SEAsonal Greetings

by Keene Rees

While there are many holiday celebrations and decorations to be found on land this month, the sea also provides shapes and colors reflective of the season--some even have names which depict these characteristics.

The Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) lives inside coral heads. Each worm has two brilliantly colored branches of spiral tentacles that extend above the surface of the coral and strongly resemble miniature Christmas trees. The tentacles are used for breathing and collecting food. When disturbed, the worms retreat into their tubes.

The red and white striped pattern of a candy cane can be seen on the Banded Coral Shrimp(Stenopus hispidus) frequently found in tidepools. Its third pair of legs is the largest and can be dropped as a defense, then regenerated later.

Of course, stars are a popular shape this season. The beautiful red Hawaiian Sea Star(Pentaceraster hawaiiensis) is found in deep waters on sandy bottoms and has a classic star shape. The Cushion Star(Culcita novaeguineae) can be found in many colors, including bright red. It is shaped like a plump, 5-sided cushion. Although it eats coral, it does little damage, since it does not eat the entire colony, so the coral is able to regenerate the lost polyps. The long-armed Linckia Sea Stars (Linckia multifora) can be found in the shallow sub tidal zone, appropriately in shades of red and green. This sea star has an interesting means of reproduction: it can break off an arm which then grows four new arms, becoming a complete sea star, while the first one grows a replacement arm. So they may be found in various stages of growth. The ones with one long and four short arms are called comets, since they look like shooting stars.

The Slate Pencil Sea Urchin(Heterocentrotus mamillatus) resembles a beautiful red star-burst ornament. It has three types of spines: long, triangular spines on top to keep predators away; shorter, flatter spines underneath to clamp onto the reef; and flat spines to protect its body.

The fish family has many members in shades of red and green, but the Christmas Wrasse(Thalassoma trilobatum) gets its name because it combines both colors in a unique pattern--two horizontal rows of rectangular dots on a red background. Wrasses are the largest group of fish found in Hawaii with 42 species. They live solitary lives, not forming schools. They are among the first fish to retire to an inactive state on the bottom with the approach of darkness and among the last to resume activity the next morning (even Christmas morning!).

The Snowflake Moray Eel (Echidna nebulosa) is named for its pattern resembling a seasonal precipitation which we don't see much of in Hawaii. It is a small, harmless eel often found in shallow water. It crushes hard shelled prey with its pebble-like teeth. Ancient Hawaiians compared Kamehameha with this eel and named him puhi kapa because he was victorius over all.

It is unlikely that you will see an Angelfish (Pomacanthidae) making beautiful music with a Trumpetfish (Aulostomidae), but each is a delight to behold.

Please don't substitute the Hawaiian Turkeyfish (Pterois sphex) for the traditional holiday bird, since it is covered with sharp, poisonous spines. But do take time away from the hustle and bustle on land this time of year to go tidepooling, snorkeling, or diving. You can still find many reflections of the season.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou

to the residents of Waimanalo from Sea Life Park!