Sub-Arctic Mollusks

Mollusks (Phylum Mollusca) include familar animals such as oysters, clams, mussels, snails, slugs, squid, and octopuses. Many mollusks secrete calcium carbonate shells frequently collected on seashores. This gallery dipicts mollusks living in sub-Arctic or boreal latitudes.

Yukon Floater
This example of the freshwater mussel known as Yukon Floater (Anodonta beringiana) was photographed living in Eyak Lake near Cordova, Alaska.
Alaska Animal Anodonta Anodonta beringiana Biology Class Bivalvia Cordova Eyak Lake Invertebrate Mollusca Order Unionida Phylum Mollusca Prince William Sound South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Palaeoheterodonta Unionidae United States Yukon floater biological freshwater invertebrate freshwater mollusk freshwater mussel living mollusk organism
Yukon Floater
This example of the freshwater mussel known as Yukon Floater (Anodonta beringiana) was photographed living in Eyak Lake near Cordova, Alaska.
Alaska Animal Anodonta Anodonta beringiana Biology Class Bivalvia Cordova Eyak Lake Invertebrate Mollusca Order Unionida Phylum Mollusca Prince William Sound South Central Alaska Spring Subclass Palaeoheterodonta Unionidae United States Yukon floater biological freshwater invertebrate freshwater mollusk freshwater mussel living mollusk organism
Sponge encrusted Pacific Pink Scallop
Pacific Pink Scallop (Chlamys rubida) encrusted by Rough Scallop Sponge (Myxilla incrustans) and a group of four Checkered Hairy Snails (Trichotropis cancellata) to the left on a rocky reef.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Capulidae Checkered Hairysnail Chlamys rubida Class Bivalvia Class Demospongiae Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Myxilla incrustans Myxillidae Order Littorinimorpha Order Poecilosclerida Pacific Pink Scallop Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca Phylum Porifera Renata's Reef Rough Scallop Sponge Seacam underwater housing Subclass Caenogastropoda Trichotropis cancellata Twin Peaks biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism sponge underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Gumboot Chiton or Giant Pacific Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri).
Gumboot Chiton or Giant Pacific Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri). The gumboot is the largest chiton. It is found the in lower inter-tidal and sub-tidal zones of rocky coastlines of the North Pacific from Japan to Central California. It is common in Alaska. The species name honors Georg Wilhelm Steller who described many northern Pacific species after participating in the Bering expedition to Alaska. Phylum Mollusca, Class Polyplacophora, Order Neoloricata, Suborder Acanthochitonina, Family Acanthochitonidae
Animal Anthozoa Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Anthozoa Cnidaria Diplock Reef Ecology Giant Plumose Anemone Invertebrate Metridiidae Metridium farcimen Order Actiniaria Phylum Cnidaria Rendezvous Dive Adventures Seacam underwater housing Subclass Hexacorallia Zoantharia biological biosphere cnidarian coelenterate in situ living marine life naturalworld nature organism plumose anemones underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Gumboot Chiton or Giant Pacific Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri).
Gumboot Chiton or Giant Pacific Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri). The gumboot is the largest chiton. It is found the in lower inter-tidal and sub-tidal zones of rocky coastlines of the North Pacific from Japan to Central California. It is common in Alaska. The species name honors Georg Wilhelm Steller who described many northern Pacific species after participating in the Bering expedition to Alaska. Phylum Mollusca, Class Polyplacophora, Order Neoloricata, Suborder Acanthochitonina, Family Acanthochitonidae
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Polyplacophora Cryptochiton stelleri Diplock Reef Ecology Gumboot Chiton Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Rendezvous Dive Adventures Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Gumboot
Gumboot (Cryptochiton stelleri).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Polyplacophora Cryptochiton stelleri Diplock Reef Ecology Gumboot Chiton Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Rendezvous Dive Adventures Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Tochni Nudibranch
Side view of the Tochni Nudibranch (Tochuina tetraquetra).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chup Point Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca OrangePeel Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Rainy Bay Wall Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae Tochni Tochuina tetraquetra Tritoniidae biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
A Rainbow Dendronotid stalks its prey
A rainbow Dendrnotid (Dendronotus iris) stalks its prey, a Tube-Dwelling Anemone (Pachycerianthus fimbriatus) while crawling on Alaska Jingle (Pododesmus macrochisma) shell cultch.
Alaska Jingle Animal Anomiidae Anthozoa Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada CerianthIdae Chup Point Class Anthozoa Class Bivalvia Class Gastropoda Cnidaria Dendronotidae Dendronotus iris Ecology Green FalseJingle Invertebrate Mollusca Order Ceriantharia Order Nudibrancia Pachycerianthus fimbriatus Phylum Cnidaria Phylum Mollusca Pododesmus macrochisma Rainbow Dendronotus Rainy Bay Wall Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae TubeDwelling Anemone biological biosphere cnidarian coelenterate in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Monterey Sea Lemon
Monterey Sea Lemon (Doris montereyensis).
Cryptobranchia Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Dorididae Doris montereyensis Ecology Invertebrate Kyen Point Mollusca Monterey Dorid Monterey Sea Lemon Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Sea Lemon Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Doridoidea biological biosphere dorid nudibranch in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Many-eyed mantle
Many-eyed mantle of the Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop (Crassadoma gigantea).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Bivalvia Crassadoma gigantea Ecology Giant Rock Scallop Invertebrate Kyen Point Mollusca Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca PurpleHinge Rock Scallop Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism rock scallop underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Ringed Top Snail
Purple-Ringed Top Snail (Calliostoma annulatum) on bryozoan encrusted blade of kelp-
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Calliostoma annulatum Canada Canada Rendezvous Dock Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Prosobranchia PurpleRinged Top Snail Seacam underwater housing Subclass Prosobranchia Tyler Rock biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Freckled Dorid closeup
Freckled Dorid closeup (Peltodoris lentiginosa).
Cryptobranchia Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Canada Rendezvous Dock Class Gastropoda Discodorididae Ecology Freckled Dorid Freckled Pale Sea Lemon Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Peltodoris lentiginosa Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Doridoidea Tyler Rock biological biosphere cryptobranch dorid nudibranch dorid nudibranch in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Clown Dorid
Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Canada Rendezvous Dock Class Gastropoda Clown Dorid Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Polyceridae Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Polyceroidea Triopha catalinae Tyler Rock biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Clown Dorid crosses over Giant California Sea Cucumber
Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae) crosses over Giant California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Canada Rendezvous Dock Class Gastropoda Class Holothuroidea Clown Dorid Echinodermata Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Aspidochirotida Order Nudibrancia Parastichopus californicus Phylum Echinodermata Phylum Mollusca Polyceridae Seacam underwater housing Stichopodidae Superfamily Polyceroidea Triopha catalinae Tyler Rock biological biosphere echinoderm in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Horned Aeolid
Horned Aeolid (Hermissenda crassicornis).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Facelinidae Hermissenda crassicornis Horned Aeolid Invertebrate Mollusca Opalescent Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Aeolidiodea aeolid nudibranch biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Ringed Top Snail
Purple-Ringed Top Snail (Calliostoma annulatum).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Calliostoma annulatum Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Prosobranchia PurpleRinged Top Snail Seacam underwater housing Subclass Prosobranchia biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Tochni Nudibranch
Side view of the Tochni Nudibranch (Tochuina tetraquetra).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chup Point Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca OrangePeel Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Rainy Bay Wall Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae Tochni Tochuina tetraquetra Tritoniidae biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Spiny Pink Scallop
Spiny Pink Scallop (Chlamys hastata) has numerous eyes at edges of its mantle. Aspect Ratio = 1:1.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chlamys hastada Class Bivalvia Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Spiny Pink Scallop Spiny Scallop biological biosphere in situ living marine marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Live Pinto Abalone
Live Pinto Abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) encrusted with coraline algae living on a rocky reef in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada.
pink red Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Clade Vetigastropoda Class Florideophycaee Class Gastropoda Ecology Haliotidae Haliotus kamtschatkana Invertebrate Kingdom Plantae Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Phylum Rhodophyta Pinto Abalone Plant Rhodophyta Seacam underwater housing Subkingdom Biliphyta Subphylum Eurhodophytina Superfamily Haliotoidea biological biosphere coralline algae in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Rainbow Dendronotus sea slug
A Rainbow Dendronotus (Dendronotus iris) crawls on to a blade of kelp (Laminaria sp.).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Dendronotidae Dendronotus iris Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Rainbow Dendronotus Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Approaching prey
A Rainbow Dendronotus (Dendronotus iris) approaches its prey, a Tube-Dwelling Anemone (Pachycerianthus fimbriatus).
Animal Anthozoa Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada CerianthIdae Class Anthozoa Class Gastropoda Cnidaria Dendronotidae Dendronotus iris Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Ceriantharia Order Nudibrancia Pachycerianthus fimbriatus Phylum Cnidaria Phylum Mollusca Rainbow Dendronotus Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae TubeDwelling Anemone biological biosphere cnidarian coelenterate in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Live Pinto Abalone
Live Pinto Abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) on an encrusted rocky reef in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada. This highly sought after abalone species is harvested. It is widely distributed in the North Pacific Ocean.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Clade Vetigastropoda Class Gastropoda Ecology Haliotidae Haliotus kamtschatkana Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Pinto Abalone Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Haliotoidea biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop
Purple-Hinge Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea) are revealed by their mantles.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Bivalvia Crassadoma gigantea Ecology Giant Rock Scallop Invertebrate Mollusca Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca PurpleHinge Rock Scallop Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism rock scallop underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Orange-Peel Nudibranch
An Orange-Peel Nudibranch (Tochuina tetraquetra) climbs a ledge.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca OrangePeel Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Tritonioidae Tochni Tochuina tetraquetra Tritoniidae biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop
A live Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop (Crassadoma gigantea) adjacent to the encrusted shells of a dead one.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Bivalvia Crassadoma gigantea Ecology Giant Rock Scallop Invertebrate Mollusca Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca PurpleHinge Rock Scallop Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism rock scallop underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Pacific Pink Scallop
Pacific Pink Scallop (Chlamys rubida).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chlamys rubida Class Bivalvia Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Pacific Pink Scallop Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Horned Aeolid
Horned Aeolid (Hermissenda crassicornis) crawling over coraline aglae (Phylum
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Florideophycaee Class Gastropoda Ecology Facelinidae Hermissenda crassicornis Horned Aeolid Invertebrate Kingdom Plantae Mollusca Opalescent Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Phylum Rhodophyta Plant Rhodophyta Seacam underwater housing Subclass Corallinophycidae Subkingdom Biliphyta Subphylum Eurhodophytina Superfamily Aeolidiodea aeolid nudibranch biological biosphere coraline algae coralline algae in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Leopard Dorid
Leopard Dorid (Diaulula sandiegensis) glides over various coraline algae (Subclass Corallinophycidae).
Cryptobranchia Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Florideophycaee Class Gastropoda Diaulula sandiegensis Discodorididae Ecology Invertebrate Kingdom Plantae Leopard Dorid Leopard Sea Slug Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Phylum Rhodophyta Plant Rhodophyta Ringed Doris Seacam underwater housing Subclass Corallinophycidae Subkingdom Biliphyta Subphylum Eurhodophytina Superfamily Doridoidea biological biosphere coraline algae cryptobranch dorid nudibranch dorid nudibranch in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
White-Lined Dirona
White-Lined Dirona (Dirona Albolineata).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Dirona Albolineata Dironidae Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing WhiteLined Dirona biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop
Purple-Hinge Rock Scallop (Crassadoma gigantea) in its rocky reef habitat.
Actinopterygii Animal Barkley Sound Biology Blackeye Goby British Columbia Canada Chordata Class Actinopterygii Class Bivalvia Crassadoma gigantea Ecology Giant Rock Scallop Gobiidae Gobioidei Infraclass Teleostei Invertebrate Mollusca Neopterygii Pectinidae Perciformes Phylum Chordata Phylum Mollusca PurpleHinge Rock Scallop Rhinogobiops nicholsii Seacam underwater housing Subclass Neopterygii Teleost Teleostei Vertebrate biological biosphere chordate in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism rock scallop underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Pacific pink scallop
Pacific pink scallop Chlamys rubida has numerous eyes at edges of its mantle. Aspect Ratio = 4:3.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chlamys rubida Class Bivalvia Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Pacific Pink Scallop Pectinidae Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Fusitriton eggs on rocky reef
Three groups of Oregon Hairy Triton (Fusitriton oregonensis) eggs on a rocky reef.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Fusitriton oregonensis Invertebrate Mollusca Oregon Hairy Triton Phylum Mollusca Prosobranchia Ranellidae Seacam underwater housing Subclass Prosobranchia biological biosphere egg mass eggs in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Giant Pacific Octopus
The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus. It is found in the coastal North Pacific Ocean to depths of 65 meters. Photographed underwater in British Columbia. Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda, Order Octopoda, Family Octopodidae
minimalism minimalist minimalistic symmetry Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Cephalopoda Ecology Enteroctopus dofleini GPO Giant Pacifc Octopus Invertebrate Mollusca Octopodidae Order Octopoda Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Giant Pacific Octopus
The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus. It is found in the coastal North Pacific Ocean to depths of 65 meters. Photographed underwater in British Columbia. Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda, Order Octopoda, Family Octopodidae
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Cephalopoda Ecology Enteroctopus dofleini GPO Giant Pacifc Octopus Invertebrate Mollusca mollusk Octopodidae Order Octopoda Phylum Mollusca Seacam Seacam underwater housing Vancouver Island biological biosphere in situ living marine life naturalworld nature organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Freckled Dorid pair
Freckled Dorid (Peltodoris lentiginosa) pair
Cryptobranchia Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Discodorididae Ecology Freckled Dorid Freckled Pale Sea Lemon Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Peltodoris lentiginosa Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Doridoidea biological biosphere cryptobranch dorid nudibranch dorid nudibranch in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Spiny Pink Scallop
A Spiny Pink Scallop (Chlamys hastada) rests next to the base of a Giant Plumose Anemone (Metridium farcimen) that is attached to a boulder.
Animal Anthozoa Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Chlamys hastada Class Anthozoa Class Bivalvia Cnidaria Ecology Giant Plumose Anemone Invertebrate Metridiidae Metridium farcimen Mollusca Order Actiniaria Pectinidae Phylum Cnidaria Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Spiny Pink Scallop Spiny Scallop Subclass Hexacorallia Zoantharia biological biosphere cnidarian coelenterate in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism plumose anemones underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
White-Lined Diorona
The White-Lined Diorona (Dirona Albolineata) is a spectacular nudibranch.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Dirona Albolineata Dironidae Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing WhiteLined Dirona biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Three Hermissenda crassicornis nudibranchs
Three Hermissenda crassicornis nudibranchs on a reef in Barkley Sound, British Columbia. Aspect ratio = 1:1.
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Facelinidae Hermissenda crassicornis Horned Aeolid Invertebrate Mollusca Opalescent Nudibranch Order Nudibrancia Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Aeolidiodea aeolid nudibranch biological biosphere in situ living marine marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism scuba scuba diving underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Purple-Ring Top Snail
Purple-Ring Top Snail (Calliostoma annulatum) on a blade of kelp (Laminaria sp.).
Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Calliostoma annulatum Canada Class Gastropoda Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Phylum Mollusca Prosobranchia PurpleRinged Top Snail Seacam underwater housing Subclass Prosobranchia biological biosphere in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild
Noble Dorid pair
Noble Dorid (Peltodoris nobilis) pair on rocky reef in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada.
Cryptobranchia Animal Barkley Sound Biology British Columbia Canada Class Gastropoda Discodorididae Ecology Invertebrate Mollusca Noble Dorid Order Nudibrancia Peltodoris nobilis Phylum Mollusca Seacam underwater housing Superfamily Doridoidea biological biosphere cryptobranch dorid nudibranch dorid nudibranch in situ living marine life mollusk naturalworld nature nudibranch organism underwater underwater photography underwaterphoto wild