Module 1.5 & 2.1: Invertebrates Interpretive Guide

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1 Module 1.5 & 2.1: Invertebrates Interpretive Guide Interpreting Invertebrates: Our job as interpreters is to link what the visitors are seeing to The Zoo's conservation education messages. Our goal is to spark curiosity, create emotional connections and inspire visitors to take action. The best way to achieve this goal is to share thematic information that connects to The Zoo's messaging. The theme of your conversations may differ from group to group depending on the program and the age of your audience. Some examples of talking points that relate to Zoo themes are listed below. Theme: Living things exist within complex relationships in ecosystems. Talking point: Cockroaches are decomposers. Possible hook: Did you know that cockroaches recycle? Related information: o Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MHC) are decomposers; they break down decaying material in their ecosystem and recycle nutrients back into the soil. o MHCs speed up the decomposition process by eating decaying vegetation and rotten fruit on the forest floor, and excreting it as nutrient rich fertilizer, or waste. o Trees and other plants are then able to absorb these extra nutrients, which helps them grow. Call to action: If a bug can recycle, we can too! Encourage visitors to participate in their local recycling programs, and to recycle their cell phones here at The Zoo! Theme: Humans and wildlife can coexist. Talking point: Dispelling fear Related information: o Arachnids and insects are often feared by people. o Scorpions: There are several species of scorpion; they vary in size and temperament. Emperor scorpions grow to be quite large and are among the heaviest species; though they are large, they are relatively docile are fairly harmless compared to some other scorpions. Their sting may be painful or irritating, but their venom is rarely stronger than a bee sting. In some cases, people can have allergic reactions to emperor scorpion venom, but in general, it is not harmful or life-threatening. o Roaches: 6/22/2017 Embassy Invertebrates The Maryland Zoo

2 Module 1.5 & 2.1: Invertebrates Interpretive Guide Madagascar hissing cockroaches get their name from the hissing sound their spiracles produce. The hiss can be startling to predators (and people!), but in reality MHC are harmless; they do not have wings, a stinger or strong teeth. Call to action: Many animals aren t as bad as their reputation. Encourage visitors to learn more about the animals that make them uneasy. 6/22/2017 Embassy Invertebrates The Maryland Zoo

3 Invertebrate Basics Arachnids and Insects Background: Both arachnids and insects are invertebrates. An invertebrate is an animal that does not have a backbone. Arachnids and insects are also arthropods. An arthropod is an animal that possesses the following characteristics: an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs. (Photo 1) (Photo 2) Insect Basics: Madagascar hissing cockroaches are a type of insect. Insect bodies are divided into three regions; the head, thorax, and abdomen. Insects typically have six legs, and many have wings. Head: contains the mouth parts, eyes and antennae Thorax: Six (three pairs) of legs, wings Abdomen: Contains organs for processes such as digestion and reproduction There are many kinds of insects, such as cockroaches, beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers and wasps. Arachnid Basics: Scorpions are a type of arachnid. Arachnids have eight legs, and their bodies are divided into two regions; the cephalo-thorax and the abdomen. Arachnids do not have wings, but many produce silk, which they use to catch prey or to reproduce. Scorpions have a long, curved tail, or metasoma, that is tipped with a venomous stinger There are many kinds of arachnids, including tarantulas, spiders, scorpions and ticks. References: Photo 1: Photo 2: 6/22/2017 Embassy Invertebrates The Maryland Zoo

4 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa Description: Size: o 2-3 in (5-7.5 cm) Weight: oz (8-22 g) Physical description: An insect with large antennae that superficially resembles a beetle. This animal has no wings, and its 3 segments are covered by a hard shell made of overlapping bands. Coloration: Very young or newly molted cockroaches are pure white. As their exoskeleton hardens, they develop a dark brown coloration near the head, with the rest of the body ranging from dark brown to reddish orange. Sexual dimorphism: Males have pronatal humps, which look like horny bumps emerging from their forehead. In the Wild Habitat and Range: Geographic range: Endemic to, or only found on, the island of Madagascar. Habitat: Live in tropical lowland forests and rainforests. o Within the forests, they are primarily found on the floor under a layer of leaf litter. Diet Detritivores: Eat decaying plant and animal matter; may also eat smaller insects. Adaptations Spiracles: A cockroach s side is lined with small holes called spiracles that are used primarily for respiration. Additionally, the cockroach can use them to create the hissing noise that gives the animal its common name. o The hiss is used by both males and females in response to aggression, sudden light, or other disturbances. Hooked feet: Similar to some other invertebrates, such as spiders, the cockroaches have small hooks on the end of their feet that enable them to grasp onto most surfaces and climb well. They are even able to climb glass walls. Camouflage: The brown and red coloration helps it blend in well with the leaf litter on the forest floor. Body shape: The flat shape helps it to easily hide under rocks or trees. It is able to flatten itself even further to slip into very small spaces. Pronatal humps: The horns found on males help them to fight other cockroaches. Fights usually occur over food, territory, or mates. 6/22/2017 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach The Maryland Zoo

5 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa Lifespan Wild: Typically live 2-5 years Captivity: Typically live 2-5 years Ecosystem relationships Predators: A wide variety of animals including arachnids, birds, lemurs, and tenrecs. Interspecies competitors: Other decomposers, such as fungi and earthworms. Role/niche: Madagascar hissing cockroaches are decomposers. Decomposers break down otherwise unusable resources, such as leaf litter, into nutrients for growing plants. by digesting and then excreting the material. Without decomposers such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach, nutrients would stay locked in decomposing resources for much longer. Reproduction Breeding season: Occurs year round Behavior: Males defend their territory by hissing, bumping, and shoving other males away. Incubation: Gestation lasts about 2 months. Eggs are stored in an egg case (called an ootheca) that can be incubated internally or externally. Clutch size: Typically nymphs, or baby cockroaches. Maturation: Undergo incomplete metamorphosis, in which eggs turn into nymphs, and nymphs turn into adults. The process from newly hatched nymph to adult takes about 7 months. Incomplete metamorphosis involves 3 stages the egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs typically resemble adults in all but size. Activity Nocturnal: o Primarily active at night (cockroaches typically avoid light sources). Other fun facts Cockroach diversity: 3,000-4,000 species of cockroaches exist, and they come in a variety of shapes and colors. Unlike Madagascar hissing cockroaches, most other cockroaches have wings and can fly. However, 99% of cockroach species, including Madagascar hissing cockroaches, are not considered pests. o The nearest relatives to the cockroach family are the mantids, grasshoppers, stick insects, and termites. Living fossils: A living fossil is an animal that has remained relatively unchanged for several million years. A cockroach s adaptations help it fill a common niche, which means that it has not needed to change for a very long time in order to stay viable in its habitats. 6/22/2017 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach The Maryland Zoo

6 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa Popular culture: The size, robust nature, and noise made by these animals have made them popular for use in the media, in which they are typically used for a scary effect. However, on Madagascar, they are considered common animals, and are rarely killed as pests. Because they are high in protein, some people eat them. Conservation Status and Threats: Not listed on the IUCN Red List Not listed by CITES Threats: o Though this species is not endangered, the island of Madagascar is faced with particularly high rates of extinction due to deforestation. o Political unrest in Madagascar has created conservation challenges for all Malagasy species. Bans on illegal hunting and logging in protected areas are increasingly difficult to enforce and many international aid organizations have withdrawn support due to the unconstitutional change of power that happened in Following several years of political deadlock, democratic elections returned in 2013, although Madagascar remains politically unstable. Malagasy rosewood species are now listed on CITES Appendix II. At the Zoo The current group of roaches was first acquired in 2005 and has been added to several times since. The population is currently self-sustaining. What We Can Do Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more about them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved. o The Madagascar Fauna Group: The MFG works to help conserve species in Madagascar through captive breeding programs, field research, training for rangers and wardens, and habitat protection. Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution. Make sure you know the origin of the products you buy. o All of our shopping choices can have an impact on the environment and wildlife so when available opt for recycled and local products. o Research responsible companies that do not use animal based products or testing. 6/22/2017 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach The Maryland Zoo

7 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa You can help local insects in several ways: o Be careful in your pesticide application, and avoid it whenever possible. Never overspray, or you might damage your garden as well! o Many insect species, such as butterflies and bees, are important pollinators. Encourage pollinators to visit your garden by planting native flowers and shrubs. o When your plants lose their leaves in the winter, avoid the temptation to rake them up. Leave them for decomposers, who will help the nutrients make their way back into the soil. Additional Resources and References: Buchsbaum, Ralph. Animals without Backbones. Third ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, Print. Grzimek, Bernhard. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, Print. Insects. National Geographic: Woodland Park Zoo: Bioscience Horizons: 6/22/2017 Madagascar Hissing Cockroach The Maryland Zoo

8 Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator Description: Size: o Length: 8 in (20 cm) Weight: Up to 1 oz (30 g) Physical description: A relatively large scorpion with 8 legs and very large pincers, or pedipalps. Coloration: Colors range from dark blue/green to brown and black. Pincers are typically a very dark red. Sexual dimorphism: Females are slightly larger, while males have longer pectines, which are sensory hairs found behind the legs In the Wild Habitat and Range: Range: Found in coastal countries in western Africa into the Congo region. Habitat: Mainly found in hot and humid forests, though some may be found in open savannah. Diet: Carnivorous: Primarily eats other invertebrates, and may consume very small vertebrates. Termites make up the majority of their diet. Adaptations: Pincers: Also called pedipalps, these limbs are used to manipulate food and defend the scorpion from predators. Because the pedipalps on emperor scorpions are so large, they are used as the primary form of getting food. Emperor scorpions will use their pedipalps to tear food and manipulate it before consuming prey. Exoskeleton: Like all other arthropods, scorpions have a hard exoskeleton, or shell, that provides both support and protection. The exoskeleton is made of chitin, a substance similar to the keratin that makes up human hair and skin. Exoskeletons are molted regularly to repair damage, though unlike some other arachnids, scorpions cannot regenerate lost limbs. Pectines: Pectines are comb-like structures located behind the fourth pair of legs. Pectines act as the primary sensory organ in scorpions and are able to sense both physical and chemical changes in the environment. o Males have longer pectines in order to sense female pheromones. Venom: The tail, or metasoma, is long, curved, and tipped with a venomous stinger. The venom is fairly weak, with potency similar to a bee sting, and is only used for defense or against particularly large prey. Sensory hairs: The pincers and tail are covered in tiny hairs that enable scorpions to detect prey through vibrations on the ground and in the air. 6/22/2017 Emperor Scorpion The Maryland Zoo

9 Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator Eating: Scorpions mainly consume their prey by tearing soft food into small pieces and sucking up the soft innards. However, for more tough pieces of food, they will use a combination of their venom and saliva to liquefy the food, which they will then suck up. Lifespan: Wild: Unknown Captivity: Typically 5-8 years Ecosystem relationships: Predators: A variety of animals, including bats, birds, small mammals, other arachnids, and centipedes. Interspecies competitors: Many of their predators also function as their competition, as their predators eat many of the same species. Role/ Niche: Scorpions act as both a control for animals lower on the food chain, as well a food source for larger animals. Reproduction: Breeding season: Can occur year-round, but requires warm temperatures. Behavior: o Courtship: Engage in elaborate courtship behaviors, including pedipalp grasping and other behaviors. o Males leave after mating and do not raise young. o Females sometimes attack and eat males after mating. Gestation: Typically lasts 9 months Clutch size: Typically 9-30 Maturation: o Young are born live; they do not hatch from eggs. o When they are born, emperor scorpions are white and very small; they grow and darken with each molt. o Juveniles stay on the female s back until they are large enough to defend themselves. o Clutches typically stay together for several months. o Sexual maturity is reached by 4 years of age. Activity: Nocturnal: Typically spend the day hiding in burrows or under logs. Social: May live in loose colonies of up to 15 individuals. Other fun facts : Name: These scorpions gained their common name from their large size. They are among the heaviest scorpions in the world. 6/22/2017 Emperor Scorpion The Maryland Zoo

10 Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator Glow: Like many other scorpions, emperor scorpions fluoresce under ultraviolet light due to several reactive chemicals found in their cuticle, or the outer layer of their exoskeleton. Conservation Status and Threats: Not listed on the IUCN Red List CITES Appendix II o Appendix II includes species that are not currently threatened by extinction, but may become endangered if export of animal products is not restricted. Export permits may be granted if trade is determined to not be detrimental to the survival of the species. Threats: While little is known about the wild population, collection for the pet trade and habitat loss are the chief threats. o Pet trade: Since these animals are charismatic, relatively docile, and fairly harmless compared to some other scorpions, they are often desired as pets. Reproduction rates are fairly slow due to the small clutch size and long gestation period, making it difficult for populations to rebound from over-collection. o Habitat loss: Western and central Africa have experienced high rates of deforestation in recent years. Reasons for this include the use of wood as fuel, and the clear cutting of forests to make way for cacao and palm oil plantations. While scorpions can survive in somewhat disturbed habitats, they do not reproduce as easily there and also come into greater conflict with humans. Conservation efforts: Apart from several national parks located throughout the animal s range, there are no concerted efforts to conserve this species. At the Zoo The Zoo has 4 scorpions. They hatched in early 2015 at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa. What We Can Do Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution. Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Do your research before buying a pet. o Make sure you are not purchasing a wild-caught individual captive-bred species are often easy to find. o Make sure you know how to properly care for any animal before you decide to buy it as a pet. 6/22/2017 Emperor Scorpion The Maryland Zoo

11 Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator Some things to consider include adequate housing, diet, temperature requirements, and lifespan. Some pets also require a lot of time and money to be properly cared for. Make sustainable purchases. o Buying sustainably sourced food supports initiatives that create economic growth while not threatening the survival of species such as the emperor scorpion. Additional Resources and References: Pavlovsky, E.N., & Zarin, E.J. (1926). On the structure and ferments of the digestive organs of scorpions. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, 70(278), /22/2017 Emperor Scorpion The Maryland Zoo