User:16musicmagic/Ecology of Bermuda
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[edit]Bermuda's ecology has an abundance of unique flora and fauna due to the island's isolation from the mainland of North America. The wide range of endemic species and the islands form a distinct ecoregion, the Bermuda subtropical conifer forests. The variety of species found both on land and in the waters surrounding Bermuda have varying positive and negative impacts on the ecosystem of the island, depending on the species. There are varying biotic and abiotic factors that have threatened and continue to threaten the island's ecology. There are, however, also means of conservation that can be used to mitigate these threats.
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[edit]Land Animals
[edit]Amphibians
[edit]They were likely accidentally introduced while transporting orchids to the Bermuda from the Lesser Antilles prior to the 1900s. They are nocturnal and can often be heard at night in Bermuda. Their songs are most prevalent from April until November. [1]
Insects
[edit]Ants
[edit]There are 4 ant species that are found in Bermuda. The African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) and Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) are both invasive species to Bermuda. The African ant was first recorded on the i[1]sland in 1889, and the Argentine ant arrived in Bermuda the 1940s. Furthermore, there is the Bermuda ant (Odontomachus insularis), which is indigenous to the island. This ant was initially presumed to be extinct, however, they were re-discovered living in July of 2002. Carpenter ants (Carpenter ant) are also found in Bermuda.[1]
Marine Life
[edit]Invertebrates
[edit]Crustaceans
[edit]There are various types of crabs in Bermuda. There are, Sally Lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus), Decorator crabs (Decorator crab), Swimming crabs (Portunidae), Spider crabs (Majoidea), and Verrill's Hermit crab (Calcinus verrillii). Great Land crabs (Cardisoma guanhumi) are hard to find in Bermuda, however they are there. Finally, there is the crab native, but not exclusive to, Bermuda, which are the Bermuda land crabs (Gecarcinus lateralis).[1]
Sea Squirts
[edit]There are various types of sea squirts, such as the Black Sea Squirt (Black Sea Squirt), the Purple Sea Squirt (Clavelina picta), the Orange Sea Squirt (Ecteinascidia turbinata), and the Lacy Sea Squirt.[1]
Fish
[edit]There are many fish species prevalent in Bermuda's waters, such as the Barracuda, Bermuda chub, Bluestriped grunt, Hogfish, Longspine squirrelfish, various types of Parrotfish, Smooth trunkfish, and Slippery dick, to name a few. [1] [2]
Threats and Preservation
[edit]Parrotfish are crucial to the coral reefs of Bermuda. Overfishing has caused issues for parrotfish that live in the coastal waters of other islands, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Looking at these instances in other habitats can help conservationists prevent the parrotfish population in Bermuda from experiencing decline as well. [2]
Bird species such as the white-tailed tropicbird are affected largely by hurricanes, as they bring immediate harm to individuals as well as destroying their nests, which makes reproducing impossible. Invasive species are also a big problem for the white-tailed tropicbird, as other bird species have been known to use similar nesting sites to the white-tailed tropicbird. Specifically, the rock pigeon often builds its nests within crevices around the island, including on rocky shorelines and cracks in Bermuda's tall cliffs. This is also where the Bermuda longtail makes its nest, so the competition created by the invasive rock pigeon makes reproduction harder for the longtail.[1]