Marine Subtidal Mud: Low Energy, Deep

-15 to 30 m

Diagnostic Species

The cephalopod Rossia pacifica, the sea cucumber Pentamera populifera, and the small snail Alia gausapata.

Common Associates

The clam Saxidomus giganteus, the scallop Pecten caurinus, the small bivalves Yoldia scissurata and Compsomyax subdiaphana, Octopus rubescens; the sea whips Virgularia spp., the anemone Pachycerianthus fimbriatus, the nudibranchs Dendronotus spp., the polychaetes Tharyx spp., Sternaspis scutata; chaetopterids, Axiothella rubrocincta, Paraprionospio pinnata, Lumbrineris spp., Nephtys cornuta and others; the starfish Luidia foliolata and Pycnopodia helianthoides.  Fish include spotted ratfish, Pacific tomcod, curlfin sole, and speckled sanddab.

Sites Surveyed

Near the Friday Harbor Labs and elsewhere on San Juan Island.

Sources

Shimek, 1977 and unpubl. data; Neushul, 1967; R. Anderson and C. Simenstad unpubl. data.

> 30 m

Diagnostic Species

The scaphapod Dentalium rectius, the heart urchin Brisaster latifrons, and the ophiuroid Amphiodia urtica.

Common Associates

The sea cucumber Molpadia intermedia, the ophiuroids Amphipholis sp. and Ophiura lutkeni, the bivalves Macoma carlottensis, Axinopsida serricata, Pandora sp., and Yoldia sp.; the polychaetes Sternaspis scutata and Prionospio sp., and the sea whip Virgularia sp.  Fish include hagfish (outer coast), ratfish, and blackbelly eelpout.

Sites Surveyed

Outer coast, Barkley Sound, San Juan Islands.

Sources

Lie and Kelley, 1970; Shelford et al., 1935; R. Shimek unpubl. data.