[ECOLOG-L] Identifying Amphipods
I have had a few requests to post the emails regarding my inquiry about identifying amphipods: Identifying amphipods to genus is relatively simple, to species can be a bit more tricky. Do you know what sub-order of amphipods you have- gammarid, caprellid, hyperiid? From there it tends to be lengths, numbers + relative position of projections, hairs and body parts, habitat preferences etc. I'd suggest starting with the new Light + Smith Manual: Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon. Are you not having luck with keys in Pennak and the like? Try contacting Jim Thomas at Nova [EMAIL PROTECTED] and trying his website www.nova.edu/ocean/jthomas/apod.html Hi, Cortney, If you're talking about fresh water amphipodia, get a hold of a former professor of mine, James Gooch. Here's his page on the Juniata College website: http://www.juniata.edu/faculty/gooch and here is his E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] He is one of the founders of the field of population genetics via electrophoresis of isozyme polymorhism, He worked with Gammarus and Hyalella in springs in central Pennsylvania. If he doesn't know their taxonomy, he probably knows of someone who does. I hope this works out for you. Lots of luck. Cortney; The first question i have to ask is; freshwater or marine amphipods? If freshwater, the first reference is Thorpe and Covich. If marine, I suspect Light's manual will be of help, but I'm not a marine guy Find the right keys for your location and habitat, then get in touch with an expert for verifications. I live in Florida so I use a key to Florida Amphipods that was published by the FLorida DEP and was written by Sarah LeCroy. Sarah is at the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Lab, she is very helpful if you have any questions. For the Atlantic Coast, you want to look at Barnard, J.L. 1981, Families and Genera of Marine Gammaridean Amphipoda and Bousfield, E.L. 1971, Shallow water gammaridean amphipoda of New England. This is, of course, assuming you are working with marine amphipods. Its been so long since I've seen a freshwater one, that I cannot remember where to go for those. Also, the crustacean list, CRUST-L is really, really helpful. you can post inquiries and pictures there and you will have no end of helpful advice. This work sounds familiar, as I once conducted a similar survey. I spent a season collecting benthic samples, sieved them, and pickled the animals in small bottles labeled with location and date. Then I spent years identifying all the animals. I'm afraid there is no easy way. Sorry. Take care, Tom Tom Mosca III, Ph.D. Courtney, It's been a few years since I was doing this, but if I remember correctly I used the eyes and relative leg length as 2 main distinguishing features. The shape of the exoskeleton is another good one. Hope that helps. Hi Cortney, Craig Staude at Friday Harbor Labs out in Washington is a pretty good amphipod taxonomist (although it's not his main job). I think he just does West Coast taxa, but he might be able to help you. His email is [EMAIL PROTECTED] Do you have the Bousfield guide to amphipods of New England? That's the one we use here in Virginia, and it covers more northern species as well. You should be able to resolve which species are which in the field, but you're going to have to look at a lot of them over time under the microscope first. There will likely be some that are similar enough that you will only be able to tell which genus or family you are looking at. I highly recommend subscribing to CRUST-L and directing some specific inquiries there: http://www.vims.edu/~jeff/crust-l.html Hi Cortney! I'm an isopod person with a little bit of experience with amphipod taxonomy. They are a pain. I don't know if you have checked this out or not but it is really helpful at least in getting things to the family level. It of course focuses on the australian fauna but the key itself is very user friendly and focuses on parts that are easier to see. For me at least since it is interactive and has big pictures it was helpful in figuring out what I was supposed to be looking for http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/amphipoda/index.htm Also, you may try emailing Dr. Jim Lowry at the Australian Museum. He is very helpful and may be able to point you in the right direction of some literature that is specific to your area and is a little more user friendly. You should be able to find someone in the Pacific Northwest who could help you out. I would have suggested Ed Bousfield, one of the world experts on amphipods, but I don't have his current contact information and don't know if he is still active. You should be able to get at least pointed in the right direction if you contact the two people I've listed below, both of whom were involved in a rapid assesment of invasive species in
[ECOLOG-L] ocean explorers
This is a statement I've seen in various places, but I can't find an authoritative source. Does anyone know one? More people have walked on the moon than have explored the world's deepest oceans. Wendee ~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/ ~~~6-wk Online Writing Course Starts May 31~~~ ~~~ You are the ultimate tree hugger hippie freak! - my daughter
[ECOLOG-L] Green Chemistry Conference - June 2008
Hi The 12th Annual Green Chemistry Engineering Conference will be held in Washington, DC from June 24-26, 2008. More information, including the technical program, can be found at the following website http://www.gcande.org/ Ling Huang Chemistry Department Sacramento City College http://www.freewebs.com/huangl24 http://www.scc.losrios.edu
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate assistantship; Suburban Ecology
Suburban areas have been rapidly expanding around the world for decades, yet only recently has the scientific community come to recognize the value of protecting the often unique biodiversity resources of suburban nature preserves and the specific conservation issues presented by these ecosystems. Each year the Mianus River Gorge Preserve (Westchester, NY) offers one competitive 3-year assistantship ($7,000 / yr) to a graduate student in the field of ecology, wildlife, forestry, or the social sciences interested in conducting applied suburban ecological research. Successful candidates will have to 1) demonstrate how their research will contribute to the practical knowledge of conserving and managing suburban natural resources and 2) serve as a mentor to a high school wildlife technician on a multi-year project. Housing is provided. EXTENDED DEALINE: AUGUST 15, 2008 Visit our website: http://www.mianus.org/RAP.html to apply.
[ECOLOG-L] Southeastern Naturalist journals 2002-2006 available
I have 5 years' worth (2002-2006, incl.) of the journal Southeastern Naturalist available to donate to an interested party. I would only ask that they pay the shipping cost. Southeastern Naturalist is a peer-reviewed and edited interdisciplinary scientific journal with a regional focus on the southeastern United States. It is published quarterly, beginning in 2002. Most of my issues are like new. If you're interested in acquiring the first 20 issues of this journal and won't mind paying for shipping, please email me. Thanks, Kristina Pendergrass
Re: [ECOLOG-L] ESA MEETING DOES ANYONE NEED A FEMALE ROOMMATE?
Oops. Silly me. I mentioned to my supervisor that I was looking for a roommate and he told me not to share a room. I work for the federal government and apparently sharing a room with someone from outside my agency would cause a rat's nest of red tape and bother for everyone. I should have known better than to think of saving a little money. Thanks to everyone who responded though! Greta
[ECOLOG-L] Please post: looking for a plant identification - misidentified as A. Fatua, possibly Erodium
**Please respond directly to Eliza Randall at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 323.525.1225 office, 310.962.9463 cell** Dear ECOLOG subscribers: We have video footage reference for a project we're working on with a mystery plant. The footage is from the PBS nature series the seedy side of plants which appears to have been misidentified as avena Fatua and intercut in this program with footage of the avena fatua seed self-sowing, which originally caused the confusion we believe. The mystery plant has many seeds organized around the stem/pedicel like petals, unlike the solo seed of the a. fatua. When the mystery seed self sows it has as long tail which corkscrews quite prettily behind the seed head (at least in this video) as it burrows itself into the soil. We believe it might be porcupine grass or Erodium. Can anyone help us identify this conclusively? We need to identify this mystery plant immediately. Video reference available at - http://nakd.theebelinggroup.com/clients/aveeno/0604_RnD/ in which you will find three files formatted as h264 quicktime - if you are unable to view the video, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will re-export a version that you can review. mysteryplantSeed_h264.mov aFatuaSeed_h264.mov mysteryplant_h264.mov Thanks so much in advance for your help with this! Eliza eliza pelham randall the ebeling group, inc. Sr. Producer 323.525.1225 ofc 310.962.9463 mb aim: reinedespucines
[ECOLOG-L] Visiting Position in Environmental Policy
VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, MCMICKEN COLLEGE OF ARTS SCIENCES The Center for Environmental Studies invites applications for a one-year position as Visiting Assistant Professor to begin September 2008. We seek a person to teach undergraduate/graduate courses in environmental policy and law, as well as contributions to both the team-taught introductory sequence and the undergraduate senior capstone course in the Environmental Studies major. Qualifications include a Ph.D. or appropriate terminal degree in a relevant academic field, and prior teaching experience is desired. Applications must include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining teaching experience and philosophy and three references (names and contact information). Contact the Director of the Center for Environmental Studies, Eric F. Maurer, if you have questions ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). In order to apply, go to: http://www.jobsatuc.com Position number: 28UC1093 The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
[ECOLOG-L] Ecologist job at EPA in Research Triangle Park, NC
See Announcement Below for Ecologist position at the US Environmental Protection Agency. This is posted on www.usajobs.gov This group mainly works on national policy related to the effects of major air pollutants on vegetation and ecosystems. The pollutants are primarily Ozone and deposition resulting from NOx and SOx pollution and particulate matter (also listed Pb CO). You can contact me if you have further questions, Jeff Jeffrey D. Herrick, Ph.D. Ecologist National Center for Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency *** Ecologist Job at EPA in Research Triangle Park, NC To apply, go to www.usajobs.gov Announcement Number: RTP-DE-2008-0133 Vacancy Information Announcement Number: RTP-DE-2008-0133 Vacancy Description: Biologist/Ecologist GS-0401/0408-11/12/13 Open Period: Thu May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2008 - Thu Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2008 Series/Grade: GS-0401Z/0408,0408 -11/13 Salary: $56,246.00 TO $104,223.00 Promotion Potential: 13 Duty Locations: FEW vacancies in Research Triangle Park, NC Additional Information Who May Apply: Any U.S. citizen may apply. Job Summary: Founded in 1970, EPA is a dynamic organization employing people from diverse backgrounds dedicated to improving and preserving the quality of public health and the environment. EPA seeks to recruit exceptional men and women who will work in new creative ways that are cleaner for the environment, cheaper for business and taxpayers, and smarter for America's future. This position is located in the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Health and Environment Impacts Division, Ambient Standards Group (OAQPS/HEID/ASG), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Please visit a href=http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps;OAQPS/a for more information. Key Requirements: * If selected, must complete an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment. * Must be a U.S. citizen. Position Information: Full-time Permanent Major Duties: At the full performance level, the incumbent collaborates with scientists within EPA's Office of Research and Development in assessing the state of the science regarding the biological, toxicological and/or ecological effects of air pollutants on the environment; identifies the most policy-relevant aspects of that science that can inform ongoing assessments of existing air pollution regulation; identifies key policy-relevant data gaps in that science where ongoing or future research could potentially inform future reviews; contributes expertise to research initiatives designed to improve the scientific basis for policy issues associated with these air pollutants, including the development of effects or exposure models, environmental monitoring networks, methods for ecosystem benefits assessment (i.e. ecological indicators suitable for economic evaluation), and/or evaluation of the environmental impacts of potential new control strategies; develops approaches for scientific and/or technical assessments related to the biological, toxicological and/or ecological impacts of criteria air pollutants and/or conducts analyses related to the review, revision and development of ambient air quality standards to address adverse impacts on the environment of criteria air pollution; assists with the development of spatial impact models with consideration for such issues as optimal spatial and temporal resolution and the characterization of variability and uncertainty; assist in the evaluation of the need for new or revised air quality standards and perform necessary tasks to assist in the formulation, proposal, and promulgation of such national standards; prepares, edits and presents technical reports and papers related to ecological risks or benefits for criteria air quality standards, hazardous air pollutants and/or control strategies; assists/ contributes expertise to the development of methods/tools to improve agency capabilities to evaluate and/or perform ecological risk assessments and economic benefits analyses for air pollutants, such as the development of risk or benefits factors, ecological indicators, databases, models, GIS, mathematical or statistical approaches, and cartographical or other visual displays; collaborates within and across EPA offices, and with other agencies and interested parties, to support Agency mission and goals; and identifies opportunities for increased efficiency/ innovation of environmental protection policies and regulation by looking for relationships that might exist between sources, emissions, atmospheric chemistry, fate and transport and/or ecological impacts of criteria and hazardous air pollutants and/or their precursors to identify where multimedia or multipollutant approaches might be more appropriate. The primary difference between grade levels is the degree of supervision, the level of training and guidance provided and the complexity of assignment. Extramural resources management duties comprise less than 25% of the duties of
