Pavan Ravindra

Due: 6/5/15
I/M Period 6
English 11 AP

Summary Journal
I started going on site to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in
early December after I had completed the necessary paperwork and fingerprinting. My main task
on site has been sorting through mud crabs that have been collected from various sampling sites
over two different sampling periods. I sort through the crabs based on species, sex, whether they
have eggs, or whether they are infected with the parasite Loxothylacus panopaei. After these
crabs had been sorted into their respective category, they were measured and entered into a data
chart. I also finished my final product during the fourth quarter. I made a chart that can
distinguish between the three most common species of mud crabs that I worked with over the
course of the year: Rhithropanopeus harrisii, Eurypanopeus depressus, and Dyspanopeus sayi.
My chart covers the differences that are common between these species in a variety of
populations, since species traits can vary a lot between different populations. I also presented at
SLC, which was a great experience, since it pushed me to prepare a high-level presentation for a
group of my peers. Overall, Ive had a lot of fun this year, and I wish that I could have taken this
class next year as well! Thank you so much, Mrs. Sasser, for all of the opportunities that you
have given me!

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Date: _________
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