Banana Slugs

For such an innocuous forest dweller, the banana slug (a mollusk in the genus Ariolimax ) harbors some wildly bizarre secrets. Of course, a few normal factoids apply—they grow to almost 10 inches long, can travel 6 ½ inches per minute and maintain a diet of leaves, dead plants, mushrooms and animal droppings. Banana slugs are the second largest slug in the world and are found in the western coastal coniferous forest floors between Santa Cruz and Alaska, where they crawl beneath coastal redwoods, Douglas firs and Sitka spruces. They typically sport a slimy overripe banana look complete with brown spots; however, some can be green, brown or white.

The banana slug's diet and habitat are really the only remotely normal things about them. On the whole, these slugs are jaw-droppingly weird. They breathe through their skin. Their eyes sit on the end of retractable antennas, and they essentially have an “off” button that causes estivation—a defense mechanism against unfavorable conditions (heat and dryness). During estivation, the banana slug will secrete a layer of protective mucus, bury itself in soil and leaves, and effectively shut down until conditions are livable.

The slimy mucus layer plays several roles in the life of a banana slug. It protects from dehydration, sends chemical signals and aids in movement and respiration. A curious animal that prods the banana slug with its nose or tongue will quickly discover that the slime acts as an anesthetic. This is why banana slugs have no natural predators—and why “lick the banana slug” is a popular dare among coastal forest hikers.

But it’s their sexual behavior that’s most…erm…fascinating. As hermaphrodites, banana slugs possess both male and female reproductive organs, allowing self-fertilization—no mate needed. The banana slug can reproduce all on its own. (The physical details of this feat remain a bit murky, but with the penis near the slug's tail and the genital pore near its head, one imagines a circular configuration.) Sexual mating, however, is a far more common choice.

Once a slug has decided to mate, it will secrete a chemical-laden slime that flags down other consenting slugs. The partners begin by eating each other’s slime. These love bites prime a genetic exchange in which each slug inserts its penis into the other’s genital pore. Copulation can last for hours in this yin-yang like formation. Talk about the circle of life.

And then the grand finale: The Penis Gnaw-off. Perhaps that’s not the technical term, but it’s accurate nonetheless. At the end of sex, one or both of the banana slugs will chew off the other’s penis to disengage from blissful union.

And no, their penises do not grow back.

Photo credit: Andy Goryachev/Wikipedia

Mountain Lion Crossing

Anyone who has driven the too-narrow, snaking lanes of Highway 17 can attest to its reputation as one of California’s most treacherous highways, a Blood Alley of dense traffic, blind corners and tight shoulders. But commuters and vacationers aren’t the only ones who have to brave its perils. On either side of Highway 17, the forest teems with wildlife. The roadway slices through expansive habitats of mammals like black-tailed deer, coyotes and mountain lions, forcing those animals to continuously negotiate treacherous crossings—often with deadly results.

Earlier this summer, a young mountain lion wandered into an aqueduct near downtown Santa Cruz, remaining trapped there until puma researchers tranquilized and relocated it. But five months after its return to the wild, the famous “downtown mountain lion” was struck and killed on Highway 17.

The young lion’s demise highlights one of the main problems with wildlife’s overlap with our world: negotiating the roads. Statewide, an estimated 60 mountain lions are killed on highways each year; roadkill is the second-most common cause of mountain lion deaths (the first is depredation, or the permitted killing of a puma following an attack on livestock). In the Santa Cruz Mountains, five big cats have died on Highway 17 in the last several years.

“Navigating the 17 is dangerous for humans and wildlife,” says Dan Medeiros, Projects Director at the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. “It causes fatalities for both of us.”

In the case of Highway 17, what makes it safer for humans makes it more perilous for animals. While the tall center median adds a layer of security for commuters rounding curves at 50 mph, it’s the most dangerous part for a mountain lion. Too high for pumas to see the other side, the jump over the divider becomes literally a leap of faith—especially at night.

A local effort is underway to help the big cats. Between the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, the California Department of Transportation and the Bay Area Puma Project, ideas to facilitate safe critter-crossings are stirring.

Wildlife Crossing Hotspot

There are two wildlife-crossing “hotspots” along Highway 17. The land adjacent to these more frequently crossed areas is fairly underdeveloped, making it ideal habitat for wildlife (aside from the live version of Frogger that bisects it). One of these wildlife-crossing hotspots, Laurel Curve, is the site of a plan to help animals cross safely. It’s also just two or three miles from where the downtown mountain lion met its maker.

“From the Puma Project’s mountain lion tracking data, we see that this is a heavy crossing area for mountain lions, and probably a lot of other types of wildlife,” says Medeiros.

Globally, animal crossing issues have been addressed through underpass or overpass construction and fences that guide wildlife toward safe crossings. “It comes down to two basic things: Is there a place for a passage? And is there wildlife habitat on either side?” explains Medeiros. “For this project, the answer is yes to both.”

Though a plan to funnel wildlife under Highway 17 at Laurel Curve has not been approved by all partners involved, it appears to be in the works. In its fall newsletter, the Land Trust announced it had signed an option to buy a 10-acre property near Laurel Curve and was hoping to secure two larger properties on either side of the highway totaling 340 acres.

The underpass would focus on land connectivity— essentially habitat connection—a priority for the Land Trust. “Santa Cruz is characterized by amazing open spaces,” says Medeiros. “But these spaces are fragmented, and one of the biggest barriers is Highway 17.” These fragmentations cut off territory and lead to isolation of animals, which is exactly the problem the underpass would aim to mitigate.

Other animals, too, would benefit. “Basically we’re looking for not only mountain lion connectivity, but connectivity for all of wildlife,” says Nancy Degran, the Caltrans biologist working on the project.

Mountain lion researchers are hoping for better habitat connectivity not just within the Santa Cruz Mountains but throughout the region. For puma health it's important that the animals be able to roam and connect with other populations. Male mountain lions in particular establish large territories, up to 200 square miles in some cases. Santa Cruz Puma Project Director Chris Wilmers explained at a Dec. 4 lecture hosted by the Land Trust that the Santa Cruz Mountains host 50-100 mountain lions—not quite enough to maintain healthy genetic variability over the long haul. "Ours is already low," said Wilmers, "so it's important to connect to the Hamilton and Gabilan ranges."

Those involved in manifesting the Laurel Curve underpass acknowledge that the path from project infancy to completion is long and complicated, but they’re undeterred. Says Medeiros, “It’s a long way out and could take years, but we’re pretty hopeful.”

Photo credit: cm0riss0n/Creative Commons.

Santa Cruz Westside Pump Track Officially Open

The Westside pump track was born out of chit-chat. While standing around on the sidelines of a youth soccer game, Another Bike Shop owner Chris Wagner-Jauregg, real estate developer William Ow and Mayor Hilary Bryant proposed an idea that sparked the beginnings of the city of Santa Cruz’s first pump track. “Sometimes when the kids’ soccer games get a little slow on the sidelines, some good things can come out of it,” says Bryant, reflecting on their initial pump track thoughts.

The idea is now a popular reality. With a snip of the comically giant scissors needed at any official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor Hilary Bryant declared Saturday, Nov. 23 Westside Pump Track Day in the city of Santa Cruz at a well-attended ceremony. Afterward, while parents watched from the stands, kids of all ages crowded the gates and patiently awaited their turn on the track, which lies on an empty lot across from Santa Cruz Bicycles headquarters in the old Wrigley building.

“There’s a huge demand, especially in the youth demographic. It’s just incredible how many kids are using it,” says Wagner-Jauregg.

A pump track is a series of dirt mounds meant to build momentum and allow bikers to “carve” and flow through the track without pedaling. Kyle Jameson, Santa Cruz Bicycles employee and emerging professional mountain biker, designed the track, perfecting its ebb and flow.

“When you talk about a track, you talk about flow. This pump track has great flow. There’s really a science, an art even, to finding the right height of the mounds of dirt and getting the ratios just right,” says Wagner-Jauregg, original instigator of the pump track. “The first time I jumped on it, I did five laps in a row without pedaling. This kind of flow is great for the kids using the track.”

The Ow family is lending the land that the pump track is built on for $1 a year. Between city officials, parks and recreation leaders and local biking businesses, Wagner-Jauregg recruited the help of both private and public sectors of Santa Cruz. The collaboration and the overwhelming support of the community sparked the transition from idea to reality.

Santa Cruz Bicycles representative Jon Forsberg was immediately drawn to the idea of the track. “We’re really psyched about it. When we found out about it from Chris at ABS we were super energized to take part in it,” Forsberg said. “The second I heard him mention a pump track by the farmers market, I had to ask how we could get involved.”

Santa Cruz Bicycles is taking on the role of pump track caretaker, monitoring the maintenance of the park and the opening and closing times. The contributions Santa Cruz Bicycles made was all about making it happen for the community. “We’re really trying to lend support as a Santa Cruz manufacturer that has some weight in the cycling community so we can give back to Santa Cruz,” Forsberg said.

The pump track accommodates all ages and skill levels, as riders pick and choose the lines within the track that fit their comfort zone. The design even incorporates a mini track for the little tykes, which the youngest pump track enthusiast—just 3 years old—took full advantage of on Saturday.

Kelly Detro, a mountain biker and student at UC Santa Cruz, is especially excited about the westside pump track. “It’s literally across the street from my house. It’s convenient and a good way to de-stress after being on campus all day.”

Judging by the turnout opening day, the Santa Cruz community is in full support. As Bryant cheered on the riders, she commented on the pump track’s effects on community. “I think it’s a wonderful addition to the Westside, and I think you’re going to see kids out here every afternoon. It’s going to be a place for our youth to gather. I love the fact that we have so many little guys and girls who are ready to ride this track.”

Anchovies

They travel in massive hordes, are a keystone ocean species, and are even a little glitzy. Yet anchovies are primarily known for being a commonly picked-off pizza topping.

The 144 oily species of anchovy make up the the Engraulidae family, and are a paramount contributor in maintaining the balance in marine life populations, especially in temperate waters. A huge range of fishes, birds, and mammals depend on anchovies as a main food source. These little fish even satiate some of the ocean’s most enormous critters, including humpback whales.

Anchovies inhabit the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, and spawn their transparent, buoyant, sausage-shaped eggs during the summer months when the water is warmer. Shortly after fertilization, the tiny hatchlings are born, just under a half-inch long. Typically they grow to 5 inches, but can reach a sizable (in the anchovy world) 18 inches.

Up close, anchovies have an obvious green hue, but a single silver stripe spans their body, creating a shimmery, metallic appearance. Their average lifespan hovers around four years, but some have been recorded to reach the ripe age of seven.

Anchovies typically eat plankton and fry—newly hatched fish. To feed, they swim through the ocean with their mouths agape, appearing perpetually surprised. Since their yawning mouth lets in a significant amount of non-edible junk, a filtration system separates food from common ocean muck. Once food and muck are separated, their teensy, razor-sharp teeth munch down the sustenance.

Because they’re rather helpless on their own, anchovies employ the “safety in numbers” survival strategy. These little fish have to band together to have any hope of surviving. They congregate by the thousands and cruise the ocean in tightly knit schools. Their goal is to deter predators with sheer magnitude.

When predators attempt to feed, the anchovies form a defense mechanism known as a bait ball — a violent swirl of thousands of fish trying to overwhelm and hinder predator success. The bait ball also protects against easy, individual pick-offs. While a massive, whirling tornado of thousands of glinting life forms isn’t particularly inviting, hungry marine mammals gets their fill of these salty morsels, keeping the predator-prey balance in check.

Photo credit: Cliff/Creative Commons/Wikimedia.

Coming Soon: Cycling Around Monterey Bay

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has adopted a blueprint for Santa Cruz County’s 50-mile portion of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (MBSST). The MBSST will traverse beaches, ocean bluffs and exquisite countryside, tracing the coast from the Santa Cruz/San Mateo county line down to Pacific Grove in Monterey County. The Santa Cruz County portion will use the 32-mile Branch Rail Line between Watsonville and Davenport as a guide.

Projected time of completion for the $126.7 million dollar Santa Cruz County megatrail is years away, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Our part of the MBSST is segmented into 20 discrete components, essentially breaking down the extensive network of trails into puzzle pieces that contribute to the collective picture at the end.

Construction on at least one segment could begin soon. On Oct. 22 the Santa Cruz City Council voted to pursue funding for a key section of the Rail Trail (the term for the part of the MBSST that runs along the Branch Rail Line); the three-mile segment will extend from Natural Bridges to the Boardwalk along the railroad right of way and cost an estimated $5.3 million, $1 million of which will come from city coffers. The rest will be from grants, if all goes as planned.

The Sentinel reports that South County farmers have expressed concerns over trespassing and potential clashes with trail users and environmental regulators over field fumigation and other agricultural activities taking place near the MBSST. While their request to have a four-mile segment of the trail stricken from the plan was declined, the RTC has agreed to address their concerns.

The Branch Rail Line, purchased in October 2012 from Union Pacific by the RTC for $14.2 million, is key to the MBSST in Santa Cruz, as it will form the “spine” of the braided network of trails for its 32-mile length. Smaller MBSST trails will spike off the Rail Trail, steering cyclists and pedestrians into the nooks and crannies of the terrain surrounding Monterey Bay. According to the executive summary of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Final Master Plan, 88 parks, 42 schools, and over half the county’s population are to be found within one mile of the corridor.

Besides creating an attraction for tourists, the MBSST will create safer cycling routes in Santa Cruz County, where at least four cyclists have died in collisions with cars in the last five years, with many more injured. The most recent victim was 40-year-old Joshua Alper, who was killed on Highway 1 six days ago when a driver fell asleep and veered across the road.

With the RTC handling trail construction in Santa Cruz County and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County taking charge of the trails in Monterey, the goal is an integrated network that successfully links the two counties together. Much of the Monterey County portion of the MBSST (from Pacific Grove to Castroville) is already complete.

With additional reporting by Traci Hukill

Sea Star Disease a Mystery

A recent influx of disease has taken a destructive toll on sea stars, reducing them from iconic marine echinoderms to blobs of unrecognizable sludge. The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports sea star wasting diseases have been documented before, but this wipeout is unlike any prior. Usually, sea star wasting diseases emerge in warm-water cycles and are confined to smaller regions. In this epidemic, the disease has spread during a cold-water cycle from the coast of Southern California all the way to Alaska. Locally, sea stars are typically found at Natural Bridges, Greyhound Rock and other rocky shorelines.

So far, researchers understand the symptoms once the sea star is infected, but the “how” and “why” are still under investigation. Upon contraction of the disease, sea stars develop cuts in their tissue that inevitably lead to infection and tissue decay. In just a few days, the sea star fragments into pieces, losing its legs. This loss of limbs is known as necrosis, a telltale sign in any sea star wasting disease, and it leaves the legless sea star lacking any star-like qualities—just a shapeless mess of echinoderm goop.

Pete Raimondi, head of UC Santa Cruz's Ecology and Evolutionary Biology lab, is leading the investigation into the roots of the current sea star die-off. The first step is pinpointing the disease’s origin. "If we can find the point of initiation, that will help us find causation," Raimondi told the Sentinel. "It's a classic epidemiological mystery."

With disease-tracking, downloadable documentation available to ordinary tidepoolers, Raimondi and other researchers are hopeful that the tidepooling community will be helpful citizens of science and contribute their knowledge on the spread of the disease. Those interested in contributing to the effort should visit the Pacific Rocky Intertidal Monitoring page for instructions and downloadable spreadsheets.

Photo credit: Aldaron/Creative Commons

New Coldwater Classic Format A Crowd Pleaser

As the original surf town, Santa Cruz relishes the opportunity to host the world champions of surfing in the cold waters of Steamer Lane every year. In the past, the O’Neill Coldwater Classic surf competition facilitated the superstars’ sojourn, bringing them in for a wave-carving, tail-throwing showdown. What could beat that? Apparently, the underdogs of the surf world—the locals, the unsponsored and the unexpected. Of course it’s sick to see Kelly Slater shred the waves, but among the audience congregated at the Lane on Wednesday, the consensus was clear: It’s just as sick to uncover brand new raw talent. Maybe sicker.

This year the Coldwater Classic switched up the usual suspects, replacing the traditional champs with a combination of amateurs and unsponsored competitors. O’Neill even sweetened the deal with a winner-take-all $50,000 prize purse, which went to Torrey Meister of the Big Island on Wednesday afternoon. About a quarter of onlookers didn’t even know about the change-up. They were just there for some quality surfing, no reputation or name brands required. But those who were aware of the Coldwater Classic’s new game plan generally sang the same tune.

“I think it’s really awesome to give people who may not be represented a chance in a bigger competition,” said Santa Cruz local Sheryl Kern-Jones. “It can work them into the professional circuit. After all, it’s always better to introduce more surfers into the Coldwater Classic and have new competition than keep the talent the same.”

Another spectator, Nancy Eldrege, chimed in, “It gives these kids a real opportunity to move up, one that they may not otherwise have.”

Interested in the full spectrum of opinions, I asked a high school girl her thoughts on the champion-to-underdog switcheroo. “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I just come ’cause they’re hot.”

Michael Cho, a particularly knowledgeable and animated audience member, came down solidly on the side of the new CWC. “For the Coldwater Classic to be an unsponsored event is weirdly cool,” he said. “You get to see the young, unsponsored, upcoming surfers compete against the unsponsored veterans of the cold water. It’s pretty rad.”

Between cheers for his favorite local surfer, Cho illustrated the diversity of competitors. “Sean Burns is only 21. I don’t think he’s ever surfed in the Coldwater Classic, but he’s a great example of O’Neill encouraging new surfers to join the sport. Usually every other year you see the typical surfers like Kelly Slater. But this time, I don’t even know half the people out here, and I come and see them bustin’ the sickest moves. It’s awesome.”

But wave-watcher Clyde Zirbel summed it up best: “I think it’s great that unsponsored surfers can come out here, have a good day and get their name out. They deserve to be noticed.”