Comments on: Nature Walk #4.1 – Arthropods

By: Biochemical Soul » Blog Update & Carnival of Evolution #11 - Oh, For the Love of Science!

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:13:38 +0000

[...] said, I have had time to keep my camera on hand as I piddle around the house. Considering that Spring is out in full force here, I have quite a few really good shots I will be showing you all [...]

By: Jason Brunet

Jason Brunet — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:30:56 +0000

You flatter me! I was indeed joking. Until recently I volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium, and I see chitons everywhere. I found a site about west coast chitons and tried to find the group that best resembled your photo, but really, they all *kind* of look like that but mostly don’t. I kind of just chose at random.

And geez, yeah, MIDGETS. Oh boy.

By: Irradiatus

Irradiatus — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:25:54 +0000

Hmmm…a polyplacophora? on a piece of pine bark?

I know from you’re blog that you are hilarious – so perhaps you jest? I really can’t tell

Actually, I know for sure it’s a mantid ootheca (and only somewhat sure it’s the Carolina mantis – though it could easily be a different species). The reason I know is that my old zoology/ecology professor at Hendrix College (Dr. Matt Moran) is an avid entomologist, specializeing in mantid predator/prey relationships. I took several courses with him (and even took an awesome Spring Break trip to Big Bend with him). So I’ve seen quite a few mantid ootheca.

Here are some images of Ischnochitonidae from the Encyclopedia of Life. I had never actually heard of this group of polyplacophora. I also didn’t know that polyplacophora are molluscs (I don’t know much about ocean critters). So I’m glad you brought it up. Learned something new.

MIDGETS!

(you have to read jeffthefish’s recent post to get the joke)

By: Jason Brunet

Jason Brunet — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:01:13 +0000

I think you’re mistaken about the last one. It’s clearly a member of Ischnochitonidae.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:01:05 +0000

Awesome “nature walk” I love the mantis case especially!!
We are starting to have nice weather here, but end of semester crunch is keeping me in. Arggggggggghh!

By: Allie

Allie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:11:26 +0000

I love the six-spotted tiger beetle…it is so beautiful! Did you see the NY Times photo special on beetle armor? If you didn’t you should check it out, it was great.

Oh, and perhaps give a warning next time if you are posting spider pics….Christie may be afraid of moths, but I am arachnophobic!

By: Biochemical Soul » Nature Walk #4.2 - Birds

Biochemical Soul » Nature Walk #4.2 - Birds — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:48:32 +0000

[...] 4.1 – Arthropods [...]