Puritan+tiger+beetle+overview

The Puritan tiger beetle is an interesting species to biologists and conservationists because it shares certain characteristics with other species of tiger beetles but in many ways it is perfectly adapted to life in the coastal region of the Chesapeake Bay. This close connection to an environment makes specialists like the Puritan tiger beetle an indicator species.

Key concept - what is an indicator species?

The following PowerPoint presentation will give you an overview of the Puritan tiger beetle's taxonomy, ecology, natural history, and population biology. As you watch, pay close attention to how the species' dispersal, form and function reflect conditions in its environment dating back far beyond the first appearance of humans at the Chesapeake Bay.

When you have finished the presentation, close the page to return here.



=
As you are proceed to the online lesson, you are encouraged to think of ways that you can participate in preserving biodiversity. The end of the PowerPoint lesson asked 'What you can do" to work for the Puritan tiger beetle's recovery. A first step is to appreciate the lasting damage to living organisms and their habitat that can be inflicted in a few careless moments by those that fail to respect the communities that live in natural settings. In the last few months, beach habitat needed by a variety of species has been damaged by operators of off road vehicles, who fail to consider the organisms that share the beaches along the Chesapeake Bay. =====

Before continuing your lesson, quiz yourself here about your understanding from the previous presentation: Overview quiz

Return to home page