Living in an Alkaline Environment

A WebQuest Exploring the Life and Ecology of Mono Lake

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion Teachers

Resources

Use the following online resources, as well as those found within Microbial Life and the Marine Biological Laboratory of the University of Chicago web site to gather information for your field guide.

Producers

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Dunaliella is an extremely halophilic species of green algae. Commonly found in hypersaline water, it is the main food source for brine shrimp and the larvae of brine flies. This image was taken by David Patterson and provided courtesy of the microscope web site.

• microscope: Diatom
  • microscope: Anomoeoneis
  • microscope: Nitzschia
  • microscope: Surirella
• Diatoms: Ever Wonder?
• Wim van Egmond's Diatoms

Green Algae (e.g., Dunaliella, Picocystis)

• microscope: Green Algae
  • microscope: Dunaliella
  • microscope: Picocystis
• Wim van Egmond's Green Algae
• Oceanlink: Green Algae

Bacteria (particularly Cyanobacteria e.g., Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Spirulina)

• microscope: Bacteria
• micoscope: Cyanobacteria
  • microscope: Oscillatoria
  • microscope: Nostoc
  • microscope: Spirulina
• Wim van Egmond's Bacteria
• Introduction to Cyanobacteria

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From Left to Right: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Cyclidium, Frontonia, Artemia, California Gull. Image credit for California Gull: National Park Service staff photo. All others provided courtesy of the microscope web site.

Ciliates

General resources containing information about each of the specific ciliates:

• Wim van Egmond's Ciliates Page
• Images, descriptions, classification: microscope
• Videos: The Natural History Museum's Microbiology Video Collection and Molecular Expressions Digital Video Gallery

Cyclidium

• Droplet: Amateur Microscopy of the Protozoa
• Dessert for Dileptus

Frontonia

• Protist Movie Database: Frontonia

Lacrymaria

• Lacrymaria Olor: Tear of a Swan

Euplotes

• Euplotes Cell Division
• Exhibition of Movies on Protists

Podophrya

• Podophrya, A Remarkable Ciliate

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From Left to Right: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Cyclidium, Frontonia, Artemia, California Gull. Image credit for California Gull: National Park Service staff photo. All others provided courtesy of the microscope web site.

Arthropods

Brine Shrimp

• microscope: Artemia
• Brine Shrimp: Mono Lake's Unique Species
• A Model of the Brine Shrimp in Mono Lake
• Wilson's Phalarope (containing additional information about brine shrimp)

Alkali Flies

• Mono's Alkali Fly: The First Fly You'll Ever Love

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From Left to Right: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Cyclidium, Frontonia, Artemia, California Gull. Image credit for California Gull: National Park Service staff photo. All others provided courtesy of the microscope web site.

Birds

California Gull

• Mono Lake Committee: California Gull
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: California Gull

Wilson's Phalarope

• Mono Lake Committee: Wilson's Phalarope
• Audubon: Wilson's Phalarope

Eared Grebe

• Mono Lake Committee: Eared Grebe
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Eared Grebe

Green-Tailed Towhee

• Mono Lake Committee: Green-Tailed Towhee
• BirdWeb: Green-Tailed Towhee

Waterfowl

• Mono Lake Committee: Waterfowl
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
  • Ruddy Duck
  • Cinnamon Teal
  • Green-Winged Teal
  • Mallard
  • Northern Pintail
  • Gadwall
  • American Wigeon

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From Left to Right: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Cyclidium, Frontonia, Artemia, California Gull. Image credit for California Gull: National Park Service staff photo. All others provided courtesy of the microscope web site.

Mono Lake Ecology

• Mono Lake Web Site
• Mono Lake Food Web
• Mono Basin Clearinghouse: Mark Twain

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From Left to Right: Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Cyclidium, Frontonia, Artemia, California Gull. Image credit for California Gull: National Park Service staff photo. All others provided courtesy of the microscope web site.