Marine invertebrates

NIWA has taxonomic expertise across a range of marine invertebrate phyla and produces research and resources to aid in the identification and conservation of these important groups.

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    Critter of the Week: The colonial sea squirt Leptoclinides marmoreus Brewin, 1956

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

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    BLOG: Sir Peter Blake Trust Ambassador Blake Hornblow - Enounters with Antarctica's animals

    Blog
    26 February 2015
    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!
    Antarctica
    Marine invertebrates
    Marine mammals

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    Critter of the Week: Ecionemia alata (Dendy, 1924) commonly known as the purple cup

    In this week’s blog we explore Ecionemia alata (Dendy, 1924) commonly known as the purple cup or pillow sponge.
    Marine invertebrates
    Oceans

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    Critter of the Week: the brightly coloured and aptly named clown nudibranch, Ceratosoma amoenum.

    This week’s critter, found from the northern part of New Zealand to southern Australia, is the brightly coloured and aptly named clown nudibranch, Ceratosoma amoenum.
    Marine invertebrates

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    This week's Critter is the sand-dollar associate Oxydromus sp., a hesionid polychaete.

    Hesionids are lively compact small worms, often richly coloured and with a good set of eyes (2 pairs, with lenses).
    Marine invertebrates
    Oceans

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    As far down as it goes - Critter of the Week - Scopelocheirus schellenbergi

    With the Kermadec Trench Expedition coming to a close , we thought we would stay on the theme of trenches for a little longer and present to you Scopelocheirus schellenbergi.
    Marine invertebrates

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    Critter of the Week - precious coral Corallium

    This week, let us celebrate the closely related genus Corallium in honour of our visiting scientist Tzu Hsuan Tu from the National Taiwan University in Taipei.
    Oceans
    Marine invertebrates

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    Fiordland’s Sea Pens

    Marine invertebrates

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    Summer Series 4: Life in the (ex) stream - exploring New Zealand's fabulous freshwater fauna

    News article
    15 January 2013
    Our freshwater fauna are wonderfully diverse and, according to NIWA Freshwater Ecologist Dr Richard Storey, there's nothing among them that we need to be afraid of.
    Marine invertebrates

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    Awesome Ascidians

    An interactive guide to the sea squirts (ascidians) of New Zealand's coastal waters.
    Marine invertebrates

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    Vent and seamount fauna - Tangaroa Seamount

    Marine invertebrates

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    NIWA returns with undersea creatures and footage of never-before-seen undersea volcanoes and canyons

    News article
    31 May 2012
    Marine invertebrates