Nudibranch
NA staff member Kristin Duszak took these stunning marine photographs with a Zeiss dissecting microscope coupled with a Canon DSLR and various complicated attachments. During the time, Ms. Duszak was the manager of a lab focusing on Benthic Community Ecology at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX. Most of these organisms were collected from a nearby marina using various “traps” devised out of PVC, zip ties, and rope. Once these devices became covered in barnacles, ascidians and pieces of algae, they functioned more like luxury apartments than traps, providing suitable habitats for the organisms. Ms. Duszak hopes you will enjoy this glimpse at microscopic life.
Feather Duster Worm
Amphipod (Melita nitida)
Feather Duster Worm
Ascidian
Unknown amphipod: We only came across this species once and couldn’t find a record of it anywhere else.
Amphipod (Elasmopus levis)
Gnathopod closeup (amphipod from the family Melitidae)
Isopod (Paradella sp.)
Such mysterious beauty. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into a hidden world, Ms. Duszak.