Collecting Ant Specimens with Dr. Jim Wetterer

Last week we talked about the field biology class taught by Dr. James Wetterer. This week he took the class to FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. Anne Henderson, the Director of Education, gave students an interactive introduction to the center and took us on a tour. It was very informative. Here are a few pics of that portion of the trip

Students read peer reviewed articles, and discuss field topics in class. The next class is spent out in the field. This lab (field) class, students learned how to collect ant specimens throughout the property of the environmental center. They practiced specimen collection and identification. Once the ants were collected, Dr. Wetterer made the identifications.

Here are the students in action

 Now being a field biologist requires some flexibility, because sometimes things go wrong out there. You also need a sense of humor. Here is a prime example…one student [who will remain nameless] used the wrong end of the ant aspirator and ingested an ant or dirt [we can neither confirm nor deny this incident]!! He was fine and the rest of us got a chuckle.

It is a big property, and more than ants live there. Last year I was lucky enough to find an animal skull. This year students were on the lookout for another…They did not disappoint. If anyone can identify it, please comment. One student also got a great photo of a snake.

All in all it was a great learning experience and it is fun to see Dr. Wetterer in action. He is very passionate about ants and makes every trip a great adventure.

Field Biology class trips

Dr. Wetterer’s BSC 4930 Field biology class gives students hands on experience by visiting local working biologists out in the field to learn about their research. Students are allowed to participate for a great hands on learning environment.

Yesterday (1/18/18) the class went to two locations. The first one was Manatee Lagoon. The students learned about the history and research being done locally with the Florida Manatee. Below are some of the pictures. When the outside temperatures fall, this FPL site is a warm water refuge.  The animals come in to regulate their body temperatures. Manatees need the temperature to stay above 68 degrees or they can begin to show signs of cold stress.

Here are some pictures from that trip.

Trip two was to the local Abacoa Greenway across from the FAU Jupiter Campus. Many of our faculty and staff are able to do field research in this spot. This day, Grad student Amanda Hipps (@biophiliamanda) took the class around to show us what she is doing with the Gopher Tortoise. Amanda is studying the ecology of the gopher tortoise symbionts [species sharing burrows of the tortoise]. Students got to participant in using burrow cameras to investigate the interior of the burrows, as well as the installation of a motion activated trail camera.

Here are some pictures of the class adventure. 

Meet the Scientists Lecture Series hosted by Taras Oceanographic

MEET THE SCIENTIST LECTURE SERIES 2017/2018 January 10, 2018- 7 p.m. Biological Rhythms: Molecular Clocks to Keep Your Brain on Time     Paul Evans, Ph.D. Max Planck Florida Institute Dr. Paul Evans is a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab of Ryohei Yasuda at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), where he investigates the role of dopamine in learning and memory. Before coming to MPFI, Paul completed his PhD in Neuroscience in 2016 at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.  So join us for what is surely going to be a fascinating presentation and Q&A session.                                                   Photo by Enrico Sacchetti Program The Meet the Scientist Lecture Series is a joint venture with the Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy of Jupiter High School. It continues to be sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jupiter and Tequesta, and the Jupiter Inlet District. Venue Auditorium of Jupiter High School. 500 N. Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458. Free Access All lectures are open to everyone. No RSVP required. For more information, call Stefan 561.762.6473. Taras Oceanographic Foundation |561-762-6473| harzen@taras.org |www.taras.org