The class went on a field trip yesterday to my favorite intertidal site on MDI, Otter Cliffs. Everyone saw various species of hydroids and bryozoans in the wild, as well as sponge. The stinkiness of the sponge provided a memorable demonstration of the secondary compounds used by these critters to protect themselves from being eaten. The pungent odor of rotten garlic mingled with gunpowder seems a convincing predator deterrent. We did happily sample the red alga, dulse, for an interesting intertidal snack.
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