EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

13-19 March 2023

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Island Trio

Lava Heron (Butorides sundevalli), Family Ardeidae
Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Family Iguanidae
Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus grapsus), Family Grapsidae
Española Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  Here persist a hearty and somewhat unlikely trio on the salt-sprayed coastal rocks of Punta Suarez, Española Island, in the Galápagos Archipelago of Ecuador:  a heron, a lizard, and a crab ... representing two taxonomic phyla (phylum Chordata for the heron and lizard, and phylum Arthopoda for the crab) ... and three taxonomic classes (class Aves for the heron, class Reptilia for the lizard, and class Malacostraca for the crab).

Although they are sharing space and resources here along the equator, weather can be variable here and the seas can become quite rough.  

   

Next week's picture:  Seal Dark, Seal Light

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Author & Webmaster: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot
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