“It [the program] highlights the diversity of areas that seem sort of relatively desolate,” Geisz said. “The intertidal area is a tough place to make a living, and yet these critters survive; it’s riddled with a large amount of life.”
The program, which is continuing into the fall, was started by Dr. William F. Herrnkind, a marine biologist and retired FSU professor.
“Dr. Herrnkind began the program so that people could know how charismatic these creatures are,” Geisz said. “He’s made a career out of not just science but out of community involvement and education. He’s helping us locals understand what’s right there in our backyard.”
Our backyard is filled with interesting creatures, such as the rather inconspicuous hermit crab.
“They sense when a snail is being predated, and several of them will come from a wide area to occupy the shell,” Geisz said. “They’ll establish dominance by knocking on each other’s shells, and they’ll go down the line switching shells.”
While you’re there, ask Geisz about the fascinating relationship hermit crabs have with sea anemones, and ask her about her favorite intertidal marine animal, the Florida horse conch—Florida’s state shell and a creature that travels around on one large red foot—and what it does (rather violently) that attracts hermit crabs.
“What occurs in our backyard is important ecologically, but also economically, like how these areas are influenced by what’s happening, say, in Atlanta, how it affects us in a region where fishing is so important,” Geisz said.
Geisz will also be talking about other unique creatures, such as dwarf octopi and toad fish.
“We’re fortunate that […] we’re so close to that kind of diversity,” Geisz said.
For more information, visit www.marinelab.fsu.edu.
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