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.

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