organisms that drift or migrate through. These include mussels, tuni- 



cates, red algae, and the young or larval forms of a variety of marine 



16 

 species. 



The eight Channel Islands are unique in terms of diversity of 

 biota. The islands lie within the California coastal current system 

 and may receive marine larvae from areas thousands of miles away. 

 The islands have some unique biotic components. The common element 

 is a blend of marine biota of the central Pacific Ocean provinces, 

 and the mainland coasts of Southern California. The islands (only 

 seven are listed) and major plant and animal forms are listed below: 



San Miguel : Sea lion, elephant seal, and stellar sea lion 

 rookeries. 



Santa Rosa : Northern California flora and fauna mixed with 

 typical southern species. 



Anacapa : A national monument. Nesting site for pelicans and 

 other sea birds. 



San Nicholas : Unique rookeries for pinnipeds, extraordinary 

 sand beaches, unusual and possibly unique invertebrates and fish 

 elements. 



Santa Barbara : A national monument. Pinniped rookeries. 

 Overgrazed by man-introduced rabbits. 



Santa Catalina : Extraordinary diversity of marine flora. 

 Unique species of invertebrates and fishes occur including the 

 isolated Chaenopsis . 



San Clemente : Naval target range. Biota unknown. Species 

 of algae, mantis shrimp and phoronids occur. 



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