Coral Restoration Foundation™’s Post

#Hypselodoris_infucata is a species of sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch, belonging to the family Chromodorididae. Hypselodoris infucata was first described by the French naturalist Félix Pierre Jousseaume in 1881. It belongs to the phylum Mollusca, class Gastropoda, order Nudibranchia, and family Chromodorididae. The species name "infucata" likely refers to the dark purplish coloration often observed on the dorsum of this nudibranch. Description: Hypselodoris infucata is characterized by its relatively large size compared to other nudibranch species, reaching up to 7 centimeters in length. It has a flattened body with a distinct mantle covering the dorsal surface. The coloration of H. infucata is highly variable but typically includes shades of purple, blue, orange, and white arranged in intricate patterns. Like other nudibranchs, H. infucata lacks a shell and has exposed gills and rhinophores on its back. Distribution and Habitat: Hypselodoris infucata is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is commonly found on coral reefs, rocky substrates, and other shallow marine habitats with abundant food sources. This species tends to prefer areas with high coral diversity and is often associated with its prey, which includes sponges and other small invertebrates.

It's officially spring and we're ringing in the season with our first spring migration tracker featured observation! This observation is of a red-winged blackbird, spotted by iNaturalist user juliereid in Hamilton, ON. Among the cattails, red-winged blackbirds are a common sight and their distinctive “conk-la-dee” song announces that spring is here. At Ducks Unlimited Canada's Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, we record bird and amphibian calls, such as the red-winged blackbird’s “conk-la-dee” song, at wetlands that have been restored by DUC. We’re comparing how many species use restored wetlands to the number of species using natural wetlands. Across Prairie Canada in the past two years, we have recorded over 230,000 minutes of audio and detected over 200 species of birds and 6 species of amphibians. If you want the chance to be featured, join our #DUCMigrationTracker project on #iNaturalist. Get started today at: https://loom.ly/VAdQQVE #DucksUnlimitedCanada #IWWR #SpringMigration #BirdMigration #CommunityScience #Science #Research #Wetlands #Conservation

🔍 **Otters vs. Beavers: Nature's Playful Architects!** 🌿 Ever wondered how to tell apart these two fascinating creatures that love to splash around rivers and lakes? 🦦🌊 Here's a quick dive into their world! **Otters:** Known for their playful antics, these furry carnivores belong to the Mustelidae family, flaunting lean bodies and pointed tails. They thrive in freshwater habitats and sometimes even the ocean. Unfortunately, they're currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. **Beavers:** These industrious rodents have earned fame for building impressive dams and lodges. With stocky bodies and paddle-like tails, they stick to shallower waters. The beaver clan is faring better, holding onto a Least Concern status. Intrigued by creatures similar to otters? Discover the Eurasian Otter, Congo Clawless Otter, Tayras, and even those mistaken for otters—beavers! 🦫 Dive deeper into their amazing traits and how they contribute to their ecosystems. Get all the detail-rich insights here: [Similar to Otters](https://lnkd.in/gZMGj_42 For an in-depth exploration and visual treats, check out the full article: [Simply Ecologist](https://lnkd.in/gHh5BKyb) #WildlifeWednesday #NatureLovers #Conservation #Ecology #SimplyEcologist #Otters #Beavers

🦦Impact of European Beaver (Castor fiber L.) on Vegetation Diversity in Protected Area River Valleys 👉https://lnkd.in/gmiA4MW8 Keywords: Polesie National Park; species #diversity; Castor fiber; European #beaver; alien and invasive species Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of European beaver (Castor fiber L.) on vegetation diversity and the expansion of non-native plant species in areas surrounding watercourses in Polesie National Park, Poland. The investigation was carried out within six watercourses inhabited by beavers and four comparison watercourses where beaver were absent. European beaver living in the park had a small excursion range, reaching a maximum distance of 25 m from the watercourse so that effects on vegetation diversity were limited to the immediate vicinity of the watercourse. Beaver significantly influenced diversity of the tall tree and forest floor vegetation, while it did not significantly modify the diversity of the low tree and shrub layer. Five alien plant species were documented. The alien species most strongly associated with beaver activity was devil’s beggartick (Bidens frondosa L.), which occurred in the immediate vicinity of beaver dams. Other alien species most benefiting from the presence of beaver were giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). Our study confirmed hypotheses found in literature according to which beaver activities that reduce the proportion of native species can promote the expansion of plant alien species.

The Incredible Disappearing Oriole Common throughout Saskatchewan, the Baltimore oriole is less so in Alberta, showing up in small pockets of natural lands here and there. When involved in a bird survey at Elk Island NP in 1989, it was argued that a Baltimore I observed was actually a Northern Oriole. I was less certain. The Baltimore Oriole is largely an orangey-yellow on it's lower body, from the throat to the vent (beginning of it's tail). The head is completely black, and the wings have thin white markings along the black primary wing feathers. A similar species, the Bullock's oriole, has similar colouring, but the orangey-yellow continues into the face, and at least half of the wings are white. The Bullock's oriole is common in Southern Alberta with the Leduc region being at it's Northern historical periphery. From 1973-1995, it was argued that a hybrid species had developed between the two, and named the Northern oriole. This "new" species shared enough characteristics to make positive identification as a Baltimore or Bullock's difficult, and most resource managers simply used the name of the hybrid. Subsequent research at the University of Toronto and the US showed that the two species did not interbreed significantly, and the "Northern oriole" moniker is now seldom used.

🐞 Deltomerus carpathicus L. MILLER is a species of beetle belonging to the ground beetle family (Carabidae), with a body length of up to 11 mm. Individuals of this species are distinguished by their dark, brownish-black body colouration with a metallic sheen. A characteristic feature is the relatively large head with clearly marked mandibles and a pronotum narrower than the elytra. The thighs and abdomen are brownish-red. 🌍 This species is endemic to the northeastern Carpathian region, mainly in areas of Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and northern Romania. 🏡 Deltomerus carpathicus shows a preference for cool and moist mountain environments, inhabiting areas located above 1000 meters above sea level. Its typical habitats include spaces under stones, forest litter, and stream surroundings. 🍛 As a predator, Deltomerus carpathicus primarily feeds on small invertebrates, including insect larvae and tiny arthropods. 🔎 Due to its limited range and specific habitat requirements, the Deltomerus carpathicus is classified as a rare and potentially endangered species. It is listed in the Red Book of the Ukrainian Carpathians. However, it has not yet been granted official legal protection.   #Insect #Beetle #Deltomerus #DeltomerusCarpathicus #Carabidae #EndemicSpecies #CarpathianRegion #Conservation #Biodiversity #Invertebrates #Predator #MountainHabitat #RareSpecies #Endangered #RedBook #UkrainianCarpathians #Poland #Slovakia #Ukraine #Romania #GroundBeetle #Ecosystem #Nature #Wildlife #Entomology #EnvironmentalProtection RCIN – Repozytorium Cyfrowe Instytutów Naukowych

PERENTI. In few parts of the world, reptiles are the rulers. This is especially true in arid regions of Australia and some offshore islands of Australia, where the Perenti (Varanus giganteus), the continent's largest lizard, stands as the apex predator. Growing up to about 2 meters in length, these impressive lizards eat anything they can get hold of, including smaller kangaroos, various other lizard species, and even their own kind. Those inhabiting coastal areas and islands are known to feast on a significant number of sea turtle eggs and hatchlings during nesting season too. They arguably play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance within their habitats. Encountering these striking creatures during field trips is always a memorable experience. Really looking forward to doing some ecological research on these fellows in near future. #fieldwork #reptiles #StantecScientist #research #ecology

A new species of moray eel, the Hades' snake moray (Uropterygius hades), has been discovered in the river mouths of the Central Indo-Pacific. Unlike its marine relatives, this eel thrives in dim, turbid environments, exhibiting unique adaptations such as reduced eye size and tail-first burrowing behavior. Its dark coloration and sensitivity to light reflect its adaptation to low-light habitats. This discovery highlights the eel's potential for studying evolutionary processes in estuarine environments. The Hades' snake moray underscores the diversity and adaptability of moray eels, with implications for understanding ecological niches in aquatic ecosystems.

Have you heard of bryozoans? These colonial animals, sometimes referred to as moss animals, or lace corals, are invertebrates that form beautiful biogenic reefs in Western Port, Victoria, like the one in the video below.   Our team has just gone back to the field one last time to collect data on bryozoan growth rates. Since 2018 and our research partners including La Trobe University have been studying the bryozoan reefs, establishing their distribution and conservation status. This work culminated in the listing of the marine community on Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, being only the third Victorian marine community listed. Ongoing studies by La Trobe University with the support of Fathom Pacific and the Western Port Biosphere have been investigating growth rates using novel and non-invasive methods of underwater photogrammetry, which can be applied to other sessile invertebrate species. We are grateful for the support of the Port of Hastings Corporation for the use of their facilities for this project. The information collected during this study aims to fill an important gap in knowledge, as temperate bryozoan reefs, an ecosystem of national and international significance, have been hidden until now and understudied. #biodiversity #WildOz #marinebiology #Australia #WesternPort #fieldwork  

Did you see Earthworms were chosen as Invertebrate of the Year by readers of The Guardian? https://lnkd.in/e_TgjuD6 We’ve been carrying out an ecoacoustic project investigating earthworms and how they’re an integral part of soil health, so it’s great to see they’re getting some much-needed appreciation. Find out more about our Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funded research here: https://lnkd.in/gTn4WeHb When looking at an invertebrate to nominate, our natural choice was earthworms, but we’d already been beaten to the punch. So, the Megabunus Diadema was nominated by our arachnid expert, Meg Skinner. Megabunus Diadema is an iconic and unique species of harvestman found all over the UK. Often called "the crowned harvestman", their eyes are outlined by huge spikes resembling a crown (diadema comes from the Greek ‘diadem’, meaning ‘crown’). This species can reproduce by parthenogenesis, meaning many populations are predominantly female. They inhabit woodland and heathland, their markings providing excellent camouflage among lichens and mosses. Which invertebrate would you nominate? #invertebrateoftheyear #invertebrates #ecology