ID if this small disk

[Ron Reefman]

I have posted pics and a video of this small critter in the introvert forum and there haven't been many replies, so I thought I'd try here as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2575658

It's a small disk that tends to 'stand up' from the sand. The only ones on the glass tend to stick to it rather than stand out from it. And they have only gone an inch or two up the glass or rocks, but they are all over the sand. There is a good extreme close up of one on the glass and a short video of the sand where you can see them move with the water current.

 

[pyithar]

i think they are Foraminiferans.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/Wetmore.html

there're probably many species of Foraminiferans but the ones that your friend has look similar to the shell of figure.4 at the end of the article.

http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php/File:Foraminiferan_02.jpg

you can see a foraminiferan in that link ^^as well.

 

[JWClark]

Foraminiferans are microscopic.

 

[pyithar]

Foraminiferans are microscopic.

http://research.bpcrc.osu.edu/foram/whatarefor.htm

i'm not an expert nor a marine biologist but according to that link ^^

"The size of the foraminiferal test typically ranges from 0.05mm to 0.5mm although some forams may be as large as several centimeters with a recorded maximum of 18cm in diameter"

i'm not saying these are definitely foraminiferans. just making a guess.

 

[Ron Reefman]

After looking at some data and some photos of some, I'm about 80% sure you are right. But my wife the reference librarian (and seasoned snorkeler) is considerably less sure. So she is still doing research.

 

[cloak]

Marginopora vertebralis?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Foraminiferans are microscopic.

Some are, but many are not.


This is 100% Heterostegina depressa which is indeed a foraminiferan.

You can see some representative pics and some similar species here:
http://www.foraminifera.eu/heterostegina.php

 

[Misled]

Ron, your pics in the other thread are gone.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Ron, your pics in the other thread are gone.

I can still see them...

 

[pyithar]

I can still see them...

i can't see them anymore. i think something's wrong with the site. i can't see some photos in other threads as well.

 

[Ron Reefman]

They are still there as of this morning at 8am and the video still runs.

I think I'm convinced they are foraminiferans. Now it's up to my friend to figure out what he wants to do about them!

Thanks for the help everybody. It's really appreciated.