Malacology

Welcome to the first episode of my new series, Backyard Biodiversity Survey! Each episode, we’ll slow down, take a walk outside, and see what animals we can discover. From tiny snails to slimy salamanders, we’ll explore the incredible diversity hiding in plain sight—and keep a running tally of the species we find along the way. In this episode, we kick things off in my backyard in Alabama after a rainy morning. Despite it being winter, we find some amazing creatures, including a slug, mushrooms, a brown-bellied tooth snail, and even a slimy salamander! Each discovery adds to our growing species list, and I’ll share tips for spotting wildlife, like looking under logs and in leaf litter. This series isn’t just about finding animals—it’s about embracing curiosity and learning as we go. I’ll do my best to identify the species we encounter, but as the series evolves, so will my skills and knowledge. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, I hope this inspires you to explore your own backyard and discover the biodiversity around you. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to follow along on this journey of discovery! Check out our website: https://www.thenaturalistproject.com/ #BackyardBioBlitz #TheNaturalistProject

Discover the incredible story behind Dondersia tweedtae, a new species of solenogaster we recently described from the Gulf of Mexico! Solenogasters are small, worm-like mollusks that are usually plain white, but Dondersia tweedtae breaks the mold with its striking pink body and bright yellow dorsal keel. This vibrant species was discovered using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS), a non-destructive tool that helps us uncover hidden marine biodiversity. In this short video, I’ll take you behind the scenes of this exciting discovery, from exploring the Gulf’s mesophotic reefs to naming this stunning new species in honor of Dr. Sarah Tweedt. Want to dive deeper into the fascinating world of solenogasters? Check out our full-length video on The Naturalist Project channel, where we explore the biology, diversity, and importance of these extraordinary mollusks. 🔗Read the full paper: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/136385/ Full Citation: Cobo MC, Farris WJ, Olson CJ, McLaughlin EL, Kocot KM (2024) Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) as a tool to uncover neglected marine biodiversity: two new Solenogastres (Mollusca, Aplacophora) from the Gulf of Mexico. ZooKeys 1221: 401-434. 🔗 Learn more about our work and join the journey of curiosity and discovery at thenaturalistproject.com 🔗 This work was done as part of the Kocot Lab check out more of the work done in the lab here: https://www.kocotlab.com/ Thank you to Chris Meyer for the video of a deployed ARMS.

Discover the hidden beauty of the Green Salamander, one of the most striking creatures in the Eastern United States. With its vibrant emerald pattern, this master of camouflage effortlessly climbs mossy rock faces using its specialized body and suction-cup toes. Adapted to life in moss-covered cliffs, the Green Salamander is a symbol of the delicate ecosystems that need our protection. Explore their world and learn why preserving these habitats is essential for the survival of these incredible creatures.

We’re excited to share some big news—our YouTube channel and website are rebranding from Seahorse and Co to The Naturalist Project! 🌿 While this change is bittersweet, it reflects our mission to inspire curiosity, celebrate biodiversity, and connect people with the wonders of the natural world. In this video, I share the story behind The Naturalist Project, from its beginnings photographing seashells at the Academy of Natural Sciences to building seashell identification guides for the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. We’ve grown from travel vlogs and early educational videos into a platform for learning, exploring, and sharing adventures like the Antarctic Invertebrate series and Salamander Season. Our new website, TheNaturalistProject.com , is live and redesigned to be streamlined, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Don’t worry—SeahorseandCo.com will stay online during the transition. A huge thank you to Nick Roberts for helping with the rebranding and logo design, and to Emma Olson for her constant support and feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, we’re here to inspire and support you. Let’s keep learning and discovering together! Check out our new Website!: TheNaturalistProject.com Salamander Season Video: https://youtu.be/y4hFv9eHE0M #TheNaturalistProject

Saw this guy about to grab onto me as I sat by a stream! Filmed and edited by: Chandler Olson Music: Baritone Cowboy by Roy Edwin Williams

While hiking at Huricane Creek Park in Tuscaloosa Alabama we found really cool spider! This is a Southern Black Widow! This spider was feeding on a grasshopper it caught in its web. What a cool find! Filmed and edited by: Chandler Olson Found by: Nathan Mckenna Music: Dare to Be a Devil by Roof

Join us as we survey the land snail diversity at Natural Bridge Park in Northwest Alabama, to help make this the next National Natural Landmark! In this video, we explore the lush environment under and around the park's iconic 60-foot high, 148-foot long natural bridge, the largest east of the Rockies. We'll meet the new park owners and learn about the unique history and future plans for this beautiful area. Along the way, we'll discover fascinating animals like dusky salamanders, crayfish, and many species of snails, including some highlights like the Broad Button and Fringed Slitmouth Snails. This snail survey is part of a larger BioBlitz organized by WildAlabama to document the park's biodiversity and support its bid to become a National Natural Landmark. While we explore the park we also learn about the unique history of the area, including its role during the Civil War and its past inhabitants, the Creek Indians. We also learn about the function of National Natural Landmarks in preserving and promoting the conservation of the United States' diverse natural areas. Join us on this exciting adventure to appreciate the natural beauty of Natural Bridge Park and see why it deserves national recognition. Check out the Seahorse and Co Website for free seashell identification guides!: https://www.seahorseandco.com/ Further reading on the “Free State of Winston”: https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/free-state-of-winston/ Further reading on National Natural Landmarks: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/what-are-the-nnls-in-your-neighborhood.htm?utm_source=article&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=experience_more&utm_content=large Film Credits: Written by: Chandler Olson and Emma Olson Filmed, and Edited by: Chandler Olson Featuring: Jacob Inman Hiking friends for this adventure: Nick Roberts and Tim Bushman Music: What We Once Started by River Rub Dry The Appalachian Trail by Hunter Quinn I Believe in New Beginnings by Constellate Five Tribes by Hunter Quinn Forever, Forever Ago by Blood Harmony Hootenanny by Dez Moran Bright Blue Skies by The Undertowns

Eastern Worm Snakes are awesome little snakes! Snake found by: Emma Olson Filmed and edited by: Chandler Olson Music: Deep South by Buddy Sulivan