There is always plenty to see in the rock pools, and we have visited this site repeatedly – see also trips 76, 57, 23 & 20.

This trip was the last of our regular weekly excursions, though we hope to have occasional trips in the future.

Taxonomy

Below is a diagram showing the taxonomic relationships between the species we saw on this occasion.

cc 105 Taylors Mistake Taxonomy

Animals

Cnidarians

Giant Shore Anemone

This one is covered in debris, so quite hard to spot.

Arachnids

Cobweb Spiders

This handsome little spider was wandering around near the rock pools.

Crustaceans

Annelids

Blue Tube Worm

These tube-building polychaete worms are typically found in the lower to mid-tidal zone. The form of tentacles they extend results in one of their common names – ‘Christmas tree worms’.

Molluscs

Bivalves

New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel

Gastropods

Blue-banded Periwinkle

These are small (less than 2 cm), but abundant.

Chitons

Echinoderms

New Zealand Common Cushion Star

We found these in a range of colours.

Chordates

Tunicates

Mammals

Hector’s Dolphin

Several of us had the treat of seeing a Hector’s dolphin, just off the coast. The dolphins are the worlds smallest and rarest dolphin.

Plants

Red Algae

Kelp, diatoms & Allies

Brown Algae

Geology

The rocks in this area are generally described as Lyttelton Volcanics. They include “basaltic to trachytic lava flows interbedded with breccia and tuff”¹. There is quite a variety of types in a small area.

The two streams exiting onto the beach were also explored by some of the kids.

Our thanks to the folk at iNaturalist NZ for all their help with identifications.

¹Forsyth, P.J.; Barrell, D.J.A.; Jongens, R. (compilers) 2008: Geology of the Christchurch area: scale 1:250,000. Lower Hutt: GNS Science. Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences 1:250,000 geological map 16. 67 p. + 1 folded map