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(Behind UNCW campus) I spotted this Buck Moth (Quercus laurifolia) caterpillar behind UNCW campus. The Buck Moth spends much of its juvenile stage on Oak trees canopies feeding on leaves. Normally this feeding is not life-threatening for the oak but year after year of heavy feeding will damage the tree. Six to eight weeks after hatching the caterpillars drop from the tree and look for places to pupate. At this point Buck Moth Caterpillars rely on their spines to protect themselves from predators. The spines are hollow and connected to a poison sac and can cause painful stings. These spines are known as constitutive defenses.
Galls are structures that leaves make when they are attached by a consumer or parasite. They are intended to isolate the invader and its impact. These leaves were observed at Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina
The Village Pond is a pond on UNCW campus right behind Seahawk Village apartments. It is Home to frog, turtles, possibly fish, and the occasional goose. On warm humid nights you can find frogs that have managed to climb on the apartment building. The ecological significance is that it is a water source for aquatic animals, plants, and geese. The vegetation around the pond particularly grass, is a good food source for geese, it’s a main part of their diet. There is plenty because of the water. Image 1.
This picture was taken on 1-29-16 at 4:51 PM in the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve on campus. After only a few minutes of walking the trails, I spotted the bones on top of a dirt mound created from a fallen tree. After making the discovery, I removed the leaves that had fallen on top of the bones and found the remainder of the skeleton, along with tufts of hair from the decomposed animal. After closer inspection of the skull and teeth, I concluded the animal had to have been an omnivorous mammal of relatively small size, most likely a North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Opossums are the only marsupials found north of Mexico in North America, and can be found across most of the continental US. This opossum was likely the victim of one of the many birds of prey found in the Wilmington area, who took the animal to the dirt mound to eat it. Opossums fill an interesting role in the food web as they are secondary consumers, meaning they consume both primary producers and primary consumers. They serve as a food source for tertiary consumers, such as owls, hawks, foxes, etc. Not only did this opossum supply energy to a higher entity in the food chain, it also supplied energy and nutrients to the lower levels of the food chain as well. Whatever flesh was left on the bones after the predator was done was likely eaten by flies, ants, and other insects. Bacteria were also likely present on the flesh, breaking it down even further and supplying the soil with nutrients that it would have otherwise not had. Plants and fungi can then use those nutrients to flourish on the otherwise barren tree mound.
This is an Atlantic Yellow Stingray in the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The Yellow stingray has a mouth that is on the underside of its body, which is an inferior mouth location. With a inferior mouth placement, the Yellow Stingray would eat food that lives at the bottom of the ocean, making them an important predator of the ocean floor ecosystem. For example, the diet of this Stingray consists of shrimp, underwater worms, small fish, and clams.
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/...
In this photo you can see a lichen growing on this tree on UNCW’s campus. This type of lichen is known as Punctelia rudecta. The ecological concept in this photo is that of the symbiotic relationship between the fungus and the green algae that make up the lichen. The fungus grows on the tree and collects moisture for the algae to preform photosynthesis. In return the algae creates food that feeds the fungus. Both parties benefit from each other so this type of symbiosis is known as mutualism. While the lichen might appear to be harmful the relationship between the tree and the lichen is one of Commensalism. The lichen doesn’t harm the tree in any way and the lichen gets a good perch to obtain rainwater and is higher up off the ground to get better sunlight for photosynthesis.
Sources:
njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1205/
study.com/academy/lesson/symbiotic-relationships-mutualis...
www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatme...
Beaches are alive... continuously changing every day and every night. Tides and waves bring in organisms from all depths to the beach and back out again constantly churning up nutrients and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, beaches are some of the most diverse habitats on the planet. Beaches are especially productive as breeding grounds for organisms such as turtles, crabs, and birds. These sandy areas also double as efficient feeding grounds for birds and crustaceans.
Not to mention ,the beach is the most popular vacation destination for Americans with 58.67 million people visiting every year.
"Beachapedia." State of the Beach/Beach Indicators/Beach Ecology - Beachapedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
This is photo of a pine barrens tree frog (Hyla Andersonii) was taken on February 17th in Sanford, N.C. This frog's habitat mainly consists of mossy areas with shallow ponds. Unlike many frogs, pine barrens lay eggs that can tolerate environments with lower pH conditions. This key adaptation allows the pine barrens tree frog to live in relatively acidic ponds, in turn eliminating much competition.
Yesterday in the forest behind the Village housing apartments here at UNCW, I found an ecosystem on a dead and decaying Oak tree that had been knocked down most likely due to the control burn a few years ago. Growing on it is Laetiporus sulphureus, also know as Chicken of the Woods Mushroom. It’s distinctives physical feature are its bright yellow and orange colors, and how it grows, overlapping itself. The species is found in the eastern part of North America and is prevalent with forest filled hard-wood trees.
Procyon lotor looks like he is my pet. I walked outside to feed the neighborhood cats that run all around where i live and saw this guy eating the rest of the Arthur's food. He sort of is my pet now because I have seen him for nearly a month now and he has been living in a palm tree. Raccoons are important because they fill a ecological niche of eating rodents and other small prey = population control. As well as being a food supply for larger predators like bobcats or coyotes that do frequent this area. Due to them being nomadic and eating nearly anything from cat food to picking out of the neighbors trashcan they will spread seeds and produce plants. The raccoon would be more essential for the neighboorhood we didn't already have 10 cats or more that are outdoor cats on rodent patrol. #image1 #bio366 #sp18 #UNCW #uncweteal #ecology
Sources:
wildlifedamage.uwex.edu/pdf/Raccoon.pdf
This photo represents what I believe to be an indian peafowl (male peacock) flashing its feathers which is typically used a courtship ritual between male and female peacocks. It is located on a farm in Currie, North Carolina where there are currently no other peacocks around so it is curious as to why it would be flashing it feathers. One reason could be that it was trying to attract a female peacock, which are called peahens, from far away. Surprisingly, these feathers can also be used as a defense mechanism so maybe the peacock found danger in his usual surroundings and decided to spread his feathers as a form of defense. They can also do this to warn other peacocks of danger. There is really no telling why the peafowl did this but it was interesting to see this happen in his typical environment.
animals.mom.me/how-do-peacocks-protect-themselves-8016349...
<a href="https://sciencing.com/types-peacocks-7340346.html"
Three seagulls enjoying a warm January afternoon at Wrightsville Beach, NC
I’m not positive, but I think these birds are Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus), based on information that I found. Herring gulls do reach the North Carolina coast and have white spots on the tips of their wings. A preferred food of Herring Gulls is marine fish, so they’re certainly in the right location, and they tend to be rather social, which is a perfect adjective for these three I observed. There were also five much smaller birds that appeared to be the younger generation walking around on the beach near these three.
Since ecology is all about how organisms interact with their environments, we can consider how these birds are waddling in the tide, the sea oats that are just out of the picture, and maybe the small critters hiding out in the sand. Perhaps if I had stuck around longer, I would’ve been able to see the predation of fish in the water. (Fun fact: Herring Gulls—assuming these are it—actually also eat other birds.) They seem to be enjoying themselves in the intertidal zone, but, despite the temperature being in the 60s when I took this photo, I’m not sure how warm that water could be! I’m interested in the geographic distribution of these organisms and how well they manage to get enough to eat in the winter without so many generous beachgoers.
Source on types of gulls: www.spwickstrom.com/seagull/
This picture was taken over Martin Luther King weekend at Snowshoe ski resort on the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia.
In this picture are two rows of spruce trees on each side. This species of evergreen tree are very sturdy and insulated, which enables them to handle tough and cold weather conditions and resist heavy snow piled on their branches. Having the ability to grow very big at a very fast rate, these trees are often planted commercially to fill vacant areas and restore wildlife. They supply food and habitats for many insects and animals for coverage and protection.
There is also a man made creek in this picture that is going down the mountain. This was built to filter water from the top of the mountain down to the bottom of the mountain to be added into a resting lake. This supplies organisms with a water source whether they be at the top or the bottom of the mountain and carries nutrition that gives fertility to the trees that run along the creek. It also provides fresh, oxygenated water to the species living in the lake that the creek runs into.
This is an image of the forest behind my house in Graham, NC. We have a variety of different woody species including oaks, maples, and dogwoods. As I stood before these massive trees, I thought about how they got to that point. How did they get so tall? What fuels their growth? I have learned that the majority of their biomass actually comes from carbon dioxide taken in during photosynthesis. The carbon taken in becomes incorporated into the plant's cells and can be seen in the cell wall, DNA, and proteins. This enables the trees to continue to grow. This process illustrates the relationship between the atmosphere and biosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allows the trees to continue to grow. As the trees continue to grow through photosynthesis, they are releasing oxygen, which changes the contents of the atmosphere.
This video is a close up of a colony of ants traveling back and forth across a manmade wooden bridge near the University of North Carolina’s amphitheater. Taken at 7:41 am on May 21st after a long rain, there is a clear demonstration of how the ants have adapted and benefited from mankind’s altering of the environment. This relationship between this particular colony of ants and humans on the campus of UNCW is a commensalistic relationship. The ants benefit by using the bridge as protection from the rain or to cross the aquatic link between amphitheater ponds, aiding in exploration of different locations and transporting food. Due to the inclement weather, it is unclear if the ants have a mound nearby, as it would most likely be washed away. The ant species in frame are suspected to be Argentinian ants due to their small size, black color, and willingness to dwell close to moisture. They are common pests in North Carolina, invading homes in strings and collecting sugar based resources. Under the microscope in their use of the bridge though, their actions pose no real harm or benefit to humans, besides the inconsequential, occasional, itchy bite. This illustrates the importance of specific locations in a relationship between two species. In a home, these critters and humans would most likely exhibit a parasitic relationship, but not in this setting. On this bridge, humans are limited by gravity, but that does not stop the mighty ant. Ants can defy gravity by clinging on to a surface using very small hooks on the bottom of their feet, similar to a rock climber. Similar to humans though ants can slip. Wood makes for an excellent traveling surface, because of its rough jagged nature, while glass would make for an impossible one. This allows for humans to traverse the top side of the bridge, while the ants make use of the bridge’s other dimensions. In closing, this exhibits a commensalistic relationship between humans and ants in this location, and confirms that location plays a big part in the relationship between species.
www.bugnarug.com/how-to-get-rid-of-ants.cfm
lee.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/09/the-argentine-ant/
Thunnus albacares, or yellow finned tuna is what you consume when you eat a can of Starkist tuna like this jar. In the small corner sits a seal with a cute dolphin and the words “Dolphin Safe”. Dr. Pabst, of the UNCW biology team, lectured about the meaning of this label and the effects that it had on both the economy and ecological community in which tuna thrives. The “Dolphin Safe” label signifies that the tuna in the can was caught while not setting on dolphins. Dolphin and sexually mature yellow finned tuna are often found in association with one another; this relationship is hypothesized to be as a way to decrease predation of both species. USA fishermen in the past targeted dolphin pods, knowing it was likely that sexually mature yellow finned tuna would be found in the deeper water underneath. During this process, many dolphins died which was a direct violation of the US’s Marine Mammal Protection Act. As a result, other modes of catching tuna developed such as log and school setting. With each of these, there main tuna catch is sexually immature yellow finned tuna along with many other by-catch organisms. The big picture would be that for those that eat canned tuna, you are eating sexually immature Thunnus albacares. Because the target fish are sexually immature yellow finned tuna in log and school setting methods, the ecosystem is suffering. When a population undergoes a change in which sexually immature members are targeted, it hurts the growth rate of that population. This is because the species’ sexually mature individuals are taken out of the population, it is up to the mature individuals to reproduce. There are less organisms to reproduce, therefore, population growth will be hindered. As we are learning about community dynamics, we can keep in mind that because the yellow finned tuna interacts with organisms of different species meaning that the decrease in its population may affect other populations as well. #IMAGE3 #UNCWteal
This picture was taken on my apartment porch on January 21, 2018. Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) do not hibernate during the colder months but they do enter a dormant period where they are generally inactive. As ectotherms, Green Anoles are dependent on the weather for body temperature regulation. Their bodily functions will slow when they become cold and they will find a place to take shelter until the spring. They will occasionally emerge from their hiding spots on warm days during the winter just as this one did.
I found this spider on my way back from my hike on June 10, 2017 in Hampstead, NC. I was startled but luckily this specimen was not because he continued to eat his lunch. Spiders are considered to be passive predators, that wait for their prey to be caught in their web and then consume them. I believe this is a young male due to the banding in the legs. Once they get older the legs tend to have a more solid and darker coloration.
Picture taken of a Barred Owl hunting shore birds on The Point on Oak Island, NC on January 17. Barred Owls eat small animals such as small rodents, reptiles, small birds, and fishes. They begin hunting at sunset and sit on elevated perches to better spy their prey; however, occasionally they will wade through shallow water to catch small fish and crustaceans. They swallow a majority of their prey whole, but larger prey is divided into smaller pieces. Owls generally eat the head of their prey first, and then the body. - Barred Owls are found here during the winter because they are non-migratory birds; they seldom travel more than about six miles from where they are born. Originally, this bird was exclusive to the East Coast, but in recent years it has slowly moved its range to the Pacific NW and is moving downwards into California. Though seldom seen, these birds are often heard. Their call sounds similar to someone saying “Who cooks for me? Who cooks for you all?”. - Source: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/lifehistory
This photo, taken at the Brunswick Nature Walk in Leland NC, shows various different plant species with different niche requirements. The tall plants located at a greater water depth and occupying the top left of the photograph are Typha latifolia, commonly called cattails. Species of Typha are often the first plants to colonize wetland areas and out compete many other competitors due to the thick canopy they form. Different species of Typha are better adapted to different water depths. Closer in to the shore you can see a different leafy plant (I'm unsure of the species), which is able to out compete the cattails at this depth of water, excluding them to slightly deeper depths. On the shore (right side of the picture), you can see different tree species, the large trunk in the foreground being a longleaf pine. These have different niche requirements than the cattails and can only efficiently grow on the drier banks of the river.
An orange a day keeps the parasitic wasps away.
Oranges provide us with vitamin C which has many health benefits. However, as Humans oranges are not detrimental to our survival or fitness.
Yet there is an organism who's fitness is depended on oranges.
Dorsophila melanogaster commonly known as the fruit fly, prefers to lay its eggs in oranges.
Evolution has gifted the fruit fly with a specific gene that allows it to recognize the scent of oranges (limonene). This adaptation allows fruit flies to recognize oranges and lay their eggs within the fruit. This behavior is an important factor in the reproduction of fruit flies, it reduces the risk of parasitic predation of wasps on fruit fly larvae and thereby increases the probability of the species to pass on its genes to the next generation.
Scientists have discovered that when the gene responsible for smelling or “localizing” the scent of oranges is silenced, the fruit fly is not able to locate oranges. By not laying eggs in oranges, the fruit fly larvae are exposed to parasitic wasps who lay their eggs within fruit fly larvae. This is a great example of natural selection. Since the parasitic wasps are deterred by the smell of oranges, fruit flies with the gene responsible for sensing the scent of oranges have a greater chance of producing offspring, while the ones lacking the characteristic are more likely to die off.
Source:
This photo was taken January 21, 2018 at Carolina Beach State Park. This photo is interesting as it shows a few different life stages of the Longleaf Pine, also known as "Pinus palustris". You can see the grass stage near the bottom of the picture along with the bottlebrush stage. You can not quite see it in the tallest specimen in the back, but it is in the beginnings of the sapling stage. I thought it was very interesting to see so many specimens close together, and what was even more interesting was the fact they were in different stages of development. This is actually an example of how the Longleaf Pine can have an indeterminate grass stage, and will "choose" when to start its growth into a mature Pine. It is believed that this comes from an adaptation to the wildfires that would sweep across the southern regions where most Longleaf Pine grow since it is safest from fires if its growing tip is either close to the ground or has grown out of normal brush fire height range. If the growing tip is still intact after a fire it can continue to grow and mature.
Sources:
January 2018
English Ivy prefers open forests but is adaptable to many habitats and moisture conditions. I would consider my backyard as an open forest, over-grown with various vines and weeds. This plant has been confirmed as a reservoir for bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa), which affects a wide variety of trees. English Ivy infects maples, oaks, and elms. This invasive vine colonizes by vine growth and seeds that are spread by birds. These vines and layers block out sunlight, preventing native plant germination and pollination.
Sources:
This is a picture of Spanish Moss which I am sure you have all seen suspended from many trees across campus. Though the name states different, this plant is not a moss at all. It is a type of Air Plant that captures moisture and nutrients from the air to produce its own food. It thrives in areas that have lots of rain and fog; therefore, Wilmington is the perfect location for this beautiful moss to reside. These plants benefit the environment by being experts at retaining debris and heavy metals captured from the air, many types of insects such as spiders, mites, and chiggers call this plant home.
Information found:
sites.google.com/site/islandecologyuncw2015/terrestrial-f...
mentalfloss.com/article/67807/10-things-you-should-know-a...
This Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea L.) was spotted in the Bluenthal Wildflower Reserve on the UNCW campus. The Purple Pitcherplant is a carnivorous plant , i.e. it is a plant that earns its nutrition by capturing insects in its funnel by luring them in with a scented nectar that is stored in the water in its funnel. Once trapped in the Purple Pitcherplant's water, digestive enzymes are then released that break down the insect and provide nutrition for the plant. The Purple Pitcherplant is named for its leaves and hollow stalk that resemble a pitcher. The Purple Pitcherplant is especially unique organism because, within the water inside the Pitcherplant a community of microorganisms eventually begin to flourish. The microorganisms then provide food for certain mosquito larvae. This forms an entire ecosystem contained inside the Purple Pitcherplant!
Reference:
www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/sarracenia_pu...
This image captures part of the Longleaf Pine and Wiregrass ecosystem that was dominant in the coastal Carolinas when European settlers first arrived. This is a fire adapted ecosystem, so here at the NC Carolina Beach State Park they are managing the landscape with fire. This section was burned this year. You can see how quickly the system recovers from the low intensity ground fires. This image highlights a stand of juvenile pines showing the forest re-generation. The wringers is also abundant here.
On my way to work everyday I pass these trees on the Fort Fisher Battle Grounds that face the Fort Fisher Beach Access. On February 10, 2019 I stopped to take a picture of these pruned/sheared trees.This demonstrates that a single species can have different growth habits depending on the different environments its in. These are well known in the south and are typically laden with Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides). Southern Live Oaks feature broad crowns of long stretching branches in protected areas further inland from the shore. Along the coast, these trees are wind-sheared by the brunt of the wind coming off the ocean. This prompts the trees to grow away from the beach and the ocean spray from the waves that break is carried in land by the wind. The salty air prunes or shears the trees into different shapes.
Fort Fisher Battle Grounds
These dolphin, or Tursiops truncatus, were swimming close to shore. They can be found in groups from 2 to 15 individuals. A large pod can provide protection to each individual against predators, means more individuals able to catch prey, and allows multiple dolphins to look after young so the mom can have a break. About halfway through the video it looks like one dolphin drags a large fish (maybe) out of the water. Maybe the dolphins moved closer to shore because it's easier to catch fish and there is a larger variety. Also, I noticed a lot of birds flying above. This could be an example of interspecific competition because the birds and dolphins could be competing for the same resource (fish). However, the dolphin may try to catch larger fish and the birds try to catch smaller fish, so there is no competition.
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/dolphins/bottlenose-...
after a brief rain storm this morning showing the ecological process of precipitation in the water cycle. a family of ducks and one lone (unidentified) bird look for food in the pond by my house helping move energy along the food web.
I stumbled upon a rather large flock of Branta canadensis or Canadian Geese behind the North Carolina State Employee Credit Union off of Shipyard Boulevard in Wilmington, North Carolina. Pictured are two goslings an either protective and highly threatened goose or gander with head low, bent, hissing and even at times biting at other members of the flock (and even at me!) in order to protect their young. During the time I spent around the flock, there was an apparent social and familial hierarchy within the flock with the fledglings as a clear priority. The ground nest of this family was hidden and located very close to the water which serves as a hideaway from predators and as a great food source for the omnivorous birds who enjoy chomping on a large variety of terrestrial and aquatic grasses as well as insects. It is common to see Canadian geese in Southeastern North Carolina particularly in the colder months, and seeing this flock made me wonder if they will emigrate to a more northern territory this summer? Also, since the goslings can stay with their parents up to a year it made me wonder will they be making the migration in a couple of months as well? Judging from the photo, the goslings are beginning to molt their downy chick feathers for a few flight feathers. What do you think?
This photo was taken in the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve here on UNCW's campus on January 22nd. In the picture we see the remains of a fallen tree, with patches of bright green moss growing on the top of the tree stump. While difficult to exactly determine, I believe the species is (Anomodon rostratus) a member of the bryophytes, which all provide many benefits to this forests' ecology. There are multiple different ecological concepts at play here, but the one I want to talk about is distribution. While the species of moss itself is ubiquitous, the area in which it can grow, both within the preserve and around this tree truck, is specific to factors including pH, humidity, temperature, soil make-up, competition and more. Distribution helps to explain why this species of moss has found specific parts of this trunk suitable for growth, while specifically leaving out other areas. It's important to note while the moss may look like a single plant, it's actually made up of many unitary gametophytes, all growing and reproducing individually. In terms of ecology, the growth of this moss helps to break down and recycle the carbon and nutrients still stored in the tree, regulate the relative humidity of the area, and provide indicators towards the soil and forests health.
Here a link to the source I used to help ID the moss (bryophyteportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxauthid=1&...)
These flowers, which are angiosperms, are currently in bloom. Which is relatively early but might be because of the warmer Winter weather. The opening of a flower is part of its reproductive cycle. Animals, such as bees, or wind, will spread the pollen to other flowers. This was taken right next to DePaolo Hall in the early afternoon on 1/23/18.
This photo was taken Jan 19 and captures the wetland that lies on the edge of UNCW's campus. Eastern wetlands like this one play a major role as an ecosystem as well as flood control. Wetlands provide a vast ecosystem of plants and animals that thrive in moist environments. they can be used as nurseries for freshwater fish and amphibians. they also supply food and cover for the waterfowl in the area. When rain occurs, The wetlands allow the water to collect in one area and begin slowly dispersing back to the nearest body of water. The water travels through layers of sediment that remove toxins and unwanted materials out of the water before it returns to the rivers. This natural process helps decrease the amount of runoff that enters the rivers.
While walking on Wrightsville beach a few weekends ago I came across this dead bird lying on the shore. Upon the first look I figured that the bird was some sort of seagull species native to North Carolina, but after further investigation I determined that there were no gull species in the area that looked similar to this organism. The bird in the photo has a slight resemblance to a penguin which seems rather strange since I found it in southern North Carolina. After comparing it with many different bird species I found one that is identical to the bird in the photo when it is displaying its winter plumage. The species I believe it to be is the Alca torda, commonly known as the Razorbill (audubon.org/field-guide/bird/razorbill). The main identification feature that I used for the bird was the bill. This species has a unique and interesting white stripe that crosses downward on its bill which can be easily seen in the photo. None of the other species I came across possessed this feature. Its penguin-like morphology comes from the fact that it is related to puffins, auks, and murres which are all very distantly related to penguins. Finding this species in this area is exciting because it is not common in the south of the United States. The species is typically found in northern regions of Eastern North America and parts of Europe which makes it surprising to see one on Wrightsville beach. Despite my surprise at this, I was able to determine that these birds are known to travel as far south as Virginia during the winter months and can even be seen as far south as Florida on rare occasions (audubon.org/field-guide/bird/razorbill). There are countless ecological concepts that could be discussed with this rare finding, but one that is extremely important for this species is climate change. This species is currently listed on the IUCN list of threatened species as "near threatened" with a trend towards decreasing populations. Its decline began in the 1990s and is continuing to get worse (iucnredlist.org/details/22694852/0). It is believed that these birds are actually beginning to populate areas further north than their typical home range due to increasing global temperatures (audubon.org/field-guide/bird/razorbill). One study found that this species is actually beginning to colonize different parts of eastern Canada that it is not normally found in and is in fact changing its dispersal patterns (Gaston and Woo, 939). Many sources discuss the species' as thriving in arctic waters of the North Atlantic and very few of them discuss the bird as being acclimated to living in the south. From this information I would hypothesize that this bird would not likely thrive off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina. Though the cause of this particular bird's death cannot be verified directly from this photo it is possible that it could be related to the particularly warm temperatures in the area during the week the photo was taken. Clearly, the bird has become accustomed to living in cooler climates through its evolutionary adaptations and this southern climate may not fulfill its niche requirements.
Gaston, A., K. Woo. 2008. Razorbills (Alca torda) Follow Subarctic Prey into the Candian Arctic: Colonization Results from Climate Change? The Auk 125: 939-942.
Here is a cool photo that I took at the Fort Fisher Aquarium earlier this semester! This ocellaris clown fish (Amphiprioninar) has a mutual symbiotic relationship with this sea anemone (Actiniaria)! Both the clown fish and the sea anemone benefit from each others company! The clown fish receives protection from bigger fish through the anemone and the anemone receives protection from other predatory fish that are chased away by the extremely territorial clown fish. As a member of the phylum Cnidaria, this sea anemone possess nematocysts that sting prey; not including the clown fish. It is thought that this is due to the mucus coating, that overtime and contact with anemones, produces antigens. I find it extremely interesting that the clown fish has been able to adapt to the stings of the anemone in order to thrive in its aquatic environment! #UNCW #uncwteal #ecology #FishAreCool
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is a flowering plant that is most often found growing on large trees. So despite its name, it is not actually a moss. It grows in places with a warm climate with high humidity. Spanish Moss rarely ever kills the trees upon which it lives, but it does slow down the growth rate because it absorbs nutrients that the plant itself usually would. This picture was taken just outside of Friday Hall on the campus of UNCW.
This was taken January 21, 2018 on the Flytrap Trail at Carolina Beach State Park. Venus Flytraps, also known as Dionaea Muscipula, are carnivorous plants native to North Carolina. They live within a 75 mile radius of Wilmington, and survive mainly in humid habitats. They are not tropical plants and can withstand some of the colder snaps that occur here in Wilmington. They are able to survive in nutrient poor environments which makes them ideal for swampy areas that have lots of insects for them to feed on. Their ability to eat insects starts by attracting them with their red coloured leaves and once their tiny hairs along the outside are triggered, they close the insect inside and begin to digest them. This benefits them because they get the nutrients they need from the insects while I benefit by dealing with one less bug on my hike.
Sources:
northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/venus-flytrap/
statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/north-carolina/s...
I took this short video clip on Saturday, January 20th, 2018, around 2:00 pm next to Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The ecological concept I have identified in this short clip is in regard to ocean circulation and its major driver; wind. If you listen to the video clip you can hear the force of the wind in the background. The strength of the wind speed can also be seen in the video when looking at the movement of the water. If you look closely enough, you can see small ripples within the wave being driven towards one direction. This is a small example of how wind drives ocean currents. I learned from oceanography class last semester we were taught that grander winds such as the westerlies in the northern hemisphere that occur between 30 and 60 degrees latitude are the driving winds of the North Atlantic current. Along with the help of Coriolis effect and how in the northern hemisphere objects are deflected to the right, pushes the current upwards and across the Atlantic. From there based off the temperature of the water will either progress into the Canary current or Norwegian current. Other winds, depending on your location continue to generate other currents and develop the five gyres.
This is a cactus (a type of prickly pear). These cacti may be hazardous to people passing by, but they have an important part of the ecology right here in Wilmington. They lay just beyond the first dunes from the beach and cover a good portion of dune. These Cacti have deep roots, important for keeping the sand (and the beach) in place helping with erosion and beach displacement. These along with the other grasses, vines and wild flowers are key to keeping the beach right where it is.
I took this video outside of the landing building 2. There were a few crows walking around, but this one crow was up in a tree. I noticed it making a knocking noise. When I got closer I found that it had what looked like an acorn or some seed. It was using its beak to crack open the seed. It made me think of the evolutionary changes over time in its beak to make it sharp and long to be able to open the seed. There are different kinds of crows with different lengths in their beaks but this particular one had a long beak to help reach the seed as the crow held it in it's feet.
This is a picture of deer moss (Cladonia rangiferina) that I found in my backyard. It is growing on an old piece of wood on the ground. After a little bit of research, I discovered that it is not actually part of the moss family. It is a fungus that is actually considered a fruticose lichen. It is the food source for deer, reindeer, moose, musk oxen and caribou. Generally, this plant is rather slow growing, but it grows rapidly during spring and fall or when the humidity is high and temperatures are cool. Wilmington currently has high humidity and cooler temperatures so that explains why I would find this lichen in my backyard.
Image 1 shows an American Holly (Ilex opaca). This tree is located just outside of DOBO on the UNCW campus. The American Holly tree typically grows in the east-central, southeastern, and south-central United States. Its branches are short and slender and its roots are thick. It will grow in both dry and wet soil, but it will grow slowly. The flowers are pollinated by many insects such as bees, ants, and moths. The berries are known to be poisonous to humans but, birds will eat them for survival if their other food sources are limited. This tree is an essential habitat and food source for at least 18 different species of birds. Unfortunately, this tree is damaged annually for making Christmas decorations across the United States and is often removed because it is considered an undesirable shrub that competes with pine trees. (www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/ileopa/all.html)
This picture was taken in Cozumel, Mexico on my cruise for spring break. The Island of Cozumel is a biologically diverse location with different physical features like mountains, rainforests, and coastal beaches. As you can see from the bright blue water, the ocean surrounding the island is full of life and color. Underneath the water, a whole host of ecological processes are at hand. The multiple sites of coral reefs show community structure and dynamics. The coral reefs are known to host a diverse array of tropical fish and other species. One of the most important species for Cozumel is the common starfish (Asteria rubens). The common starfish is an example of keystone predation. A keystone species is a species whose impact is disproportionate to the amount in the community. Keystone predation is the disproportionate impact of a predator who is less abundant in a community. The starfish, by feeding on a variety of prey species, helps reduces the populations and competition in the ecosystem. If the starfish were not present, more prey species populations in the preceding trophic level (typically an intermediate species) will increase. With that increase, the more dominant species will increase and reduce the other prey populations. This would lead to a decrease in biodiversity which you can calculate through Shannon's or Simpson's index. The starfish is able to stabilize the community and help it thrive and be even more diverse. It is so interesting how a trip to Cozumel can show how ecology impacts our daily lives.
I took this photo on January 23 outside of my apartment off of New Center Drive. This photo shows storm water that has not successfully drained. Although hard to see in the photo, the water is contaminated with all sorts of trash caused by humans. As the water continues to be stagnant above the level of the grass, the grass is unable to receive direct sunlight and also the soil is unable to absorb this amount of water which is going to cause harm to the grass.
This photo was taken on January 21, 2018 on UNCW campus at the beginning of Chancellor’s Walk. It is a picture of a pond with a fountain in it. As on can see, there is much biodiversity in and around the pond area. Often with ponds or other bodies of stagnant water, a process of eutrophication can occur. This is when a lot of nutrients are somehow added to a body of water, which can cause a jump in growth of plant and animal life. Algae is one thing that can exponentially grow when this happens, sometimes covering whole bodies water. This can block sunlight from reaching the bottom of the pond and getting to other plants. Because the plants would not be getting light, they would eventually die and decompose. Bacteria helping with decomposition use oxygen in the water, which, if there is a lot of decomposition, a majority of the oxygen will be used, ultimately causing hypoxia in organisms. Hypoxia is when very little oxygen reaches the tissues of an organism. Luckily, this problem is avoided by the inclusion of the fountain in the pond! The fountain helps keep the water moving, preventing the buildup of algae on the surface and hypoxia in the organisms.
This photo was taken on private property that is leased to a hunting club in Grantsboro, NC on January 27, 2018. The print in the mud was identified to be a Coyote (Canis latrens). I determined that the print didn’t belong to a domesticated dog because of scat, other animal tracks such as deer, and a lack of human presence in the area.
Although often labeled as a “predator” coyotes are opportunistic. They feed on a variety of foods such as berries and fruits, deer, snakes, birds, rabbits, frogs, insects and rodents. Coyotes eat what is most readily available which can also include garbage and roadkill. Coincidently, on the same property the coyote paw print was found, I have also spotted a bobcat. This is important to note because both species rely on similar food sources. Although, bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a more active predator. According to an article in the Canadian Journal of Zoology, a population response is suggested by exploitation competition between the two species.
Sources: www.ncpedia.org/wildlife/coyote
icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/Coyotes.asp
www.ncpedia.org/wildlife/bobcat
ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Bobcat
www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/z89-170?journalC...
The Broadhead Skink (Eumeces laticeps) is a lizard that can be found in the southeastern U.S. Broadhead Skinks are the largest skinks in the southeast and can grow to about 13 inches. This one appears to be an adult male as indicated by the redish orange color of the head and lack of stripes. The young Broadhead skink has five to seven yellow stripes along its dark brown body with a blue tail. They prey on mostly insects but the larger adults can even eat other lizards. This guy found his way into my workshop most likely following some of its dinner. The predators of the skink include birds, domestic cats, and larger reptiles. Like most lizards they have adapted the ability to lose their tail when attacked by a predator. The tail will wiggle around after breaking off to distract the predator and offer an escape from danger.
www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/herps_of_NC/lizard...
Taken on May 22, 2016
Anyone who has lived in Wilmington for a little bit knows that this is a very rainy place. Here I have captured a few rainclouds in downtown Wilmington, on Princess St. between Front St. and Second St., right before it started storming. The Weather for this day fell almost exactly within the expected climate temperatures. The high was 75 degrees Fahrenheit when normally in May it is 81, the low was 59 degrees Fahrenheit when it is normally 60. And of course, this being Wilmington, the little rainstorm lasted about 20 minutes or so :)
Red-tailed hawks are one of the top aerial predators of the longleaf pine ecosystem. These hawks will prey on many animals from rabbits, to reptiles and even fish. The Red-tailed hawks main competitor is the Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). The two species have been known to consume the others young and fight over nesting sites. The Red-tailed hawk is the most successful raptor in North America ranging from Alaska and Canada all the way south through Mexico into central america.
This Giant Water Bug (Lethocerus americanus) is a large insect found in the Belostomatidae family. Due to their fondness for pinching people with their large foreleg pincers, they are known colloquially as "toe-biters."
The toe-biter generally hunts fish, frogs, and small snakes. It's coloration and shape make it look like a dead leaf, allowing it to camouflage itself at the bottom of streams and lakes. This helps it avoid detection by both prey and predators.
Due to their affinity towards light, they are commonly found in artificial pools like the one I found this guy in.
While not consumed in the United States, this family of insects is commonly eaten in many southeast Asian cultures.
Sources:
www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?ident...