Marine Plankton in Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire UK
Aims of the Site
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To share marine plankton information
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Display photos of plankton biodiversity
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Provide an educational resource
Welcome. This site covers coastal plankton washing on to the stunning shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is an amazing biodiversity of microscopic life living in every drop of seawater. Collections are made around Milford Haven, part of the Special Area of Conservation, with the most regular ones made in Dale. Other locations. Before looking at the details of The Species check the species chosen each month in the Previous Photo of the Month. You may want to have quick look at the Biodiversity page while Methods looks specifically at how the samples are taken and photographed.
Photo of the Month
At the end of May there was a huge increase in polychaete worm larvae. The majority were Polydora that are very common throughout the year. They are in the large group Spionidae or palp worms with long ear-like palps flowing from the head. In Magelona mirabilis these palps become very elongated and distinctive. After almost a decade several larvae appeared in this month's Dale sample and photographed on 1st June. 3 - 4mm long it has very long bristles pointing back along the body. See these and other polychaetes in the June blog. A different photo of Magelona can be found on the Polychaete page taken some years ago.
