Malacology

Did you know that beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary sand lies a bustling ecosystem filled with microorganisms? Join us today as we demonstrate the magnesium chloride extraction method, a popular technique for uncovering meiofaunal animals thriving within sand. To embark on this adventure, you'll need a few essentials: a bucket of sand a sieve (you can make your own with PVC, super glue and nylon mesh like this: https://a.co/d/gCHXank) a container (an erlenmeyer flask or any dish will suffice) Petri dishes (or any other clear dish) magnesium chloride (we use: https://a.co/d/6q1RLg5) Magnesium chloride works by relaxing the animals, making them easier to extract from the sand. After mixing the sand with a solution of half 7.5% magnesium chloride in fresh water and half seawater, we let it sit for 15 minutes before sieving. Using a sieve, we separate the sediment from the solution, revealing a plethora of tiny organisms. With each decanting, we uncover a diverse array of creatures, from nematodes to flatworms and more. The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a beginner, the magnesium chloride extraction method offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of meiofaunal animals. Check out the seashell identification guides on our website: https://www.seahorseandco.com/ We’d like to give a big thank you to Dr. Kevin M. Kocot for reviewing this video and for allowing us to borrow sieves and other materials from the lab! Check out the Kocot Lab here: https://www.kocotlab.com/ Credits: Hosted by: Meghan Yap-Chiogco Directed by: Chandler Olson Filmed By: Nickellaus Roberts, Emma Olson, Meghan Yap-Chiongco, and Chandler Olson Production crew: Nickellaus Roberts, Emma Olson, Meghan Yap-Chiongco, Chandler Olson, and Bensen Yap-Chiongco Edited by: Chandler Olson Reviewed by: Kevin M. Kocot Music: The Fun Side of Life by Bireli Snow Morning Stretch by Timothy Infinite Sun Screen by Timothy Infinite Solarity by Guustavv Entropy by Gregory David #Microorganisms #MagnesiumChlorideExtraction #NatureExploration

I love finding feather millipedes when out on hikes. Check out all the cool salamanders I found on this hike too by clicking on the linked video!

I spent 1 hour looking for critters around a vernal pool at Huricane Creek Park in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I was super excited because this was the first time I ever found a Marbled Salamander! Link to iNat Entry: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/chandlerolson/90202-huricane-creek-park-1-hour-mini-bioblitz

Winter is the best time to find many species of Salamander throughout the Eastern United States and that’s why I call this time of year “Salamander Season”. Join me on a hike through the woods of central Alabama while I search for Salamanders encountering many amazing species. Throughout this hike I contemplate the microhabitats where I find each salamander. Some like the Green Salamander are particularly specialized to specific parts of this park. I also highlight the importance of vernal pools for these animals. This includes how Spotted Salamanders and Marbled Salamanders emerge from their subterranean life to breed in these vernal pools. I hope you enjoy coming along with me on this hike to find some amazing salamanders! Salamander Season Short Film Credits: Written, Filmed, and Edited by: Chandler Olson Script Editor: Emma Olson Reviewers/Test Viewers: Emma Olson, Nickellaus Roberts, Franzi Bergmeier, and Meghan Yap-Chiongco Music: Your Words by Benjamin Carey, Changes like a Chameleon by Staffan Carlen, Awakening Wilderness by Tellsonic, Wonders of Nature by Ten Towers, Earthbound by Victor Lundberg If you want to see the amphibians I’ve found so far in Alabama check out this webpage!: https://www.seahorseandco.com/amphibiansofalabama Seahorse and Co Website for free seashell identification guides!: https://www.seahorseandco.com/ #Salamanders #WinterWildlife #NatureExploration

I spent 1 hour looking for critters in a small clearing at the UA Arboretum. It was really fun looking in depth in such a small area. I found some stuff that I wouldn't have found just walking around! I am especially excited about the Helicodiscus, always love finding them. Link to iNat Entry: https://guatemala.inaturalist.org/journal/chandlerolson/86050-ua-arboretum-1-hour-mini-bioblitz

Embark on a captivating journey through Alabama's Cahaba Forest! Join us as we explore the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge on a beautiful Autumn day, encountering fascinating creatures like the Webster Salamander, the Horned Pasula Beetle, and a multitude of unique snails. The highlight? Witness the Unicolor Snail-eating Beetle's unique hunting and feeding process—it's both mesmerizing and intense! If you love nature and biodiversity, don't miss this adventure! 🌿🐞 #CahabaForest #natureexploration #biodiversity Check out the Seahorse and Co Website!: https://www.seahorseandco.com/ Filmed and Edited by: Chandler Olson

Who's that invertebrate?! It's a Cactus Worm, also called a Priapulida! Watch this video to learn more about these priapulids: https://youtu.be/BzIJrQpb-qU

In this video we take a look at an especially strange marine invertebrate, the Priapulida, commonly called the cactus worm. Check out our website: https://www.seahorseandco.com/ Read more about the Icy Invert research expedition: https://www.icyinverts.com Learn more about research being done in the Kocot Lab: https://www.kocotlab.com This expedition was funded by the National Science Foundation: NSF DEB 1846174. CAREER: Revolutionizing Biodiversity and Systematics Research on Aplacophora (Mollusca) and Training the Next Generation of Invertebrate Systematists.