Protist: Blue green algae
Blue green algae is heat loving bacteria that can live in waters as hot as 167 F. At this temperature they are usually a yellow-green color. They become orange- brown as the water cools. Blue green algae typically lives in the hot springs, which give them its vibrant colors. When the sun sets, the bacteria stop doing photosynthesis and begin to fix nitrogen, converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogenous compounds that are useful for cell growth. They make the nitrogen useful for other organisms, because organisms can’t use the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Blue green algae is heat loving bacteria that can live in waters as hot as 167 F. At this temperature they are usually a yellow-green color. They become orange- brown as the water cools. Blue green algae typically lives in the hot springs, which give them its vibrant colors. When the sun sets, the bacteria stop doing photosynthesis and begin to fix nitrogen, converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogenous compounds that are useful for cell growth. They make the nitrogen useful for other organisms, because organisms can’t use the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Bacteria: Thermus aquaticus
Thermus aquatics thrives in hot temperatures. It typically live in hot springs, geysers, which makes Yellowstone a perfect environment for this organism to live in. It performs chemosynthesis to have food, and lives with its neighbors, obtaining energy for growth from photosynthesis. This bacteria determines the bioavailability for other organisms in hot springs and geysers.
Thermus aquatics thrives in hot temperatures. It typically live in hot springs, geysers, which makes Yellowstone a perfect environment for this organism to live in. It performs chemosynthesis to have food, and lives with its neighbors, obtaining energy for growth from photosynthesis. This bacteria determines the bioavailability for other organisms in hot springs and geysers.
Fungi: Fungal Endophyte (Curvularia protuberata)
Fungal Endophyte lives within and inside of plant tissues, but usually remains asymptomatic (experiences no symptoms). It has been considered plant mutualists, and provides resistance to herbivores and infectious diseases. They are usually found in high nitrogenous places, meaning high in nitrogen.This fungus gives its host (hot springs panic grass) a form of protection so that the herborvorous animals do not go to eat that plant. These two together have a symbiotic relationship, meaning they both benefit from one another
Fungal Endophyte lives within and inside of plant tissues, but usually remains asymptomatic (experiences no symptoms). It has been considered plant mutualists, and provides resistance to herbivores and infectious diseases. They are usually found in high nitrogenous places, meaning high in nitrogen.This fungus gives its host (hot springs panic grass) a form of protection so that the herborvorous animals do not go to eat that plant. These two together have a symbiotic relationship, meaning they both benefit from one another
Non-vascular Plant: MossMoss is a small flowerless green plant that has no roots. They grow by damp places, and usually grow on other plants or rocks. They are low carpets or rounded cushions in moist environments. Moss provides food and shelter for small organisms.
Seedless vascular Plant: FernsFerns are the most abundant seedless vascular plant in the world. They vary in size and shape, but are usually light green-dark green, and can range anywhere from two feet tall to ten feet tall, it just depends on the type and the location of the plant. Ferns are usually in damp places where there is shade, and usually grow on the roots of large trees. Provides shelter for insects, small organisms, and food for animals.
Gymnosperms: Lodgepole Pine
The Logdepole Pine is the most abundant tree in Yellowstone. It is found in the vast forests towards the mountains. This tree is well known for its long, slender trunk and high, thin crown. The leaves are needle-like, and are in bundles of two. This tree is adapted for high mountain slopes. It provides shelter for many different organisms and shade for smaller plants.
The Logdepole Pine is the most abundant tree in Yellowstone. It is found in the vast forests towards the mountains. This tree is well known for its long, slender trunk and high, thin crown. The leaves are needle-like, and are in bundles of two. This tree is adapted for high mountain slopes. It provides shelter for many different organisms and shade for smaller plants.
Angiosperms- Dicotyledons: BlackberriesBlackberries are plump, dark berries that grow on bushes faced toward the sun. They grow best in heat. In Yellowstone, blackberries grow next to geysers and hot springs. Blackberries are eaten by bears and other creatures that come across with these sweet berries. Blackberries can be mistaken for poisonous berries, and can cause animals to get very sick and die. Blackberries provide food for different animals.
Angiosperms- Monocotyledons: Yellowstone WildflowerThe Yellowstone Wildflower grows in the higher elevation points in the park, typically in the mountains. The colorful bulbs of the flower are a light-dark pinkish purple color, and are edible bloom in summer for animals. They are pretty to look at and are a source of food for several birds and other animals.
Invertebrates- Nematoda: RoundwormRoundworms are parasites that live in undercooked food, contaminated substances, and sometimes water. Typically, they infect humans and animals through eating or drinking something with the roundworm still alive in it. It live in the small intestine, and does not show symptoms until weeks, months, even a year after contracting it. This is a deadly parasite if not treated immediately. Roundworms can infect animals living in the park from eating another animal that has died.
Invertebrates- Annelida: Earthworm
Earthworms live in cool, damp soil where there is lots of precipitation and shade from plants. They burrow into the rich soil, and eats plants and decomposing organisms. You most find these out in the open when they are trying to locate food, or if they are ill. Birds and other organisms feed on earthworms, so they try to stay away from harm. In Yellowstone, they are responsible for eating dead animals, and act as janitors in nature.
Earthworms live in cool, damp soil where there is lots of precipitation and shade from plants. They burrow into the rich soil, and eats plants and decomposing organisms. You most find these out in the open when they are trying to locate food, or if they are ill. Birds and other organisms feed on earthworms, so they try to stay away from harm. In Yellowstone, they are responsible for eating dead animals, and act as janitors in nature.
Invertebrates- Mollusca: SlugSlugs live in moist, cool soil where there is a lot of vegetation. They eat decomposed organisms, more plants than animals, and travel on twigs and sturdy leaves because they are very, very slow organisms. When they travel, they leave behind a sticky substance. In the environment, Slugs help to get rid of animals and plants that have died to keep the place clean.
Invertebrates- Arthropoda- Crustacea:
Since there are no bodies of water capable of keeping these organisms alive, there are no crustaceans in Yellowstone National park.
Since there are no bodies of water capable of keeping these organisms alive, there are no crustaceans in Yellowstone National park.
Invertebrates- Arthropod- Arachnida: Millipedes
Millipedes are long, lanky arthropods with two pairs of legs per segment, with over 1000 legs all together. They eat decaying plants and small organisms, and live in the crevices of plants. Its role in the environment is to help Help keep the park tidy by helping eat dead organisms including insects, plants, and animals. Within Yellowstone, they are under rocks, burrowed in the ground, hiding in the leaves of a fern, or waiting for night to come. When they feel threatened, they coil up into a tight ball with their exoskeleton as protection from bigger organisms wanting to feed.
Millipedes are long, lanky arthropods with two pairs of legs per segment, with over 1000 legs all together. They eat decaying plants and small organisms, and live in the crevices of plants. Its role in the environment is to help Help keep the park tidy by helping eat dead organisms including insects, plants, and animals. Within Yellowstone, they are under rocks, burrowed in the ground, hiding in the leaves of a fern, or waiting for night to come. When they feel threatened, they coil up into a tight ball with their exoskeleton as protection from bigger organisms wanting to feed.
Invertebrates- Arthropod- Insecta: Beetles
Beetles have a hard exoskeleton, and can come in many different colors, sizes, shapes, and even smells. They eat decomposed organisms and plants. Beetles live in soil and in plants, and have their own defenses against different organisms. Some have pinchers, and others use a fowl smell to ward off predators. In Yellowstone, they eat dead plants and organisms. Other insects and animals will try to eat beetles, but the beetle lives in places that other organisms cannot catch them.
Beetles have a hard exoskeleton, and can come in many different colors, sizes, shapes, and even smells. They eat decomposed organisms and plants. Beetles live in soil and in plants, and have their own defenses against different organisms. Some have pinchers, and others use a fowl smell to ward off predators. In Yellowstone, they eat dead plants and organisms. Other insects and animals will try to eat beetles, but the beetle lives in places that other organisms cannot catch them.
Invertebrates- Porifera:
Porifera are multicellular organisms which have bodies full of pores allowing water to circulate through them, consisting of jelly-like substances in-between two layers of cells. This organism is not in my park because the water in my park is too hot to hold that sort of organism.
Porifera are multicellular organisms which have bodies full of pores allowing water to circulate through them, consisting of jelly-like substances in-between two layers of cells. This organism is not in my park because the water in my park is too hot to hold that sort of organism.
Invertebrates- Cnidaria:Cnidaria contain over 10,000 species of animals found exclusively in aquatic and marine environments. Their distinguishing feature is cnidocytes, specialized cells that they use mainly for capturing prey. This is not in my park because Yellowstone does not have the standards to keep this organism alive. This national park does not have oceans or large bodies of water, it only has rivers, hot springs, and geysers.
Invertebrates- Echinodermata: Starfish
There are no echinoderms in Yellowstone due to the lack of water that this organism needs to survive. Also, these creatures need to always be in water, and Yellowstone cannot provide it with that.
There are no echinoderms in Yellowstone due to the lack of water that this organism needs to survive. Also, these creatures need to always be in water, and Yellowstone cannot provide it with that.
Vertebrates- Osteichthys: Cutthroat Trout
Yellowstone is well known for the amount of trout it has. Trout are bony fish with a shiny outer layer that swim in fast moving rivers. They migrate during the cold seasons and come back in the summer time. Visitors typically come to Yellowstone to fish for these meaty fish. Trout are a food source for bears, and when they die, bacteria and small organisms consume their body.
Yellowstone is well known for the amount of trout it has. Trout are bony fish with a shiny outer layer that swim in fast moving rivers. They migrate during the cold seasons and come back in the summer time. Visitors typically come to Yellowstone to fish for these meaty fish. Trout are a food source for bears, and when they die, bacteria and small organisms consume their body.
Vertebrates- Reptilia: Sagebush Lizard
The Sagebush Lizard is the only lizard in Yellowstone. Its maximum size is five inches from snout to tip of the tail. They are gray or light brown with darker brown stripes on the back set inside lighter stripes on the sides, running the length of the body. In Yellowstone, it can live up to 8,300, but in other places, it is found at less than 6,000 feet.It lives mostly along the lower portions of the Yellowstone River.
The Sagebush Lizard is the only lizard in Yellowstone. Its maximum size is five inches from snout to tip of the tail. They are gray or light brown with darker brown stripes on the back set inside lighter stripes on the sides, running the length of the body. In Yellowstone, it can live up to 8,300, but in other places, it is found at less than 6,000 feet.It lives mostly along the lower portions of the Yellowstone River.
Vertebrates- Amphiba: Boreal Toad
The Boreal Toad has a white stripe on the back, and is gray or greenish underneath.Breeding occurs between March and July in mountainous areas, and as early as January in lower-elevation regions.Boreal toads are frequently encountered during the wet season on roads, or near water at other times. When handled adults often vocalize, making a sound like peeping. It eats any type of insect it can catch. It can jump about three up vertically.
The Boreal Toad has a white stripe on the back, and is gray or greenish underneath.Breeding occurs between March and July in mountainous areas, and as early as January in lower-elevation regions.Boreal toads are frequently encountered during the wet season on roads, or near water at other times. When handled adults often vocalize, making a sound like peeping. It eats any type of insect it can catch. It can jump about three up vertically.
Vertebrates- Aves: Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is the most common owl in both North and South America, and is easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. Northern populations migrate in winter, but most live permanently in more temperate climes. The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young.
The Great Horned Owl is the most common owl in both North and South America, and is easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. Northern populations migrate in winter, but most live permanently in more temperate climes. The birds nest in tree holes, stumps, caves, or in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Owls are powerful birds and fiercely protective parents. They have even been known to attack humans who wander too close to their young.
Vertebrates- Mammalia- Carnivores: Coyotes
Coyotes are fast, sneaky foxes in Yellowstone, and live in the same environment as Grizzlys and Black bears. They hunt for rodents and anything they can get to. Sometimes, that means eating scraps from other animals. They have a keen sense of hearing and smell, and hunt prey. They are vicious animals that have no mercy. They live up in the mountains in caves and by trees.
Coyotes are fast, sneaky foxes in Yellowstone, and live in the same environment as Grizzlys and Black bears. They hunt for rodents and anything they can get to. Sometimes, that means eating scraps from other animals. They have a keen sense of hearing and smell, and hunt prey. They are vicious animals that have no mercy. They live up in the mountains in caves and by trees.
Vertebrates- Mammalia- Herbivores: Porcupines
Porcupines have a spiky shell equipped with quills that they will shoot out if they feel threatened. They eat only leaves, berries, and grass; no meat. They live up in the higher elevations, and live in the trees. Typically, animals do not try to eat these animals because they perk up their spikes which scares off predators.
Porcupines have a spiky shell equipped with quills that they will shoot out if they feel threatened. They eat only leaves, berries, and grass; no meat. They live up in the higher elevations, and live in the trees. Typically, animals do not try to eat these animals because they perk up their spikes which scares off predators.
Vertebrates- Mammalia- Omnivores: Grizzly bears
Yellowstone is one of the only places in the United States that has a large amount of Grizzly bears. These bears are massive creatures, and can eat up to 100 pounds of fish in one day. They hibernate during the cold winter months and wake in the spring time. They eat mainly fish, but can eat berries. These animals are very protective of their cubs, and will fight if necessary. They are over 10 feet tall, and have a coarse brown outer coat.
Yellowstone is one of the only places in the United States that has a large amount of Grizzly bears. These bears are massive creatures, and can eat up to 100 pounds of fish in one day. They hibernate during the cold winter months and wake in the spring time. They eat mainly fish, but can eat berries. These animals are very protective of their cubs, and will fight if necessary. They are over 10 feet tall, and have a coarse brown outer coat.
Vertebrates- Mammalia- Rodents: Ground Mouse
Ground mice are small white- tannish mice that scurry around the ground, eating decomposing organisms. These small animals are always hunted since they are easy to catch. They live in trees and under fallen leaves. They are nocturnal creatures, meaning they only come out after dark. These animals help to keep the place tidy.
Ground mice are small white- tannish mice that scurry around the ground, eating decomposing organisms. These small animals are always hunted since they are easy to catch. They live in trees and under fallen leaves. They are nocturnal creatures, meaning they only come out after dark. These animals help to keep the place tidy.