BIOL 323/392E
Plants and Animals of Southern California
as taught by Paul Wilson
Masked Boobie that we saw in L.A. harbor 14 Oct.
2006 - rare in California.
Course Description: For non-science
majors to acquaint them with the classification, behavior, ecology
and distribution of the more important plants and animals of Southern
California. Counts for General Education Natural Sciences. Lecture
3 hours, 3 field studies hours. Prerequisite:
completion of lower-division writing requirement. Goals:
(a) to teach you factual information about organisms that can commonly
be seen in our natural environment; (b) to give you examples of how
scientists apply the scientific method in ecology, behavior, evolution,
and systematics; (c) to learn in particular about recent and on-going
research on local plants and animals; (d) to gain practical skills
in observing them; and (e) to practice writing with realism about
the natural world. Papers: Each paper will be 900 words.
In Paper 1, you will describe your own observations from nature of an
animal or plant, look up information on it, and you will reflect upon
it distinguishing observations from interpretations. In Paper 2,
you will articulate a series of hypotheses developed during lecture,
present data testing those hypotheses, and compare our findings with those
in the scientific literature. In Paper 3, you will explain how
(mechanistically) a natural processes can give rise to an emergent
phenomenon, which will be based in part on modeling and will be discussed
with reference to the literature. The assignments will be explained
in much greater detail in class. Tests: There will be 3 quizzes
and a final. Each test will include a practical part in which
you recognize species (or other taxa) or interesting facts about the
organisms. There will also be short essays based on the lectures and
discussions. The final will be cumulative. There will be study sheets
before each quiz that will spell out what you need to know.
Notes on invertebrates and on
fishes at Cabrillo
Marine Aquarium
Mammal treatments: http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/main.cfm
Invertebrates
California Mussels: hold on to rocks by thread, in intertidal,
able to withstand some exposure by closeing up, underwater they filter-feed.
Gooseneck Barnacles: Often a bit lower in the intertidal than mussels,
also filter feeders.
Chitons: This is a mollusk (like a clam, a snail, or a squid).
They crawl around on the rocks grazing.
Limpets: Also mollusks, also grazers. There are many species in
the intertidal zone.
Purple Sea Urchin
Sea Anemone
Hermit Crab
California Spiny Lobster
Marine Fishes
Moray Eel
Garibladi
Sheephead
Algae to learn
Corallina: a RED ALGA in a calcium carbonate skeleton, which deters
herbivores.
Sea Lettuse (Ulva): a GREEN ALGA, quick to grow but little
protected, subject to much herbivory.
Feather Boa Kelp (Egregia): a big BROWN ALGA, very charismatic,
don't you think?
Rockweed (Fucus, Selvia, Pelvia): smaller BROWN ALGAE that
live high on the rocks in the intertidal, yummy to people.
Evolutionary Scenarios
handout
Garden Insects
handout (1.5 Megabytes)
If you're interest was sparked by the reading at Vasquez Rocks, here
is the citation: Richard Dawkins. 1982. The Extended Phenotype. Oxford
University Press.
penstemons
Riparian Dominants
California Sycamore
Fremont Cottonwood
California Bay Laural
Willows
Mule fat
Live Oaks
Conifers on the Elevation Gradient
Coulter Pine: 3-needle pine with huge armored cones.
Big Cone Doug-Fir: endemic to southern California.
Incense Cedar: flat sprays with scale-shaped leaves
and fiberous bark.
Yellow Pine (Ponderosa then Jeffery):
3-needle pines great for lumber.
White Fir: widespread species with needles shaped like
hocky sticks.
Sugar Pine: 5-needle pine with cones that are large
and long but not particularly armored. The reference to "sugar" is because
they can be tapped for syrup (like sugar maple).
Lodge Pole Pine: 2-needle pine, often with cones remaining
on tree after seeds have dispersed. Cones rather petite.
Limber Pine: widespread on the tops of high mountains
throughout the West.
Other plants (Read about them in Rundel and Gustafson)
Adenostoma fasciculatum (Rosaceae) CHAMISE
Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae) MANZANITA
Artemisia californica (Asteraceae) CALIFORNIA SAGEBRUSH
Baccharis pilularis (Asteraceae) COYOTE BRUSH
Baccharis salicifolia (Asteraceae) MULE FAT
Brickellia californica (Asteraceae) Brickellbush
Ceanothus megacarpus (Rhamnaceae) BIGPOD CEANOTHUS
Ceanothus spinosus (Rhamnaceae) GREEN-BARK CEANOTHUS
Cuscuta (Cuscutaceae) DODDER
Epilobium canum (California Fuschia Flower): a classic hummingbird
flower, one of the last of the season to bloom. The foliage of the species
is highly variable throughout California depending on elevation, latitute,
and distance from the coast.
Eriogonum fasciculatum (Polygonaceae) CALIFORNIA BUCKWHEAT
Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) fennel
Hazardia squarrosa (Asteraceae) GOLDENBUSH
Heteromeles arbutifolia (Rosaceae) TOYON
Lonicera subspicata (Caprifoliaceae) HONEYSUCKLE
Lotus scoparius (Fabaceae) CALIFORNIA BROOM
Malosma laurina (Anacardiaceae) LAUREL SUMAC
Marah macrocarpus (Cucurbitaceae) MAN-ROOT
Mimulus aurantiacus (Scrophulariaceae) BUSH MONKEY FLOWER
Nicotiana glauca (Solanaceae) TREE TOBACCO
Orobanche (Broom-Rape): These are non-photosynthetic plants
that parasitize mycorrhizae.
Prunus ilicifolia (Rosaceae) HOLLY-LEAFED CHERRY
Quercus agrifolia (Fagaceae) COAST LIVE OAK
Quercus berberidifolia (Fagaceae) SCRUB OAK
Rhamnus ilicifolia (Rhamnaceae) HOLLY-LEAF REDBERRY
Rhus ovata (Anacardiaceae) SUGAR BUSH
Salvia leucophylla (Lamiaceae) PURPLE SAGE
Salvia mellifera (Lamiaceae) BLACK SAGE
Datura wrightii (Solanaceae) JIMSON WEED
Juglans californica (Juglandaceae) CALIFORNIA BLACK WALNUT
Juniperus california (Cupressaceae) CALIFORNIA JUNIPER
Malocothamnus fasciculatus (Malvaceae) BUSH MALLOW
Phoradendron juniperinum (Viscaceae) JUNIPER MISTLETOE
Silene parishii (let's call it "San Gabriel Catch-fly"): Endemic
to the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, eastern Penninsular Ranges, this
plant has very sticky smelly foliage and flowers that open at night for
moth pollination. Photo.
Toxicodendron diversilobum (Anacardiaceae) POISON
OAK
Umbellularia californica (Lauraceae) CALIFORNIA BAY LAUREL
Yucca whipplei (Liliaceae) SPANISH BAYONETS
Mammals
Mountain Lion, puma, cougar (Felis
concolor): Mountain lions range from western Canada to the
southern tip of South America. They are large (70-200 lbs) cats,
sandy colored with black markings on the face only and long tails.
They are found in a variety of habitats including most of the mountainous
areas throughout Southern California. They mainly prey on large
ungulates, such as deer and sheep. They are solitary animals and rarely
ever seen by people.
Bobcat, red lynx (Lynx rufus):
Bobcats range throughout North America and inhabit almost all
vegetation types. They are medium sized (13-30 lbs) and have variable
fur color ranging from pale brown to red, often with many bars and
strips. Their tails, while shorter than most cats, are not absent,
and can measure up to 9 inches. They prey largely on small mammals,
especially rabbits, but can take down large ungulates on occasion. In
rare encounters with people they are often mistaken for larger cats.
Coyote (Canis latrans): Coyotes
are medium sized (25-45 lbs) canids (dogs). These omnivorous
Carnivora have brown and gray modeled fur with no distinct markings.
They have many cheek teeth, varying in shape and size, and adapted
for both slicing meat and crushing fruits. With a recent expansion
eastward, their range now encompasses much of North America. They
are present in almost all habitat types and are highly adaptable and
tolerant of human disturbance. In fact, studies have shown them to have
higher numbers in urban areas than in wild ones. In the wild they typically
feed on small mammals and fruits, as well as any meat they can scavenge.
They will also occasionally kill deer. However near urban areas they
will use a number of anthropogenic food sources including trash, domestic
fruits, pet food, pets, and livestock. Individuals can be solitary,
live in mating pair, or live in small family groups.
Gray Fox: This common member of the dog or canid family is a
carnivore but has a varied diet that includes some plant matter such as
fruits. It is also generalized in its habits. Most canids are built to run
but this silvery gray fox has relatively short legs in comparison, which
likely reflects its ability to climb trees in search of food.
Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae):
Pocket gophers are fossorial (living underground) rodents. They
are well adapted for digging through the soil. They have large
front claws for digging, small eyes and ear to avoid filling with
dirt and cheek pockets for storing food. There are several species
in the Pacific states, one of which resides in Southern California.
Dolphins (e.g. Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin): Highly
social animals that communicate with sounds. In Whales and Dolphins there
is blow hole at the top of the head. They blow out air when they get
to the surface and then suck in another breath.
Sea Lion: The limbs are somewhat less modified than in
seals, so sea lions can waddle along. They also have external ear lobes.
Harbor Seal: The limbs of these animals are so modified
for moving around in the water that they are like slugs when the haul
out. They basically have no outer ears, all the better to conserve
body warmth.
Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis): The smallest canine
in the US, found throughout the arid regions of the southwest. Tend to
live in pairs or as small family groups in dens either dug into sandy
soil or taken over from badgers, prarie dogs, or other rodents. Despite
communal living, animals tend to forage independently. Predation rates
are extremely high in juveniles, although adults can live up to 12 years.
Not particularly territorial – family groups may overlap with little
aggression. Hunt mainly rabbits and small rodents, but will opportunistically
feed on carrion, large insects, lizards, snakes, birds, or fruit.
Woodrats (Neotoma lepida and N. fuscipes):
Also known as packrats due to their tendency to collect things
(vegetation, stones, trash, etc.) and store them in large nests. Desert
woodrats typically construct nests at the base of a cactus or in the lower
branches of a tree, while Dusky-footed woodrats prefer locations near
water-sources, often higher in trees. Animals are highly territorial with
each individual possessing several nests that it uses exclusively, although
large, sloppy nests are often home to many other small vertebrates. Females
raise young without assistance from males. Typically nocturnal, although
occasionally observed foraging at other times. Primarily eat vegetation.
Pale kangaroo mouse (Microdipodops pallidus): Nocturnal,
solitary granivorous rodents that live in shallow burrows excavated
near shrubs. Highly aggressive toward others. Average life-span 5.5 years.
Marked similarities to kangaroo rat morphology (long tail, overdeveloped
hind legs, fur-lined cheek-pouches) are mainly a result of convergent
evolution.
Southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus):
Highly territorial and aggressive, these mice live in burrows often
forcefully taken either from other individuals, or different species.
Cannibalism is observed, as well as ‘howling’, a whistle audible to humans
performed much like howling in wolves, which may act as a means of sending
information about location or aggression. Voracious hunters of scorpions,
grasshoppers, beetles, and small vertebrates. Females may breed up to
six times in a single season.
Merriam’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami): One
of the smallest species of kangaroo rats, they are also some of the
least selective about habitat, occupying regions other species avoid
due to difficult soil conditions (i.e. gravel, clay, other hard substrates).
Mainly granivorous, although will eat insects and green vegetation when
available, they tend to accumulate large seed caches in several burrow
systems within a defended territory. Solitary animals, they are among
the least aggressive kangaroo rats. Like all kangaroo rats, Merriam’s are
capable of going a lifetime (up to 9 years) without ever drinking water.
Eastern Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger): Geographic
distribution: Fox squirrels are a tree-dwelling squirrel native to
the eastern and central regions of the United States. Since the
early 1900’s they have been introduced into many cities west of the
Rocky Mountains. The first known introduction of these squirrels
to the Los Angeles areas was in 1904. Veterans of the Spanish-American
and Civil Wars brought these squirrels from Tennessee to their residence
at Sepulveda and Wilshire Boulevard. Since then, this California non-native
squirrel has been gradually expanding its range in all directions, making
its way into the San Fernando Valley sometime in the 1930’s. It
now ranges west to Oxnard (1970’s), east to West Covina (1998), north
to Valencia (1980), and as far south as Newport Beach (2002). Fox
squirrel populations thrive in urban environments but the gradual expansion
is putting them into more contact with the native western gray squirrel
(Sciurus niger). Since the two species eat the same food and nest
in the same trees and are often observed in aggressive interactions there
is concern that the Fox Squirrel may displace the western gray squirrels
from the more natural habitats at the edges of L.A. Diet: they eat
nuts, berries, some insects, and even smaller rodents. They will also prey
upon bird’s eggs. Reproduction: They breed in January to February
and if they lose their litter, they may try again in May or June. The
litters are fairly small with 2-4 offspring being the most common. Behavior:
Fox squirrels are active all year long. They do not hibernate like
ground squirrels. In late summer and fall it is common to see the
squirrels collecting and burying individual food items in their home range
to access later during the winter. Behavioral ecologists have determined
that the squirrels are capable of perceiving the storability of a food
item and evaluate whether it is worth the time spent caching it.
Food that will not store well is often eaten right away while foods like
nuts are cached as they will likely store well until later in the winter
when they are needed.
Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus):
The western gray squirrel is a large (350-950 g) tree-dwelling squirrel
native to the western United States from central Washington to southern
California. They live only in woodlands up to 2500 m (8200’) elevation.
Diet: In coniferous forests they eat mostly seeds from pine cones.
In deciduous forests they eat mainly nuts and acorns. They will also eat
fungi, berries, and invertebrates. Western Gray squirrels compete for food
with California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi), Douglas
squirrels (Tamiasciuris douglasii), and introduced tree squirrels
such as the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) and the eastern gray squirrel
(Sciurus carolinensis). Reproduction: They breed only once
per year beginning in February to March, but may breed again in June if
they lose their first litter. They have small litters of 3-5 young.
Reproductive maturity occurs near one year of age. Behavior: They
are active all year long. They are primarily solitary and are most active
for a couple of hours about an hour or two after sunrise. They will
avoid hot afternoons. Conservation Status: western gray squirrels
are listed in the U.S. as a species of “special concern” under the Endangered
Species Act. They are listed as “threatened” at the state level in Washington,
and as “sensitive” because of population declines associated with habitat
loss from development, road building, logging, grazing and fire suppression.
California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi):
The California ground squirrel is a large (280-750 g) ground dwelling
squirrel that is native to western North America from Northern Baja
to Central Washington. Its distribution covers most of California. An
endemic subspecies of the California ground squirrel (S. beecheyi
nesioticus) exists only on Santa Catalina Island. Squirrels on the
island are larger than their mainland counterparts. It is not known why
they have never colonized the other islands. Diet: They eat a
wide variety of foods but prefer seeds like barley, oats and acorns,
hence the genus Spermophilus which is derived from the Greek words
for “seed loving”. They will also eat fresh vegetation when available
but will also consume berries, invertebrates, fungi, and prey up the nests
of ground-nesting birds. Reproduction: Females give birth below
ground to only a single litter per year. Average litter sizes vary
from around 6-8 with smaller litter sizes in the northern part of the distribution
and larger litters in southern California. Both males and females
have multiple mates (promiscuous mating system) and a single litter can
have offspring from several different fathers in what is called “multiple
paternity”. Young squirrels will reproduce after their first winter. Behavior:
California ground squirrels are capable of entering long periods of dormancy
to avoid expending energy when food is scarce because of dryness or cold.
Some squirrels enter dormancy during the summer (i.e. aestivation) to avoid
hot dry conditions and/or will enter dormancy during the winter (i.e. hibernation)
to avoid the cold conditions. Adult females can be dormant for up to 6
months from June to December in inland areas but for shorter periods when
closer to the coast. Near Santa Barbara they may not hibernate at all. Adult
males and young of the year show a similar pattern but are more likely to
be active all year long in warm and coastal environments. —Infanticide
is a major source of mortality for infant squirrels in this species. Adult
mother squirrels will actively seek out unrelated young squirrels to kill
and eat them to replenish nutritional reserves that they have spent on nursing
their own litters. —California ground squirrels and rattlesnakes have had
a close evolutionary relationship. Adult ground squirrels are partially
resistant to rattlesnake venom and will provoke, harass, and even attack
rattlesnakes that they consider threats to their young. Squirrels assess
the level of threat using visual cues and the pitch of the rattle to evaluate
size and temperature of the snake. Large warm snakes have the greatest threat.
When confronting a rattlesnake, the California G. S. will use tail flagging
in an effort to intimidate the snake. In addition, the squirrel raises
its tail temperature by 12˚C thus sending a strong infrared signal to which
snakes are highly sensitive. This infrared signal and the tail flagging
causes the snake to become defensive rather than predatory. Relation
with people: They are considered as agricultural pests competing
for forage with livestock, digging holes, and raiding crops and gardens.
They are known disease vectors for tularemia, bubonic plague, and sylvatic
plague.
Black Bear: The only bears left alive in California,
this species lives in the mountains in our Great State. The species
is widespread in the rest of the mountains of the U.S. west and to the
north where there are forms that have much larger body sizes. These bears
are omnivorous but eat a ton of fruits and vegetables. They are basically
harmless to people if you leave them alone, except that they are prone to
break into food and garbage containers, and those individuals who establish
such a habit have to be killed.
Cottontail Rabbits: There are two species of cottontail
rabbits in Southern California, the desert cottontail (Sylvilagus
audubonii) and the brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani).
They are of similar size and color, and therefore difficult to
distinguish from a distance. However the desert cottontail is more
common, especially in disturbed areas. They are often seen dinning
on manicured lawns in the evening time.
Birds
Yellow-rumped Warbler: This species is a common
migrant in the late fall and can be seen in most trees searching
for insects as the birds head south. They make little peep calls
as they move through the trees. The species has an interesting post-glacial
history. The Myrtle Warbler from the eastern US and the Audubon’s
Warbler from the western US were found to hybridize successfully and
have subsequently been renamed as the Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Mourning Dove: This bird is named
for its sad-sounding mournful call. It feeds primarily
on small seeds and it is well adapted to agricultural areas, deserts,
and urban areas. It is one of the most common N. American birds.
The birds are said to be monogamous, or at least pair-bonds last for more
than one round of raising young.
Western Meadowlark: These birds are often found on the ground
in grasslands in small groups. They have a short tail and may flush up into
a tree. The song is rich and melodic with regional variations. (I'm skeptical
that what we saw was a Western Meadowlark, but I haven't come up with a
better guess.)
Say's Phoebe: This flycatcher forages by standing on a perch
and waiting for insects to fly by. It then darts off to catch its
prey in the air, often returning to the same perch. It tends to inhabit
open drier areas such as deserts, compared to the Black Phoebe, which is
usually found near water.
Red-tailed Hawk: This is the most common
US raptor. It is a generalist that is found all across the country
and in most habitats. It’s characteristic call or scream is heard
on most western shows.
Cooper's Hawk: This bird-eating hawk is fairly
common in southern California. Referred to as an accipiter, it feeds
by ambushing small birds as it hides in wooded areas, then dashes out to
grab them before returning to a more secluded area
to feed. It is one of the fastest flying birds for a quick sprint.
Like other bird-eating raptors, females are about one third larger than males.
Western Scrub Jay: Scrub Jays are
common on campus and in more arid areas (e.g., chaparral) in
southern California. They are omnivorous and very adaptable to
city life. Related birds in Florida are famous for the well-studied
cooperative breeding system.
California Quail: A pair of quail often have rather large clutches,
that turn into a covey of around a dozen. They forage for seeds in the
brush, often near water, and when threatened they burst into a short flight
as a group. They have white meat and short wings, not much use for long
flights. Under good conditions, the male will take care of the first group
of chicks, while the female incubates a second clutch.
California Thrasher: Notice the long, stout down-curved bill,
and the long tail. They usually forage on the ground using their beaks
to probe through the leaf litter. These birds are common in the chaparral
and coastal sage scrub but are often heard before they are seen in the
brush. Their song is fairly loud and raspy, and they sometimes imitate
other bird calls; they are in the same family as the Northern Mockingbird.
Allen’s Hummingbird: Hummingbirds
feed with long, narrow beaks on high-energy flower nectar to
support their enormous energy needs. Hummingbirds in general
are capable of going into torpor (deep sleep) for several hours
during a cool night or a storm in order to save energy. Allen’s
has a wing whistle and a bright orange-red iridescent throat patch
used in territorial displays. It is a species that is visually very
similar to the Rufus Hummingbird but lives at lower elevations. We
also saw a Costa's Hummingbird, which is a tad smaller and the males have
a purple head with long "sideburns".
Anna's Hummingbird: Endemic to the west coast of the U.S., just
getting into adjacent Mexico and occasionally B.C. When the light is at
the right angle, a mature male has a magenta throat.
Red-Necked Phalarope: The females are more brightly colored
than the males, and the males take care of the young; thus Phalaropes
are an example of reverse sexual dimorphism. When these birds are in shallow
waters, they use a spinning motion to stur up food.
Common Murre: This species is representative of a sea
bird that uses its wings as "flippers" to "fly" underwater. Such species
have short wings.
Brown Pelican: The adult breeding coloration
includes a light-yellow head, a red throat pouch and some
very showy bluish gray parts around the edges of the bill. The
juveniles are mostly brown. These birds have a large pouch under
their beak that they use for catching fish, which they often do by
plunge diving.
Black Oystercatcher: Their laterally flattened
red bill is used to pry animals such as bivalves off of rocks where
they are firmly attached. The birds are ± limited to rocky
coasts.
Western Greebe: Notice how they sit low in the water.
They are very good at diving. The feet have lobes on them (rather than
the webbing of many other water birds).
Elegant Tern: Notice the long narrow wings, good for gliding.
Jaegers: We saw Pomarine Jaegers.
They nest in the arctic tundra feeding on lemmings and other
small animals. The rest of the time they are seen singly on
the open ocean. They get much of their food by chasing other
birds and making them cough up fish. Their bent wing is associated
with maneuverability.
Western Gull: Our most common gull, it
is generalized in its wing shape, diet, and is successful in
many habitats. The red spot on the tip of the bill is where the
young peck to signal the parents to barf up some food.
Heermann’s Gull: Smaller than a Western
Gull. The bills is red with a black tip. They breed
in Baja Mexico and spend the rest of the time along the west
coast beaches.
Shearwaters: We saw the Black-vented
Shearwater and the Pink-footed Shearwater. They are so named
because they tend to fly close to the water and cut close to the
tops of the waves. Except for nesting, which is done mostly on islands,
they spend most of their time over open ocean. They can stay out
for weeks and go long distances. They have long narrow wings and
fly with stiff wingbeats, Shearwaters forage for small fish and squid
near the water surface but some actually go under water to catch
prey.
Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus): A mottled
brown and white bird common in arid regions across America’s southwest.
Highly carnivorous, roadrunners feed on lizards, snakes, insects, birds
(including hummingbirds), small mammals, and occasional plants. They
rarely fly more than a few seconds, typically walking or running to
catch prey or avoid predators. Pairs bond for a breeding season, with
both parents contributing care to young, which mature rapidly. They tend
to be curious and fearless, making them favorites with human observers.
Can live 7-8 years.
Cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus): The
largest wren in the US, identified by the dark crown and distinctive
white stripe over the eye. Nest in well-defined and defended territories
in pairs, typically in thorny vegetation, particularly cholla cactus
(hence the name). Hunt insects through low flight – rarely fly above vegetation
line. Also eat some seeds/fruit when available.
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia): One of the smallest
owl species, found throughout North and South American deserts and
grasslands. Also found on golf courses and at airports. Hunt lizards,
amphibians, small mammals, and insects, and maintains a cache of food
in the burrow. Burrows are occasionally excavated, but more frequently
taken over from prarie dogs or pocket gophers. Not particularly nocturnal
– may be seen at any time of day or night. Young in burrows mimic rattlesnakes
to deter predators.
Double-crested Cormorant: Oil
(uropygial/preen) gland on rump is not well developed.
These birds feed by diving (foot–propelled) for fish, and their
plumage frequently gets so waterlogged that they must spend time
holding their wings out in the sun to dry. There have been several
conflicts in which cormorants have been persecuted for predating
fish hatcheries, or because they were perceived to be competing with commercial
or recreational fishing; there was an enormous illegal slaughter
of these birds on a nesting island in upstate NY in the spring of
1998. These birds are also strongly affected by pesticides and
other pollution in the water.
Mallard: Dabbling ducks (don’t dive)
that strain water for aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Note the lamellate bills for sieving and palmate feet.
American Coot: Note the lobate
toes and more “normal” beak compared to the Mallard. Coots
are frequently mistaken for a duck but they are in different orders.
Coots feed on aquatic plants, almost always in fresh or slightly
brackish water. Its laughing cry gave rise to the term “Old
Coot”.
Great Egret: A large white wading
bird that tends to ambush its prey by slowly waiting and stalking
in shallow fresh water habitats.
Snowy Egret: A more active forager
than the Great Egret, it uses its bright yellow feet to stir
up the sediment and startle prey into moving so it can strike
them. At the turn of the century, they were almost wiped out
by hunters who wanted their feathers for women’s hats. The outcry
against this slaughter led to changes in fashion and the creation
of the Audubon Society.
Black Phoebe: This bird is a
flycatcher. Flycatchers in general will sit on a perch and
wait for an insect to fly by. They fly out and catch the insect
and then return to the perch to eat it and wait for its next prey.
Note the broad bill common in birds that catch insects on the wing.
It is common on campus.
Great Blue Heron: Long-legged wading
bird with decorative streaming feathers on the neck. They stalk
around in shallow waters and fields to snatch fishes and other small
animals with their long pointed beaks.
California Towhee: This is a common sparrow-like
bird, bigger than a house sparrow, that spends much of its time
feeding on the ground, mostly for seeds. It is common in the
chaparral. It often feeds by rapidly dragging both feet backward simultaneously
to remove leaves and expose seeds on the bare ground. You can often
hear shuffling in the leaf litter before seeing the bird.
Spotted Towhee: It behaves similar to the California
Towhee but tends to inhabit more oak woodlands in southern California.
It often sits in oak trees and makes a steady trill call. Once upon a
time there was a species called The Rufous-sided Towhee. This was split
into the Spotted Towhee from the western US and the Eastern Towhee from
the east. There appears to be minimal hybrid viability and therefore the
Spotted and Eastern Towhees are given species status. This divergence
was likely the result of Pleistocene glaciation splitting a formerly continuous
range.
Dark-eyed Junco: This sparrow inhabits primarily
forested areas at higher elevations. This species is represented
by five or six subspecies/races/morphs that are fairly isolated from
each other throughout western and central North America. They
represent a very rapid radiation and diversification that occurred
in the last 10,000 years since the glaciers retreated. The ancestral
Yellow-eyed Junco from Central America radiated out of Mexico and speciated
into the Dark-eyed Junco with all it’s varieties.
Steller’s Jay: These jays are
fairly vocal and hang out in family groups. They inhabit
mostly coniferous forests and mostly higher elevations in southern
California (but go to sea level farther north). They are replaced
by Scrub Jays in more lowland arid habitats.
Clark’s Nutcracker: These are
high elevation birds that deal with harsh winters. About
80-100% of their food comes from their caches, which they can
locate up to 9 months later. They have powerful beaks that
can pry open green cones to get seeds.
Acorn Woodpecker: Store acorns for later consumption
in granary trees, trees that for many generations woodpeckers
have drilled holes into. The woodpeckers harvest thousands of acorns
in the fall. When stocked with the year's harvest, a granary
tree is a major investment that has to be defended against marauders
and kept up by moving acorns to smaller holes as they dry. A number
of woodpeckers cooperate in stocking and maintaining granaries, and
there is even a great deal of mate sharing. A rather typical group
consists of one breeding female, two breeding males, and perhaps three
non-breeding helpers, but group size varies. The non-breeding
helpers are typically the offspring of the breeding birds from previous
years and therefore close relatives to all other birds. The breeding
males are close relatives with each other, often brothers or a father
and sons. Likewise, the breeding females are sisters or a mother
and daughters. Breeding males and breeding females are not close relatives–i.e.
there seems to be an incest taboo–and when all breeding males or all
breeding females in a group die, there is typically a complete replacement
of that sex from birds outside the group. The reason why families cooperate
and share mates seems to be because granary trees are limiting. Young
birds that lack a granary have reduced survival, and rarely reproduce.
Birds that delay reproduction are able not only to help raise siblings
but also tend to form sibling coalitions that later go on to fill reproductive
vacancies either in their natal territory or in another territory that
might open up. The reason their parents allow them to stay is because
granaries can often hold more acorns than a single pair could use or defend,
and it is better that the resource should go to helpful family members
than to marauders or to waste.
Reptiles & Amphibians
California Newt: with poisonous skin, these animals can live
for a long time. The eggs, however, are depredated by alien crayfish, so
they are abundant only in drainages that lack crayfish. In the spring, potential
mates hold on to each other for long periods of time, sometimes forming
"mating balls" of a female and many courting males.
Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana):
Our most common lizard. Easily recognized by its dark smudge
or spot in the armpit area and small body scales. Males can have
bright orange, yellow, blue, or green flecks on the dorsal surface
and similarly colored throat patches. Females never have bright dorsal
coloration, but may have some bright throat color. Commonly eaten by
other predatory lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals.
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus
occidentalis): Western fence lizards are highly abundant
and common throughout California and much of the western states,
in almost every habitat type where they can find sunny elevated perches
on which to bask and do “pushup” displays to rivals or potential
mates. They are easily identified by their blue belly patches, which
are especially brilliant in mature males.
Longnose Leopard Lizard (Gambelia
wislizenii): Females develop bright orange patches on the
belly and flanks in the mating season. Why they do this is a
mystery. Males like them whether or not they are orange. They
are non-territorial, but probably descended from territorial ancestors.
Leopard lizards are extremely ferocious – they’ll bite on to you
and hang on like a clamp. Their diet consists of large insects and
other desert lizards.
Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus):
These lizards are active at night and have a low preferred
body temperature for an arid-zone lizard. During the day, they
rest in groups of two or more in burrows and under rocks. This grouping
seems to be a way to keep up the humidity of their retreat crevice.
They walk with their tail elevated and waving from side to side, and
are, therefore, commonly mistaken for scorpions at a distance.
Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater):
A large lizard that lives exclusively on rock outcrops and
is herbivorous (unlike most of the other species we’re studying,
which are primarily insectivorous). They have an especially
high preferred body temperature. When they are scared, they wedge
themselves into the rocks and puff up their bodies so it’s very hard
to pull them out; better to trick them into wedging into a shirt that
can be easily pulled out of the crack.
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma scoparia):
The back toes have scales like the teeth of a saw, and the
shoulders have enlarged scales too. These features help the lizards
move across and dive into sand. If threatened, they can dive into
a dune. The lower jaw is set well behind the upper jaw (think The
Simpsons), which prevents sand from getting into their mouths when
diving in. The ears and eyes have nicely toothed scales that also help
keep the sand out. The species is endemic to the Mojave region, and
like other species in the genus, occurs only on dunes.
Zebra-tail Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides):
Named for the bold black and white stripes on the underside
the tail. Males have turquoise and black diagonal stripes on their
bellies. Like fringed-toed lizards, zebra-tails are also good at
running on sand, although they can be found on gravelly substrata as
well. When threatened, they raise and curl their tails over their backs,
presumably letting the would-be predator know that they are aware of
the predator’s presence. If that fails to convince the predator not
to bother pursuing them, the lizards will run very quickly for long
distances on just their hind legs.
Baja California Treefrog (Pseudacris hypochondriaca):
Formerly considered a widespread species, but recently found to
be one of three geographic species that are genetically distinct.
Although highly variable in color (brown, tan, copper, grey, bright
green), they can be distinguished from all other frogs in our area
by the dark stripe along the side of the head that runs through the
eyes, and the sucker-disc toe pads that allow them to grip to even glass.
These little frogs have a chirp that sounds like an old door creaking
on rusty hinges when cold, but when warmer the more typical kree-eck
is heard. This is the sound used in most Hollywood films (dating back
to the original Tarzan) when a nighttime “call of the wild” effect is
needed. Females lay eggs in small clumps like grapes in shallow water.
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana):
This frog was introduced from east of the Rockies. It occupies
permanent water (streams, ponds, lakes) and can be found in large
numbers. It will eat anything it can get into its large mouth, which,
for adults can include mice, bats, turtles, snakes, and other frogs
(including its own species). Adult males have a deep voice and distinctive
whar-rump call, but juveniles of both sexes are more commonly heard
emitting a sharp chirp as they jump into nearby water when approached.
This species is considered responsible for the decline of several native
frogs, having replaced them over much of their range.
Don't worry about this stuff yet - it's
from previous semesters
Mocking Bird: This bird is noted for its amazing
repertoire of songs. It imitates many other bird species in succession,
hence its common name. Some individuals even imitate car alarms.
Both sexes sing a lot during the breeding season but singing tends to
stop or diminish after the eggs have been laid.
Unpaired males sing late in the season, into the summer.
They can be heard singing in the middle of the night and it is thought
that the city lights have artificially extended their normal daylight
hours.
House Sparrow: This is one of two species of Old
World sparrows introduced into North America. This species
has successfully invaded most of the New World, and is especially
common in populated areas where it nests in and around houses and buildings.
Unlike females, males have a black bib that increases in size and blackness
with age. It is the only sparrow seen in most parts of the city.
Our native sparrows occur in more rural areas.
Western Bluebird: A cavity-nesting
bird that mostly inhabits woodland areas. Unusual to see in
the San Fernando Valley.
Common Raven: Ravens are very
intelligent birds. Tame ones have learned to “talk” in a manner
similar to parrots. They are omnivorous and quite adaptable.
They are larger, have a raspy/deep call, and are more common in deserts
and rural areas of southern CA compared to crows.
Western American Crow: Crows are
also very intelligent and adaptable birds. They are more
common in urban areas of southern California compared to ravens.
They were hit hard by West Nile virus in recent years but their numbers
are rebounding.
White-headed Woodpecker: These woodpeckers are restricted
to high elevation coniferous forests along the western coast.
In addition to insects, they also feed on pine seeds.
Mountain Chickadee: These chicadees
feed on seeds and insects that they glean from trees, and are
usually found in small flocks. This species is found typically
at higher elevations.
White-breasted Nuthatch: Nuthatches
forage for insects along tree trunks and branches but unlike
most other birds, they often move down the trunk head first.
Phainopepla: These birds are often
associated with mistletoe, eating the fruits (and inadvertently
dispersing the seeds). They are common in the deserts but also
found in semiarid lands.
Burrowing Owl: This species has the
distinction of living in underground burrows. It is a fairly
small owl. Owls hunt for rodents and such at night.
Swallows: These are aerial acrobats
that forage almost exclusively on the wing for flying insects.
They have small legs, enough to perch but not so good for walking.
Species vary in nest construction, but you might pay attention
to Cliff Swallows, which make out of mud gourd-shaped nests in colonies.
Hawks & Falcons: A common hawk
is the Red-tailed Hawk. It has relatively wide wings, and often
dives to catch rodents on the ground. A good falcon to know is
the Peregrine Falcon, which has narrow wing tips and often chases
down little birds to eat, which it can do at extreme speeds.
Wrentit: Primarily a chaparral bird that
is commonly heard but not often seen. It’s call has been
described as dropping a ping-pong ball on a table.
Horned Lark: These insectivorous birds
feed predominantly on the ground in open fields, and usually in
small flocks. Their name comes from two small feather tufts
on their head that resemble horns.
Red-shouldered Hawk: This hawk is slightly smaller
than the Red-tailed Hawk hawk and tends to inhabit more riparian areas.
American Kestrel: Our smallest North
American falcon, it tends to feed on small rodents and insects.
Most other falcons feed primarily on birds. It can often be
observed hovering over a field in search of prey.
Acorn Woodpecker: Store acorns for later consumption
in granary trees, trees that for many generations woodpeckers
have drilled holes into. The woodpeckers harvest thousands of acorns
in the fall. When stocked with the year's harvest, a granary
tree is a major investment that has to be defended against marauders
and kept up by moving acorns to smaller holes as they dry. A number
of woodpeckers cooperate in stocking and maintaining granaries, and
there is even a great deal of mate sharing. A rather typical group
consists of one breeding female, two breeding males, and perhaps three
non-breeding helpers, but group size varies. The non-breeding
helpers are typically the offspring of the breeding birds from previous
years and therefore close relatives to all other birds. The breeding
males are close relatives with each other, often brothers or a father
and sons. Likewise, the breeding females are sisters or a mother
and daughters. Breeding males and breeding females are not close relatives–i.e.
there seems to be an incest taboo–and when all breeding males or all
breeding females in a group die, there is typically a complete replacement
of that sex from birds outside the group. The reason why families cooperate
and share mates seems to be because granary trees are limiting. Young
birds that lack a granary have reduced survival, and rarely reproduce.
Birds that delay reproduction are able not only to help raise siblings
but also tend to form sibling coalitions that later go on to fill reproductive
vacancies either in their natal territory or in another territory that
might open up. The reason their parents allow them to stay is because
granaries can often hold more acorns than a single pair could use or defend,
and it is better that the resource should go to helpful family members
than to marauders or to waste.
House Finch: This small seed-eater is native
to the southwest but was introduced around New York City and has
now spread throughout much of the US, and is even now on Hawaii.
It is commonly seen in small flocks in parks and gardens around LA.
The head and breast of males ranges in color from yellow to dark red.
They get their pigments from plant carotinoids.
Turkey Vulture: A large scavenging
bird that soars for extended periods on broad, slotted wings
in search of dead animals. Its naked head is an adaptation
to prevent feathers from fouling, as it often plunges its head into
festering carcasses.
Osprey: A bird of prey that feeds exclusively
on fish. Adaptations for catching fish include spicules on the
bottom of their feet and a reversible outer toe, both of which
give a better grasp for slippery fish. Several decades ago
it suffered from DDT poisoning that caused egg-shell thinning but
their numbers have now rebounded.
Mammals
Tracks and Scat
Large mammals, which are almost never seen
in the wild, can still be identified in a particular area by
using other signs of their presence. Namely tracks left in impressionable
substrate and scat (droppings). However this method of identifying
animals often takes a keen eye and close attention to small detailed
differences.
Convergent Evolution
Occasionally very distantly related species
will arrive at similar adaptation to similar niches. An example
is bats and birds. They both have wings for flight but their common
ancestor did not have wings. They both then independently evolved
wings and the ability to fly. Carnivory has been evolved independently
in different groups of animals. Animals not very closely related
to the group carnivora show similar characteristic such as crocodiles
and Tasmanian devils.
Carnivores
• Carnivora is a taxonomic group of animals
(order), which contains animals from bears to weasels to sea
lions. Most members do eat meat, but many are omnivorous, meaning
they eat meat and plant matter.
• Carnivorous animals are any animal, regardless
of taxonomic group, that eats meat. Animals from many different
groups have converged on similar adaptations that facilitate meat
eating. Examples include slicing teeth, shorter digestive tracts,
and strong jaws. Few animals are strictly carnivorous, meaning
they only eat meat.
Felids (cats)
Felids are one of the few groups of animals
to be strictly carnivorous. The cheek teeth are reduced in number
and are all slicing teeth. They also have large canine teeth and
sharp retractile claws for prey capture and handling. In Southern
California we have two species, mountain lions and bobcats.
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis):
Opossums are the only marsupial mammal in North America and
are found throughout most of the continent. Small in size (9-13
lbs) they resemble a large rat, but are only distantly related.
They are highly arboreal (tree dwelling), aided by long claws and
a prehensile (grasping) tail. They are largely nocturnal and omnivorous
feeding on carrion, insects, worms, frogs, birds, and small animals,
fruit, berries, and grains. With a total of 50 teeth they have the most
of any native mammal. Their young are born extremely premature and then
continue to develop in the mothers pouch or marsupium. Opossums do
well in urban areas and will scavenge trash.
Skunks: There are many species of skunks,
two of which are found in Southern California, the striped skunk
(Mephitis mephitis) and the spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius).
They can be differentiated by patterns of their black and white
markings. The striped skunk is the most common. They are small (2-10
lbs) omnivorous carnivores (members of Carnivora). They are solitary
and nocturnal and they eat mostly invertebrates and small vertebrates.
Striped skunks are highly tolerant of human disturbance, are often
found in highly urban areas, and will scavenge trash.
Weasel (Mustela frenata): Long-tailed
weasels are small (0.5-1.0 lb) but efficient predators and
are capable of hunting prey larger than themselves. They consume
about 40% of their body weight every day and will eat mice, rats,
voles, squirrels, shrews, rabbits, birds, bird eggs, snakes, frogs,
and insects. They are found throughout most of North America and into
South America. They inhabit a variety of habitats, but are typically
associated with water and are absent in desert regions.
Badger (Taxidea taxus): Badgers
are medium sized, short-legged, and heavy-set carnivores with
very distinctive facial marking and extremely long front claws
for digging out prey such as ground squirrels, rats and gophers.
They are found in the western and central parts of North America
in a variety of habitats. Badgers have low rates of reproduction and
have not faired well in areas of human disturbance.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor): Raccoons
are nocturnal omnivorous Carnivora, eating berries, insects,
eggs and small animals to name a few. There isn’t much they won’t
eat. They are medium sized (15-29 lbs) and have very distinct markings
on the face and tail. They have done extremely well in urban areas
and will scavenge trash and steal food from people. Their highly
dexterous forepaws allow them access to many containers that lock
out other animals.
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus):
Mule deer are large (80-100 lbs), abundant ungulates (hoofed
animals), ranging throughout the Western United States. They live
in a variety of habitats, but are typically associated with water.
Males grow antlers in the spring and shed them in mid to late winter.
Deer are herbivorous eating herbaceous plants and various berries.
Packrat (Woodrat: Neotoma): These medium-sized
rodents often build large stick nests either in rocky crevices,
up in tree crotches, or under plants. These nests can get to
be several feet across. In deserts, the urine from the rat preserves
the middens, and has been used to reconstruct vegetation going back many
thousands of years.
Bats (order Chiroptera): Bats are the only
mammals capable of true flight. The long bones of the hand have
been modified into a wing. There are 25 species of bats in the Pacific
states, most of which feed on insects. All North American bat belong
to Microchiroptera (microbats) and use echolocation to navigate
and forage. They are mostly nocturnal and have very poor vision.
Shrews: Shrews, although superficially
resembling rodents are actually part a different primitive
group of mammal, insectivores. There are two main representatives
in Southern California, the gray shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi)
and the ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus). They are both very small weighing
less than 10 grams. Unlike rodents who eat mostly grains and seeds,
shrews feed almost exclusively on insects.
Reptiles
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii):
One of five venomous snakes in our area (all rattlesnakes).
This species is usually found in rocky areas and exhibits local
adaptation to rock color: if the background color has hues of pink,
speckled rattlesnakes in the area will be pink, if the area is covered
by white and black flecked granite, snakes in that area will match
the granite. Like other rattlesnakes, there is a heat-sensing pit between
the eye and nostril that can detect very subtle changes in temperature
(<0.01° C), enabling them to track warm-blooded prey with the
sense of infrared vision goggles.
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes):
Although this is our smallest rattlesnake, its venom is still
lethal—at least to its prey of lizards and small rodents. Sidewinders
typically move sideways, which is more effective than the usual
manner of snake movement when the habitat is hot and loose sand.
The “horns” above the eyes are enlarged scales that are thought to
break up the pattern of the snake, making them less detectable by
predators and prey alike.
Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus):
Western skinks are slender smooth-scaled lizards with small
limbs and lateral strips. Juveniles have a brilliant blue tail
that slowly fades as it matures. They are common throughout southern
California in many habitat types, but are rather secretive and rarely
found later than late spring. Females guard their eggs until they
hatch.
Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris):
Our fastest lizard, reaching speeds over 17 mph. Aside from
their speed, the long tail and pointed snout distinguish this
lizard from most others in our area. They are actively foraging
lizards that travel long distances each day in search of insects,
which they find with the aid of their deeply forked tongues. On occasion
they can be observed jumping a foot or more off the ground to snatch a
flying bug out of the air. When active they maintain body temperatures
2–3 degrees higher than humans.
Amphibians
Western Toad (Bufo boreas):
A toxin is produced by glands atop the head behind the eyes.
Don’t eat them. They would taste bad. Other than warts on their
dorsal surface, they are distinguished by a yellow stripe running
the length of their back. If you hold a male as if you were another
male, he will cry out (unlike females) signaling that further amorous
attention is a waste of time. Females lay eggs in strings in shallow
water. Tadpoles are black.
Plants
Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata):
The dominant shrub of California’s deserts, on well-drained
soils. At many sites, they are regularly spaced, presumably because
each established individual inhibits the growth of additional
creosote bushes in the immediate vicinity by giving off “allelopathic”
chemicals into the surrounding water. The plants are stupendous at being
drought resistant and are able to photosynthesize when their inner
water pressure is tremendously low. Because the plant is so abundant
and reliable, many animals (bees, seed collecting rodents, etc.) rely
upon it.
Honey Mesquite (Prosopus glandulosa):
This plant has sought spines and somewhat fleshy pods with
hard seeds inside. It has been suggested that the spines evolved
to discourage browsing by a now-extinct megafauna (camels, horses,
etc., that once roamed North America), and that these animals dispersed
the seeds. Honey Mesquite has deep roots that tap into groundwater,
and lives in low spots where this is possible.
Croton (Croton californica):
This plant lives on dunes and somehow manages to get to these
widely scattered habitats with remarkable reliability. The plants
stabilize a little patch of dune where the sand builds up, and
are thus important in the geomorphology of sand dunes. Male and
female flowers are on different plants.
Jimson Weed (Datura): The huge
white flowers open at night and have a very long narrow tube
filled with nectar available to long-tongued moths. Bees
also visit the flowers for pollen, but are presumed to be inferior
at carrying it to stigmas. Datura plants contain alkaloids that
are poisonous to many animals. These were used in coming-of-age ceremonies,
causing the person who consumed preparations to hallucinated
and lose consciousness. It is said that small amounts of the alkaloids
in the nectar “addict” the moths to return to similar flowers.
Saltbushes (Atriplex): These
members of the spinach family are remarkably tolerant of alkali
and salt as it accumulates in places where water evaporates (rather
than being flushed down streams). They have salt glands on their
leaves that allow them to secrete the extra salt, as a result they
are generally silvery colored and rough. They have C4 photosynthesis,
allowing them to conserve water by opening their air pores only at
night. Tearing a leaf of saltbush and examining it at 10x reveals
that the chlorophyll is concentrated in the cells around veins, as
is necessary for C4 photosynthesis.
Mormon Tea (Ephedra): Contains
a chemical, ephedrine, that is a stimulant, appetite suppressant,
and decongestant; the more common over-the-counter drug, pseudoephedrine,
differs in its stereochemistry and is an ingredient of Sudafed.
Ephedra is neither a conifer nor a flowering plant, belonging to
a very distinctive lineage of seed plants with only two other genera,
the Gnetophyta.
Mistletoe: This is a group of parasitic plants.
They have very sticky fruits once the skin of the fruit is damaged.
Birds will wipe themselves on shrubs and the seed then grows a root-like
structure into the host tapping into its water-conducting tissue.
Mistletoes may also get some of their photosynthates from the host. Generally
each species of mistletoe only uses hosts belonging to one or a few related
genera. For example, Phoradendron juniperinum parasitizes only junipers.
California Juniper (Juniperus californica):
This conifer is a shrub that grows on the upland parts of the
desert. Plants are either male or female (dioecious). Leaves are
scale-like, but in young plants and sometimes when there is regrowth
after an injury, the leaves become needle-like, resembling ancestral
junipers. Like many dominant long-lived species, California juniper
has numerous specialized parasites, including galls and mistletoes.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): A knee-high
herb of moist spots. The plants has specialized stout hairs poke
into your soft skin and break of. At their base, they have a bulb of
acid that then squirts into the little wounds. You get welts for a
few hours, and mild itchiness for a couple of days. Remarkably, if you
throw boiling water on the plants (which gets rid of the stinging hairs),
the greens taste bland and without other defensive chemicals
Plants we have taken up you can read about in Introduction
to the Plant Life of southern California
Cleome (Isomeris) arborea (Bladderpod)
Scrub Oak (there are several – I think the one we saw
is Quercus john-tuckeri)
Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
Quercus lobata (Valley Oak)
Salvia leucophylla (Purple Sage)
Malocothamnus fasciculatus (Bush Mallow)
Prunus ilicifolia (holy-leaved cherry)
Rhamnus ilicifolia (holy-leaved redberry)
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon)
Ceanothus crassifolius (hoary-leaved ceanothus)
Arctotaphylos glandulosa (Eastwood’s manzanita)
Rhus ovata (sugar bush)
Malosma laurina (laurel sumac)
Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise)
Hemizonia minthornii (Santa Susana tarweed)
Eriogonum fasciculatum (California buckwheat)
Mimulus aurantiacus (bush monkeyflower)
Artemisia californica (California sagebrush)
Lotus scoparius (deerweed)
Eriodictyon crassifolium (thick-leaved yerba santa)
Salvia mellifera (black sage)
alder
incense cedar
sugar pine
jeffery pine
white fir
California fushia flower
cottonwood
willow
sycamore
mule-fat (males and females)
Plant groups
Lichens, e.g., Letharia
Thallose Liverworts, e.g., Pellia
Mosses, e.g., Schleropodium
Ferns, .e.g., Pteridium
Some flowering plant families
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Legume family (Fabaceae)
Grass family (Poaceae)
Marine Life
octopus
abalone
sea hare
sea urchin
sea star
sea anemone
hermit crab
shore crab
top snail
sea cucumber
sheephead
garibaldi
moray eel
brown algae (e.g. feather boa, rockweeds)
red alga (e.g. coralina)
green alga (e.g. ulva)
Insect Orders
Plecoptera (stone-flies)
Ephemeroptera (May-flies)
Trichoptera (caddis-flies)
Diptera (true flies)
Odonata (dragonflies)
Orthoptera (grasshoppers)
Hemiptera (true bugs)
Coleoptera (beetles)
Lepidoptera (moths)
Hymenoptera (wasps, etc.)