This past week was spent at the University of South Florida St. Pete where we spent our time learning about the open ocean. 

Alyssa, Kayley, Gabby, and Courtney aboard Weatherbird II

 

Monday was spent learning about the open ocean, reviewing invertebrates, and going over logistics for our Weatherbird cruise the following day. 

 

Tuesday was somewhat of a whirlwind. Everyone woke up early to pack and prepare for our 12-hour cruise aboard the R/V Weatherbird II, an FIO research vessel. I was very excited about this opportunity to not only be out in the open ocean but spend time on a research vessel. While on the Weatherbird we were able to use instruments like a bongo net I loved seeing the arrow crabs, tiny octopuses, baby peppermint shrimp, and flame box crabs. All of that made the sea sickness worth it. 

 

FIO summer 2021 class sorting/identifying species aboard Weatherbird II

Gabby & Courtney holding flame box crab

Kayley, Lexy, and myself 

Wednesday, we began inputting data collected from the previous day and identifying species that we froze to get a better look at back at the lab. One of these organisms was a shrimp that I was able to identify as a rock shrimp. This was very exciting because I love crustaceans. Invertebrates like the rock shrimp were collected in the dredge where bigger organisms like fish were collected in the otter trawl. Bongo and neuston nets were also used on Tuesday to collect plankton samples that were analyzed on Wednesday. Later that day we were assigned groups and picked a question we would like to answer based on the data we received from our time on the Weatherbird. 

Rock Shrimp Sicyonia brevirostris
Photograph by Dr. Judkins

Thursday, we continued working on projects with our partners. Alex and I focused on the water parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrite and how they correlate with species richness as well as species diversity of crustaceans. Later in the afternoon we visited the Florida Aquarium of Tampa where I was able to see several neat creatures. I got to see some of my favorite small crustaceans like the banded coral shrimp, sexy shrimp, and scarlet cleaner shrimp.

Photograph at Florida Aquarium 

Photograph at Florida Aquarium 

 

Friday, our last day with Dr. Judkins, we presented our projects to the class, took our post exam, and was able to look at some of the amazing species Dr. Judkins has found over the years.  This week was very informative as well as fun. I hope that I have the ability to board another research vessel like the Weahterbird II in the future! 

 

Until next week, 

 

Courtney Collins