Mollusk Discovery

A Cephalopod is any member of the molluscan phylum. Member of the animalia kingdom, the mollusca phylum, Cephaloda class, Sepiida order, Sepiidae family, and Spedia genus and subgenus.  Cephalopod meaning "Head-foot"  Example of a Cephalopod is squid, octopus, chambered nautilus and cuttlefish. Cephalopods have the largest developed eyes and have great vision.  They are able to produce an ink cloud and able to camouflage themselves. 

Per wikipedia, The origin of the word cuttlefish can be found in the old English term cudele, which derived in the 15th century from the Norwegian koddi (cushion, testicle) and the Middle German kudel (pouch), a good description of the cephalopod's shape. Cuttlefish have the largest brain-to-body ratio. 

Broadclub Cuttlefish

The Broadway Cuttlefish's scientific name is Sepia latimanus. The Broadway Cuttlefish is the second largest cuttlefish, growing up to 19.7inches long and 22.05lbs in weight. Cuttlefish have the ability of changing their color and texture. 

The two pictures of the Broadway Cuttlefish are the exact some one but different stages of their coloration.

Video link:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/wgbh-nova/2356-the-cuttlefishs-amazing-camouflage-video.htm

Biofilm Simulation at the G.C. Marine Reserve

The first thing we did was to take a graham cracker and put icing on the bottom of it to stick to the paper towel.  The cracker represents a Plexiglas plate, the towel would be the ocean and the icing would be the Extracellular Polymeric Substance(slime)  

Here we put different kinds of sprinkles to represent different kinds or organisms; Red coralline algae, Diatoms, Barnacles, Coral and Oysters The lifesavor is the bolt to keep the substrate down. The penny is there to show the scale. For every ten Barnacles on the graham cracker you got one marshmellow. The point of this whole experiment was to see how different organisms settle at different places and at different quantities.   When we were done with the project we got to eat are graham cracker  and I never thought that  that combination of food would taste so great :)

Food Observations

These Orange cream bars are amazing!! Just because they have Carrageenans in them doesn't mean I'm going to stop eating them. I was eating a delicious orange cream bar while doing this blog, orangeyy goodness!!!!

This delicious chicken noodle soup has Beta Carotene in it. This is not a good picture but i promise you this is Chicken Noodle Soup :) 

Plankton Wars :) Argh!!!!!

Captain Puffer Plankton is made up of clay, sponges, cupcake holders and other small devices. The long blue string is suppose to be the flagella.

As soon as we put it in the water it floated. Tyler and I thought we had enough weight so it would sink a little bit but floated the whole time. It was very depressing that it didnt go under the water because Tyler and I had so much faith in Captain Puffer Plankton and it feels as though are hopes were crushed.

 Tyler and I are making pirate faces because our plankton is Captain of the planktons :)

(picture by: Mrs. Richardson)

Obersvation Day 5

On the day we went outside and found these pictures it was sunny and windy.  One of the best days so far :)

This tree has been down for about two years.  Its roots are showing and starting to mold.   Its covered in leaves and random branches.

 The white stuff you see here is Lichen, a type of moss. The tree is falling to pieces and starting to decay.  Everytime someone was to step on it there was pieces just constantly falling to the ground.

This Warbler is sitting high in the branches. The Warblor is looking out into the distance possibly trying to see what was ahead.  It was really hard to make Warblor out in the woods but if you looked close enough you could see the Warblor. (Picture by Mrs. Richardson)

We decided to pick up the other branch and little to our surprise we found a slimy Salamander.  This little creature crawling through all the dirt and mud under the tree. As soon as I saw this Salamander I freaked out and wanted to get away from it as soon as possible. (Picture by Mrs. Richardson)

Algae Observations Day 4

I took this picture of the water the same day we went outside to bird watch. That was one of the warmest days we went outside but the wind was blowing. You could hear the wind and the sound of leaves rustling around. This is the shallow part of the pond and there are leaves and twigs in the water. You could see some traces of algae.

Plankton Observations

 This GIANT creature is actually a tiny microscopic worm.  You can see the veins and that it has a furry shoulder.  The  worm is a zooplankton and is micro. The worm has antennas to feel whats around them.

 Now this worm has algae around it.  This worm is microscopic like the other one and doesn't have antennas. If you just look at the face of the worm it kinda looks like Pooh Bear. :)

This zooplankton has body segments.  All three of the pictures of worms are holoplankton and they don't change the shape or form of there body.  The little specs are algae and little plankton

This star sand looks as though its red or light pink but in the picture online is an off white color.  The sand has black dots on them and is shaped like a star.  Most of the stars have five points but others has four.

Observation Day 3 :)

Even though the sun is shinning I could not feel it.  The wind was blowing and I couldn't feel my legs.  I could hear the chatter of the other students and the wind whistling in my ears.  The clouds were spread across the sky so evenly as though they were painted there.

Here is a drainage pipe that is pouring little but enough water to make a little creek. You could hear the water slashing up agianst the rock and branches.  "I could feel the hate because many people have littered and destroyed the area." (By: BenHart)

Here is the dead cattails and the pond.  The pond from the way the picture was taken, looks glossy.  The wind was blowing and making the pond ripple.  As I was taken this picture i felt as though I was going to fall into the pond because I was really close to the edge.  I didn't hear anything but the rustling of the students.

Well this is obviously a "Sign of Life" :)

Now at the last site we were up near the building looking at the different trees.  This tree has what looks to be fungus of some sort.  Everyone was gathering around the trees and stepping on the brown mulch.  I only heard people talking and feel the coldness.

Site Observations Day 2

When we came to this site I had to stumble over thorns and trees. The pond was very unclear and filled with green algae. The wind was blowing very hard, making ripples in the water.  The tree roots have started to come out of the ground and fall into the water.

The log/tree is covered with fungus and moss.  It serves as a home to tiny creatures.  The leaves around it were turning brown and were crackling every time we would step on them.

This is not only just a blah pond, if you look really hard you can see little figures on top of the lake, those are Geese!!  Yes, i am not a fan of birds, I'm actually terrified of birds but that was the most wildlife we have seen that day.  It doesn't make sense to me why the geese were still here and haven't gone to a warmer place.

This is the roots of a fallen tree.  It serves as a home to worms and other small creatures.  While trying to take this picture I had to make sure i didn't fall over into it because the way it was leaning I could not keep my balance.

 This log was covered in holes and surrounded by fallen leaves.  I wouldn't dare step on it because it looked as though it would break if I did.

ObservationsSite1

 

Green Trees are growing in the rocky area.  It was a sunny day but all you felt was the wind blowing. There was still ice on the ground and the leaves would crackle every time you would step on them.

 

The pond was pretty much frozen over. To the right side of the pond was the bus garage and you could hear the beeping noises from the buses.  The cat tails were swaying back and forth and the wind was smacking you in the face.(picture by Tyler Johnson)

This old car has probably been here for years. There is a pond right before the car and it was filled with algae. The car was rusted and seemed as though someone had crashed it even though I don't understand why someone would be driving in the woods. :)