Reef Madness

Last week we explored the dynamic barrier islands, a great place for wildlife and a popular vacation destination. This week, we venture beyond the island into the coral reefs just offshore. As an avowed landlubber, I'll probably never get to see a coral reef for myself, but I'll live vicariously through myself telling you all about them.

Coral reef (Smithsonian)

Coral reefs are hard, rocky structures made of the skeletal remains of what was once living coral. Corals are a marine animal, not a plant, and the best-known form a symbiotic relationship with algae. Because algae needs sunlight for photosynthesis, many coral reefs are found in clear, shallow water. Cold water corals that live in the deep sea. Without sunlight, these organisms filter feed plankton. Because of their inaccessibility, we are still learning about them.

Coral polyps (NPS)

The most popular corals are the shallow ones, because they are relatively easy to reach. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and even glass bottomed boats bring humans right to the biological hot spots. People are drawn to coral, not just because of the beauty of the coral itself, but the amazing biodiversity found within the reef. Fishes, crustaceans, sponges, anemones, and countless other sea creatures call the reef home. The coral structure provides hiding places for mobile critters and anchorages for sessile ones. Hiding places benefit predator and prey alike- they provide somewhere to hide from bigger fish, or place to launch a quick strike at an unsuspecting meal.

Coral reef (NPS)

Cold water corals provide the same habitat and ecosystem, and may be even more important than their shallower counterparts. Most sea life can be found near the coast and relatively shallow. Corals in the deep sea for a sort of island in an area that is otherwise mostly devoid of life.

Deep sea cold water coral (Joint Nature Conservation Committee)

Like just about every ecosystem in the world, coral reefs are in trouble. Coral is dying as sea temperatures and carbonic acid levels rise. The algae component of the coral either dies or evacuates in a process known as coral bleaching. Some corals show some resistance to slightly warmer temperatures. Research into this is continuing. If you ever get a chance to explore coral reefs, either by boat or underwater, remember to look but don't touch.
This week's information comes from NOAA and the Smithsonian Institute.

Species of the Month

Wherever you live, fishing season is in full swing. This month we'll profile one of the most common game fishes, the rainbow trout. They can be found in lakes and streams almost everywhere around the world, though introduced to many of them.

Rainbow trout (State Department)

Scientific name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Salmoniformes 

Range: Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico

Habitat: Aquatic, some also have a marine phase

Lifespan: 6-8 years average, up to 11 years
Diet: Insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, small fish, algae
Predators: Lampreys, eagles, osprey, herons, mergansers, bears, mink, river otters, seals, sea lions, other fish, humans

Fish on! (NPS)

Conservation Status: No special protection for freshwater only fish; nine populations of steelhead are listed as threatened or endangered

Steelhead (NOAA Fisheries)

Other information: Rainbow trout get their name from a colorful iridescent streak along the sides of its body. State fish and game agencies around the country raise them to stock streams and lakes for fishing season. Stocked trout remain in freshwater; some native trout along the west coast are anadromous (have a saltwater phase) and return to their birthplace to spawn and die. The anadromous trout are called steelhead. Females lay eggs in a gravel nest called a redd. Fertilized eggs hatch after a few weeks, and the hatchling remains attached to the yolk sack as a food source before leaving the redd for the wider world. Young trout tend to stick to slower, shallow water. Young steelhead remain in the stream for up to three years before heading out to sea. Due to habitat degradation and loss, several western steelhead species are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Meanwhile, introduced trout are becoming a problem in some areas. They eat and/or outcompete native fishes such as cutthroat and brook trout. They threaten genetic integrity by hybridizing with native species. They also carry a parasite responsible for whirling disease, which causes deformities that make a fish easier prey.

Steelhead (NOAA Fisheries)

This week's information comes from University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web and the US State Department, of all places.

Species of the Month

This month’s species of the month is the largest critter to ever roam the planet. Even bigger than the biggest dinosaur, the blue whale is wide-spread but seldom seen. Hunter to near extinction, they now number just a few thousand. Hopefully these gentle giants will fully recover.

Blue whale (NPS)

Scientific name: Balaenoptera musculus

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class:   Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Cetacea (dolphins and whales)

Range: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans from the near-polar regions to the equator

Habitat: Open ocean

Lifespan: Estimated to be 80 to 90 years

Diet: Krill, small fish, small crustaceans, copepods

Predators: Humans, sharks and killer whales prey on calves

Conservation Status: Listed as endangered by IUCN and under ESA.

Blue whale spouting (NPS)

Other Information: Blue whales were hunted for oil and blubber. They have been protected since 1966. Blue whales are baleen whales, those that do not have teeth but instead have bristle-like filters. An adult can eat up to four tons of krill in a day. Not much is known about their reproduction. Males and females mature at about five years old, and females give birth every other or every third year. Gestation is about a year. Most blue whales are migratory, spending winters in the tropics and summers in the high latitudes. Dives can last 10-20 minutes between breaths. Blue whales are vocal, but their songs are too low for humans to hear. Like other whales, blues fluke (tail emerges from the water), breach (entire body emerges), spyhop (head is exposed), and spout (back and blowhole exposed, the whale exhales).

Blue whale fluking (NPS)

This week’s information comes from the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web.

Desert Life

This time of year, there’s usually no place in America that’s hotter than the desert Southwest. The region is known for its striking red sandstone formations, deep canyons, and ancient ruins. While the desert may seem like a barren wasteland to the casual observer, it is full of life. If you know where to look. The critters of the desert have evolved with special adaptations that allow them to survive in a harsh environment. Let’s have a look at some.

Extreme heat and scarce water are two hardships of the desert. Because of the second problem, sweating is an impractical solution to the first problem. As a workaround, the jackrabbit has large ears which are full of blood vessels. The blood vessels bring warmer blood away from the body core to cool. The large surface area of the ears also helps the cooling process (National Geographic).

Black-tailed jack rabbit (NPS)

The kangaroo rat has adapted to life without beverages. It can go an extended period without water, absorbing what it needs from its plant-based diet. Too keep cool, it lives underground and is nocturnal (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum).

Stephen's kangaroo rat (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum)

The various cactus species have evolved to avoid water loss. All plants lose water through their leaves in a process called transpiration. Cactus plants minimize the loss by having long, thin needles in place of the leaves we’re familiar with on trees and other leafy plants. They also have an extensive root system for maximizing water collection potential and a wide, hollow stem for water storage (BBC).

Saguaro cactus (US Forest Service)

Other desert plants have adapted as well. Shrubs and non-woody flowers survive by growing deep roots that can reach down into the water table. They have hardy seeds that can last for years before germinating. When the rare shower falls, these plants simultaneously burst to life in a brief but spectacular desert bloom (Science News for Kids).

Superbloom (National Park Service)

The Great Basin spadefoot toad has a cool adaptation for surviving in the desert. They burrow underground and remain in a state of suspended animation for years until rainfall brings it to the surface for mating and feeding. Mating pairs will lay and fertilize eggs anywhere water collects, then the race is on for the eggs to hatch and tadpoles to develop before the water evaporates. The tadpoles are cannibalistic, which might be an incentive to hurry up and grow (The Nature Conservancy).

Great Basin spadefoot toad (Idaho Fish and Game)

You probably don’t think of shrimp living in the desert. The fairy shrimp’s habitat is ephemeral (seasonal) pools that form in depressions in rock. They are tough little buggers, able to withstand extreme heat. Their eggs can survive desiccation for decades, using sugars instead of water inside the egg. The eggs can remain in place until rain activates it and it hatches, or they can be carried on the wind to a new location and hatch there when rain comes (National Park Service).

Fairy shrimp (National Park Service)

Next time you happen to be in the desert, look around for these and other fascinating critters. The desert is alive, if you look hard enough to see the life all around you.

Species of the Month

Easter has come and gone, but the memory remains. Last year we took a look at the cottontail rabbit and this year the Easter species of the month is currently filling our ponds and creeks with quacks but will soon be joined by tiny peeping sounds. Enjoy a brief profile of the mallard duck.

Easter ducklings with mother

Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class:   Aves (birds)

Order: Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans)

Range: North and South America, Eurasia, north Africa

Habitat: ponds, wetlands, streams  

Lifespan: 5-10 years, oldest known was 27 years

Diet: plants, insects, worms, small crustaceans, cereal crops

Predators:  foxes, coyotes, birds of prey, humans

Conservation Status: no special protection

A group of mallards enjoying a warm spring day together

Mallard hen on the go

Other Information: The mallard is the most common waterfowl species in the world. They have adapted to life with humans, but still display a fear (which you’ve noticed if you ever tried to pet one in the park). They are dabbling ducks. Dabbling is what they do to eat- flipping head down in the water, tail up in the air. The females do the quacking. Mallards also make a sound that I describe as muttering at you under their breaths. Females lay clutches of 9-13 eggs in a nest on the ground. After hatching, ducklings follow mama to the water, never to return to the nest. However, there is always an exception to the rule. Mallards nested in a tree at my parents’ house, to everyone’s astonishment. Both male (drake) and female (hen) have iridescent feathers on their wings, and the drake also has an iridescent green head.

Mallard drakes, complete with iridescent green heads

Bottoms up! Dabbling drake

This week's information comes from University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web. Species comparisons will return next week. Stay tuned and be sure to like Nature Minute on Facebook.

Species of the Month

February's species of the month is a pink bird, reminiscent of Valentine's Day. The roseate spoonbill is a spectacle to behold with pink plumage that only becomes more vibrant as the bird ages. It's not necessarily known for being a love bird, but at least the color matches the month.

Roseate spoonbill (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Scientific name: Ajaia ajaja

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class:   Aves (birds)

Order: Ciconiiformes (storks and relatives)

Range: Gulf Coast south across the Caribbean, Central and South America

Habitat: freshwater and saltwater marshes

Lifespan: 16 years on average

Diet: small fish and crustaceans, plant matter, insects

Predators: alligators, coyotes, hawks (prey on chicks), raccoons (prey on chicks and eggs)

Conservation Status: No special conservation status

Other Information: The roseate spoonbill feeds by swishing its spoon shaped bill in the water. Like flamingos, the pink pigmentation comes from the crustaceans in the spoonbill’s diet. They were hunted for their feathers to near extinction. Protection in the 1940s led to their remarkable comeback. However, they remain vulnerable due to habitat loss.

This month's information comes once again from University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web, as well as New Hampshire PBS.

(Texas Parks and Wildlife)

(US Fish and Wildlife Service)