The community science platform iNaturalist provides a way to share nature observations with the world. Users can initially select a computer-generated identification, but ultimately the final species identity depends on the contributions of community scientists reviewing the observations. Anyone can contribute to these identifications, even if your species identification skills are limited to knowing the difference between an animal and and a plant. 

Want to work on contributing to iNaturalist identifications while eating free pizza and enjoying views of Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve? Join us on Tuesday, Dec 16th from 11 am - 1 pm. Space is limited, so register soon. 

Join a guided hike of Dawson-Los Monos Canyon Reserve in Vista with Reserves Manager Dr. Clarissa Rodriguez to learn how the reserve supports university-level teaching, research, and public service. The hike will take about 1.5 hrs and cover 2-3 miles (depending on how many interesting plants there are along the way).

Registration is required. Exact meeting location will be sent to registered participants.

Summarized by Javier Garcia, Roy Little Fellow 

In a 2024 study, researchers collaborating across multiple universities, including Dr. Noah Rose and Dr. Dimitri Deheyn at UC San Diego, investigated the underlying genetics, variation, and function of neon-colored biofluorescence in various species of intertidal sea anemone. The most prominent species studied included the Sunburst Anemone (Anthopleura sola), a native species that can be found throughout much of coastal California. Researchers examined the frequency with which fluorescent individuals appeared in the community science database iNaturalist and found that they are most common in central California and are only occasionally found in San Diego. Despite their rarity, several anemones with the neon phenotype were observed in the tide pools of Dike Rock within our Scripps Coastal Reserve. They found that a rare neon green colored variation was caused by a single fluorescent protein gene.  

Aside from the coloration, the researchers also found that these unique fluorescent proteins play a functional role as strong antioxidants that help the anemone withstand environmental stresses caused by daily tidal cycles and seasonal climatic shifts, including desiccation, temperature swings, salinity shifts, and changing levels of UV exposure, all of which are common challenges that come with life in the intertidal zone. Individuals with different Fluorescent Protein gene variations not only differed in their levels of biofluorescence, but also in their stress tolerances to environmental conditions. Researchers discovered that individuals rich in this protein had enhanced survivability of these stresses. These findings offer insight into how biofluorescence evolves and show that fluorescent genes play a much larger role beyond shaping color, and that they can also shape how an anemone survives the ever-changing environment of the intertidal zone.  

Find the full text here:

Clarke, D. N., Rose, N. H., De Meulenaere, E., Rosental, B., Pearse, J. S., Pearse, V. B., & Deheyn, D. D. (2024). Fluorescent proteins generate a genetic color polymorphism and counteract oxidative stress in intertidal sea anemones. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(11), e2317017121. 

Also, read coverage from Scripps news: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/study-illuminates-protective-role-fluorescence-neon-colored-sea-anemones 

This beautiful nudibranch was spotted by Allie Smith, recent graduate of the masters program in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Like many other brightly colored animals, these striking colors provide a warning to potential predators that they are not good to eat.   

Find the latest on our Calendar of Events

Second and fourth Saturday, 9 - 11 AM
Activities will alternate between guided bird outings, fish seining (counting) and work parties to improve the habitat of Kendall-Frost Marsh. Locations will vary between the dirt lot at the north end of Crown Point Park and the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station, 2055 Pacific Beach Drive. This is a partnership project between UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Bird Alliance. No pre-registration is required. Find the activity on our calendar of events.