Observaciones de velezperrone_n_906

Observation Description
Anolis sagrei
Visual description
Shape
An Anolis sagrei is long and thin. Its length exceeds its width. The shape of the organism’s head is diamond-like and gets more narrow approaching the mouth. The toe pads are not clearly visible in the photograph below, however, they are of a circular shape.
Size
The size of the Anolis sagrei is about five inches long, however, they can range from five to nine inches. Males typically are double the weight of females, weighing about eight grams whereas the female weighs about four grams.

Coloration
The Anolis sagrei in the image is of brown coloration displaying a white pattern on the back of its body. On the tail of the deuterostome is a brown diamond-shape. Its head is shorter than green anoles. The toes of the back legs are longer than the toes on the forelimbs.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structure of the Anolis sagrei in the picture is not present due to the angle at which I had to take the photo. I could not view the underside of the lizard where the two hemipenile are located.
Defining Characteristic
A characteristic that is defining of the Anolis sagrei and the order, Squamata, is that they have four legs with skin that is scaly and a tail that is symmetrical to the body, as depicted in the picture. However, a significant defining feature that is not depicted in the image are the dewlaps, or fans, that are of red or orange coloration.

Reference with description of organism
• http://www.animalspot.net/brown-anole.html

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• Kapok Park, Clearwater Florida
• Latitude: 27.971
• Longitude: -82.714

Habitat
The Anolis sagrei was found on a wooden fence. The fence was in a semi-shady and moist area next to a stream.

Geographical distribution
The organism originated in Bahama and Cuba. It was brought into the United States and has become widespread in Florida. Aside from Florida, they can be found in other states like Texas, Georgia and California. There have also been sightings in China.

Observation Description
Trachemys scripta
Visual description
Shape
The shape of the slider turtle’s shell is oval and relatively flat. The claws on the feet of the turtle are visible.

Size
The size of the slider turtle depicted in the image is about 10-12 inches long. It is about a foot wide and the log that it is on can be a point of reference. The log is about one foot wide.
Coloration
There are many colors present on the slider turtle. There is a red stripe behind the eye on the outer side of each eye. Yellow stripes run down its body, beginning from the bottom of the eye down to the claws.
Reproductive Structure
There is no reproductive structure present in the image.
Defining Characteristic
A defining characteristic of the taxonomic group is the red mark behind the peripheral view of each eye. Trachemys scripta are often called Red-eared Sliders because it is a defining characteristic of the organism.

Reference with description of organism
• http://www.hhpz.org/files/hhpz/documents/AnimalFactSheets/Red%20Eared%20Slider.pdf

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater Florida
• Latitude: 27.977
• Longitude: -82.723

Habitat
The organism depicted in the picture was found in a pond with algae growing in the water. However, Trachemys scripta are not limited to ponds and also reside in other habitats like marshes, lakes, and rivers with light currents. Typically, the slider turtle can live in any fresh-water area as long as the bottom is soft to allow the turtle to use its webbed feet to walk through the mud and not get stuck.

Geographical distribution
Trachemys scripta geographical distribution range from all over the United States, from the northeast, residing in places like West Virginia to Indiana. They also extend to the south eastern and central locations of the United States. Aside from the U.S, the organism can be located in the South American region.

Observation Description
Solenopsis invicta
Visual description
Shape
The shape of the body of a red fire ant are all oval-like with three segments of its body: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The abdomen is a very defined oval shape whereas the head and the thorax are more spherical. The organism has six legs total, all of which are attached to the thorax, or the middle segment of the body.
Size
The size of the organism averages from a quarter to half an inch in length.
Coloration
The color of red fire ants are primarily red in color from the head down to the legs, hence the name of the organism. However, the abdomen is black.
Reproductive structure
The reproductive structure of red imported fire ants, the aedeagus, is not present in the photograph below.
Defining Characteristic
A distinguishing characteristic of Solenopsis invicta is their unique body structure. Its thorax is directly connected to its abdomen, or the further-most segment from the head, and has a petiole with two nodes. Aside from its unique body structure, it is also distinguished by its red body.

Reference with description of organism
• http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/redimport.html

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
• Latitude: 28.059
• Longitude: -82.411

Habitat
Due to ants being able to survive in diverse environments, including disrupted ones like at a university, their habitat is not confided to specific conditions. The photograph of the ant was taken on a cement sidewalk near an ant pile.

Geographical distribution
The geographical distribution of Solenopsis invicta originated from South America. Although they still populate in their native geographical location, they are also distributed in Australia and North America. The smaller populations reside in the northern and western areas of the United States.

Observation Description
Tillandsia usneoides
Visual description
Shape
The Tillandsia usneoides in the photograph has a trailing shape in that it dangles from trees. They have curled elongated leaves.

Size
The size of the Spanish moss’s leaves is between two and six centimeters in length. The stem is suspended two feet in the picture, however, it can grow up multiple feet in length from the tree it is attached to, often called the host tree.
Coloration
The organism is gray and white and the leaves are also gray and white.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structure on Tillandsia usneoides are flowers because they are angiosperms, however, they cannot be seen in the image.
Defining Characteristic:
One defining characteristic of the taxonomic group is the coloration and shape of its white and gray bundled and curled leaves. It is unique in that it can hang down multiple feet from its host tree. It is also easily identifiable due to its suspension on trees.
Reference with description of organism
• https://www.thejoyofplants.co.uk/tillandsia-usneoides

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• Lettuce Lake Park, Tampa, Florida
• Latitude: 28.061
• Longitude: -82.387

Habitat
The Spanish moss in the image was found on a tree in a moist and wooded environment. Other habitats that Spanish moss thrive in are of humid environments where pine and oak trees reside because those trees are most often the hosts of Spanish moss.

Geographical distribution
The geographical distribution of Spanish moss is found across the southeastern United States, primarily in tropical environments.

Observation Description
Bidens alba
Visual description
Shape
The organism grows upright taking a shrub appearance. The shape of the leaves of the Bidens alba illustrated in the picture are tear-drop shaped and have a velvet-like texture.
Size
The size of Bidens alba can grow up to 0.4 to 1.2 meters tall. The central yellow floret can grow between two to 16 millimeters in length. The size of the Bidens alba illustrated in the image is about one meter tall.
Coloration
Bidens alba have the coloration similar to a daisy. The organism in the photograph contains five to seven white ray florets, and a yellow flower at the center of the seeded vascular plant.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structures extend off the stem at the top of the plant and are called ray florets. The ray florets surround a yellow flower in the center. A mechanism that allows for fruit dispersal are the two awns, also known as barbs, attached to fruits that do not harm animals but rather attach to their fur.
Defining Characteristic
A defining characteristic of the family Asteraceae in which Bidens alba belongs all have a composite flower head that consists of multiple flowers. An individual floret is a flower instead of having a flower head composing of a single flower like other angiosperms. Bidens alba contrasts from its family in that it has florets arranged in a radial pattern that are white and very tiny, approximately an inch in length.
Reference with description of organism
• https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/special-pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=3312

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• Lettuce Lake Park, Tampa, Florida

• Latitude: 28.073

• Longitude: -82.376

Habitat
The Bidens alba in the picture was found in a wooded area where there are multiple streams nearby. Thus, the environment was somewhat moist and it was found in Florida, a humid environment. However, these organisms can thrive in shaded and drier environments as well. A significant detail to this seeded vascular angiosperm is that it prefers to live in environments where there exists loose soil but they are not limited by their preference – they can also survive in sand and lime rock where organic matter is not rich.

Geographical distribution
Bidens alba geographical distribution is quite diverse but most are found living in Florida from road sides to farm fields. However, they are also prominent in other regions such as North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Observation Description
Pleopeltis michauxiana
Visual description
Shape
The shape of the frond of the Pleopeltis michauxiana is oval like and becomes narrow at the point of the fern farthest away from the host plant. The stem grows on top of other plant structures but does not harm or take away nutrients from the host plant.
Size
The size of the frond is about seven inches in the image, however, the length can range between four to 10 inches. The pinna, the leafy part of the blade, is about one inch long.
Coloration
The coloration of the frond is light green. There are brown sori underneath the frond.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structure is present on the underside of the fern. The sporangium, or the spore producing structure, are clustered into sori.
Defining Characteristic
The fern can be distinguished because of the visible arrangement of the sporangia and the sori. The sori have a brownish yellow coloration and are located underneath the frond. However, the outline of the sori can be noticed in the picture from looking at the front view of the fern.
Reference with Description of Organism
• https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Resurrection-Fern

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• Lettuce Lake Park, Tampa, Florida
• Latitude: 28.062
• Longitude: -82.387

Habitat
The resurrection fern in the image was found on an oak tree that resided in a lake. It will always reside on a host plant or other substrate to anchor itself. Due to resurrection ferns being able to lose a majority of their water content and still survive, they can be found in dry conditions. However, these organisms also live in moist environments like the one in the photograph.

Geographical distribution
The geographical distribution of resurrection ferns are found throughout the southeastern United States ranging from New York to Texas.

Observation Description
Hexagonia hydnoides
Visual description
Shape
A Hexagonia hydnoides has a hemi-circular disk-like form much like a saucer.
Size
The size of the organism in the photograph is estimated to be four to five inches in diameter. The saucer-like organism grows horizontally on hardwood or deciduous trees, sometimes expanding over the entire length of a tree branch and other times varying in smaller sizes.
Coloration
The color of the Hairy Hexagonia has different textures on both sides of the disk. On one side of the organism it is hairy, hence the name of the organism. On its back side, the fungi is smooth.
Reproductive Structure
The reproductive structure of the hairy Hexagonia is the fruiting body that is protruding from the dead tree branch.
Defining Characteristic
The defining characteristic of a hairy Hexagonia is that on one side of the fungal cap contains a hairy-like surface. Hairy Hexagonia are known to get their common name because of their distinguishing hair.
Reference with Description of Organism
https://www.backyardnature.net/n/x/hexagoni.htm

Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise Location
• Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Clearwater, Florida
• Latitude: 27.976
• Longitude: -82.724

Habitat
Hairy Hexagonia reside in moist environments because it is non-vascular and must absorb the water on their surface. The organism in the photograph was found growing on a dead tree. The organism will often grow on dead branches, causing the surrounding parts of the tree to turn into a white rot.

Geographical distribution
The geographical distribution of Hairy Hexagonia populate in South America to the southern United States.

Observation Description
Genus Micrasterias
Visual description
Shape
The Micrasterias has a circular perimeter. The green coloration is irregular in shape with symmetrical halves of the circle that are connected by the isthmus, containing the nucleus, in the center of the organism. If the organism were to be split into four quadrants, there would be four triangular-like concaves in each quadrant on the edges.
Size
The size of the Protista is microscopic. By using the field of view, it can be estimated that the diameter is between 50-100 micrometers.
Coloration
The primary color of the Protista is green.
Reproductive Structures
The reproductive structure of the organism in the picture is not present. However, protists have gamete cells, or reproductive cells.
Defining Characteristic
The identifying characteristic that is defining of this taxonomic group is what makes the protist unicellular: the two symmetrical semi-cells that conjoin by the isthmus, making the organism unicellular.

Reference with Description of Organism
• http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Charophyceae/Desmids/desmid_unicells/placoderms/MICRASTERIAS/Micrasterias_key.html
• http://fmp.conncoll.edu/Silicasecchidisk/LucidKeys3.5/Keys_v3.5/Carolina35_Key/Media/Html/Micrasterias_Main.html
Location, Habitat, and Distribution
Precise location
• University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
• Latitude: 28.061
• Longitude: -82.414

Habitat
The organism in the photograph was found in a pond where there was direct sunlight. Micrasterias are only found in freshwater bodies of water in acidic conditions.

Geographical distribution
These specific protists can be found in any freshwater body of water all over the world, prominently in places like North America, Asia, and Europe.

The Great Blue Heron is named after the overall coloration of its blue and gray appearance. Over the eye lies a black stripe. Due to observing the bird on land, I went to external sources to describe the coloration of the upper side of their wings. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Great Blue Herons have dark feathers in the back of their wings and an off-white, pale color on their forewing (“Great Blue Heron Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology”). Alongside the unique coloration of the North American bird, its shape is unique as well. Starting at the head, the bill of the bird is of orange coloration. A defining characteristic of the taxonomic group, specifically the family, Ardeidae Leach in which herons belong to, is the daggerlike beak that allows them to prey on fish by grabbing them in the water easily. Its neck is long and S-shaped to allow for swift predation of fish in water. The wings of the bird are rounded. The Great Blue Heron has long skinny legs, contributing to its approximately 4.5-foot-tall height. The reproductive structure is not present in the picture taken of the Great Blue Heron.
According to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, where Great Blue Herons reside is different from where they mate (“Great Blue Heron”). The birds are located in freshwater and saltwater coastal environments (“Great Blue Heron”). They also scavenge for food in grass fields. To avoid being preyed upon, they nest in swamps or islands (“Great Blue Heron”). The Great Blue Heron in the picture was found at Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa, Florida. According to National Geographic, the geographic distribution of Great Blue Herons is common across most of North America ranging to Alaska in the summer (“The Great Blue Heron”). During the winter, the distribution varies from islands such as the Galapagos Islands and the Caribbean and throughout Florida, South America, and Mexico (“The Great Blue Heron”).

Works Cited:

“Great Blue Heron.” Hinterland Who's Who - Boreal Forest, Canadian Wildlife Federation, www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/birds/great-blue-heron.html.
“Great Blue Heron Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.”, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/id.
“The Great Blue Heron.” Great Blue Heron National Geographic, National Geographic, 24 Sept. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/g/great-blue-heron/.

With regards to the identification of the Great Blue Heron depicted in the observation, I determined the species by first utilizing the suggestions option on iNaturalist. After the app suggested it was a Great Blue Heron, I doubled checked by searching the internet for images of the bird. There I found a website produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that displayed pictures and close-up illustrations of the heron. From analyzing the image, I noticed the similar blue-gray coloration of the body of the bird from my observation and the image from Cornell that also depicted the same coloration. Other distinguishing characteristics such as the dagger-like bill and the black stripe behind the eye of the image on the website solidified the determination of the species of bird being a Great Blue Heron.