This is an image of a patch longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem forest growing on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (May 2016). This forest has ecological value on its own, and it serves as an outdoor classroom and learning laboratory for the students.

This is an image of a female Lesser Goldenfinch. During the time this photo was taken she preformed two ecological processes. The bird was seen eating seeds from the dandelion plant and making bird calls. This photo was taken in downtown Wilmington on January 17.

This photo was taken in January of 2017 when I was home in Colorado for winter break. The photo shows the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat Springs Colorado. The photo was taken from the bridge near the Steamboat spring the town was named for as well as the Black Sulphur Spring. This section of the Yampa River is unique because of the large amount of snow it receives in the winter as well as the hot springs that surround it and flow into it. The Yams river like many other mountainous rivers is largely influenced by the snow melt. The amount t of snow melt greatly influences the water level which in turn influences the speed at which the river flows. The snow melt also influences the temperature of the water. The greater the amount of snow melt the colder the water often is. The inflow of the hot springs also influences the water. Walking through steamboat springs one can't help but smell the scent of rotten eggs. This smell is due to the significant levels of Sulphur found in the hot springs that the town is famous for. The Steamboat spring flows right into the Yampa river at the location where this photo was taken. The Steamboat spring was once a geyser, that would sometimes reach a height of 15 feet. The geyser was formed because of the amount of pressure from the water underground. Right next to the Steamboat Spring is the Black Sulphur Spring known for its murky black water. The black Sulphur Spring also flows into the Yampa. The black murky water color is due to the conversion of hydrogen sulfide into sulfur. The influx of snow melt and chemicals such as sulfur into the Yampa from surrounding areas cause the environment of the Yampa to be slightly different from other mountains rivers. However, the Yampa is one of the most "intact" rivers in the western United states. It supports four federally listed fish species the Colorado pike minnow (Ptychocheilus Lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), bonytail chub (Gila elegans) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). Greater Sandhill cranes (Grus Canadensis) use the banks of the Yampa to raise their young until they are ready to fly, and Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as well as other species of birds live and nest near each other on the Yampa. The Yampa also helps support some of the big game species in the Rocky Mountains such as many species of elk and deer. Many species of mature Cottonwood trees also line the banks of the river providing a base for other riparian plants to grow. Overall the Yampa's unique ecology allows it to support much diversity in the mountains of Colorado.

Sources:

cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/YampaRiver/Pages/Nature....

hotspringsguide.net/steamboat-springs-hot-springs-maps-in...

I took this picture while I was at work at the UNCW Aquaculture Facility on Harbor Island. The fish in this picture are black sea bass, their scientific name is Centropristis striata. These fish are currently being put on a photoperiodism. Photoperiodism allows aquaculture facilities to create different day lengths by controlling the lights inside the tanks. Fish use day lengths to prepare for different developmental components of their life. The black sea bass in these tanks are our current brood stock and are being prepared to breed. By artificially creating longer day lengths in the tank the fish will begin to create eggs and sperm for mating. One of the definitions in ecology we learned was, the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. Aquaculture shows us how fish can react to different physical surroundings. Since these fish are being exposed to more light, their bodies believe breeding season is about to begin.

This marks the beginning of the 2017 Summer session of the UNCW Ecology Lecture course and the EcoPhoto Project.

The class project description can be found at people.uncw.edu/borretts/courses/bio366/ecophoto.pdf

This image was taken last Friday, January 19th, at Wrightsville Beach. In this photo are Uniola Paniculata, commonly known as Sea Oats. Sea Oats are found along mainland coasts and barrier islands from Virginia to Florida and down to Mexico. They typically grow 1-2 meters tall, with leaf blades that can reach up to 24 inches. They are one of the most abundant beach plants. These grasses act as anchors for beaches by trapping wind-carried sand and creating dunes. During storms, they stabilize the beaches and protect shorelines from high winds, storm surges and tides. They are very tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatue, drought, sea spray, strong winds, storms effects, etc. In addition, the seeds from the Uniola Paniculata provide food for many coastal birds, marsh rabbits and mice.

www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/uniola_panicu.htm

This picture was taken in Richlands, North Carolina and in it you can see an Eastern Carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) dining on some white clover (Trifolium repens). The Eastern Carpenter Bee can be found all over the east coast of the United States and extending into the middle of the country. The females use their strong jaws to drill holes into wood to provide a safe place to lay their eggs. Once they have tunneled far enough into the wood they collect pollen to serve as a food source for their larva. Then they lay an egg next to the pollen ball and use the wood from the hole to create a partition to do it again until the tunnel is full. The males are often seen buzzing around the established nest to keep unwanted visitors like other insects away. While they can seem like pest when they are trying to make their home out of your home they are beneficial in respect to being a pollinator.

This photo was taken January 30, 2017 on my roommates' dresser! Pictured is a little glass EcoSphere which is a completely enclosed ecosystem that can thrive from two to seven years. However, it is a totally self-contained and self-sustaining environment for the micro-organisms, small shrimp (Caridea), algae (Phaeophyceae), and bacteria that are existing in the filtered sea water. It is self-sustaining due to the ability for each of these organisms to utilize the resources provided within their habitat. The only necessary “care” that the EcoSphere needs is a light source which could be either indirect natural or artificial light. The algae uses this light source for photosynthesis as well as inorganic nutrients for energy then is able to releases oxygen to the habitat. Algae is then used as a food source for the non-photosynthetic organisms: small shrimp and bacteria. The bacteria also eats the wastewater from the shrimp to get their nourishment to survive and keep the seawater clean. Although this is not my favorite way to see these organisms, it is a great way to view and understand how the different organisms of an ecosystem relate and depend on each other up close and personal. The little to no care necessary in order to have these cute organisms as a “pet” is tempting, however, I think I will stick with plants and dogs!!

source: eco-sphere.com/about-the-ecosphere-closed-ecosystem/

This is a photo of the sun's UV rays shining through pine trees across from Osprey Hall on campus. The rate that the solar energy (solar constant) shines onto Earth is approximately 1400 Wm-2. It is believed that it takes 8 minutes for the sun's energy to reach Earth's surface. The main purpose of the sun is warming Earth's biosphere through the process of radiation. Solar radiation can be found on the electromagnetic spectrum in the 400-700 nm range. The solar energy from the sun raises temperature during the day, which explains why the temperature drops a few degrees at night. Because the sun's UV rays effect temperature, the living habits of organisms are influenced. For example, phototrophs, such as the pine trees featured in this picture, rely on solar radiation for an energy source. Photosynthesis could not occur without sunlight. So essentially, the sun is not only responsible for warmth, but partially for the oxygen we breath.

This Memorial Day weekend I went for my first visit to the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden off of Independence Boulevard in Wilmington, North Carolina. I discovered an array of pitcher plants including the species pictured Sarrancenia Leucophylla. It was fascinating how many Bumble Bees or (Class: Insecta, Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Apidae, Genus: Bombus, and unsure of this species?) were flying around the plants and even crawling into them. I began to wonder if the bees had a strictly mutualistic relationship with the pitcher plants acting solely as pollinators. Also, I saw quite a few bees get stuck in the tubes of the pitcher plant and it appeared that the pitcher plant could be acting as a predator to the bees. Were the pitcher plants luring them into their tubes to provide a source of mineral nutrients for the plant? After doing some research, I found that it is not evolutionarily beneficial for pitcher plants to consume their own pollinators, thus why they have two distinct parts for each function. The flowering part of the pitcher plant (shown in the background of the photo) is the part responsible for attracting pollinators.

This photo was taken at the South end of Wrightsville Beach at Crystal Pier on January, 21, 2018. This photo represents the carbon cycle since the ocean acts as a carbon pool. In the carbon cycle, Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is diffused into the ocean as well as released from the ocean. This is only one part of a greater cycle in which carbon is released into the atmosphere from decay of plants and animals, respiration from animals and humans and combustion of fossil fuels from peat, coal, and gas that are created through the process of carbonification. The ocean is an area of carbon pooling because carbon is released from the atmosphere and it collects in the ocean until it is released once again into the atmosphere.

This photo was taken January 19, 2018, on my back porch in Richlands, North Carolina. This is "Waddles" a Virginia Opossum who frequents our back porch to eat the leftover cat food. Opossums fill an ecological niche by helping to control the tick population. Opossums attract ticks but since they have impeccable grooming skills, only a few make it out alive. As a result of lessening the number of ticks, Opposums are also helping to reduce the spread of Lyme Disease.

Sources:

www.caryinstitute.org/discover-ecology/podcasts/why-you-s...

Here is one of my many terrariums. I have a grow shelf in which I use two T5 bulbs that provide the entire electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) to my precious plants--sort of. Plants mostly utilize the visible light portion of the EMS which is 400 to 700 nanometers (with the exception of UV rays). This utilization is called "Photosynthetically Active Radiation" or PAR. The plants that I cultivate typically prefer a cooler light (~500nm). These wavelengths allow the plants to vegetate and expand their root systems. In the picture above you can see some bryophytes as well as Senecio rowleyanus (Common name: string of pearls) and Sedum rubrotinctum (Common name: sedum 'pork and beans'). I use the bryophytes (which collect water) to keep the other plants hydrated as needed. They also make great ground cover for spotty areas in an arrangement!

I took this picture on April 17, 2017 while taking a stroll on Wrightsville's beach. The scenery was phenomenal and the weather was also cooperative. The definition of an ecosystem is "the study of relationships among living things and their environment." The beach ecosystem is the relationship between the nonliving things such as the sand, wind and shells, and the living things such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and animals. All of these form the beach's ecosystem.

This photo illustrates a strawberry plant from Lewis Farms in Castle Hayne, NC. This picture was taken last Friday, when the pickings at Lewis Farms were slim, but still worth while. The plant is of the genus Fragaria; however, I was unable to determine the species. This plant represents an important ecological adaptation of angiosperms (flowering plants). The production of fruit aids in seed dispersal. Strawberry plants are sedentary; therefore, they rely on other organisms to carry their seeds. Many birds and mammals feed on the tasty fruits, allowing the seeds to travel through the digestive system and eventually be excreted. This process allows for the seeds to be dispersed over greater distances, thus creating a larger distribution.

This photo of an unidentified species of spider was taken on Wake Tech's North Campus in October of 2016. The spider, almost imperceptible to the human eye at a glance, makes clever use of cryptic coloration. The granite-colored surface beneath the spider helps to break up the outline of its body, making it more difficult for any natural predators to easily identify it in this particular background. This natural camouflage, derived from its unique pattern of coloration, is the spider's best defense against predation. Its surroundings, extending along the length of the strip of foundation (not pictured) that is its habitat, possesses no other features, or immediate shelter of any kind. Its cryptic coloration, perhaps evolutionarily intended to resemble a light woodland habitat, serves the spider just as well in this man made habitat. It's noteworthy that the pattern of coloration did not match any species with the same size and body shape. Using a dichotomous key for North American spiders, there was no conclusive match. Additionally, the "Insect Identification Database" for North American spiders does not have a picture of any species that matches well with this spider. The closest match by key and image appears to be Loxosceles reclusa, or "texas recluse," a relative of the brown recluse, which is known only to inhabit parts of texas. Another possible match might be a female Longlegged Sac Spider, which fits the profile quite well but just as with the texas recluse, does not have remotely the same coloration. What this might also suggest is that the cryptic coloration of this spider could be an emerging trait, unique to this habitat, of a known species, or that it is perhaps non-native to the region or even North America altogether.

Formally known as the Hyalophora Columbia caterpillar, this vibrantly colored creature resides in poorly drained woodland areas and suburban gardens. It hatches in less than two weeks before it blossoms into a beautiful butterfly. I found this caterpillar crawling up a picnic basket in my girlfriend's garden. I had to capture an image of it because I'd never seen anything like it. The Glover Silkmoth is considered a solitary feeder and feed on Shepherdia argentea, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Salix species, etc. Since this species of caterpillar is a solitary feeder, it feeding habits exhibit scramble competition because when there are too many caterpillars competing very few are then able to "pulpit" which results in a distinct population crash. Subsequently, many of the offspring of the Glover Silkmoth caterpillars aren't competing intraspecifically so the population grows rapidly before crashing again.

This photo was taken back in January 15th at the Fort Fisher Aquarium. In this picture are two Poison Dart Frogs. The blue one is simply known as the Blue Poison Dart Frog also known as Dendrobates Azureus. I believe the yellow colored frog is a Golden Poison Dart Frog. During class on Tuesday we learned about how a type of defense mechanism known as Aposematism which is coloration used to warn a predator that they do not want to eat that species, whether it be because they taste super bad or are deadly to eat. However, this is an example of Batesian Mimicry. As we discussed in class most species of Poison Dart Frogs have a mimic that is not poisonous. They mimic the coloration of the frogs that are actually poisonous so that predators like birds will not eat them because the predators think they are the poisonous version. I believe the two frogs depicted in the photo are actually Poison Dart Frogs (Mostly because that is what the sign said on the exhibit) and not their Batesain Mimics.

frogworld.net/poison-dart-frog/poison-dart-frog-types.html

www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/group/poiso...

This is a photograph of Cladonia leporina that I photographed while walking in the woods on campus. I liked how the red fruiting bodies contrasted with the green moss. This genus of lichen is most commonly known as Reindeer Moss or Reindeer Lichen. Most species live in northern boreal forests and taiga regions, where they provide an important food source for reindeer and caribou, hence their name. However, this lichen probably isn't providing food for any reindeer down here in the South. This lead me to raise the question of why it is growing here. After researching this type of lichen, I came to realize that the habitat it prefers has a lot of the same conditions and resources I imagine the pine forests in Wilmington provide. Most interestingly, these lichen prefer to live in fire prone areas, just like the well known long leaf pine. Cladonia leporina prefer the large canopy openings that pine stands provide so that their symbiotic photobionts can access sunlight to provide them energy. Without fire, these lichen would literally be overshadowed by other plant species. Lichen are also very combustible, helping fuel the fires that keep the ecosystem running. Finding this out further helped me understand the importance of fire in the long leaf pine savannas that characterize out area.

Source: www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/lichens/claspp/all.html#GENER...

This is the skeletal remains of a wild swine or Sus scrofa. My family and I spotted this while out hiking near Whiperwill Camp in Richlands, NC. Swine are not native to the U.S. and are now considered an invasive species. They are foragers and will destroy crops and native plants by uprooting them, kill young animals, including livestock, and will mess up streams. They also carry zoonotic diseases that can be spread to both livestock and people. It’s hard to tell what exactly killed the pig, but evidence of scavengers was present. The upper body was scattered and both forelegs appeared to be missing. Sources: www.coastalreview.org/2016/04/14102/. www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Feral-Swine.

The vivid colors we identify with a spectacular sunset are caused by different wavelengths emitted via solar radiation. Our eyes can only see a narrow range of the wavelengths emitted by the sun, which constitutes the visible spectrum. Each color we can identify corresponds to a particular wavelength, with reds having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest wavelength. When light beams enter the atmosphere, they run into particles in the air, such as nitrogen and oxygen atoms. These atoms scatter the shortest light rays, resulting in the daytime sky looking distinctively blue. However, as dusk approaches, the Earth turns away from the sun, and the short blue rays are all scattered out before they can reach our eyes. The longer wavelengths of red and orange however, are not as scattered and then tend to dominate during this time. Sunsets that occur in the fall or winter (such as the one above) tend to be brighter and more dramatic because the air through which the light beams travel tends to be cleaner and dryer, resulting in less displacement of the light. One interesting thing to ponder is the idea that everything sees light differently. The sunset that humans see for example, is way different that the sunset that other animals see. Some animals can see ultraviolet rays, which would make a sunset appear much more colorful. The way various animals and organisms see and use light contribute greatly to the science of ecology and to the function of creatures on our planet.

For more information about this topic, visit:

news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131027-sunset-sk...

This photograph was taken behind Cameron Hall on January 17th.

This photo was taken at Sunday’s cafe on Wrightsville beach on January 19th. The photo highlights the commonly overlooked community of organisms, the microbes living on our hands. These bacteria are easily transferred from our hands to phone screens, iPad, computers, ect. The microbes on the human hand are vastly different as well as abundant but the most common bacteria on the epidermis is Staphylococcus epidermis, so I am basing my assessment of the ecological concept on this specific organism. The concept I see most beneficial is the symbiotic relationship between Staphylococcus epidermis and the human hand. A mutualistic relationship is evident because this interaction is essential to promoting good human health. The bacteria on our hands are the humans first line of defense against illness and injury which benefits the human in the relationship and the bacteria benefit by getting a place to live on the human hand while obtaining energy from consuming incoming pathogens. Without this symbiotic relationship pathogens would be detrimental to human health and therefore make us more susceptible to infection and disease.

Sources:

newsinhealth.nih.gov/2012/11/your-microbes-you

This picture shows American Marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), a familiar feature among many eastern coastal sand dunes; pictured here is from Wrightsville Beach, access 10. This grass plays a vital role in stabilizing the local sand dunes, with its fibrous, matted roots binding the sand down and aiding in anchoring them against wind erosion (The Wildlife Trusts). Interestingly, Ammophila means “sand-loving” and thus further suggests this plant’s typical habitat: dunes. It is considered native in NC only from Cape Hatteras and north, but is commonly planted farther south (Tallamy) as was obviously the case here!

www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/marram-grass

www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/NativePlantsCoastalNC.pdf (Dr. Doug Tallamy)

This weekend I visited the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina. I saw so many fascinating organisms there, but this Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) during his feeding time was one of the most striking. Polar Bears are apex predators as well as a keystone species in their Arctic habitats. Predominately carnivores, Polar Bears love to eat harbor seals. However, they will scavenge when their primary prey is in shortage. Human influence and global warming has greatly impacted the Polar Bear populations. In their Arctic habitats, Polar Bears live on ice and will swim to travel and to find food. As the ice melts more rapidly due to climate change, Polar Bears have increased chances of dying trying to hunt their food with not as many areas to land for a rest in between swims. Also, Poaching has negatively effected Polar Bear populations. Sadly, the Polar Bear is considered a "vulnerable" species with scientists predicting a very grim future for the future populations of Polar Bears.

Source:

www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/bears-of-the-last-frontier-polar-...

As I reviewed my pictures taken this week in search of something noteworthy to post on here, I could not help but focus on how ironic of a situation this is. Pictured in the back is a drainage pond, something that humans put in place near large building structures in order to limit flooding and erosion, in the hopes that our habitat destruction will have less consequences for animals who live near our towns. However, it seems rather senseless when people who work in said buildings recklessly leave their trash on the ground, trash that could have easily been recycled to allow for more environmental resources and consequently less demand for habitat destruction via harvesting materials. This strikes me as a small example of individuals of a population making a small choice with an abiotic item that goes on to affect many biotic organisms in their shared community. As the joke goes, humans are the only creature in the world to cut down trees, make paper from them, and then write ‘Save the Trees!’ on it.

I took this video clip (I took other, longer videos as well) of a few dolphins swimming in the surf at Wrightsville Beach, NC around 1pm on Friday, January 13th. I was not able to get close enough to the dolphins to exactly identify them, but my best guess is that they were bottlenose dolphins (scientific name is Tursiops truncatus) since that is the most commonly seen species of dolphin in this area. I observed the dolphins for a while, and based off of their behavior of swarming together down the beach at a fairly consistent pace and often bobbing down in the water, I believe they were most likely feeding on a school of fish. Either that, or they were simply socializing together (I saw about four dolphins in this particular pod, and there were a few other pods I spotted at the beach, as well) in the warm sunshine. I learned from the Dolphins World website (www.dolphins-world.com/what-do-bottlenose-dolphins-eat/) that dolphins typically eat small fish, as well as squid, shrimp, crabs, and other small crustaceans/marine animals. I'm curious that if the dolphins were feeding on some lunch when I took this video, were they eating small fish or maybe some shrimp? I think the other types of food they are known to consume are less likely to occur in the part of the ocean the pod was swimming in, but it is possible that their meal consisted of fish or shrimp.

I was able to take this picture in Hampstead, NC on June 3rd, 2017. This mantis blended in with the environment so well that I almost stepped on it, luckily it moved for me to even notice it. They are completely carnivorous and feed on flies, moths, butterflies, wasps, and caterpillars. Females exhibit cannibalism after mating. The males are not found to exhibit cannibalism, although when the young hatch they can have a tendency to eat one another.

eol.org/pages/3489757/details

This river otter (Lutra canadensis; www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/riverotter.html) at the Brookgreen Garden Zoo is snacking on a fish. This is an example of ecological predation.

Beautiful holes left by foraging birds looking for insects. This tree illustrates the beauty and importance of leaving standing dead trees in the forest.

This is a picture of the sun. Taken at UNCW at around 2 PM. The sun is approximately 93 million miles away from the Earth, and although its distance from the Earth is tremendous, it plays the most vital role for most all life. The sun at 5800¬⁰C emits photons at a short wavelength, sending visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared rays primarily. The sun emits about 1361 W/m2 outward constantly and the Earth revives around 51% of the energy it receives, with the rest being absorbed by clouds and the atmosphere or being reflected into space. This energy drives the most basic primary producers who undergo photosynthesis. The primary producers have multiple pigments in chlorophyll A, B, and beta carotene, and each pigment absorbs a different respective wavelength. Chlorophyll A absorbs wavelengths of light primarily at 430 and 664 nm, Chlorophyll B absorbs light primarily at 460 and 647 nm, and beta carotene primarily absorbs light at wavelengths of 450 and 500 nm. The wavelengths which are absorbed via the pigments are primarily red and blue/purple light. This photosynthetic reaction which occurs in plants convert shortwave radiation from the sun into carbohydrates and release oxygen as the byproduct. The oxygen which is released as the byproduct is then used as the reactant for cellular respiration. More information about wavelengths and the sun can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight#Solar_constant

This water is gathered in a storm drainage ditch in a neighborhood in Hampstead, NC on May 29th, 2016. The moist, humid conditions in this region allow these small ecosystems to emerge in human populated communities. This manmade habitat provides the necessary resources for many organisms including the visible algae, and tiny fish. As the algae absorbs the sun’s radiation in the photosynthesis process, the fish are provided plenty of oxygen to oxygenate their blood. I believe these minnow-like fish are Eastern Mosquitofish, which are highly adaptive fish that can tolerate harsh conditions such as high salinity, and pH levels that would kill other species of fish. In some areas, they are considered an invasive species and have negatively impacted ecosystems due to their large consumption of mosquito larvae. This species of fish also reproduces very quickly and experiences a lot of intraspecies competition as the population density increases.

This is a picture I took on Saturday of a longleaf pine found just outside of Randall library. The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) is found in most of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains; they thrive in wet and temperate climates with hot summers and mild winters. The longleaf pine has a very interesting life cycle. In order to reproduce the pine produces seeds that develop into cones and are distributed by wind. In order to grow and develop the seeds must come in contact with soil and take root. Once rooted the seeds develop into what appears to be a patch of grass consisting of clumps of needles. During this “grass stage” the central root is developing underground which at full maturity, can grow up to twelve feet long. Soon after this stage the pine begins to grow in height and become the tree we see all around campus. The longleaf pine is also crucial to the ecosystem and the survival of many other species. For example, the red-cockaded wood pecker depends on the insects and spiders that live in the bark of the pine as a part of their diet. It is because of it’s importance as a food source to other organisms that a number of organizations are working to expand the longleaf pine forests that once covered nearly 90 million acres.

#uncw #ecology #bio366 #uncweteal #Sp2017 #image1

This photo was taken during spring break in Key Biscayne, Florida. The queen conch is a marine snail. It is a large snail with shells growing up to three hundred millimeters. One of the coolest features is the two eyestalks topped with distinctive yellow eyes. Their role in the ecosystem is herbivores eating mostly Algae and algal detritus. Studies found that exposure to predators influences the morphology of the conch shell. Predators of this species include reptiles, fish, crustaceans, mammals, etc. It is extremely edible and essential to the water community.

This weekend I went on a lovely walk through "Forest C" of UNCW's remnant forest in Wilmington, North Carolina and found several cases of what I thought to be an example of plant galls, and I am not sure of the species of tree in the picture. The galls (the bumpy discolored portions on the leaves) are the plant's response to the invasion of a parasite and cause swelling in the leaf or the twig of the host. The galls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colorations. I am not sure of the parasite that infected this tree, but would assume that its an arthropod, maybe a wasp? The arthropods that infect the plant release a chemical that actually mutate the plant cell growth. Gall is an integral part of a the reproductive cycle of certain insects, and acts as a protective enclosure for the insect larvae. Also, the gall acts as a great source of food for the larvae providing it with protein and nutrients. Overall, it does not seem that the galls threaten the health of the tree. It is more beneficial for the parasite for the host to be living throughout its life cycle.

Sources:

ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/galls-oak

web.extension.illinois.edu/ccgms/downloads/42438.pdf

(Carolina Beach State Park) The pitcher plant is a carnivorous plant located throughout the world. This specific plant is the Sarracenia flava and, within North Carolina, it is located along the coast and mountains. The pitcher plant has evolved it's leaves into pitcher or funnel shapes that capture insects. The plant's prey is attracted by glands along the lip of the pitcher which secretes nectar. The pitcher houses a digestive fluid which dissolves any insect or small animal that happens to become trapped in the pitcher. The leafy flap on top of the pitcher opening is known as the Operculum directs prey towards the pitcher and prevents water from diluting the digestive fluids. The flower of the pitcher plant has a very large umbrella-like style which covers the face of the flower and collects pollen.

This photograph was taken about 1pm Sunday at Halyburton Park in Wilmington, NC. These live oak trees (quercus virginiana) have been weathered from the wind over time. They are growing bent over in the general direction the wind blows. Hurricanes common to the area may have helped shape them over time. They are also reaching out in the direction of the clear patch that receives more sun. Both interspecific competition for the sun with other species of trees and intraspecific competition with each other can be observed in the photograph.

This photo was taken on Sunday, January 28th. This American Crow was spotted in the morning outside of Wagoner Dining Hall looking to the direction of Tri-House. This Crow was spotted perched on a construction fence. American Crows are very adaptable to the environments they inhabit and as seen in the photo, take advantage of humans as well. While many are commonly found in fields, open woodlands, and forests, they can also be found in agricultural fields, parking lots, garbage dumps, athletic fields and so on. The American Crow is also an omnivore feeding on a variety of food sources including: grains, seeds, fruits, and many different kinds of small animals like insects or clams. They are also known to eat eggs and nestlings from a variety of other song birds. Ultimately, the American Crow has a large fundamental niche. As a result, the American Crow can realize a variety of niches in a vast range of ecosystems.

Sources:

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/lifehistory

www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-crow

This picture of manatees gather together in a Florida hot spring was taken over the MLK holiday. It represents nature's way of coping with extremes in weather cycles such as the unusually cold waters in Florida at the moment.

uncw ecology bio366 #uncwteal Sp2018 image1

This is an abandoned honeycomb that was found at the on-campus Dunkin Donuts while I was getting lunch the other day! It's important to remove any leftover honeycombs from the hive to prevent pest infestation and possible damage from melting honey. Rodents, for example, are attracted to leftover honeycomb's due to the swift scent it leaves, which in turn could increase the rodent population in a given ecosystem. It's also an important measure to take to eliminate any risks of honeybees returning to the honeycomb and possibly build an entirely new hive, thus increasing the population of bees in the given area. It is also said that rotting honeycombs release a fowl smell of decay. If honeybees were to return to this honeycomb and start a new hive, it would be a prime example of ecological resilience, which is the ability of the honeybees to respond to a disturbance (destruction of hive) by resisting damage and recovering quickly.

#UNCW #ecology #bio366 #uncweteal #Sp2018 #image1 #honeycomb #honeybees

Among the flowers is what I think to be juvenile an Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus); however, I'm not entirely sure if that is the correct species. It was taken on 2/21/18 in a front-yard garden in a suburban housing development.

This image could be showing an example of a Type 2 Functional Response, as the lizard is most likely expending energy in order to search for its prey, which I assume to be insects found on or around plants. Also, it could be a prey item for a larger animal that requires energy use to catch and consume it given the lizard's speed.

Citations:

J. Aardema et al. (2018) Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina. herpsofnc.org/lizards/

This photo was taken in the Tri-House area on January 20th, 2018. This could be a worker ant of the species Solenopsis invicta (Fire Ant), due to its reddish-brown coloring that darkens to almost black near the abdomen, as well as the length and segmentation of its antennae, and the presence of a stinger. Solenopsis invicta are native to Brazil, but were introduced to the US between 1933 and 1945 and have now become well established in the southeastern US. While considered a pest themselves, the Solenopsis invicta have also been known to consume many other pest species (MacGown, 2016). One of the important ecological roles of ants, is their ability to aerate the soil around the roots of plants. This allows the plants to get the water and oxygen they need. Some plants have elaiosomes on their seeds, which are protein rich and attract the ants, who in turn carry the seeds underground and eat the elaiosomes. This is an important form of seed dispersal for the plants. Ants also live in a microclimate. They build a system of complex tunnels under the ground, providing them with insulation. There will be warmer temperatures inside the nest than the cooler above ground temperatures during cold months, and cooler temperatures in the nest during warmer months. Ants usually prefer warmer temperatures and will structure their nests and the mound of discarded soil above it to absorb heat from the sun and further increase the temperature inside.

www.royalparks.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/41504/a...

harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/ants/ecological-importance

animals.mom.me/ant-hills-look-like-10251.html

mississippientomologicalmuseum.org.msstate.edu/Researchta...

This photo was taken on January 22, 2018 by the pond on campus near the library. Pictured is a southeastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) native to North Carolina. These squirrels are known to mainly roam the ground but have a natural instinct to runaway up trees to avoid predators. That is exactly what this squirrel did when i approached it. These squirrels feed on nuts, walnuts, and longleaf pinecones. Their feeding habits allow for seed dispersal. The seeds buried and forgotten will sprout and regrow. This allows for the composition of forest such as the ones on campus. Sources: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sciurus_niger/ and www.starnewsonline.com/news/20140808/nc-native-fox-squirr...

This is a picture I took outside of my dorm, as I wanted to focus on the bird nest especially. I think it either belongs to one of these 3 birds: Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), or a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), however I have yet to see the bird actually fly in or out of the nest. It really sticks out to me that 1) It's a pretty decent size nest and 2) how close it built its nest to human development. It really shows me that birds have become accustomed to humans and they possibly see that as a benefit, as they can easily get dropped food for their babies. Each of the aforementioned birds are pretty common along coastal North Carolina, and I've also seen them flying around campus almost everyday. The ecological value that I'm trying to show is that, everything has a niche, in this case, the bird relies on the tree to provide a place to settle and lay eggs. Not only that but the bird also relies on sticks and stray provided by other trees. I love how not only can you see ecology on the ground, but also in the trees.

This is an Asterias rubens, otherwise known as a common starfish. It is native to the Atlantic and arctic oceans. My favorite feature of the sea star is it's water vascular system. The water vascular system helps the starfish move because the spaces in the coelom fill with water. The madreporite is in the center of the star fish and this controls the water movement. Water then flows towards ampulla, which control the movement of its tube feet. (This is a very simplified explanation of the water vascular system). Also, star fish mainly eat clams and mussels that are slow moving. They can use their arms to rip open their prey! Some even have stomachs that extend out of their body to snatch a bite to eat! These are some cool adaptations and features star fish have to help them fill their ecological roll.

References: www.reference.com/science/water-vascular-system-sea-star-... www.madreporite.com/science/ecology.htm

(This picture was taken at the Fort Fisher Aquarium)

This parasitic roundworm was found in the digestive track of a Mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, at the Benthic Ecology Lab. They are a common parasite among this species. In an aquatic environment, roundworms use fish as an intermediate host. Usually, their larvae or eggs will be ingested by the fish and then live in the fish's digestive tract absorbing stolen nutrients until the fish is consumed by a definitive host, usually a fish-eating fish, bird, or mammal. In the definitive host, the roundworm will live out the rest of its life and reproduce. In this case, because the roundworm was found no longer in the larvae stage but fully matured, it can be assumed that the Mummichog, being a small fish, was used as a paratenic host, which is not required for completion of the nematode life cycle, but can still serve as a host if a definitive host does not ingest the little fish. Though this whole process may seem gruesome, it is a prime example of the symbiotic relationship parasitism.