Derek de Witt

How can you tell the difference between a mimic species and the genuine article? For humans, we have all sorts of methods, including rhymes and mnemonics, but these aren't always as helpful as they seem.

When an organism attempts to look like something else, it is known as mimicry. It has become an essential component in the evolutionary relationships between predators and prey, as well as other interspecies relationships.

The American alligator is now a classic conservation success story. Hunting and habitat loss decimated their populations, but protections and monitoring have brought them back to a thriving state of being.

Bats are often misunderstood. Our folklore and fear has made them an object of revulsion by many. Even when not actively hunted, our presence alone at the wrong time can harm them. However, there are some species that are starting to recover.

Many human-influenced extinctions can be traced back to a kind of 'dominion over nature' mentality, the idea that we can shape nature however we want. Not understanding interconnected ecosystems, we could not always anticipate the consequences. Once a species is gone, it can't be brought back.

Sometimes, when humans see extinction coming, they can begin captive breeding programs. If wild populations then die off, this leads to the rare classification of Extinct in the Wild.

The duck-billed platypus is known for laying eggs despite being a mammal and its bizarre, almost mix and match, anatomy. However, they have a few egg-laying relatives that don't get as much of a spotlight, two of which are Critically Endangered.

Island ecosystems can be delicate. Water provides a natural barrier to species colonization, so introducing a non-native species to an island is highly disruptive. New predators will target native wildlife and the most vulnerable species can decline rapidly.

When you think of turtles, the most common image is the retracting of their head into their shell. But, there is an entire group of turtles that instead hold their head and neck in sideways. A number of these side-necked turtles are at risk.

For some species, getting accurate population counts is a difficult task. Because of this, species can also be listed as threatened because of small population area. Habitat loss can contribute to this, and can be exacerbated by island-dwelling or specific habitat needs.

While previous examples of threatened species had suffered declines due to habitat loss, others have been subjected to direct human exploitation. In particular, the Atlantic cod has shaped the history of North America and Europe for centuries.

Carnivorous plants supplement their nutrient intake by capturing and digesting small animals. However, their habitat requirements are highly specialized and can be vulnerable to habitat loss.

An interesting fungus, with a funny name and a unique set of habitat requirements, is the first species on our journey about endangered species. It suffers from habitat loss and local extirpation, but its population decline is not severe enough to be considered threatened yet.

Sometimes, we don't know enough about a species to be able to categorize its threat of extinction. But why? Reasons can vary, but usually have to do with the difficulties of studying smaller, well-camouflaged organisms.

There are species on the brink of extinction, at risk of no longer existing. This series will focus on the smaller on more easily forgotten species under threat and give them a little time to shine.

Did you know that vampires live among us? They do, though not supernatural ones like Count Orlok pictured here. Instead, there are a number of real-life bloodsuckers that have filled a unique parasitic niche.

Some parasites, rather than taking the host's nutrients, will steal their effort and work instead. In particular, a number of species have devised methods for getting others to provide parental care for their offspring.

Larger parasites can't always survive inside the body of the host, so they must remain on the outside. Sometimes, what they extract from their host, like blood, also influences this.

Natural selection feedback loops can occur when both organisms benefit in a symbiotic relationship, but they also exist when one species harms another. Thus, parasitic relationships are numerous and varied, including those the exist entirely within the host's body.

Sometimes a symbiotic relationship can be as simple as one species following around another for an easy meal. The behavior of one can stir up the prey of another, allowing them to eat without as much effort.

Space can be at a premium in the natural world, so many species have increased the potential area they can live by doing so on top of other, larger species.

What is a keystone? It is the stone placed at the center of an arch, the final one in the building process because it allows the structure to bear weight. In nature, a species can be a keystone because of its numerous symbiotic relationships.

Commensalism is more difficult to understand because the relationship isn't positive or negative for one of the participants. You could say that the neutral species is 'just along for the ride'. Although with this first example, a ride is exactly what the other species is after.

Symbiotic relationships can have incredible evolutionary power. Flowering plants make up the vast majority of modern plant species diversity, and a large reason for this is their symbiotic reproductive strategy.

Who can truly lay claim to the title of 'Humanity's Best Friend'? While we have given that name to the domestic dog, there are other symbiotic relationships that are even more important for the survival and development of the human species.

Oftentimes, our awareness of relationships in nature can be influenced by cultural osmosis. If such a symbiotic partnership is depicted in a piece of popular media, we become more aware of it. That is certainly the case with this set of organisms.

Sometimes the most fascinating symbiotic relationships are the ones we barely even notice, but they still convey important evolutionary benefits.

The next dozen stories are all going to cover the topic of symbiosis, interactions between different species living closely together. Some of these relationships are beneficial, but others can cause harm to one of the individuals involved.

The New Year is a time of new beginnings and an appropriate time to finish this first Nature Stories series.

A look back at where I used to live and how it compares with my current surroundings. There's a lot I miss about it, but plenty to be excited about where I am now.