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Decussated Tellen

Pseudarcopagia victoriae

A uniform whitish bivalve, with distinct radial and concentric striation, it is less squat than many other clam-like bivalves found in SA. This, along with its large size and coarse striation help to distinguish it from similar species, although expert examination is often required.

Macrochaeta australiensis

This strange-looking worm is known from only a few records in South Australia. It has a pinkish orange body, which is often covered in silt, with small papillae along its length. Its eight tentacle-like branchiae are a bright orange. Along each side of its body, above the parapodia are tufts of very long hair-like setae. This is the only species of its kind found in SA, and it is unlikely to be mistaken for anything else.

Celleporaria foliata

Conspicuous on jetty pylons and rock walls, this bright orange bryozoan colony consists of thick, and usually relatively flat, lobes. Its feeding tentacles give it a fuzzy appearance. This animal could be mistaken for sponges, but anyone familiar with bryozoans should be able to tell the difference immediately on closer inspection.

Phascolosoma annulatum

This smallish peanut worm grows to only a few centimetres in length, when its introvert is retracted. It is light brown in colour, but often has small darker brown papillae over some or all of its body, giving it a rough texture. Although it is relatively distinctive for a peanut worm, close examination is required to differentiate it from some sea cucumbers, as the papillae can resemble tube feet at first glance.

Many Coloured Top Shell

Notogibbula lehmanni

This uncommon snail can be found in rocky environments. Its shell is a tan to pinkish colour with alternating black and pale patches on the shoulder of the whorls. It is similar to other trochid snails, but its straight whorls with distinct shoulders distinguish it from Notogibbula preissiana (concave whorls) and some Clanculus species (mostly rounded whorls).

Pygmy Seahare

Aplysia parvula

This sea hare can often be found in the open, in intertidal tide pools or subtidally. It is variable in colour, in shades of pinkish, orange, brown or green. It is usually peppered with white spots, with a black parapodial margin. Its rhinophores and oral tentacles are also black-tipped, although all of these features can be more, or less, well-defined. These features are the most reliable way to differentiate this species from the several other Aplysia species found in SA, along with its relatively small size.

Seila albosutura

This uncommonly encountered snail has a long and narrow shell that is usually a uniform brown colour, with white spiral cords. It is very similar to others of its genus, particularly S. marmorata, which shares the brown colouration and white cords. However, that species has distinct widening at intervals on the cords, givine them the appearance of having white "pulses" along their length. The birght orange S. crocea is a similar shape, but its distinctive colouration gives it away.

Moruloidea lacertosa

This isopod is usually found in deeper water, from approximately 5m, under rocks, where it is highly camouflaged. It is a tan to yellowish in colour, and is covered in bumps and spots, including two distinctive ocelli on its pleotelson. This rear segment is also notable for the four short points on its end. These features help to distinguish it from other sphaeromatid isopods, but it can require a keen eye for detail.

Cryptoplax iredalei

Like the other species in its family, this worm-like chiton has reduced valves and a large fleshy girdle. It is reddish in colour, usually with large tan bands. Its girdle has a velvety appearance due to the minute spicules that cover it. This species is very similar to Cryptoplax striata, but can be differentiated by the banding and smaller spicules. Juvenile C. striata can be more difficult to tell apart, but they usually have reddish valves.

Hairy Snapping Shrimp

Alpheus villosus

This pale to bright orange snapping shrimp is uniform in colour and covered in long thin glassy hairs or spines. It is mostly uniform in colour, but with maroon and white banded antennae. It has a pointed, but not particularly long rostrum. With its distinctive appearance, it is almost impossible to misidentify.