Ecolog-l members.... Was a bit confused by this post initially. Actually, in one e-mail, thought people were talking about DIVERSITY in the Student and Professor population in the field of Ecology!
For some years I read about biodiversity and tried to teach it. I really had no clue what it meant. Have been a practicing Biology person since I was about 3 years old, thanks mainly to two great Parents, growing up in a country setting and a 40 acre farm in Michigan. Setting aside Saturdays for Snake hunts (catch and release) were common for me. My mom patched up many injured animals on our kitchen table and my dad made sure we had a bird book and binoculars in our kitchen window at all times. Back to biodiversity, and will use only one analogy or whatever you want to call it. In Michigan we have one species of Walking Stick.....actually a Phasmid, should you like a more technical term. Led a group to Ecuador some years ago. On the Eastern slope of the Andes, many trail heads, and we stopped and did many short hikes. On one of our first stops, got out and started hiking. In the first 100' found 6 different sp. of Walking Sticks. At that point biodiversity really hit me. The walking stick found in MI is very dull in color, the guys I found in Ecuador, were for the most part very colorful. As a spin-off....Phasmids are quite simple to keep in captivity. There is an organization called the Phasmid Study Group. Many of them reproduce via parthenogenesis, so you don't need a male and female in your colony. Don't sell them, but have Heteropteryx dilatata. Nothing short of amazing and a bit of a project to nurture their eggs. Females are one of only a few Insects that weigh more than 50 grams. They come from the Highlands of western Malaysia. Have had them at my booth at many science conventions, most people can't believe they are actually alive. Thank you. Mike Nolan ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit ************************************************************************************************** “Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology” “Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South America” Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org **************************************************************************************************
