Larva
Larva was found in a small drying vernal pool 60x35x23cm.
ID based up on the number of following morphological characters of the Cumberland rock-shield lichen (Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia). General appearance, microhabitat of the rock surface, abundant isidia, tan downside, as well asl as K+ (green), C-, KC - cortex, K+ yellow turning orangish pink, C -, and KC -medulla. Ineterestingly, rhizines were irregularly distributed to me, and they actially reminded me cilia.
References:
Brodo, I.M., Duran Sharnoff, S., Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven & London.
Britton's Violet is a threatened species in the state of Massachusetts.
For more details see http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/nhfacts/viola_brittoniana.pdf
Odd lichen probably belonging to the greenshield lichens (Flavoparmelia). It shows many morphological characters of Flavoparmelia caperata (presence of large irregular patches of granular soredia coming out of pustules, dark brown down-side with abundant tan rhisoides). But spot tests of medulla (K-, C-, KC- ) are not characteristic of this species. References:
Brodo, I.M., Duran Sharnoff, S., Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven & London.
Diagnosis of the Bushy beard lichen (Usnera strigosa) is based on the presence of he central supportive cord, thalus growing in bushy tufts from a single point, not blackened base, presence of apothecia, dense reddish medulla. Spor tests of the cortex (KC+ yellow) suggested presence of usnic acid, medulla in this specimen was K-, C- KC-, as well as geographic location (Cape Code, NE US).
References:
Brodo, I.M., Duran Sharnoff, S., Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven & London.
Diagnosis of the Rough speckled shield lichen (Punctelia rudecta) is based on the presence of he blish gray thalus with abundant insidia and white pseudocyphellae, absence of soralia at lobe margins, pale tan lower surface with pale rhizines as well as growth on the bark of a birch and geographical location (NE US), Spot tests of medulla (k- KC+ red, C+ red) suggest presence of lecanoric acid. References:
Brodo, I.M., Duran Sharnoff, S., Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven & London.
Rock greenshield lichen is a medium sized light yellow-green foliose lichen with rounded lobes 2-8 mm wide, forming about 20 cm across patches. Upper surface of the thalus is often wrinkled in its oldest central part. Lower surface smooth, black, except for brown margins. Rhisines are black, conical and unbranched. Photobiont is green algae Trebouxia. Upper surface of the thalus has globose pustule like outgrowths, some of them brake down into granule-sized fragments (schizidia). Spot tests of medulla (K-, C-, KC+ pink) suggested presence protocetraric acid, while those on cortex (K+ yellow, C -, KC + dirty orange) suggested precense of Usnic Acid, which are characteristic of this species.
References:
Brodo, I.M., Duran Sharnoff, S., Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven & London.
Mother with 5 babies were observed. Babies are about 2 week old, close to shed. Images show only 2 babies.
Road Killed juvenile
