Observations by robichaux_k_020

This weevil was observed outside on a car near very a patch of cultivated grass.

This species was originally found in Sri Lanka, as per its namesake, but is now invasive in many countries across the globe. This insect is a plant pest.

A common characteristic among the Sri Lanka Weevils is the unique body structure, as seen in the image.

More information on this insect can be found at: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/sri_lankan_weevil.htm

This fern was found growing along the bottom of a mature palm tree. While this fern was growing healthily on the tree, no other palm tree in the immediate vicinity shared this type of fern.

Characteristic of the species is the visible sori- the visible sporangia growing on the sporophyte's fronds. Another characteristic of ferns is the smaller gametophyte growing at the base of the palm tree, beneath the sporophyte.

This species typically inhabits tropical climates and are commonly found on branches or main stems of various trees.

More information can be found on ferns and their life cycles at the following website:
http://sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/plants/Resurrection_fern/index.html

This organism was found in a residential area that included many cultivated gardens and planted trees. They were prevalent throughout the area.

This basilisk species is small with varying brown coloration. They commonly have stripes or dashes along their backs. This coloration is characteristic of the species, but they can be unstriped- distinguished nominally as common or striped.

The Brown Basilisk originated in Central America, but it has now been introduced to areas of South Florida. However, they are not considered invasive. These organisms characteristically inhabit rainforests, thickets, or anywhere there is greenery and a water source.

More information on the Brown Basilisk can be found on the following websites: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Lizard-Species/Brown-Basilisk-(Striped-or-Common)/https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Basiliscus_vittatus/

Several patches of these Marigolds were observed near a side walk on the USF Tampa campus. They grew in small clusters with only 3-5 flowers per cluster.

This organism is adapted to high sun exposure, but can grow in partial shade. They are usually found along wooded areas.

More information on Black Jacks and their relatives can be found on the following PDF provided by the USDA: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_biar.pdf

Upon initial observation, the moss appeared to only be on the group around a large Oak tree, but upon closer inspection it was found that it was growing throughout the branches of the tree. This is most likely due to the fact that the Spanish moss is epiphytic- or grows on other plants while gathering nutrients from the air and water.

These mosses usually inhabit tropical climates (most commonly found in the Americas).

A characteristic unique to Spanish moss is that this species is not parasitic. Additionally, this species is actually not considered a moss, but a flowering plant.

More information about this organism can be found athttp://www.bromeliads.info/spanish-moss/ .

The birds pictured belong to the Atlantic subgroup of the species. This distinction can be made by noting the absence of red coloring along the beak that is characteristic of Pacific Brown Pelicans.

These two brown pelicans share similar coloration (brown feathers across the majority of the body and wings with white coloration around the head and eyes) and appeared to be fully grown, breeding adults. The wingspan of each bird was approximately 5-6 feet.

Brown pelicans are common around coastal areas and rarely seen elsewhere

More information, including what is described here, is available at the website "All About Birds" https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/id).