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Akshay's Species Report
Report:
Most Invasive
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Cownose Rays are commonly found in inshore waters and have the tendency to migrate to other oceans. This species could be found in oceans at the depths of 72 feet and above. It has been observed that these rays have specific migrating patterns, going northward in the atlantic during the spring time and going south during Fall (1).
At Birth the cownose ray is approximately 14 inches wide. As time progresses and the Rays Mature the Males can range up to 26-31 inches in width. The largest Ray was recorded to be an astounding 84 inches. Females on the other hand are 24 inches wide on average. It is hard to determine the average length of the entire population (1).
The rays mostly eat oysters or mollusks. There most common predator are sharks and cobia. They are also a threat to humans because the rays lurk higher above in the oceans rather then being bottom dwellers (1).
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| Common Name: |
Cownose Ray |
| Scientific Name: |
Rhinoptera bonasus |
| Where on Earth is it a problem: |
Cownose Ray's pose a great problem in the Chesapeake Bay due to there increasing population growth and there high predation rate of oyster beds.This causes a decrease in the oyster population which ultimately hurts the commercialization of oysters. Since these rays present no commercial value this poses problems for fish markets (1).
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| Where did it come from?: |
Eastern Atlantic Ocean which includes the coasts of Mauritania, Senegal, and Guinea.Western Atlantic Ocean from southern New England to Northern Florida (1). |
Most Endangered
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The Green-Cheeked Parrot is a native species to Mexico. Its predominately green colored feathers complemented by a series of red feathers makes this bird a beauty to observe. With its ability to mimic the sounds and voices it hears makes it a valuable entertaining house pet. Because of the demand for such house pet, the green-cheeked parrot is traded around the world, mostly in the US, makes the bird an endangered species. Because of this bird being sold and traded alone, its ability to reproduce is taken away thus making it rather difficult to produce more parrots ultimately decreasing the population (2). These special breed of parrots are highly liked by the people because the are small and quieter then other birds. They are the ideal house pet (3).
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| Common Name: |
Green-Cheeked Parrot |
| Scientific Name: |
Pyrrhura molinae
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| Where does it live?: |
Native to Mexico but traded around the world and used as pets for there entertaining abilities.
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Favorite Keystone
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The Purple Ochre Sea Star belongs to a diverse group of sea stars. These stars have 5 stouts that range between 10 to 25 centimeters long and along with these stouts are suction like tube feet, which allows them to cling onto rocky surfaces establishing there resting zone (4).
The Purple Ochre Sea Star is considered a Keystone Species for keeping there inhabited region filled with biodiversity. Sing they consume the common mussel, who is the predator to most of the smaller species, other species are able to live creating stability and diversity. Exeriments show that a decrease in sea stars results in an increase of mussels and a decrease in diversity resulting in an unstable environment (4).
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| Common Name: |
Purple Ochre Sea Star
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| Scientific Name: |
Pisaster
ochraceus
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| Where does it live?: |
Found on rocky beaches and pilings.
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Coolest Predator Adaptation
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Cheetahs are the worlds fastest land mammals. These carnivores can be up to 3.5 to 4.5 feet long. There lifespan is approximately 10 to 12 years long. They weigh between 77 to 143 pounds. Overall there are only about 7,000 to 10,000 cheetahs living in the world and this number is slowly decreasing (6).
Cheetahs are graceful and sleek predators. They are one of the most feared animals. In order for this animal to eat it must chase and capture its prey. Cheetahs are only capable of living due to its adaptations. The Cheetah has primarily two adaptations. The first is is amazingly fast speed which makes it nearly impossible for its prey to escape. They can run with speeds up to 65 mph and go from 0 to 60 mph in up to 3.4 seconds! The second adaptation is the massive claws that are on the cheetah. Its claws make it easier to kill there prey and also makes them run faster (5).
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| Common Name: |
Cheetah
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| Scientific Name: |
Acinonyx jubatus
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| Where does it live?: |
Mostly in eastern and south Africa, grasslands.
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Coolest Prey Adaptation
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The Torpedo Bug Is a Very bright green insect with veins running along its doesal side of its body, giving off the appearance of a leaf. As an adult torpedo bug the average size of the bug is 25 millimeters with and average lifespan as an adult is 2 months long. It gets the name "Torpedo Bug" due to its ability to leap long distances up to 60 centimeters (7).
The Torpedo Bug's adaptation is rather unique and interesting. It has the ability to mimic the shape, texture, and appearance of a leaf. This bug confuses its predators and is mistaken for a simple leaf. It also has the ability to leap far distances allowing it to escape from its predators. With these cool adaptations it is able to live longer then they would with out them (7).
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| Common Name: |
Torpedo Bug
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| Scientific Name: |
Siphanta Acuta
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| Where does it live?: |
Originated in Australia and migrated throughout the world.
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Bibliography:
1) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/cownoseray/cownoseray.html
2) http://www.extravalue.com/parrot.shtml
3) http://www.birdtricks.com/Conures/green-cheek-info.html
4) http://wikis.evergreen.edu/ize2010/index.php/Pisaster_ochraceus
5) http://www.lions.org/cheetah.html
6) http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/cheetah/
7) http://www.texasinvasives.org/pest_database/detail.php?symbol=39