User:Reyna L. Ramirez/Notebook/1301, T3, dirt/plant collection and hay infusion/2016/01/13

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Transect 3 Observations and Hay Infusion 2016/01/13 Purpose: Observe the characteristics of Transect 3 and create a hay infusion in order to isolate microorganisms. This transect is Northeast to Bender Arena and Southeast to the amphitheater. Similar to many of the suburban areas in the District of Columbia, Transect Three is a temperate deciduous forest biome. Biotic -1 tree (West) -approximately 10 varying shrubs (North) -approximately 3 bushes (South) -dead/dry/decomposing leaves and twigs (entire transect) Abiotic -1 light (East) -1 bench (East) -hard, dry soil (entire transect) -rocks of varying sizes (entire transect) Protists and Algae 2016/01/20 Purpose: Observe growth/decay of hay infusion and observe protists and algae present in samples of the hay infusion. The smell of the hay infusion was reminiscent of decomposition, mold, mildew, and soil with an overall earthen scent. There were no green shoots visible though there appeared to be mold or mildew floating on the top. The water was murky and light brown and there were three main layers, in which particles settled. The majority of the dirt and soil settled at the bottom, most of the plant matter was floating in the center, and debris (including a leaf) was floating on the top. Some organisms may feed off of the plants directly and some may feed off of other particles in the water. This photo is of a sample collected from the top of the hay infusion, near the mold and/or mildew (100x). There appears to be Gonium (10 micrometers), Eudorina (10 micrometers), and Pandorina (37.5 micrometers). This photo is of a sample collected from the bottom of the hay infusion, near the mold and/or mildew (100x). There appears to be Gonium (8 micrometers), Eudorina (15 micrometers), and Pandorina (32 micrometers). All of the organisms observed and noted were photosynthesizing algae; no Protists were observed. Microbiology 2016/01/27 Purpose: Analyze serial dilution results; perform gram stain, DNA isolation, PCR amplification; characterize bacteria using colony morphology, gram stains, and motility studies. The hay infusion showed brown discoloration and increased murkiness in the water. The scent was more earthen and less reminiscent of decomposition. Plants and Fungi 2016/02/03 Purpose: Locate plant samples within transect, describe and characterize plants from transect Plant 1: (southern region of T3) long, with spiked leaves which alternate sides Plant 2: (southwestern region of T3) long; with sparse and textured leaves in pairs Plant 3: (western region of T3) short; with multiple leaves in spiral formation Plant 4: (northeastern region of T3) long; with a few long, thin, grain-like seed structures facing one side Plant 5: (northern region of T3) long; with multiple short, thick, grain-like seed structures in a spiral formation; hair-like spikes on seed structures Invertebrates 2016/02/10 Purpose: To observe and characterize invertebrates present in Transect 3. Berlese Funnel A plastic hardware screen (approximately square centimeter sections) was placed at the bottom of a 250mL funnel. A 50mL conical tube (with 25mL of a 50:50 water and ethanol) was attached to the funnel with parafilm. The funnel was filled with leaf litter and placed 1-2 inches under a 40-watt lamp and covered with foil. Invertebrates found suspected to be secondary reproductive termites; though the organism on the left could be a worker because of its thicker body and longer antennae. (scientific: Reticulitermes flavipes; common: Eastern Subterranean Termite) Suspected worker/secondary, dorsal/lateral view. Suspected secondary reproductive, ventral view. Other Invertebrates There are various species of ants, bees, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, ticks, mites, and other invertebrates in the area though there were none directly observed within the transect other than the termites. Vertebrate Analysis and Food Web Purpose: To observe and characterize vertebrates present in Transect 3. To create a food web that represents the energy flow of present organisms. The following is in reference to the observations by Metropolitan Naturalist; not all of the following organisms were directly observed in the transect, and it is likely that a few organisms present in the transect have been unintentionally excluded. Direct observations of vertebrates were made multiple times from 2016/01/13 to 2016/02/10. Mammals Rodents (Sciuridae): Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)-observed; The Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)-observed; The Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)-observed; The Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)-observed; The Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus); The Groundhog or Woodchuck (Marmota monax) Voles: Pine Vole (Pitymys pinetorum); Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) Shrews: Short-Tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda); Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva) Eastern Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Reptiles Many species of snakes, lizards, and turtles are present in the area though no reptiles were observed within the transect during the time frame. Birds American Crow, American Robin, Mourning Dove Deciduous Forest Food Web Temperate Forest Food Web References Animals of the Baltimore - Washington D.C. Area. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://metro-naturalist.com/Animals/Fauna_Menu.html Viau, E. A. (2000). Temperate Rain Forest Food Web. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforest/temp_rain/tempweb.html Viau, E. A. (1999). World Builders: Food Web in the Deciduous Forest E Viau CSULA. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/deciduous/decweb.html Zebrafish Day 2: 2/18/2016 Control Sample live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- mold/dead -- dead egg -- mold/dead -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- mold/dead -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- dead egg -- dead egg -- dead egg -- live egg Treatment: Ascorbic Acid live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- live hatchling -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg -- live egg Day 5: 2/22/2016 Control hatched -- hatched -- empty -- empty -- hatched -- hatched hatched -- hatched -- empty -- hatched -- empty -- hatched not hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- empty -- hatched hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched Notes: Control C3: length 402.5 micrometers eye length: 32.5 micrometers eye depth: 18.75 micrometers tail length: 272.5 micrometers fin movement: occasional twitches heart: beating (not easily observable) Treatment hatched -- not hatched -- dead -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched -- hatched Notes: (A3 of treatment preserved) Treatment C3: length 432.5 eye length: 35 micrometers eye depth: 25 micrometers tail length: 305 micrometers fin movement: robust and constant heart: 172 bpm