Μάρτιος 13, 2021

Colorado Earthworms

This is a total work in progress and just a summary of available literature. There are few systematic surveys of Colorado earthworms, but the most comprehensive as found 17 species with just three native to the state. Of the 14 introduced species, all were of European origin. Within iNat the vast majority of observations are of Lumbricus terrestris however in surveys this was far from the most common species collected 24 collections versus 77 collections of Aporrectodea tuberculata amazingly not even a single observation of this in iNat.

Genus Allolobophora

  • Uncommon but widespread



  • Genus Aporrectodea

    • Aporrectodea bowcrowensis (not in iNat) Native!

    • Recorded in North park

    • Not colored



    • Black-headed Worm Aporrectodea longa https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/484185
      • Records in Chaffee and Pitkin
      • Pink


    • Rosy-tipped Worm Aporrectodea rosea https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/484189
      • Widely distributed
      • Dark almost black
      • 25-85 mm


    • Southern Worm Aporrectodea trapezoides https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/485976-
      • Uncommon but widespread
      • 90-150 mm



    • Aporrectodea tuberculata https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/501689 (no iNat observations)
      • Widespread common
      • 90-150 mm



    • Aporrectodea turgida (not in iNat)
      • Widespread uncommon


    • Genus Bimastos

    • Larimer County

    • Reddish above paler below

    • 20-35 mm




    • Bimastos welchi (not in iNat) Native!
      • Larimer County
      • Pale color throughout
      • 135 mm


    • Genus Dendrobaena

    • Widespread uncommon

    • Thin, very clearly segmented



    • Genus Dendrodrilus

      Genus Eisenia

    • Rather distinct looking banding



    • Genus Eiseniella

    • Small chunky looking



    • Genus Lumbricus

      Genus Octolasion

    • Blue gray hue




    • Octolasion tyrtaeum https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/865941 (no iNat observations)

    • FAMILY
      Genus Sparganophilus

      • Sparganophilus eiseni (not in iNat)

      • Single record from Huerafano



      • Citations:
        Reynolds, J. W. (2011). MORE EARTHWORMS (OLIGOCHAETA: LUMBRICIDAE ANDSPARGANOPHILIDAE) FROM COLORADO, USA. MEGADRILOGICA, 14(8).

        Csuzdi, C., Chang, C., Pavlícek, T., Szederjesi, T., Esopi, D., & Szlávecz, K. (2017). Molecular phylogeny and systematics of native North AMERICAN LUMBRICID EARTHWORMS (Clitellata: Megadrili). PLOS ONE, 12(8). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181504

        Posted on Μάρτιος 13, 2021 0710 ΜΜ by nickmoore91 nickmoore91 | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

        Φεβρουάριος 28, 2021

        Colorado Cacti

        Prickly Pear

        Cholla

        Foxtail Cacti

        Hedgehog Cacti (Echinocereus )

        Pineapple Cactus (west slope only)

        • Colorado Hookless Cactus (Mesa)
        • Mesa Verde Fishhook Cactus (Montezuma)
        • Smallflower Fishhook Cactus (West Slope)
        Posted on Φεβρουάριος 28, 2021 1210 ΠΜ by nickmoore91 nickmoore91 | 3 παρατηρήσεις | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

        Φεβρουάριος 19, 2021

        Colorado Cottontails

        Note: Working project, I have additional references and information I'd like to add in the future. Comments or corrections encouraged.

        Let's start with the basics. Three species of Cottontail occur in the state. Desert, Mountain and Eastern. In general Cottontails can be found just about anywhere even up to 11,500 feet. If you don't want to read further Colorado Division of Wildlife neatly summarizes what I will attempt to go into detail below. "Mountain cottontails live in the mountains and in the northwest, desert cottontails live in the southwest and on the eastern plains, eastern cottontails live in woodlands along watercourses in the east." (3)

        Now to the difficult part. Which species am I seeing? This quote sums the issue up well, "Differences among cottontails in Colorado are subtle, and it can be difficult to separate the 3 species by external characteristics alone.(1)" For certain identification carful examination of teeth, dissection or genetics are required. Despite similarity to our eyes interbreeding is reported rare despite broad areas of sympatry. West of the town of Bellvue (Larimer County) all three species coexist. (1)

        So how do we approach specific IDs in this group, habitat and location, and maybe a sprinkle of field marks.

        Desert Cottontail: In general this species is found below 7,000 feet in the state. It is found from the foothills east on the plains, in the San Luis Valley as well as lower elevations in the west slope. Desert Cottontail prefer more arid conditions including prairie dog towns on the plains. However don't be fooled by the name, they are found in riparian areas, montane shrubland and pinyon juniper. (1)

        Mountain Cottontail: These can occur anywhere over 6,000 feet in the state, even up to treeline. They prefer montane to semi-desert scrubland, but also occur in forest edge, open parkland etc. (1)

        Eastern Cottontail: This species is generally found below 6,500 feet in the state. The broadest area of their distribution is in the Platte River Basin, but also the Republican River Basin (Yuma County). They are also possible in the extreme SE of the state. Their distribution on the plains is confined to Riparian areas near major rivers, however the situation is blurred in the Denver metro area. Eastern Cottontail are know to occur north of the palmer divide north to Fort Collins. This would include Douglas, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Denver, Bromfield, Boulder, Weld and Larimer Counties(1). They prefer to be in riparian areas with plenty of cover.

        So where can you safely identify a Colorado Cottontail by range. On the plains far away from water, Desert. Anywhere in the southern plains, except the extreme southwest, Desert. The intermontane west above 7,000 feet, Mountain.

        Field marks: First use habitat, then supplement with field marks. First ensure you are looking at an adult. This is best done by size and will take experience. Young rabbits have finer fur, small ears to make things difficult. Luckily if there are young, an adult is nearby.

        Desert Cottontail: These have long sparsely furred ears, often with visible veins. This an adaptation to keep cool. They are paler overall grayish on the back and often with orange wash on the throat and chest.

        Mountain Cottontail: Small rounded densely furred ears and relatively smaller hindlegs. Overall darker in coloration than Desert.

        Eastern Cottontail: The darkest of the three species. It has ears that look more like Mountain in shape. Rounded and more densely furred. This is overall the largest of the three species. (2)

        Overall good photographs will be needed and many Cottontails will need to be left at the genus level. Especially along the front range.

        Select photos from core of each species range (note: the species is quite variable other the range):
        Desert cottontail

        Eastern Cottontail

        Mountain Cottontail

        Select photos from CO (all IDs should be taken with a grain of salt)

        (1) Armstrong, D. M., Fitzgerald, J. P., Meaney, C. A., & Fitzgerald, J. P. (2011). Mammals of Colorado. Denver: Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
        (2) Tekiela, S. (2007). Mammals of Colorado: Field guide. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications.
        (3) Cottontail Rabbits. (2014). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from
        https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Lists/Wildlife%20Species/DispForm.aspx?ID=27

        Posted on Φεβρουάριος 19, 2021 0428 ΜΜ by nickmoore91 nickmoore91 | 1 παρατήρηση | 3σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

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