Morro Bay Invertebrates
Introduced or exotic species are a growing concern in our bays and estuaries. Some exotic species can have severe economic or ecological impacts. In some natural communities, the introduction of a single exotic species can create large changes in the community itself.A recent study has compared invertebrate populations in Morro Bay at present with populations recorded in surveys taken between 1968 and 1986. From this information, a database was created that shows that a smaller proportion of Morro Bay's invertebrates are invasive as compared to large bays and harbors. However, the study did show a large shift in the fouling community of Morro Bay from a mussel dominated community to an exotic bryozoan dominated community. In Morro Bay, the majority of species are native but the majority of space is occupied by non-native species.
Search the database to learn about the invertebrates that make their home in Morro Bay. Search based on Status, Location and/or species classification or Phylum. In addition to native or exotic, Status can be cryptogenic, a term used for species whose origin is not clearly native or exotic, or indeterminate, a term used for those specimens that could not be identified to species level.
Please Note — The database may take some time to load but searches will be quick once it is loaded.
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