Tundra+Facts

**Monerans in the Tundra - Monerans are single-celled organisms that don't contain a nucleus.** There are six kingdoms of //__ all __// living things. Usually we only notice two of them, the plants and animals, but the largest is really the single celled monerans, or more commonly known as bacteria. They surround us in every condition possible. Because of the extremely cold climates in the tundra, not many monerans can be found. Most monerans in the tundra live around plant roots and inside animals that live in this biome. There are some monerans, though, that can survive the harsh and unforgiving climate of the mighty tundra. ** Protists in the Tundra - Protists are mostly single celled organisms, all containing organelles and a nucleus ** 1.//Rhodomonas minuta// - Also known as Ice Algae, this Protist is an algae that lives in tundra lakes, ponds, and moist soil. Algae Protists are "plant like", having cell walls and containing chlorophyll. Algae Protists are "plant-like", having cell walls and containing clorophyll.
 * Tundra Facts** **Tasneem S., Eli H., Zac H.**
 * 1) * //Asticcacaulis excentricus// is found in the wetlands of the tundra. They can live in temperatures from 4 degrees to 28 degrees Celcius. Their optimum living temperature is 15 to 20 degrees Celcius. It is rod shaped.
 * 2) //*// //Asticcacaulis biprosthecium// is very much like //Asticcacaulis excentricus//. They live in tundra wetlands and can live in temperatures as low as 4 degrees and as high as 30 degrees Celcius, although they feel most comfortable at around 17-20 degrees Celcius. It is rod shaped.
 * 3) * //Methylocella tundrae// is, as the name refers, one of those rare things that prefer to live in the heart of the cold desert-like arctic tundra. It is similar to //Methylocella silvestris,// and is acidic based. It is methanotrophic, mean[[image:methylocella.jpg width="168" height="165" align="right" caption="moneran # 3"]]ing it feeds on methane, its source of carbon. It is cocci shaped.

//2.Tetrahymena pyriformis-// A protozoan that lives in the freshwater of the northern hemisphere including the tundra lakes and ponds in the warmer times during the year. It is a parasite and causes legionella pneumophila. A protozoan is like a pre-animal, so it is "animal-like" with no cell wall or chlorophyll unlike the algae. It is also a ciliate.

//3.Sarcocystis rauschorum-// This is a protozoan in the tundra. A protozoan is an "animal-like" cell that has no cell wall or chlorophyll. //Sarcocystis rauschorum// is a parasite that lives in the tundra inside animals such as lemmings. This parasite affects the behavior of the lemming, making it more susceptible to predators, and making it react to predator threats inappropriately.

= Fungi in the Tundra = Fungi are multi-cellular containing no chlorophyll, and they absorb their food. Also, they contain a nucleus.

Ascomycota (phylum) - cup shaped //Parmelia sulcata// Shield lichen is the common name of //Parmelia sulcata//. This lichen is known to live on trees, and sometimes rocks, in the tundra. They are more abundant in the short summertime of the tundra.
 * Kingdom - Fungi
 * Phylum - Ascomycota
 * Class - Lecanoromycetitdae
 * Order - Lecanoralls
 * Family - Parmeliaceae
 * Genus - //Parmelia//
 * Species - //sulcata//

Ascomycota (phylum) - cup shaped //Caloplaca saxicola//

Kingdom: //Fungi// Phylum: //Ascomycota// Class: //Lecanoromycetes/// Order: //Teloschistales// Family: //Teloschistaceae// Genus: //Caloplaca// Species: //saxicola// Rock Jewel Lichen is often refered as //Caloplaca saxicola.// Its commonly found on rocks in the alpine tundra, such as the Rocky Mountains.

//Basidiomycota// is a phylum of fungi with closely packed filaments.
 * Kingdom: Fungi
 * Phylum: Basidiomycota
 * Class: Agaricomycetes
 * Order: Agaricales
 * Family: Pluteaceae
 * Genus: //Amanita//
 * Species: //muscaria//

The common name for this species is Fly agaric. Fly agaric lives in the tundra of Siberia.

Chytridiomycota (phylum) - Lives in water and soil (microscopic) //Blastocladiella emersonii//
 * Fungi
 * chytridiomycota
 * chyiridiomycetes
 * blastocladiales
 * blastocladiaceae
 * //Blastocladiella//
 * //emersonii//

This microscopic organism is found in tundra lakes and ponds.

Ascomycota (phylum) -cup shaped //Haematomma lapponicum// or //Ophioparma lapponica // Kingdom: //Fungi// Phylum: //Ascomycota// Class: //Ascomycetes// Order: //Lecanorales// Family: //Ophioparmaceae// Genus: //Ophioparma// Species: //lapponica// This fungi is more commonly known as Ophioparma Lichen, it is found on rocks and on soil in Alaska and other arctic regions

//Ascomycota// phylum//-// cup-shaped


 * Kingdom://Fungi//
 * Phylum: //Ascomycota//
 * Class: //Ascomycetes//
 * Order: //Lecanorales//
 * Family: (unidentified)
 * Genus: //Thamnolia//
 * species: //vermicularis//

This species of //Ascomycota// is more commonly known as whiteworm lichen//.// It lives in the alpine soil of northwestern Washington.

= Plants in the Tundra =

= Plants are multi-celled organisms that have cell walls and contain chlorophyll.=

//Salix arctica -// Magnoliopsida(class) //-// a class of flowering plants in the division Magnoliophyta generally characterized by having two main leaves and net-veined leaves. Kingdom - Plantae Division - Magnoliophyta Class - Magnoliopsida Order - Salicales Family - Salicaceae Genus - //Salix// Species - //arctica//

Common name: Arctic Willow/Rock Willow This plant lives in the Northern areas of the Arctic Tundra.

//Calliergon giganteum -// Bryopsida(class) - a class that is made up of mosses.

Kingdom - Plantae Division - Bryophyta Class - Bryopsida Order - Hypnales Family - Bombycoidea Genus - //Calliergon// Species - //giganteum//

Common name: Arctic Moss or Giant Calliergon Moss This plant is located in the Siberian Tundra, and lives in freshwater lakes.

//Equisteum arvense// - Equisetophyta(division) - a class that is defined by ribbed green stems, and usually live in wet areas.

Kingdom - Plantae Division - Equisteophyta Class - Equisetopsida Order - Equisetales Family - Equisetaceae Genus - //Equisetun// Species - //arvense//

Common name: Horsetail or Field Horsetail or Common Horsetail This plant is located in the wetter areas of the Tundra. Because of global warming, more bog-like areas are appearaing in the tundra. This enables this plant to live in the harsh conditions. They are seen mostly in the summer month.

//Eriphorum virginicum// - Lilipsida(class) - a class that is defined by having parallel veined leaves and have roots and stems that lack a distinct pith, or soft center; and cortex, which is a tissue in the roots.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Tracheophyta Class: Lilopsida Order: Cyperales Family: Cyperaceae Genus: //Eriphorum// Species: //virginicum//

Common name: Tawny Cottongrass This plant lives wherever its seeds are blown away to. They are seen in the summer month, for it can't live in the climate of the winter.

//Eriophorum vaginatum,// or more commonly known as Tussock Cottongrass, is under the class Liliopsida, which are plants with parallel veined leaves and have roots and stems that lack a distinct pith, or soft center; and cortex, which is a tissue in the roots. Tussock cottongrass lives in tundra bogs.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Cyperales Family: Cyperaceae Genus: //Eriophorum// species: //vaginatum//

//Salix pulchra// - Magnoliopsida(class) //-// a class of flowering plants in the division Magnoliophyta generally characterized by having two main leaves and net-veined leaves.


 * Kingdom:** Plantae[[image:salix_pulcha.jpg align="right" caption="Diamond-Leaf Willow"]]
 * Division:** Tracheophyta
 * Class:** Magnoliopsida
 * Order:** Salicales
 * Family:** Salicaceae
 * Genus:** //Salix//
 * species:** //pulchra//

Common name: Diamond-Leaf Willow This plant lives in bog-like areas of the tundra, during the summer month. Animals feed on it due to its high levels of vitiman C.

//Pediastrum boryanum -// Chlorophyta(Division) //-// Green or red algae large division of chiefly freshwater membrane-bound nucleus algae that possess chlorophyll and cell walls.




 * Kingdom:** Plantae
 * Division:** Chlorophyta
 * Class:** Chlorophyceae
 * Order:** Chlorococcales
 * Family:** Hydrodictyaceae
 * Genus:** //Pediastrum//
 * species:** //boryanum//

Common name: Green Algae This plant lives in the very thin soil of the tundra. It also lives on the fur coats of polar bears, giving their fur a greenish tint.

//Lycopodium complantatum// (//Lycopodiophyta// Division) Defination: Club mosses, these mosses are larger a more complex than nonvascular mosses. A single vascular bundle with branching roots and stems.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Lycopodiophyta Class: Lycopsida Order: Lycopodiales Family: Lycopodiaceae Genus: //Lycopodium// Species: //complanatum//

Common name: Christmas Green This club moss lives on the rocky slopes that cover the tundra as well as on the cold soil within small shrub thickets.

//Anthoceros donnelli// (//Anthocerotophyta// Division) Defination: Hornwort, a nonvascular plant that is simular to club moss but lacks water conducting tissue. It is horn shaped.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Anthocerotophyta Class: Anthocerotopsida Order: Anthocerotales Family: Tenebrionoidea Genus: //Anthoceros// Species: //donnelli//

Common name: Donnell's hornwort This hornwort is found throughout the alpine regions of Unites States, such as the Rocky Mountains.

//Xerophyllum tenax// (//Liliosida// class) Defination: comprising seed plants that produce an embryo with a single main leaf and parallel-veined leaves

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Liliales Family: Lasiocampoidea Genus: //Xerophyllum// Species: //tenax//

Common name: Bear Grass This plant lives in meadows and plains of the alpine tundra as well as lower elevation areas across the world.

//Chlamydomonas nivalis// (//Clorophyta// Division) Defination: Green or red algae large division of chiefly freshwater membrane-bound nucleus algae that possess chlorophyll and cell walls.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Chlorophyta Class: Chlorophyceae Order: Volvocales Family: Chlamydomonadaceae Genus: //Chlamydomonas// Species: //nivalis//

Common name: Snow Algae or Watermelon Snow This plant lives in a wide range of regions. Common wherever their's snow. Found in both polar regions, arctic and antarctic, it loves to live in the antarctic desert, tundra, and even high altitude alpine tundra.

//Dryopteris dilatata// (//Polypodiophyta// division) Defination: Ferns, which are plants with well developed roots and stems. Having fronds (leaves) with spores on the bottom.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Polypodiophyta Class: Polypodiosida Order: Polypodiales Family: Dryopteridaceae Genus: //Dryopteris// Species: //dilatata//

Common name: Broad buckler fern This fern is quite common in many different regions including temperate and arctic. One place this fern can be found in the tundra is in the Alaska Boreal Forest.

//Lycopodium annotinum// (//Lycopodiophyta// division) Defination: Club mosses, these mosses are larger a more complex than nonvascular mosses. A single vascular bundle with branching roots and stems.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Lycopodiophyta Class: Lycopodiopsida Order: Lycopodiales Family: Lycopodiaceae Genus: //Lycopodium// Species: //annotinum//

Common names: Stiff club moss, Interrupted club moss, or Bristly club moss This club moss is found in the tundra's marshes, bogs, and on the moist soil during the summer month.

//Cystopteris// //fragilis//, or more commonly known as the Brittle fern, is part of the division Filicopsida, which are vascular plants not containing seeds such as ferns. The brittle fern lives on rocky areas, usually in the alpine tundra.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Filicophyta Class:Filicatae Order: Filicales Family: Woodsiaceae Genus: //Cystopteris// species: //fragilis//

//Equisetum sylvaticum,// or more commonly known as woodland horestail, is a species in the division of Equisetophyta, which are horsetails. The woodland horsetail lives in the parkland of Canada, north of the treeline.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Equisetophyta Class: Equisatopsida Order: Equisatales Family: Equisataceae Genus: //Equisetum// species: //sylvaticum//

​ //Hylocomium splendens,// or more commonly known as the splendid feather moss, is part of the division Bryophyta, which are nonvascular plants such as mosses. The splendid feather moss lives in moist areas of the Canadian tundra.

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Bryophyta Class: Bryopsida Order: Hypnales Family: Bombycoidea Genus: //Hylocomium// species: //splendens//

//Athyrium distentifolium,// or more commonly known as the Alpine Lady Fern, is part of the division Polypodiophyta, which are ferns with well developed roots and stems. The Alpine Lady Fern lives in the Alpine Tundra of North America.

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Polypodiopsida Order: Polypodiales Family: Dryopteridaceae Genus: //Athryium// species: //distentifolium//

//Saxifraga caespitosa,// or more commonly known as tufted saxifrage, is part of the Magnoliopsida class. Magnoliopsida plants are characterized by having two main leaves and net-veined leaves. The tufted saxifrage lives in the rocky crevices of the tundra. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Saxifragales Family: Saxifragaceae Genus: //Saxifraga// species: //caespitosa//

= Animals in the Tundra =

=Animals are multi-celled organisms that digest their food from inside their bodies.=

//Ursus maritimus -// Mammalia(class) - a class definied by warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female.


 * Kingdom:** //Animalia//
 * Phylum:** //Chordata//
 * Class:** //Mammalia//
 * Order:** //Carnivora//
 * Family:** //Ursidae//
 * Genus:** //Ursus//
 * Species:** //maritimus//

Common name: Polar Bear This animal lives in the polar ice sheet regions and swim in the costal waters of the ice sheets.

//Nyctea scandiaca// - Aves(class) - A class defined by warm-bloded birds that lay eggs and have adapted to flying.
 * Kingdom:** //Animalia//
 * Phylum:** //Chordata//
 * Class:** //Aves//
 * Order:** //Strigiformes//
 * Family:** //Strigidae//
 * Genus:** //Nyctea//
 * Species:** //scandiaca//

Common name: Snowy Owl This animal lives in the tundra of North America.

//Alopex lagopus// Mammalia (class) - a class definied by warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female.


 * Kingdom**: //Animalia//
 * Phylum**: //Chordata//
 * Class**: //Mammalia//
 * Order**: //Carnivora//
 * Family**: //Canidae//
 * Genus**: //Alopex//
 * Species**: //lagopus//

Common name: Arctic Fox This small mammal is very common in all the artic regions and lives in a dug out barrow under the snow.

//Hypogastrura nivicola// Arthropoda (phylum) - a phylum definied by invetebrates characterized by multiple body segments, jointed appendages, and an exoskeleton.


 * Kingdom**: //Animalia//
 * Phylum**: //Arthropoda//
 * Class**: //Entognatha//
 * Order**: //Collembola//
 * Family**: //Hypogastruroidea//
 * Genus**: //Hypogastrura//
 * Species**: //nivicola//

Common name: Snow Flea Not actually a flea at all but a springtail, this minicule creature lives on top of the snow or ice crytals of the tundra on warmer winter days.

//Somniosus microcephalus// Chondrichthyes (class ) - a class definied by vertebrates characterized by a skeleton of cartilage, fleshy fins, strong jaws with teeth, and gills.


 * Kingdom**: //Animalia//
 * Phylum**: //Chordata//
 * Class**: //Chondrichthyes//
 * Order**: //Squaliformes//
 * Family**: //Somniosidae//
 * Genus**: //Somniosus//
 * Species**: //microcephalus//

Common name: Greenland Shark This shark lives in the deep waters of the arctic ocean, commonly found around the tundra regions of Greenland and Iceland.

//Fratercula corniculata// Aves(class) - A class defined by warm-bloded birds that lay eggs and have adapted to flying


 * Kingdom:** //Animalia//
 * Phylum:** //Chordata//
 * Class:** //Aves//
 * Order:** //Ciconiiformes//
 * Family:** //Alcidae//
 * Genus:** //Fratercula//
 * Species:** //corniculata//

Common name: Horned Puffin This bird lives on the rocky islands and coasts of Alaska, Siberia, and British Columbia.

//Rangifer tarandus// - Mammalia(class) - a class definied by warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female. Kingdom: Animalia phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidal Genus: //Rangifer// Species: //tarandus//

Common name: Reindeer This animal lives in both Alpine and Arctic Tundra, and lives in the northern reigons of North America, Russia, Greenland, and Scandinavia.

//Valvata lewisi// Mollusca (Phylum) - a class definied by invertebrates characterized by a soft body, well developed organ system, and a possible hard shell.


 * Kingdom**: //Animalia//
 * Phylum**: //Mollusca//
 * Class**: //Gastropoda//
 * Order**: //Heterostropha//
 * Family**: //Alpheoidea//
 * Genus**: //Valvata//
 * Species**: //lewisi//

Common name: fringed valvata This snail is common in North America and can be found in the cold ponds and wetlands of the canadian tundra.

//Strophingia ericae// - Arthropoda(phylum) - a phylum definied by invetebrates characterized by multiple body segments, jointed appendages, and an exoskeleton. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hemiptera Family: Psyllidae Genus: //Strophingia// Species: //ericae//

Common name: N/A This animal can be found on its host plant, //Calluna vulgaris//.

//Oporinia autumnata// - Arthropoda(phylum) - a phylum definied by invetebrates characterized by multiple body segments, jointed appendages, and an exoskeleton.


 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Arthropoda
 * Class:** Insecta
 * Order:** Lepidoptera
 * Family:** Geometroidea
 * Genus:** //Oporinia//
 * Species:** //autumnata//

Common name: N/A This animal can be found in the northern places of the Tundra, and they are more abundant during the growing season.

//Dineura virididorsata// - Arthropoda(phylum) - a phylum definied by invetebrates characterized by multiple body segments, jointed appendages, and an exoskeleton. Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Arthropoda Class:Insecta Order:Hymenoptera Family:Tenthredinidae Genus://Dineura// Species://virididorsata//

Common name: N/A This animal can be found in the northern places of the Tundra, and they are more abundant during the growing season.

//Lepus arcticus// Mammalia (class) - a class definied by warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female.


 * Kingdom**: //Animalia//
 * Phylum**: //Chordata//
 * Class**: //Mammalia//
 * Order**: //Lagomorpha//
 * Family**: //Leporidae//
 * Genus**: //Lepus//
 * Species**: //arcticus//

Common name: Arctic Hare This rabbit lives in cold polar or mountainous regions and travels in small clusters throughout the year.

Annelida - a phylum of segmented worms

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Annelida Class: Clitellata Order: Haplotaxida Family: Enchytraeidae Genus: //Mesenchytraeus// species: //solifugus// The common name of this animal is glacier ice worms. They live in the Pacific Northwest of North America, on freshwater glaciers.

Nematoda: a phylum of roundworms Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Nematoda Class: Secernentea Order: Ascaridida Family: Ascarididae Genus: //Toxascaris// species: //leonina// (No common name) These roundworms live in canines of the tundra such as arctic foxes.

Tardigrada: phylum of tardigrades, which are microscopic invertebraes that live on mosses and lichens. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Tardigrada Class: Eutardigrada Order: Parachela Family: Hypsibiidae Genus: //Hypsibius// species: pachyunguis

Common name: water bear. This animal has been found in the tundra of Greenland and Iceland.

Osteichthyes: a superclass of bony fish

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Osteichthyes Order: Gadiformes Family: Gadidae Genus: //Arctogadus// species: //glacialis//

The common name of this species is Arctic cod. This fish lives in the polar waters off Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and Canada.

Mammalia: a class definied by warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by mammary glands in the female.

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: //Ovibos// species: //moschatus//

The common name of this animal is musk ox. The musk ox lives in northern tundra areas and on Nunivak Island.

Aves: A class defined by warm-bloded birds that lay eggs and have adapted to flying.

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Cygninae Genus: //Cygnus// species: //coumbianus//

The common name for this bird is tundra swan. The tundra swan lives in Northern Canada during the breeding season (summer).

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