Desert+Facts

=**__ ​​ ​​ Biomes Facts Page__**= By Elise M. and Nick T.

__Desert Monerans:__
Definition: One of the five kingdoms of living organisms in the five-kingdom classification. They do not have a nucleus, and are single-celled organisms.

Scientific Name: //Streptomyces rimosus// Shape: Bocilli //Streptomyces rimosus// is a bacteria found in the soil. It is interesting to note that it is used as antibiotic. It may not be evident from the picture below at first glance, but if you look close enough, the shape is bocilli, not spirilla.



__Desert Varnish:__ Another type of moneran that exists in the desert is Desert Varnish. The scientific name is //Pedomicrobium manganicum.// This particular moneran is cocci shaped. Desert varnish is located on mountain peaks, and boulders that recieve lots of sun. It appears as a very colorful layer of paint on a surface. Here is a picture of what desert varnish looks like on a mountain. (See picture below.)





=__**Desert Protists:**__=

===One type of protozoan that lives in the desert is //Trichonympha agilis//. They live in the intestines of termites, and they help them digest wood by digesting the cellulose in the termites. (Cellulose is a carbohydrate that lives in the cell walls of plants and wood.) The actual digesting is done by the bacteria that lives inside of the protozoan.=== =Algae= Protist algae are protists with chlorophyll used to produce their own food and a cell wall. //Ochromonas ostreaeformis:// //Ochromonas ostreaeformis// is a protist algae that lives in Antarctica in a frozen saline lake name Lake Bonney. Presumably, there is no common name, for it lives in Antarctica where no one lives.

= = =__Desert Fungi __=

=== One type of fungus that lives in the desert is //Choiromyces aboriginum//. It is in the phylum Ascomycota. The definition of this phylum of fungi is that they are a cup shaped fungus that is distinguished by having an ascus, which is a spore-bearing cell. The common name is Native Truffle. This type of fungus can live in any biome except for the open ocean, however this fungi is most common in the dry area's of South America and Western and Northern Australia. ===

Species: a//boriginum//


=== Another fungi-like organism that lives in the desert is lichens. The defintion of a lichen is cells living inside a compact mass of fungal tissue that live in places with very extreme temeratures, therefore they thrive in the desert. One specific type of lichen that lives in the desert is //Acarospora schleicheri.// The common name is Schleicher's Cracked Lichen. This fungi is in the phylum Ascomycota, which means that it is cup-shaped and contains an ascus, as shown above. In the United States, this lichen is the most common in Nevada. ===

= Here is the taxonomy: =

Species: //schleicheri//


Zygomycota is a phylum of fungus that is defined as a division of fungi having sexually produced zygospores

Scientific name: //Mortierella antarctica// Full Taxonomy: Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Zygomycota Class: Zygomycetes Order: Mortierellales Family: Mortierellaceae Genus: //Mortierella// Species: //antarctica//

Basidiomycota is another phylum of kingdom Fungi that is define as A large subdivision of the kingdom Fungi coextensive with the phylum Basidiomycetes, characterized by having the spores borne on a basidium.

Scientif name: //Fistulina antarctica// Full Taxonomy: Kindom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Class: Basidiomycetes Order: Argaricales Family: Fistulinaceae Genus: //Fistulina// Species: //antarctica//

Below is a picture of //Fistulina antarctica//: Based on it's scientific name, this fungi was //__discovered__// in Antarctica. Though this picture was indeed taken in a forest, it isn't restricted instanly from growing in Anarctica, or, since its species is //antarctica,// it isn't restricted to only living in Antarctica.

= __Desert Plants__ = = Definiton: Plants are multi-cellular organisms that have cell walls and contain chlorophyll. = = = Barrel Cactus The Barrel Cactus is found in the Mojave, Sanora, and Chihuahua deserts, which are located in Arizona, California, and Central Mexico. The scientific name is //Ferocactus wislizeni.// The definition of the class Magnoliopsida or dicots, is a class of Magnoliophyta that have seed plants that produce an embryowith paired cotyledons and net vained leaves. Taxonomy: 




Joshua Tree The Joshua Tree only grows in the Mojave Desert. The scientific name is //Yucca brevifolia.// The definition of the class Liliopsida or monocots, is flowering plants that are distinguished by having one cotyledon.(embryonic leaves). They also are parallel veined. 

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Pylum: Tracheophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Amaryllidales Family: Agavaceae Genus: //Yucca// Species: //brevifolia// = =

Neckera Moss
====The scientific name of Neckera Moss is //Neckera complanata.// This plant lives only in cold desert areas like Antarctica. It is in the Class Bryopsida which is in the Phylum Bryophyta. The definition of this phylum is nonflowering plants that have rhizoids instead of roots. Rhidoids are a rootlike filament in mosses, liverworts, and ferns. The class Bryopsida contains all mosses in the Phylum Bryophyta.====

Arizona Smooth Cypress
====The scientific name of the Arizona Smooth Cypress is //Cupressus arizonica.// It is found in the Sonaran Desert mainly in the bottom of Canyons. The Arizona Smooth Cypress is in the class Pinopsida. The definition of Pinopsida is conifers in the division Pinophyta.====

Resurrection Plant The scientific name of the Resurrection Plant is //Selaginella lepidophylla.// The range that the resurrection plant lives in is fromTexas and Arizona to El Salvador. It can be found on rocks or in dry soil. The resurrection plant is in the Division Lycopodiophyta. The definition of this division is a group in Kingdom Plantae that consists of club mosses, quillworts, and spikemoss. The Class Lycopodiopsida includes all of the club mosses. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Lycopodiopsida (Lycopsida) Order: Selaginellales Family: Selaginellaceae Genus: //Selaginella// Species: //lepidophylla//



Cardboard Palm The scientific name of the Cardboard Palm is //Zamia furfuracea//. It lives in Arizona in the Sonaran Desert and in Mexico, which is where it originated. It is in the Class Cycadopsida. The definition of this Class is all tropical and subtropical palmlike evergreens that are cycads. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Cycadopsida Order: Cycadales Family: Zamiaceae Genus: //Zamia// Species: //furfuracea//



Cowville's Lip Fern The scientific name of the Cowville's Lip Fern is //Cheilanthes covillei.// It can be found in deserts in Australia. It is in the Class Filicopsida. The definition of that is a subdivion of Pteridophyta (Psilotophyta) that contains wisk ferns. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Filicopsida Order: Filicales Family: Adiantaceae Genus: //Cheilanthes// Species: //covillei//

Species: //gigantea//
The Saguaro Cactus lives **//only//** in the Sonoran desert, and only in a certain area.

Defintion of Liliopsida, which is the same as Monocots: a class in Magnoliophyta comprising of seed plants that produce an embryo with a single cotyledon and parallel-veined leaves.

Scientific Name: //Agave lechuguilla// Common Name(s): Agave, Agave (Lechuguilla), Lecheguilla, Lecheguilla Agave, Lechuguilla, Shin Dagger, Tampico Fiber Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae (undefined): Angiosperm (undefined): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Agavaceae Genus: //Agave// Species: //lechuguilla

Agave lechuguilla// is found only in the Chihuanhuan Desert.

Definition of Gnetopsida: a gymnospermous flowering plant.

Scientific Name: //Ephedra antisyphilitica// Common Name(s): Clap-Weed, Clapweed, Ephedra, Erect Ephedra, Joint Fir, Joint-Fir, Mormon Tea, Popote, Teopopote, Tepopote Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Gnetopsida Order: Gnetales Family: Ephedraceae Genus: //Ephedra// Species: //antisyphilitica//

Lives in the Southern Great Plains.

Definition of Lycopodiophyta, part of Tracheophyta: A division of the subkingdom Embryobionta characterized by a dominant independent sporophyte, dichotomously branching roots and stems, a single vascular bundle, and small, simple, spirally arranged leaves.

Scientific Name: //Selaginella eremophila// Common Name(s): Spike Hoss, desert spike moss, desert spikemoss Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Lycopodiopsida Order: Selaginellales Family: Birrhoidea Genus: //Selaginella// Species: //eremophila//

Found in California and to Arizona, to Baja California, to New Mexico, to Texas. 

Scientific Name: //Woodsia cochisensis// Common Name(s): Cochise Cliff Fern, Cochise Woodsia Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Pteridophyta Class: Filicatae Order: Filicales Family: Woodsiaceae Genus: //Woodsia// Species: //cochisensis//

//Woodsia cochisensis// lives in southeast Arizona.

Scinetific Name: //Equisetum hyemale// Common Name(s): Horsetail, Scouring Rush, Common Scouring Rush, Rough Scouring Rush, Bottlebrush, Field Horsetail, Rough Horsetail, Pewterwort, Dutch Rush Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Equisetopsida Order: Equisetales Family: Equisetaceae Genus: //Equisetum// Species: //hyemale//

//Equisetum hyemale// is found in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Definition: Kingdom Animalia consists of multi-cellular organisms that digest their food inside of their body.
 * __Desert Animals__**

__ Vertebrates: (Phylum Chordata) __ Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone that is either calcium based or cartilage.

Bobcat The scientific name of the Bobcat is //Felis rufus.// The bobcat can be found in almost every desert, but they are most common in the Southwest Desert because they like the rocky terrain. The definition of the class Mammalia is warm blooded vertebrates that have hair, are born alive, and nourished with milk. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: //Felis// Species: //rufus//  Banded Gila Monster The scientific name of the Banded Gila Monster is //Heloderma suspectum//. This animal is mainly found in the Mojave Desert. The definiton of the class Reptillia is air-breathing, cold blooded animals whose skin is covered in scales or scutes. They also lay eggs. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptillia Order: Squamata Family: Helodermatidae Genus: //Heloderma// Species: //suspectum//

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl The scientific name of this type of owl is //Glaucidium brisilianum//. This animal lives in Southern Arizona and Southwestern Mexico at elevations below 4,000 ft. The definiton of the class Aves is winged, warm-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs and are more commonly known as birds. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Genus: //Glaucidium// Species: //brisilianum//



Sonaran Desert Toad The scientific name of this type of animal is //Bufo// //alvarius//.The Sonaran Desert Toad lives in the Sonaran Desert and in the Colorado River. It is in the class Amphibia. The definition of this class is animals that live part of their life in the water with gills and the other part on land with lungs. They have two pairs of legs, they lay eggs, they have smooth skin, and are ectotherms. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phlyum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: //Bufo// Species: //alvarius//

Humpback Chub The scientific name of the Humpback Chub is //Gila cypha.// It lives in the Colorado River, which is located in the Grand Canyon, which is a desert area. It is in the class Osteichthyes, which means Bony fish. These have gills, skeletons made of bones, two pairs of fins. They also lay eggs and are ectotherms. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Osteichthyes Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae Genus: //Gila// Species: //cypha//



Nine Banded Armadillo

Scientific Name: //Dasypus novemcinctus// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cinqulata Family: Dasypodidiae Genus: //Dasypus// Species: //novemcinctus//

Definition of Class Mammalia: warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female. This armadillo is the found in North and South America, and is the only armadillo that lives in the United States (Texas, and is the state animal).



Collared Peccary

Scientific Name: //Pecari tajacu// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Tayassuidae Genus: //Pecari// Species: //tajacu//

Definition of Class Mammalia: warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female. The Peccary lives in the Sonoran and the Chihuahuan Deserts, New Mexico, Arizona, and southward from Cental America to northern Argentina.

The Great Blue Heron

Scientific Name: //Ardea herodias// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Pelicaniformes Family: (Not found) Genus: //Ardea// Species: //herodias//

Definition of Class Aves: bipedal, warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrate animals. The Great Blue Heron lives from southern Alaska and southern Canada southward across the entire contiguous United States and into Mexico, Central America, northern Colombia and Venezuela, the Caribbean Islands and even the Galápagos Islands. __

Invertebrates:__ Invertebrates are animals that do NOT have a backbone.

Desert Hairy Scorpion The scientific name is //Hadrurus arizonensis.// It is in the phylum Arthropoda. The definition of this phylum is an amimal that has an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages. This type of scorpion lives mainly in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachrida Order: Scorpiones Family: Vaejovidae Genus: //Hadrurus// Species: //arizonensis//



Golden Fossaria The scientific name of this animal is //Fossaria obrussa//. It lives in the Grand Canyon and the Colarado River corridor. It is in the phylum Molluska. The definition of this phlylum is soft bodied animals with well developed organ systems. Some have hard shells. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phlyum: Molluska Class: Gastropoda Order: Basommatophora Family: Chalcidoidea Genus: //Fossaria// Species: //obrussa//



Hondelintworm The scientific name of the Hondelintworm is //Dipylidium caninum//.This animal can be found in the desert living in large mammals, for example bobcats or mountain lions. They live in their intestines. This animal is in the phylum Platyhelminthes. The definition of this phylum is anials that are parasites with one opening for food and waste. They also have a simple nervous system. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Platyhelminthes Class: Cestoda Order: Cestodaria Family: Dilepididae Genus: //Dipylidium// Species: //caninum//



Southern Fire Ant

Scientific Name: //Solenopsis xyloni// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Anthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Scolioidea Genus: //Solenopsis// Species: //xyloni//

Definition of Phylum Anthropoda: characterised by the possession of a segmented body with appendages on each segment. The Southern Fire Ant lives from the Carolinas to Georgia through lowland Tennessee and south-central Kansas to California.



Killer Bee

Scientific Name: //Apis mellifera// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Anthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Genus: //Apis// Species: //mellifera//

Definition of Phylum Anthropoda: characterised by the possession of a segmented body with appendages on each segment. The Killer Bee can be found in South and Central America, and the southern U.S. States, particuallary the ones bordering Mexico.

Black Widow Spider

Scientific Name: //Latrodectus hesperus// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Anthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus: //Latrodectus// Species: //hesperus//

Definition of Phylum Anthropoda: characterised by the possession of a segmented body with appendages on each segment. Black Widow spiders inhabit most of the warmer regions of the world to a latitude of about 45 degrees N. and S. They occur throughout all four deserts of the American Southwest.

(No Common Name Listed)

Scientific Name: //Zeldia spannata// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Nematoda Class: Chromadorea Order: Rhabditida Family:Celphalobidae Genus: //Zeldia// Species: //spannata//

Definition of Phylum Nematoda: A phylum of worms, having a long, round, and generally smooth body. //Z. spannata// lives in the Mojave Desert.



(No Common Name Found)

Scientific Name: //Ephydatia muelleri// Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera Class: Demonspongiae Order: Haposclerida Family: Spongillidae Genus: //Ephydatia// Species: //muelleri//

Definition of the Phylum Porifera: Sponges. //E. muelleri// is found in the Sonoran Desert, in Lake Apache.

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