae Family of Brain Corals (2)
Elliptical Star Coral, Dichocoenia stokesi
Grooved Brain Coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis
Flabellinidae Family of Nudibranchs (2)
Marcus’ Aeolid, Coryphellina marcusorum
Spanish Shawl, Flabellinopsis iodinea
*Gonodactylidae Family of Mantis Shrimp (1)
Langosta Mantis Shrimp, Neogonodactylus oerstedii
Gorgoniidae Family of Gorgonians (8)
Brown Sea Fan, Pacifigorgia Sp.
Bumpy Orange Gorgonian, Eugorgia aurantiaca
Red Sea Fan, Pacifigorgonia adamsi
Venus Sea Fan, Gorgonia flabellum
White Gorgonian, Leptogorgonia alba
White Gorgonian, Muricea Sp.
Yellow Gorgonian, Eugorgia ampla
Yellow Sea Fan, Pacifigorgia Sp.
*Gorgonocephalidae Family of Brittle Stars (1)
Spiny Basket Sea Star, Astrocaneum spinosum
*Grimpoteuthidae Family of Octopi (1)
Flapjack Octopus, Grimpoteuthis californiana
Heliasteridae Family of Starfish (1)
Gulf Sun Star, Heliaster kubiniji
Hemisquillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp (1)
Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Hemisquilla californiensis
Holothuridae Family of Sea Cucumbers (3)
Impatient Sea Cucumber, Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens
Leopard Sea Cucumber, Holothuria pardalis
Sulfur Sea Cucumber, Holothuria (Selenkothuria) lubrica
Hydractiniidae Family of Hydrocorals (1)
Staghorn Hydrocoral, Janaria mirabilis
Hydrocharitaceae Family of Tape Grasses (2)
Clover Grass, Halophila decipiens
Shoal Grass, Halodule wrightii
*Irciniidae Family of Vase Sponges (1)
Bell Sponge, Ircinia campana
*Lepadidae Family of Gooseneck Barnacles (2)
Pelagic Gooseneck Barnacle, Lepes (Lepes) anserifera
Striped Goose Barnacle, Conchoderma virgatum
Lessoniaceae Family of Kelps (1)
Southern Sea Palm, Eisenia arborea
*Ligiidae Family of Woodlice (1)
Western Rock Louse, Ligia occidentalis
*Lolignidae Family of Pencil Squids (2)
Caribbean Reef Squid, Sepioteuthis sepioidea
Market Squid, Doryteuthis opalescens
Luidiidae Family of Sea Stars (2)
Luidia Columbia Sea Star, Luidia columbia
Nine-armed Sea Star, Luidia senegalensis
Lysiosquillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp (1)
Manning Striped Mantis Shrimp, Lysiosquilla manning
Meandrinidae Family of Corals (1)
Smooth Flower Coral, Eusmilia fastigiata
Mellitidae Family of Keyhole Sand Dollars (3)
Five-hole Sand Dollar, Mellita quinquiesperforata
Large-holed Sand Dollar, Encope grandis
Small-holed Sand Dollar, Encope micropora
Mithrodiidae Family of Mithrodiid Sea Stars (1)
Bradley’s Sea Star, Mithrodia bradleyi
Montastraeidae Family of Coral (1)
Great Star Coral, Montastraea cavernosa
Munidae Family of Squat Lobsters (2)
Pelagic Red Crab, Grimothea planipes
Radiant Squat Lobster, Iridonida refulgens
Niphatidae Family of Demosponges (1)
Texotli Blue Sponge, Amphimedon texotli
*Octopodidae Family of Octopus (5)
Common Octopus, Octopus vulgaris
Diguet’s Octopus, Paroctopus digueti
Eastern Pacific Red Octopus, Octopus rebescens
Hubbs’ Octopus, Octopus hubbsorum
Veligero Octopus, Octopus veligero
Ommastrepihidae Family of Squid (1)
Humboldt Squid, Dosidicus gigas
Onchidiidae Family of False Chitons (1)
Mexican Chiton, Onchidella binneyi
Ophidiasteridae Family of Sea Stars (3)
Tamarask Sea Star, Linckia columbiae
Tan Sea Star, Phataria unifascialis
Pyramid Sea Star, Pharia pyramidata
Ophiocomidae Family of Brittle Stars (4)
Banded Brittle Star, Ophiocomella alexandri
Black Spiny Brittle Star, Ophiocoma aethiops
Multi-colored Brittle Star, Ophioderma variegatum
Ruby Brittle Star, Ophioderma rubicundum
Ophionereididae Family of Brittle Stars (1)
Ringed Brittle Star, Ophionereis annulata
Ophiotrichidae Family of Brittle Stars (1)
Rudis Brittle Star, Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) rudis
Oreasteridae Family of Cushion Sea Stars (2)
Chocolate Chip Sea Star, Nidorellia armata
Panamic Cushion Star, Pentaceraster cumingi
Otariidae Family of Sea Lions (1)
California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
*Ovulidae Family of False Cowries (2)
Chubby Simnia, Simnia avena
Vidler’s Simnia, Simnia arcuata
Palaemonidae Family of Palaemonidae Shrimp (2)
Cortez Barrel Shrimp, Gnathophyllum panamense
Long-armed River Prawn, Macrobrachium tenellum
Palinuridae Family of Spiny Lobsters (3)
California Spiny Lobster, Panulirus interruptus
Green Spiny Lobster, Panulirus gracilis
Pinto Spiny Lobster, Panulirus inflatus
Parasquillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp (1)
Brown Mantis Shrimp, Parasquilla similis
Pelagiidae Family of Pelagiid Jellyfish (1)
Pacific Sea Nettle, Chrysaora fuscescens
Penaeid Family of Panaeid Shrimp (2)
Blue Shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris
Brown Shrimp, Penaeus californiensis
Pennatulidae Family of Sea Pens (1)
Fleshy Sea Pen, Ptilosarcus undulatus
Phacellophoridae Family of Phacellophorid Jellyfish (1)
Fried-egg Jellyfish, Phacellophora camtschatica
Phocoenidae Family of Porpoises (1)
Dall’s Porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli
Phocidae Family of True Seals (1)
Pacific Harbor Seal, Phoca vitulina richardii
Physaliidae Family of Hydrazoans (1)
Portuguese Man-of-war, Physalia physalis
Plakobranchidae Family of Sea Slugs (1)
Mexican Dancer, Elysia diomedia
Pleurobranchiade Family of Side-gill Slugs (2)
Diguet’s Warty Sea Slug, Pleurobranchus digueti
Orange Blob, Berthellina ilisima
Plexauridae Family of Gorgonians (3)
Brown Gorgonian, Muricae fruticose
California Golden Gorgonian, Muricae californica
White Gorgonian, Muricea Sp.
Pocilloporidae Family of Corals (1)
Cauliflower Coral, Pocillopora elegans
Pollicipedidae Family of Gooseneck Barnacles (1)
Gooseneck Barnacle, Pollicipes polymerus
Polyceridae Family of Nudibranchs (2)
Sea-clown Nudibranch, Triopha catalinae
Slimy Slug, Tambja abdere
Poritidae Family of Chondorphores (2)
Blue Button, Porpita porpita
By-the-Wind Sailor, Velella velella
Prenasteridae Family of Heart Urchins (1)
Grooved Heart Urchin, Agassizia scrobiculata
Pseucocerotidae Family of Flatworms (2)
Speckled Flatworm, Pseudobiceros bajae
Mexican Skirt Dancer, Pseudoceros mexicanus
Pyrosomatidae Family of Pyrosomes (1)
Giant Fire Pyrosome, Pyrostremma spinosum
Renillidae Family of Sea Pansies (1)
Purple Sea Pansy, Renilla amethystina
Sabeliidae Family of Feather Duster Worms (2)
Fan Worm Worth Seeing, Sabellastarte spectabilis
Panamic Fan Worm, Bispira rugosa
Salipidae Family of Salps Family (3)
Cylindrica Salp, Iasis cylindrica
Pinkish Brown Salp, Pegea confoederata
Twin-sailed Salp, Thetys vagina
Samlidae Family of Nudibranchs (1)
Pink Telja Nudibranch, Samla telja
Scyllaridae Family of Slipper Lobsters (2)
Panamic Slipper Lobster, Evibacus princeps
Rock Slipper Lobster, Scyllarides astori
Serpulidae Family of Christmas Tree Worms (1)
Giant Christmas Tree Worm, Spirobranchus giganteus
Sicyoniidae Family of Rock Shrimp (1)
Target Rock Shrimp, Sicyonia penicillata
Squillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp (1)
Tiburon Mantis Shrimp, Squilla tiburonensis
Stichodactylidae Family of Carpet Sea Anemones (1)
Sun Anemone, Stichodactyla helianthus
Stichopodiidae Family of Sea Cucumbers (3)
Brown Sea Cucumber, Isostichopus fuscus
California Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus californicus
Warty Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus parvimensis
Stomolophidae Family of Jellyfish (1)
Cannonball Jellyfish, Stomolophus meleagris
Strongylocentrotidae Family of Sea Urchins (1)
Purple Urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Tetraclitidae of Volcano Barnacles (1)
Volcano Barnacle, Tetraclita stalactifer
Toxopneustidae Family of Globular Sea Urchins (3)
Flower Sea Urchin, Toxopneustes roseus
Low-lying Sea Urchin, Tripneustes depressus
West Indian Sea Egg, Tripneustes ventricosus
Ulmaridae Family of Ulmarid Jellyfish (1)
Pacific Moon Jellyfish, Aurelia labiata
Valenciniidae Family of Ribbon Worms (1)
Zebra Worm, Baseodiscus mexicanus
Virgulariidae Family of Slender Sea Pens (1)
Elongate Sea Pen, Stylatula elongata
Ziphiidae Family of Beaked Whales (1)
Blainville’s Beaked Whale, Mesoplodon densirostris