Autumn Newsletter 2001 ( Volume 2, Number 4) Great SmokyTBI Mountains National Park, The Natural HistoryUARTERLY Assoc., Discover Life in America, and Friends of the Smokies A QBeetle Blitz: Scientists and Volunteers Converge on the Smokies in Quest for Coleoptera Rebecca Shiflett Rebecca Tom Rogers The Beetle Blitz, held from Thursday, 28 people divided into groups and scattered June through Sunday, 1 July, was a re- throughout the Park to collect. Each af- sounding success! Specimens represent- ternoon we met to sort the days collec- ing 62 beetle families were collected. tions and to organize for the next day or Researchers working at the blitz included for collecting that evening. Coleoptera TWIG leader Chris Carlton Over 70 DLIA volunteers partici- Keith Langdon (NPS) and Upward Bound and Victoria Moseley, both from Louisi- pated, including 50 high school students students ana State University, and Alexander from various parts of the Southeast in the Konstantinov from the USDA. Mike Tho- Upward Bound program for math and mas of the University of Florida worked science held at the University of Tennes- on the Cerambycidae and Cucujidae, see. Volunteer photographers docu- while Ed Riley of Texas A & M and Shawn mented the event, National Park staff Rebecca Shiflett Rebecca Clark of the West Virginia Department assisted with the effort, and local and of Agriculture worked on the national media conveyed the excitement Chrysomelidae. Alexey Tischechkin of of the project to the public. The program Louisiana State University worked on the culminated in a refreshing Smoky Moun- Histeridae. Roger Dajoz and wife Aline tain downpour, followed by a barbecue from France searched the unique and of- dinner for about 100 people, which was Tom Rogers and Ed Riley examining a ten challenging habitats of Great Smoky generously provided by Orkin Com- collection Mountains National Park. Even lepidop- pany. terists joined in! Dave Wagner, Univer- Researchers also took time to work sity of Connecticut and Brian Scholtens, on the Parks specimen collection. The Contents College of Charleston, made light traps collection work has pointed the way for available to the coleopterists and assisted future efforts. If the volunteer groups Beetle Blitz 1 Annual Conference 2 with guiding students in the field. Some prepare material in advance of a Beetle Diversity 3 of our work was supported by Discover researchers visit to the Park, then they Algal TWIG 4 Life in America (DLIA) grantsmonies can quickly work through the specimens Slime Molds 5 contributed by the Great Smoky Moun- to make identifications. This will be an Reptiles 6 tains Natural History Association and efficient alternative to a researcher re- Lepidoptera 7 Friends of the Smokies. ceiving specimens in alcohol and Gametophytes 7 Training for this event began March spending their valuable time mounting Biting Flies 8 10, with the DLIA spring volunteer week- and labeling each specimen. Sorting Leeches 9 end where new volunteers were pre- workshops planned for this fall and win- Soil Arthropods 10 sented with an overview of the ATBI pro- ter will be the next steps in training vol- Beetle Blitz Photos 11 gram and the various volunteer oppor- unteers to address this need. Other such Tremont Students 11 tunities available, including a discussion collecting ventures are in the works for Registration 12 of the Beetle Blitz. In June we met again the coming years, including another to learn the actual collecting methods to Lepidoptera Blitz in June of 2002. In our winter issue: explore be used during the blitz and we prepared microbial diversity with Steve to go into the field with the various re- Tom Rogers Wilhelm and learn about aquatic searchers and contribute to the process. DLIA Volunteer, oligochaetes from Mark Wetzel After an initial orientation and safety Science / Taxonomy Team Leader meeting the first morning of the event, [email protected] 1 Letter from DLIA President Frank Harris Events of September 11 have left us all in a state of shock and disbelief that something so horrible could happen in a civilized world. Our thoughts, prayers and compassion go out to all who have been touched by this tragedy. We dont realize how small our world has become until some event of such huge, horrific proportions makes us realize that we are but one or two steps removed from one another despite the physical distance that might Science Advisory Panel seem to matter. Let us each take the time to reflect on this event and from it determine Dr. Dan Janzen, University of Pennsylvania how we might change to make the world a better place. Dr. Tom Lovejoy, The World Bank Peace be with you, Dr. Ron Pulliam, University of Georgia Dr. Peter Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden Frank Harris Dr. Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University Oak Ridge National Laboratory Board of Directors [email protected]
Dr. Frank Harris - President and Chair Oak Ridge National Laboratory Annual Discover Life in America Conference The 2001 All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory - Discover Life in America Annual Conference Dr. Peter White - Vice-Chair will take place at the Glenstone Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee from November 28-De- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill cember 1. The meeting is being held earlier this year to allow for semester exams, and potentially bad weather. There have been many accomplishments over the past year, Mary H. Johnson - Vice-Chair Interstate Development Company such as new species discoveries, increased financial support, volunteer action, exciting prospects for science education, and plans for a new NPS Science Center to mention a Tom Kiernan - Secretary few! Dont miss this opportunity to join together to share knowledge, ideas, and visions National Parks Conservation Association for the future.
Charles Maynard - Treasurer Note that our volunteer photographers are hosting a Photo Workshop on Wednes- Friends of Great Smoky Mountains NP day, November 28, with classes, guest presenters, and field trips into the Park. Contact Kevin Fitz Patrick at 828-526-0272 or [email protected] to register. All other ATBI sessions Peter Alden, Concord, MA will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov. 30.
Glenn Bogart, Pi Beta Phi Elementary School VENUE: The meeting will be held at the newly refurbished Glenstone Lodge, His- toric Nature Trail (formerly Airport Road), P.O. Box 330, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Please George Briggs, North Carolina Arboretum make your own reservations by calling the Glenstone at 1-800-362-9522 or 865-436-9361. We have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate of $60.00 per night. Please tell Dr. Norm Johnson, Ohio State University them that you are with Discover Life in America for the ATBI Conference. The Glenstone Dr. Meredith Lane, Biodiversity Group, Lodge has again graciously provided us with meeting rooms at no charge. We are look- Academy of Natural Sciences ing forward to your participation. Dr. Rex Lowe, Bowling Green State University Fundraising and Development
Dr. John Morse, Clemson University Discover Life in America has accomplished so much in three short years with the help of a small army of volunteers. I have two more volunteer teams that I would like to add to Dr. John Pickering, University of Georgia the volunteer plan written by Jeanie Hilten; a Development Team and a Community Relations & Publicity Team. Stephanie Ramsey, Center for Disease Control The Development Team will work on special events and fundraisers for DLIA. The first event on our schedule is the Biodiversity Auction to be held on Thursday, Nov 29, Dr. Susan Riechert, University of Tennessee during the Annual Conference reception. Volunteers are needed to help obtain auction items and organize the event. It would be great to have a volunteer auctioneer in our midst. The David Scanlon, Great Smoky Mountains Development Team also will help with house parties, receptions, and other fundraising ac- Natural History Association tivities. Dr. Mike Sharkey, University of Kentucky The Community Relations & Publicity Team will help get out the word about DLIA. Volunteers can help the ATBI by tending booths or tables at community events like Earth Elizabeth Skillen, University of Georgia Day and professional and public meetings. This team may help with press conferences to
Staff bring attention to publications and media opportunities. We would like a volunteer rov- ing reporter to interview ATBI scientists and educators for newsletter and video presen- Jeanie Hilten, Administrative Officer tations. We could also use some help in preparing an ATBI-DLIA video or multimedia Emily Jones, Development Coordinator presentation. If you would like to work on these activities, please call Emily Jones at 865- 453-2428 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. 2 Mining Beetle Diversity in the Smokies Chris Carlton During June, a team of specialists from the Louisiana State own research are the predatory Arthropod Museum (LSAM) participated in the Beetle Blitz short-winged mold beetles (see front page) along with a large contingent of other scien- (Pselaphinae, one of several large tists, volunteers, and Upward Bound students. This was a won- subfamilies of staphylinid, or rove derful event and a great way to jump-start the beetle diver- beetles). Some, such as the bizarre- sity project. We and other ATBI specialists are now sorting and shaped Adranes lecontei, pictured, identifying. live in intimate association with How many beetle species are there in the Smokies? When ants. Their complete integration into asked this question at the media event during the blitz I confi- the social order of ant colonies is as- dently said 6000, a figure that was picked up by the Associ- Adranes lecontei, sociated with the evolution of spe- ated Press and quoted enough times in newspapers around illustration by Nancy Lowe cialized glands that produce secre- the country to make it sound plausible, and make me feel com- tions that the ants find irresistible. pelled to defend it. Less commonly quoted was my statement They are in turn fed by the ants to the effect that I was curious to discover how wrong I would through a specialized kind of regurgitation called trophallaxis, be when the results were final. In their and are generally cared for by the ants and 1998 checklist, S. Peck and M. Thomas re- treated somewhat like pets. Though consid- corded 4675 beetle species from Florida, How many beetle species ered to be rare, we collected a nice series of but emphasized that their list was only the are there in the Smokies? them in litter samples during the Beetle Blitz, beginning of understanding beetle diver- an example of what can be accomplished us- sity in the state. In eastern Oklahoma, co- ing specialized techniques. Many other spe- leopterist Karl Stephan collected over 3500 species from cies of short-winged mold beetles are restricted to GRSM and Latimer County (189,540 hectares) during approximately 20 adjacent mountains. Some species are known only from single years of effort. At 221,000 hectares, the Park is comparable in localities and some from only a single individual! area, but has dramatically greater topographic relief, habitat These are the kinds of arcane coleopteran jewels that will diversity and a moister climate, all of which promote high lev- send beetle diversity in the Smokies to my now famous (or els of diversity and local endemism (species restricted to a small infamous) 6000 species estimate. Give us 10 years and well area). Given these conditions for maximizing species diver- prove it! You can track progress on the beetle species count by sity and our current incomplete state of knowledge of many logging onto the Smokies Coleoptera TWIG website at beetle groups, I felt that a figure of 6000 was a reasonable up- www. agctr. lsu.edu/arthropodmuseum/smokybeetles.htm. per limit. Chris Carlton So which habitats will yield the most beetle species? Louisiana State University Our LSAM team will concentrate survey efforts on one of the [email protected] least understood habitats in the Park, forest litter. This strati- fied forest floor habitat has a top layer of freshly fallen leaves and woody debris and extends through a series of zones of finer organic matter to a basement of subsoil and bedrock.
Beetles are one of the most diverse insect Orders in this habi- Shiflett Rebecca tat niche and exhibit an amazing array of life history strate- gies and body forms, mostly in lilliputian sizes (as small as 0.5 mm). Many subsist on the abundant and diverse fungal de- composers of plant debris. Families of beetles such as hairy fungus beetles (Mycetophagidae), handsome fungus beetles (Endomychidae), pleasing fungus beetles (Erotylidae) and feather-winged beetles (Ptiliidae) all graze on mycelia and spores in the moldy litter, or feed on fruiting bodies (e.g., mush- rooms) that emerge from it. Other litter beetles are predatory, while a few feed directly on dead plant material or spend time Victoria Mosely and Chris Carlton search along the Indian Gap Trail in the litter only during their larval stages. The subjects of my
3 Latest Adventures of the Algal TWIG Shannon Gomez and Jeff Johansen
Johansen and Gomez initiated their ahead, already many interesting new study of the non-diatom algae this sum- records have been seen. mer. They were joined by Rex Lowe and Prior to this study, there were 408 al-
Shannon Gomez Amy Kireta (Bowling Green State Uni- gal species reported from the Park, of versity) and Klára Kubecková (South which 299 were diatoms. So far, Gomez Bohemia University) in May when they and Johansen have found 27 new spe- spent one week in the Park collecting cies records for the Park, of which 12 are subaerophytic algae. Eighty separate Cyanophyta, 14 are Chlorophyta, and 1 samples were collected at that time. is in the Tribonemophyceae (Hetero- Actinotaenium cucurbita, new species for the Samples were taken from wet rock faces Park representing nine different geological The algae of Great Smoky Mountains formations. These formations included: National Park are less well studied than Anakeesta, Thunderhead Sandstone, many of the other pPhyla. Two previous Basement Complex, Pigeon Siltstone, Shannon Gomez diatom studies have given us a relatively Longarm Quartzite, Roaring Fork Sand- large number of diatom records, but the stone, Metcalf Phyllite, Rich Butt Sand- soft algae have received only limited at- stone, and Cades Sandstone. Shannon tention. Jeff Johansen and Shannon and Klára returned in August and Gomez (of John Carroll University in sampled the Great Smoky Group, Wilhite Cleveland, Ohio) recently received a Formation and Elkmont Sandstone, and Xanthonema bristolianumand, new species for the Park grant from Discover Life in America to also re-sampled some of the other forma- study the non-diatom algae of tions. Sixty-two samples were collected subaerophytic habitats in the Park. in August. The samples collected repre- kontophyta). Of these, there are 8 new These habitats include springs and sent a pH range of 3.8 to 7.4, and com- generic records for the Park. In addition, seeps on rock surfaces, as well as the bined with the mineral differences in the they have found a large number of taxa moist splash zones of waterfalls. different formations, these samples rep- which are distinctive and unlike previ- resent an enormous diversity of algal ously described species (and also repre- habitat. senting more new generic records). At Direct examination of least some of these difficult taxa repre- living material was made sent new species, and will be the subject while the researchers were of further study this year. Although there in the Smokies and upon re- is much work to do to catalog all algal turning to John Carroll Uni- species, this study will certainly yield versity. Selected samples many more new records to the inventory were cultured on Bolds of species in the Park. basal medium, and a por- tion of every sample was Shannon Gomez and Jeff Johansen preserved in 3% formalin John Carroll University for later identification. [email protected] Some algal taxa can be cor- rectly identified only by ex- amining uni-algal cultures, as details of their life history are needed for proper iden- tification. Although much of the analysis remains
Klara Kubeckova, Jeff Johansen, and Shannon Gomez collecting algae along a rock outcrop
4 Dictyostelids are Slime Molds Too John Landolt
these spores can be redeposited in a dif- in making field collections. Park person- ferent locale to germinate and devour nel Chuck Parker and Ian Stocks have fresh supplies of bacteria. Viable cellular made field collections of soil and litter
Steve Stephenson slime mold spores have been recovered material to be examined for cellular slime from the wings of moths that have molds. Will Reeves (Clemson Univer- emerged from cocoons in the ground. sity), in the course of his ATBI entomol- Spores also have been found in the drop- ogy work has collected soil samples from pings of bats that feed on these moths. caves within the Park which have Evidence exists that migratory song- yielded interesting cellular slime mold birds regularly may ingest and transport records. The Tree Canopy Biodiversity J. Landolt collecting litter samples near spores for hundreds, or even thousands group headed by Harold Keller (Central the mouth of Gregorys Cave of miles between the tropics and higher Missouri State U.) provided sample lit- latitudes. ter material from the forest canopy that Dictyostelid cellular slime molds, like There are almost 100 described spe- contained a cellular slime mold record. their bigger, flashier myxomycete slime cies of cellular slime molds in the world. Cellular slime molds are likely to oc- mold cousins, play a role in influencing The tropical zone of the western hemi- cur in almost any setting. Interesting spe- the size of decomposer bacteria popula- sphere is home to the largest variety of cies, including new and different forms, tions living in soil and decaying leaf lit- forms, but it is likely that up to 25-30 % may occur in any number of microhabi- ter. In turn, cellular slime molds are uti- of these cellular slime mold species have tat types that exist in the Park where lized as food by protozoa, nematodes, distributions that overlap the borders of aerobic decomposition of litter by bacte- small arthropods and other small crea- Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ria takes place. If there are any other tures. However, since all of the life stages of cel- ATBI investigators or volunteers work- As individual amoebae, cellular lular slime molds are essentially micro- ing in situations of this sort and who slime molds may engulf and digest bac- scopic, it is almost impossible to observe would like to collect sample material to teria at such a rate that a small, local them in the field. Laboratory culturing process for the recovery of cellular slime population of bacteria within a cubic cen- from field collected soil and litter mate- molds, please contact me. timeter may be decimated. When this rial is required. obliteration of the bacterial food supply Prior to the ATBI initiative, about John C. Landolt occurs, a truly amazing transformation 10 species of this group had been re- Shepherd College of the slime mold takes place. Thousands corded from the Park. In just the last [email protected] of cellular slime mold amoebae that had three years, the number of species on this been operating as independent single- list has more than doubled. Survey work celled organisms, begin to stream to- for discovering cellular slime mold dis-
gether to form aggregations from which tributions has been conducted in only a Melissa Bolt arise larger, multicellular entities. Each few sites so far, with many areas in the multicellular pseudoplasmodium, be- Park yet to be examined. having now as a single creature, moves The cellular slime mold ATBI project in response to light and chemical stimuli, has become an example of a collabora- eventually develops different, special- tion not only among the individuals of ized cell types, and rearranges itself to the Slime Mold TWIG, but also with form a stalked structure bearing one or many others, including members of more packets of dispersible spore cells. other ATBI groups. Others who have Spores may remain dormant for become involved in the cellular slime months or germinate in a short time to mold component of the ATBI are under- liberate more amoeboid cells to feed on graduate students Melissa Bolt of North- replenished bacteria. The spores may be ern Virginia Community College (field ingested inadvertently by birds, rodents, collections) and Nancy Critzer from or amphibians foraging for food on the Shepherd College (laboratory processing From L. to R., John Landolt, Steve Stephenson and Jim Cavender at ground. After passing unharmed and analysis). DLIA Volunteers David Clingmans Dome through the animals digestive system, Stairs and Nancy Lowe have participated
5 Smoky Mountain Reptiles Ben Cash, Joshua Ennen, and James Webb
College and other institutions in all as- Ben Cash Ben Cash pects of the project, from web page de- sign and content, to various aspects of biological fieldwork. In short, a lot of ground has been covered to this point, but much work is ahead. Thanks to Janice Pelton and all the Park staff at Twin Creeks, and to Jeanie Hilten for her excellent assistance. Anyone interested in contributing to the reptile inventory please contact me. Two in the hand... Copperhead at Meadow Creek Fence lizards at Scott Mountain Ben Cash Maryville College The reptile inventory of Great Smoky catch individuals on the move, particu- [email protected] Mountains National Park is in full swing. larly snakes. Roofing tin has been spread Ben Cash, assistant professor of biology at various sites and has proven to be very at Maryville College, and two junior successful. Animals found dead on the Maryville College biology majors, Joshua road are being collected (we owe a debt ATBI Needs List Ennen and James Webb, spent the sum- of gratitude to Park Rangers for their as- mer months intensively sampling locali- sistance), and turtle trapping is being If you can donate any of these ties throughout the Park. conducted in streams, rivers and im- items or know of someone who There are 38 reptile species recorded poundments. Also, historic records from can, please call Emily Jones at from Great Smoky Mountains National museum data are being collected to pro- 865-453-2428 or Jeanie Hilten at Park. However, many of these records vide more distributional information. 865-430-4752. are based on a few individuals (or some- Currently, no species new to the times just one), leaving little knowledge Park have been recorded, but much new • Motel rooms and cabins (available on of the distribution of most species. Mon- information has been gathered to better weekdays) for scientists conducting field tane habitats of the Southeast are not understand the distribution of reptile research in the Park • Bottled water, snacks and refreshments species. For instance, the milk snake, his- generally known for their reptile diver- for scientist and student hospitality and sity. Add to that, the very cryptic nature torically known from only the special events of most reptile species and 221,000 hect- Cataloochee region in North Carolina, • Clothes washer and dryer for ATBI ares to cover, and this in large part ex- was found this summer in Cades Cove housing in the Park • plains why there is so little information on the Tennessee side. Thanks to efforts As always, financial contributions are gratefully accepted on occurrence and distribution of reptiles by Ken Dodd and his amphibian crew, in the Park. and to our trapping efforts this summer, A variety of methods are being used we have reconfirmed the common map Your financial contributions to to shed light on the species richness and turtle in Abrams Creek (previously based Discover Life in America will: distribution of reptiles in the Park, start- on one anecdotal account), and have a • ing with simply putting a lot of hiking better picture of its occurrence along the Provide graduate student stipends in the ATBI Sorting Center creek. miles under our belts. Turning rocks and • Underwrite costs of the ATBI Quarterly logs, the tried and true method of Our ATBI activities have also pro- newsletter ground-pounding herpetology, is being vided us with outstanding educational • Help us host the ATBI-DLIA annual con- applied. This method is typically fruit- opportunities. Drift fences (and soon tin) ference • ful and large geographic areas can be have been placed at the Tremont Insti- Purchase necessary scientific equip- ment for use in Bio-Blitzes and collect- tute (thanks to Paul Super) and at Pur- covered. In an effort to diversify our sam- ing, sorting, and cataloging activities pling techniques, we are also placing chase Knob (thanks to Susan Sachs). Our • Purchase film for volunteer photogra- temporary drift fences with screen fun- endeavors also are providing valuable phers to document new species found nel traps at selected areas in an effort to experience to students from Maryville in the Park
6 Acleris variana, one of about 125 species of Independent Fern Gametophytes leafrollers (family Paul Davison Tortricidae) recorded from the Park Fern gametophytes (plants that alternate generations; the hap- loid, gamete-producing phase) arent typically thought of when considering fern diversity. Yet Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to three of the fern gametophyte spe- cies known to science. These species were named in the early USDA 1990s by Don Farrar of Iowa State University and his col- leagues. Named from perennial gametophytic populations that Lepidoptera TWIG Branches Out have apparently lost the ability to produce sporophytes, Vittaria appalachiana, Trichomanes intricatum, and Hymenophyllum John W. Brown tayloriae are small plants only millimeters long and quite dif- With funds from Discover Life in America and the Smithsonian ferent from the typical fern gametophytes illustrated in gen- Biodiversity Program, equipped with ultraviolet lights, traps, eral biology texts. These gametophytes grow in filamentous sheets, and batteries, and spearheaded by the unflagging enthu- and branching, ribbon-like forms. They are usually interpreted siasm of David Wagner (University of Connecticut), the Lepi- to be relicts from the much warmer Tertiary Period when doptera TWIG is making considerable progress on its inventory sporophytic (spore-producing, diploid phase in a life cyle char- of the butterflies and moths of Great Smoky Mountains National acterized by alternation of generations) populations of the spe- Park. Although the Lepidoptera TWIG was rather slow out of cies presumably occurred. the blocks, the Bio-Blitz in July 2000, with approximately 30 par- With changing climatic conditions of the Pleistocene, it is ticipants from across the United States, stimulated much interest postulated that the sporophytes became extinct and the ga- and enthusiasm for this project within the community of profes- metophytes persisted in rock crevices and rock underledges sional lepidopterists. Since then, sampling has been conducted where they may still be found today. The persistence of ga- regularly from August through October 2000 and from May metophytes is possible due to their production of gemmae (a through September 2001. With over 150 blacklight trap samples small mass of vegetative tissue) from perennial gametophyte collected, we likely have examined over 30,000 specimens of Lepi- plants. Gametophytic gemmae, which are specialized means doptera. Vouchers of nearly all species are accumulating in the of asexual reproduction, are known only in three fern fami- collection of the National Museum of Natural History in Wash- lies, all tropical: Vittariaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, and ington D.C., with a synoptic set gradually returning to the Park Grammitidaceae. Each family is represented in the Southern collection at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Examples of certain tar- Appalachians by independently reproducing gametophytic get taxa have been preserved in 100% alcohol for future DNA populations. Grammitidaceae is represented by Grammitis studies examining relationships among groups at various taxo- nimbata (known from a single locality in Macon Co., N.C. and nomic levels. functional sporophytes in the West Indies). Vittariaceae is rep- Based upon collecting efforts so far, approximately 1,200 resented by Vittaria appalachiana, the most common of all the species of Lepidoptera have been recorded from the Park. It is gametophyte species and was first collected in east Tennessee estimated that the Park may support as many as 2,500 species, by Aaron Jack Sharp in 1930. Hymenophyllaceae is repre- about 20% of the entire moth and butterfly fauna of America sented by two gametophytic species, the widespread north of Mexico. Some of the more interesting finds include a Trichomanes intricatum (Vermont to Alabama) and the much new species of Geometridae (the inchworm family) in a tribe pre- rarer Hymenophyllum tayloriae which was until recently, known viously unrecorded from North America; several new species of from northwest Alabama and a few counties in the narrow fungivorous Tineidae (the clothes moth family); and two inter- region bordering North Carolina, South Carolina, and Geor- esting southern range extensions of boreal Tortricidae (the leaf- gia. roller family). While the butterflies and macro-moths of the This summer, Hymenophyllum tayloriae was added to the Park are becoming relatively well known, there is still much to known flora of Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains Na- be discovered about the microlepidoptera fauna. tional Park. Three populations were found in the Park during Future activities involving the Lepidoptera TWIG include two days of field surveys sponsored by the Tennessee Natural continued survey work throughout 2001 (except during the win- Heritage Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In- ter when few species fly), development of a more rigorous data- dividual plants are nearly microscopic, typically only a few base to quantify differences and similarities among sampling sites, cells wide, and were found with the aid of a flashlight and additional preservation of specimens in alcohol for future mo- close examination of rock ledges along stream ravines. To see lecular analyses, and another Bio-Blitz in June of 2002. Stay tuned images of Hymenophyllum tayloriae and the other species of in- for more news from the Lepidoptera TWIG. dependent fern gametophytes, see the web site: http:// www.goldsword.com/sfarmer/ATBI/. John W. Brown Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA Paul Davison [email protected] University of North Alabama [email protected] 7 The Hidden Diversity Inside Biting Flies Will Reeves Of all the insects in the Park, biting flies are one of the few This summer we collected and identified over 30 species groups encountered by most visitors. Few people can hon- of biting flies from the Park. These include several new state estly say that a mosquito has never bitten them and most visi- or Park records for black flies and mosquitoes. Two undescribed tors can identify mosquitoes, black flies, punkies, deer flies, black flies were collected in the Park, and we expect to find and horse flies. Biting flies are among the best-studied groups several other undescribed flies. The symbiont diversity has of insects because they are the single most destructive group been exceptional. An insect virus was detected in the Parks of animals in the world. Blood-feeding flies transmit viruses, tree hole mosquitoes. A previously unreported pathogenic bac- bacteria, protozoa, and worms to their hosts. These same flies terium was isolated and identified from black fly larvae in also play host to their own symbiotic organisms. In truth, in- sect symbionts (an organism living in association with a dis- Great Smoky Mountains National Park has over 100 similar organism) are among the most diverse taxa in the world. species of biting flies and we expect at least 100 Almost every insect species has species of symbionts to be associated with these flies. at least one species-specific sym- biont and some insects can have North Carolina. A possible new microsporidian parasite of a dozen symbiotic species. To Will Reeves mosquitoes was also discovered. We have identified over six start cataloging the diversity of species of symbiotic trichomycete fungi from black flies and symbiotic organisms in the Park mosquitoes and one of these is potentially undescribed. we needed to focus our efforts on Trypanosomatids and a complex of parasites have been iden- taxonomically well known hosts. tified in mosquitoes, black flies, and deer flies from the Park, Great Smoky Mountains Na- and some of these include probable new species, state, or Park tional Park has over 100 species records. Symbiotic ciliates have also been identified from mos- of biting flies and we expect at quitoes in the Park, some of which are benign commensals, least 100 species of symbionts to but others appear to be parasitic. be associated with these flies. The worlds first record of a larval nematomorph (horse- Hippoboscidae, Order Diptera This number could easily exceed hair worm) in a larval black fly was made from a seepage on 1000. Biting flies are the ideal group for this study, because the North Carolina side of the Park. Four species of most are identifiable to species and are easy to collect. Eleven nematomorphs have been identified from the Park, and some families of biting flies might be found in the Park and that of these use flies as intermediate hosts. On a more ominous means the symbiont diversity could be enormous. note, a nematode resembling dog heartworm was dissected My advisor Peter Adler and I received a DLIA grant for from a mosquito at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and a pos- the first multi-TWIG based study focusing on biting flies and sible new species of insect pathogenic nematode was found their symbionts. Biting flies fall under the Diptera TWIG, but in 25% of the larval black flies in the Mingus Mill millrace. their symbionts include other arthropods, bacteria, fungi, Even other arthropods are parasitic on biting flies. Parasitic nematodes, nematomorphs, platyhelminths, protozoa, viruses, mites were discovered feeding on mosquitoes in the Park. and even plants. The initial results from our survey indicate Overall the symbiotic fauna associated with biting flies is di- verse and under-reported. All of this points to the possibility that a significant amount of the diversity in the Park may be for a richer fauna in the more diverse groups like Coleoptera among the symbionts of insects. or Hymenoptera to exist. Sampling biting flies involves collecting larvae from tree I urge anyone working under a valid permit in the Park holes, streams, and roadside ditches or trapping adults with who encounters biting flies to collect them. I am very inter- nets and dry ice baits. To isolate and identify symbionts, the flies must be kept alive and examined in a laboratory under a ested in examining any fly that bites you or animals you are microscope. Detection of symbiotic organisms often involves working with. We know very little about the feeding habits of hundreds of fly dissections before the symbionts are discov- biting flies on wildlife; even amphibians are preyed upon by ered. Preservation and identification often involves hazard- some species of mosquitoes and screw- worms. With the grow- ous chemicals, electron microscopy, or molecular techniques. ing interest in West Nile Virus and other insect-transmitted Some parasitic organisms must be reared to the adult stage or pathogens, the results of our research will be useful in under- cultured before they are identified. The species composition standing wildlife and human diseases in the Park. of both flies and their symbionts changes with the weather and season. Weekly collections of biting flies allow us to moni- Will Reeves tor species changes in both the symbionts and hosts during Clemson University the year. [email protected]
8 Leeches of Great Smoky Mountains National Park William Moser and Donald J. Klemm
Readily recognized by their segmented In North America, there are approxi- bodies and suction discs, leeches are an mately 80 species of leeches with an es- interesting and diverse monophyletic timated 37 species in the Southern Ap- group within the Phylum Annelida, Sub- palachians (Northern Georgia, North phylum Clitellata. The word leech is Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee). derived from the Anglo-Saxon loece, to To date, we have found 8 species new to William Moser heal, in reference to the early bloodlet- Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ting practices of western medicine. How- In the Park, there are leeches that blood- ever, the name usually brings reactions feed on fish (uncommon), frogs, sala- of disgust and fear, due manders, and turtles or to the voracious blood- consume invertebrate feeding habits of a few Contrary to popular be- body fluids or tissue species. In actuality, lief, collecting leeches is (including the possibil- leeches exhibit a diverse not just a passive sport. ity of 2 terrestrial leech range of feeding strate- species that eat earth- gies. Approximately worms and can be half are host-specific vertebrate blood- found underneath rotten logs). Contrary feeders and the other half feed on inver- to popular belief, collecting leeches is not tebrate tissue and/or body fluids. Leeches just a passive sport. Leeches are readily are an important component of ecosys- collected underneath submerged sub- tems. They serve as indicators of water strata (e.g. logs, sticks, rocks) via dip-net, Dorsal surface of Placobdella papillifera (turtle leech) pollution and often are top predators. and bait traps. From May through Au- However, they are often ignored or iden- gust, Glossi-phoniidae (a family in the tified only as leech in many analyses Order Rhynchobdellida) are readily which limits their utility as indicators. found underneath submerged substrata. Identification keys are available, and In this portion of their life history, they specimens are easy to identify to family, gather to breed and then brood their William Moser genus, and species. membranous cocoon full of eggs. The Leeches are hermaphroditic (pos- parent broods the eggs until they hatch sessing both male and female sex or- and develop, and then takes its young gans), deposit eggs within a cocoon that to their first meal. is secreted by the clitellum, have direct Field biologists in the Park who en- development of the young (i.e. no larval counter leeches in the course of their stage) and a fixed number of body seg- studies are asked to collect and preserve ments. Based upon their digestive them in 70% ethanol, taking appropri- anatomy, leeches are further divided into ate field data. Fish leeches are especially two Orders: leeches with a muscular uncommon and specimens would be sig- pharynx with or without teeth and jaws nificant finds. (Arhynchobdellida); and leeches with a protrusible proboscis (Rhynchobdellida). William Moser There are approximately 600 described Smithsonian Institution species world-wide inhabiting freshwa- [email protected] ter, marine and terrestrial ecosystems from the marine waters of the North Pole Donald J. Klemm to the Antarctic Ocean. USEPA, Ecosystems Research Branch Ventral surface of Helobdella triserialis [email protected] (snail leech), brooding eggs
9 Underfoot and All Around Ernest C. Bernard I have been using the above phrase for a insect larvae among the larger beetles, year or more to try to convey how com- and springtails and diplurans among the pletely surrounded we are by thousands smaller beetles. Japygids have powerful of species, many unknown, regardless of pinching cerci for manipulating any soft- where we are. A great mystery of the bodied prey they can catch (FIG 2). Pseu- All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in Great doscorpions (FIG 3), less than 5 mm long, Smoky Mountains National Park is the are specialists on small Collembola and actual number of arthropod species. other tiny arthropods. Mites, tardigrades Whereas vertebrates are well-enumer- (FIG 4), and predacious nematodes all ated, we have just foggy guesses on most feed on soil nematodes, the most abun- arthropod Orders. A statement com- dant invertebrates on earth. Enumerat- Fig. 1. Poison fangs of a 50-mm long monly heard before the ATBI really scolopendrid centipede ing the biota of the Park will enable us started rolling was, Weve got a good to understand niche breadths and pro- list of that Order, U. Seeum compiled it vide at least a qualitative understanding back in the 1960s. But Betty Doesnt of species interactions. quickly finds that the once-impressive Unexpected pleasures for the eye list is missing many species because also can be found among the humble Seeum and his predecessors collected inhabitants of soil and litter. In preser- along roads during the tourist season vative, a common Smokies springtail, and missed many important plant asso- Tomocerus elongatus, is light yellow with ciations. So it is playing out in projects thin purple marginal stripes, because its that Chuck Parker and I are now head- dense scales are instantaneously dis- Fig. 2. A japygid (Metajapyx sp.). Note the ing. For instance, Matt Petersens ongo- lodged by immersion. But if live speci- strong forceps-like cerci on the posterior on this ing study of crane flies (Tipulidae), a mens are collected and maintained in 15-mm long specimen supposedly well-documented group in culture until they molt, a breathtakingly GRSM, has yielded numerous new Park beautiful animal appears (FIG 5), as records and several new species, includ- splendidly and intricately patterned as ing one more than an inch long. Since any butterfly, with bold stripes, checker- the larvae of many Tipulidae are terres- board patterns, and shimmering irides- trial, they must have considerable spe- cence. As much as good data, such un- cialization for different microhabitats, of expected delights make these projects which almost nothing is known in worthwhile. GRSM. Detrital food webs in temperate Ernest C. Bernard mixed forests are exceedingly complex, University of Tennessee and so we can expect to find different [email protected] Fig. 3. Pseudoscorpions (about 3 mm long) often move to new habitats by latching on to species arrays at each node. Each species flies occupies a unique multidimensional niche comprised of food source, space, soil pore size, moisture, seasonality, and so forth. Thus, in a single litter sample we will find numerous predator taxa, each specializing in prey of a certain size or type. At the top end are scolopendrid centipedes, some several inches long, which possess powerful poison fangs (FIG 1) for attacking beetles, millipedes, and spiders. All spiders and many beetles Fig. 5. Newly molted Tomocerus elongatus Fig. 4. A tardigrade (1.5 mm long) consuming themselves are predacious, but they tend (3 mm long), showing brilliantly contrasting a soil nematode to use smaller and softer prey, such as white stripes and spots
10 July 2001 Beetle Blitz Photo Album Paul Super Paul Kevin Fitz Patrick Fitz Kevin
GSMIT students Erin Henegar and Meredith Jagger labelling beetles ATBI Beetle Blitz Volunteers Tremont Students Erin Henegar and Meredith Jagger
Spending ones summer in a national park sure beats flipping burgers at a fast food es- tablishment! Although we were not quite Shiflett Rebecca sure what to expect from our jobs, we have certainly enjoyed our experiences made pos- sible by a Discover Life in America grant to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT). One of this summers fo- cuses for the ATBI was to identify as many beetles as possible living in the Smoky Moun- tains. The Beetle Blitz greatly aided this en- Upward Bound students observing deavor by bringing experts and volunteers to- gether for a four-day intensive search. Dur- ing the blitz, we had the privilege of assisting M. and Mme. Dajoz, a French ecologist and his wife, in their investigation of the old- growth forest beyond Laurel Falls. The other Shiflett Rebecca areas we searched included: Cove Mountain Trail, Abrams Creek, Foothills Parkway, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. We offered many explanations about our beetle collect- ing to curious Park visitors, many of whom voiced support of the effort. Dave Wagner and Besides the Beetle Blitz, our ATBI du- students examining ties include many activities at GSMIT. specimens Weekly, we set out pollinator traps and col- lected bee specimens from different eleva- tions. A refrigerator moth trap is also set regularly; on one occasion, we aided in identifying 45 species of moths. Paul Super, Shiflett Rebecca the Tremont Science Education Specialist, was instrumental in directing our efforts this summer. We would like to thank Paul Super and the DLIA organization for allow- ing us the opportunity to work in and learn more about the Park.
Erin Henegar and Meredith Jagger Mike Thomas and GSMIT-ATBI Research Assistants students sorting
11 ATBI-DLIA Annual Conference November 28-December 1, 2001 The Glenstone Lodge, Gatlinburg, Tennessee Presenting Discoveries of Life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Biodiversity Auction The National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, Discover Life in America, and Friends of the Smokies To be held at the ATBI Conference Conference Featured Speakers Thursday evening, Michael J. Donoghue - G.E. Hutchinson Professor in Yale University¹s Nov. 29 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology to benefit the 2002 Grant Program Michael Soukup - Associate Director of Natural Resource Stewardship and Science,
National Park Service What to Bring: General Schedule: An item to donate to the auction Wednesday, November 28 - *Photography Workshop that represents the taxa you work 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm on, the institution you work for Thursday, November 2 - General Sessions and Guest Speakers 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or that is somehow related to the Reception, Musical Jam Session, Biodiversity Auction All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Use your imagination and sense Friday, November 30 - General Sessions and Guest Speakers 8:00 am to 5:00 pm of fun. It can be a dragonfly pin, Saturday, December 1 - Discover Life in America Board Meeting an old hand lens, a stuffed ani- 9:00 am to 12:00 pm mal, a gift certificate to the Trout * Please register separately to Kevin Fitz Patrick
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