Marine invertebrates

An interactive guide to the starfish of the Ross Sea

We have reached the end of our sampling program up in the Kermadecs and we’re on our way home

Over the last few days the “dive team” have been recording corals, fishes, urchins and other invertebrates from the shallow waters (0-30m) surrounding Raoul Island to complement the biodiversity records from the deeper ocean collected by the other scientists onboard.

The prickly king crab, Paralomis zealandica, is a member of the family Lithodidae, a mainly deepwater crustacean group that is probably better known by many people for its tasty leg meat.

One of the ocean’s most elusive critters is about to meet its match as NIWA scientists voyage south hoping to film them in action – and bring a few samples home.

Scientists are beginning a voyage to the middle of the marine food web today to find out more about one of the most complex networks on the planet.

Sea cucumbers are usually, well cucumber-shaped, however there are exceptions.

Another colossal squid is under examination in Wellington, but this one could fit in the palm of your hand.

Now back on dry land, Voyage Leader Richard O'Driscoll reflects on the final days of RV Tangaroa's 2015 Antarctica expedition.

This week’s critter is the colonial ascidian, or more commonly known as seasquirt, Leptoclinides marmoreus Brewin, 1956.

It has been another amazing week here on the Tangaroa. On Saturday we saw Antarctica which was an absolutely breath-taking experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life!