Horse Conch (Triplofusus giganteus) showing the pink interior of the shell

Horse Conch

The predatory Horse Conch can grow to 24 inches long in the marine waters around Florida. The largest gastropod in…
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Hidden Species

Hidden Species

Much of coral reef biodiversity is hidden in its Swiss-cheese like holes and crevices. Beautiful animals such as these rarely…
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Giant Seep Worms (Lamellibrachia luymesi)

Giant Seep Worms

Giant Seep Worms live near deep-sea cold seeps where hydrocarbons leak from the sea floor. These worms lack a gut…
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Giant Clam (Tridacna gigas) shell showing the wavy edges of the shell and the lined texture of the outer shell

Giant Clam

Giant Clams can grow to be huge in nutrient-poor waters due to the help of tiny photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) that…
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A small cream-colored starfish with small tan dots. One point on the starfish is held between two fingertips

Cryptic Sea Stars

DNA can unite species that were thought to be different. Scientists believed these Sea Stars to be two different species…
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Guard Crab (Trapezia rufopunctata) and Crown of Thorns (Acanthaster planci)

Coral Defenders

Pocillopora Corals are spectacular, branching animals that dominate Pacific reefs. Specialized Guard Crabs live within the coral’s branches, protecting it…
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8 shells in two rows of 4. Each shell is a slightly different cone shape, some long and thin and short and wide. Each shell has a unique pattern in shades of tan to dark brown.

Cone Shells

These predatory sea snails subdue their prey with a hollow, venom-filled tooth. The venom interferes with nerve impulses, paralyzing prey…
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Blue Coral (Heliopora caerulea)

Blue Coral

Stony corals produce a white calcium carbonite skeleton, while Blue Corals have a unique pigment in their skeletons that gives…
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Sun Star Fossil

Sun Star Fossil

The Sun Star enjoyed a wide distribution along both American coasts until the Isthmus of Panama formed 3-4 million years…
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Fossil Slab with Sea Urchins and Scallops

Fossil Slab

This community of bottom-dwelling organisms was rapidly buried, providing a snapshot of marine life not normally seen in the fossil…
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