Diversity of Life Blog

I am a student at Rosemont's College of Continuing Education. This fall (2011) I had the pleasure of taking a sustainability course that included observing life. Students in this course were tasked with creating a blog based on their observations of plants, animals and other organism.

DIVERSITY OF LIFE INDEX PAGE

BACTERIA
   Bacteria
          Actinobacteria
                   Actinomycetales
                       *Morbier Cheese (Brevibacterium linens)
          Firmicutes
                   Cocci
                       *Yogurt (Streptococcus thermophilus)
                   Babilli
                       *Sauerkraut made with (Leuconostoc mesenteroides)
                       *Bacteria (Lactobacillus reuteri)                       
ARCHAEA

EUKARYOTA
   Fungi
            Ascomycota
                    Sordariomycetes
                        *Shower Mold (Stachybotrys chartarum)
                     Eurotiomycetes
                        *Blue Cheese (Penicillium roqueforti)
                        *Bread Mold (Penicillium)
                    Saccharomycetes
                        *Baker's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)           
            
            Basidiomycota
                    Agaricomycetes
                         *Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
                         *White Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
   Animalia
            Antropoda
                    Insecta
                         *Carpenter Bee ( Xylocopa violacea)
                    Arachnida
                         *Harvestmen (Phalangium opilio)
            Cordata
                    Aves
                          *Green Wing Macaw (Ara chloropterus)
                          *Bluffons Macaw (Hybrid Cross of Ara Araruna and Ara Ambigua)
                          *White Bellied Caique (Pionites leucogaster) 
                          *Barred Owl (Strix varia)
                          *Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
                          *Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)
                          *African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
                          *Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)
                          *Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)
                    Mammalia 
                          *Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
                          *Newfoundland (Canis lupus familiaris)
                          *Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
                          *Zebra (Equus burchellii)
                          *Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

   Plantae
            Angiosperms
                    Eudicots 
                          *Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
                          *Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
                          *Thundercloud (Prunus cerasifera)
                          *Black Walnut Tree (Juglans nigra)
                          *African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
                          *Redshank (  Persicaria maculosa formerly Polygonum persicaria)
                          *Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
                          *White Snake Root (Ageratina altissima)
                          *Mile A Minute (Persicaria perfoliata)
                          *Pink Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
                          *Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
                  
                    Monocots
                          *Pickerelweed  (Pontederia cordata)
                          *Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
                          * Purpletop (Tridens Flavus)
                    Asterid
                          *Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
                    Araceae
                           *Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)                        
            Pinophyta
                     Pinopsida
                           *Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
                           *Blue Star (Juniperus squamata)     
                    Dicot     
                          *Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)      
                         

RED KANGAROO

Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

Observation

I observed these kangaroos at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, PA. I noticed at least three other kangaroos in the habitat. The males have a red coat and stand as tall as 8 feet. Their hind legs are larger than the front legs and their fur is thick but soft. As I observed, it appeared that one of the kangaroos was eating something from the ground. The habitat included some grass and other weed-like plants. After a few minutes of watching I had the pleasure of seeing them hop around the habitat. These animals can be found near the small mammal house in the zoo.

This photo courtesy of Wikipedia

TURKEYTAIL

Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)

Observation

I observed this mushroom on 17 September 2011 while attending the Wildlife Conservation Festival at the John Heinz National Refuge Center in Philadelphia, PA. This mushroom was found away from the trail and was surrounded by some other dead trees that were growing moss and mushrooms. The mushrooms were on the right side of the bark and had several tiers. The mushroom is similar to a turkey's tail hence its name.

Abbreviated

Extra credit

PICKEREL WEED

Pickerelweed  (Pontederia cordata)

Observation

I observed this plant on 17 September 2011 while attending the Wildlife Conservation Festival at the John Heinz National Refuge Center in Philadelphia, PA. This plant was found away from the edge of the trail at the refuge. There were many other weed-like plants surrounding it. The flowers appeared to be lilac in color, the stem was erect and tall and the large leaves were green.

Abbreviated

Extra credit

REDSHANK

Redshank (  Persicaria maculosa formerly Polygonum persicaria)

Observation

I observed this plant on 17 September 2011 while attending the Wildlife Conservation Festival at the John Heinz National Refuge Center in Philadelphia, PA. The plant was found along the edge of the trail at the refuge. This particular stem of the plant seemed to reach out beyond the rest which made it very easy to notice.The flowers are pink and the tip of the green leaves are pointed. There were many other weed-like plants surrounding it.

Abbreviated

Extra credit

WHITE MUSHROOM

White Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

Observation

I observed the white mushrooms at Shoprite in Wyncote, PA. The mushrooms are small and white from top to bottom  

Questions
What medical properties does the white mushroom possess? What kind of activity does the mushroom hinder? Why is the white mushroom consumed the most when compared to others?

Scientific Research
Grube, Baiba J., et al. White Button Mushroom Phytochemicals Inhibit Aromatase Activity and Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation, Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 131 (2001), pp 3288-3293.

For centuries mushroom have been recognized for being an edible food source and for their medicinal properties. Mushrooms have a favorable effect on health and aid in the treatment of diseases through their immunomodulatoy, antineoplastic and lipid reducing properties. A water soluble extract taken from the white mushroom has been proven to dramatically hinder aromatase activity. Aromatase expression occurs in breast cancer tumors and is responsible for tumor growth. 

The white mushroom is a good source of antioxidants, they are available throughout the year and are  inexpensive when compared to other edible mushrooms.

The White Mushroom, when mature, is known as the Portabella Mushroom.

Further Information
Natural News
Science Daily
Wikipedia