Observaciones de tastsides_e_901

This lizard was found in the backyard. The backyard is has a good amount of trees and bushes, perfect for animals to hide and use. It is a brown color lizard, about 5 inches as a rough estimate. The weather outside was warm and sunny. Lizards, which are cold blooded (ectotherms), rely on sunlight to obtain body heat. A key characteristic of lizards is their long tail which they can shed and regrow to avoid predators (CK-12, n.d). Key characteristics of reptiles include laying eggs on land, and have scaly skin that does not allow respiration underwater (LibreTexts, 2019).

10.12 Lizards and Snakes. (n.d). CK-12. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-life-science-concepts-for-middle-school/section/10.12/

Characteristics of Reptiles (2019, November 19). Bio.LibreTexts. Retrieved April 2, 2020, from https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_Biology_(Boundless)/29%3A_Vertebrates/29.4%3A_Reptiles/29.4B%3A_Characteristics_of_Reptiles

This caterpillar was originally found on a tree outside my apartment. However, there were dozens of them sitting on the dog park fences and on the trees neighboring the apartment. The weather on this particular day was sunny and warm. The caterpillar has blue and yellow stripes running vertically down the body of the caterpillar. The caterpillar was about 2 inches long. The body has a pattern down the middle of the body with hairs projecting out the side. This caterpillar can be found across North America and they usually appear in abundance in early spring (Cortland, n.d.). Key characteristics of of this group include building tents and difficult population cycles (University of Florida, n.d.) Some caterpillars in this group do not actually build tents. This species appears to not build tents but actual species identification is unknown

Forest Tent Caterpillar (Molacosoma disstria) (Lasiocampidae) (n.d.). Cortland.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2020 from https://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/foresttentcaterpillar.html

University of Florida. (2020, March 31). Featured Creatures. Common name: forest tent caterpillar
scientific name: Malacosoma disstria Hübner (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae). http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/forest_tent_caterpillar.htm

This lichen was located in Violet Cury Nature Reserve. It was abundant all over many trees. As the name applies, it appears as Christmas colors, red and green. The red color is the prothallus surrounding the thallus, which is the green color (Thomas, 2010). It covered a majority of the tree. This lichen was found on a tree near a pond or lake. The weather this particular day was cloudy and cool, with a temperature around 60F. This lichen is typically found on the Gulf Coast and through South America (Volks, 2006). A key characteristic of lichens is the mutualistic relationship between a fungus and a alga or cyanobacterium (Volks, 2006). Lichens also lack a vascular tissue, so therefore they lack roots, stems, and leaves. They also primarily produce asexually.

Thomas, B. (2010, Jan 6). Christmas Wreath Lichen, Cryptothecia rubrocincta. Loyola University New Orleans. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_electronic_sources.html

Volks, T. (2006, December). Cryptothecia rubrocincta, the Christmas Lichen. https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/dec2006.html

This organism was found in the Violet Cury Nature Preserve. The organism has bright, pinkish flowers that were abundant. The flowers and the plant its self were relatively low to the ground, some were about taller. No Flower was above 4 feet tall. They were present on the outskirt of the trail, near some trees. The flower itself was a rough estimate of 3-4 inches in diameter. The weather that particular day was chilly and overcast. It appeared to have possibly rained not too long ago. Typically, these plants grow in warmer climates and can be found in many parts of the world (The American Rhododendron Society, n.d.). A key characteristics of this plant include soil acidity. The plants prefer a pH of about 4.5-6.5. The leaves will turn yellow if the pH is an issue (The American Rhododendron Society, n.d.). Another key characteristic is that true rhododendrons have 10 or more stamens (American Rhododendron Society: New York Chapter, n.d.).This plant does appear to have 10 stamens so it can be assured that it is a part of the Rhododendrons.

Plant Culture and Care. (N.D.). The American Rhododendron Society. Retrieved February 24, 2020 from http://www.rhododendron.org/soil.htm

What is the Difference Between Azaleas and Rhododendrons? (N.D.). New York Chapter American Rhododendron Society. Retrieved February 24, 2020 from http://www.nyrhododendron.org/pages/faqs/6azalea.html

Without actually going into the water, the leaf size looked to be about about 10 inches but that was a rough estimate. The color of the leaves were green. The leaves were not bright green, due to the fact it was a gloomy day. Characteristics of this plant include U or V shaped leaves, and long stems that can be up to 6 feet long. This species was found in a small lake near the land. These species tend to be all across the eastern side of the U.S. and extending into Canada.