Most Invasive The Asian Green Mussels, native the the tropics (1), have invaded many different places throughout the world in recent years. They can become very dense, as there can be 35,000 mussels per square meter in some areas (1). The mussels are especially dangerous in Cairns Harbour, Australia, where they were introduced in 2001 (1). There, they degrade the value of the port as they compete with the native mussels and oysters. The mussels also overtake structures such as pipes, buoys, bridges, and other man-made structures (2). Currently, they exist in 40% of the U.S. inland waterways and have cost $1 billion to partially control them (2). If left uncontrolled, these numbers will jump very quickly. Their numbers grow quickly, as it takes only 2-3 months for the species to reach sexual maturity in the areas in which they are not native (2). The Asian Green Mussels should be considered most invasive since they can be so dense, cost tons to control, have spread so quickly in so little time, and their reproduction rates are high. Common Name: Asian Green Mussel, brown mussels, green mussels (1) Scientific Name: Perna viridis (1) Where on Earth is it a problem: The mussels first appeared in the U.S. in 1999, where they were found off the coast of Florida (2). They were also found in the Caribbean in the late 1990s (2). They were brought to Australia on the hull of a ship in July of 2001. Where did it come from?: They are natives of the tropics, from the Persian Gulf, the Philippines, the east China sea, and many other locations. (1)
Most Endangered Manatees are very endangered, as the minimum population count for manatees was only 4,480 in January of this year (3). They have very low reproduction rates, as they reach sexual maturity in 4-7 years (4) and only produce about 1 offspring every 2-5 years (3). This contributes to their low populations (3). Also contributing to this is their mortality rates, the destruction of their habitats, and many human activities (coastal construction and pollution) (4). Many don't seem to under false pretenses that the manatee population is increasing since their numbers have been going up in the Florida region (5). However, this number increase is not indicative of all populations of manatees, which have all been going down (5). Some conservation efforts are in place, such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan (3), but we need to put more effort in if we are to keep the manatee population thriving. Common Name: Manatee, sea cows (5) Scientific Name Trichechus manatus latirostris (4) Where does it live?: In the U.S., they are most concentrated around the Florida coast, but can be found in other coastal areas during summer. They can also be found in northern coastal areas in South America and in Central America (3).
Favorite Keystone The African Savanna Elephant is key to their ecosystem's survival (6). The African Elephant should be considered the favorite keystone since they help hundreds of species survive (6). The elephants knock down trees and break them up to feed on (6). If they didn't do this, the savanna would turn into a forest (6). Hundreds of species such as meerkats, gazelles, and baboons would not be able to survive if the savanna was transformed into a wooded area (6). If all of these species died out, then those that feed on them would then die out as well (6), leaving the savanna a graveyard. Thus, the African savanna elephant helps ensure the survival of hundreds of species and should therefore be considered the favorite keystone species. Common Name: African Elephant Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana, Loxodonta africana africana (African savanna elephant), Loxodonta africana cyclotis (African forest elephant) (7) Where does it live?: The African Elephant live in Africa. The African Savanna Elephant lives in the plains and bush-lands of Africa; the African Forest Elephant lives in the forests in western and central Africa (7).
Coolest Predator Adaptation The electric eel is a very deadly predator. They have electric organs with over 6,000 cells that produce this electric shock (8). When the eel is attacking their prey, these cells simultaneously give off a huge shock (8). This shock can reach up to 600 volts of electricity, the highest voltage of any electricity-producing organism (9). The voltage is probably so high due to the fact that the electric organs take up around 80% of the eel's body (10). The electric eel's shock is strong enough to harm even humans (10), and therefore are extremely lethal to their prey, which consists of small organisms such as crabs and shrimp (9). The electric eel should be the favorite predator adaptation since the shock is so high and so extremely deadly. Common Name: Electric Eel Scientific Name: Electrophorus electricus (9) Where does it live?: They live in murky waters of the Amazon and South America (8)
Coolest Prey Adaptation Before the Elephant Hawk Moth turns into a moth, it has a very interesting form of defense. Caterpillars are very susceptible to getting eaten by birds, but this caterpillar has developed a way to avoid this fate. When feeling threatened, it draws itself in, which puffs out its head (12). This makes it appear much larger to other predators (12), and even snake-like in some cases. The caterpillar does defer its predators, who are intimidated by the snake-like figure, at least for a while (11). This should be considered the favorite prey adaptation due to how close to a snake the caterpillar can appear, and how easily and quickly the caterpillar can be transform into an intimidating figure. Common Name: Caterpillar snake, Elephant Hawk-Moth Scientific Name: Deilephila elpenor (11) Where does it live?: They are found throughout Europe, Russia, and China (12), and some parts of India, Japan, and Korea (11).