1. Brine shrimp are reddish because the bacteria that are part of its diet contain red pigment. Description : They have transparent bodies divided into segments with 11-19 pairs of legs. Adult males have horns on their heads and females have an egg sac at the base of their tails. Size : 1 cm (0.5 in) long Food : Planktonic algae and bacteria Predator : Eared grebe, phalaropes, and California gulls Shelter : They swim and float with water currents in the lakes or ponds in which they live. Reproduction : Each female can lay thousands of eggs. They can produce 2-3 generations per year. Eggs can withstand being dried up to 3 years. Abiotic Impact : Salinity, water, and temperature levels can affect hatching rate California gulls are usually associated with coastal areas, but they migrate yearly to Mono Lake to nest and lay eggs Description : Long-winged swimming bird. Size: 50-58 cm (19-23 in) long Food : Brine shrimp, brine flies, garbage, other bird eggs, and carrion (dead animals) Predator : Coyotes, raccoons, weasels, and Caspian terns Shelter : Nest on the ground; found on islands with large flocks of other gulls Reproduction : Eggs are laid in May and hatch in June. In August, parents and young leave for other warmer areas Abiotic Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration

2. Caspian tern nests can be found among the nests of California gulls. Description : White shorebird with black head, gray back and wings, and a bright red bill. Size : 48-58 cm (19-23 in) long Food : Fish, insects, and other birds’ eggs or young chicks (such as California gull) Predator : Coyotes and California gulls Shelter : Nest among California gulls on sandy and rocky island beaches, Nests are shallow depressions of dry grass. Reproduction : Produce one brood of 2- 3 spotted eggs per year. Chicks say with both parents during the winter. Abiotic Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration Benthic algae form mats on shallow lake bottoms. Description : multicellular, microscopic, filamentous blue-green algae attached to lake bottoms and shores. Size : 1-10 mm (0.04-0.4 in) long Food : sugars produced through photosynthesis Predator : Brine flies Shelter : Attached to lake bottoms. Cold bottom water is preferred. Reproduction : Large increases in population (blooms) occur in fall when there is less predation and environmental conditions are right. Abiotic Impact : Productivity is affected by light intensity, temperature, salinity, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

3. Brine flies swarm the shoreline and can be bothersome but they do not bite. Description : Winged insect. Adults are black with six legs. Size : 1 cm (0.5 in) long Food : Benthic algae Predator : Eared grebe, phalaropes, California gulls, plovers, terns, and fish Shelter : Larvae live on the bottom of alkaline lakes and brine ponds. Adults swarm the surface of the lake shore. Reproduction : Produce 2-3 clutches (of 20-50 eggs) each year. Female attaches herself to an air bubble and dives to the bottom to lay her eggs. Abiotic Impact : Temperature affects rate of development. Coyotes can be found throughout North America. Description : looks like a medium-sized skinny dog with a bushy black-tipped tail and large ears. Their fur varies from light brown to brownish-gray. Size : 60 cm (23 in) at shoulder; 9-23 kg (20- 50 lb) Food : Will eat anything from fresh meat to cactus fruit to roadkill, including rabbits, birds, grasshoppers, young deer, elk, antelope, and bison. They also eat mesquite beans and seeds as well as human garbage. Predator : Wolves Shelter : Have a den that they scent mark and protect Reproduction : Mate from February-March, with pups born during April-May. Life span is about 15 years, however, only 5-20% of pups survive. Human Impact : Easily adapt to human presence, found even in cities, can be legally hunted in some areas

4. Eared grebes are some of the most numerous birds on Mono Lake. Description : Diving birds, have a small slender neck with a slender bill, crested black head, black neck, and golden ear tufts. Size : 30-34 cm (12-13 in) long Food : Mostly insects, such as brine flies and crustaceans, such as brine shrimp Predator : Coyotes Shelter : Nests are on floating grass mats in marshy regions Reproduction : One brood of 3-5 eggs per year, occasionally have a second brood Abiotic Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration Halobacteria can survive only in lakes or ponds with an extremely high salt content. Description : Unicellular, spherical or rod- shaped bacteria Size : 0.5-1 micron (very small) Food : Decomposers (feed on dead matter and wastes) Predator : Filter feeders such as brine shrimp Shelter : All surfaces near and in salt water Reproduction : Splits hourly into two identical cells Human Impact : Reproduction is affected by temperature.

5. Wilson’s phallarope picks brine flies from he water surface and dabs for brine shrimp in the upper inch of water. Description : Wading and swimming birds with slender legs and thin, needle- like black beak. White with black slash through and behind the eye. Small head, long neck, wide body. Female more brightly colored than male. Size : 23 cm (9 in) long Food : Brine shrimp and brine flies Predator : Coyotes Shelter : Nests are in grass-lined depressions near water Reproduction : One clutch of 4 pale and brown-spotted eggs per year. Males incubate eggs and raise chicks Abiotic Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration Red-necked phallaropes are usually found over submerged tufa formations, where they eat brine fly pupae. Description : Waders and swimmers with slender legs and thin needle-like black bills. Breeding plumage is red on sides and base of the neck. Female is more brightly colored than male. Size : 18-20 cm (7-8 in) long Food : Brine shrimp, brine flies, and aquatic vegetation Predator : Coyotes Shelter : Nests are in the marshy tundra and consist of depressions hollowed out on the ground Reproduction : One clutch of 2 brown- spotted eggs per year. Males incubate eggs and raise chicks. Human Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration.

6. Planktonic algae float freely in the water. Description : Unicellular green algae that float in the water with weak movement, using two flagella Size : 20 microns Food : Sugars produced by photosynthesis Predator : Brine shrimp Shelter : Float in the upper levels of cold, salty water Reproduction : Large increases in population (blooms) occur in fall when there is less predation and environmental conditions are right. Can reproduce sexually or asexually. Abiotic Impact : Productivity is affected by light intensity, temperature, salinity, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Snowy plovers can be seen flitting along the shoreline in search of food. They may walk 3 km (1.8 miles) for choice feeding grounds. Description : Small shorebird with long, dark legs, a slim, dark bill, white with pale brown and dark patches. Size : 13-17 cm (5-7 in) long Food : Brine flies and other aquatic insects Predator : Coyotes are the main predators, but California gulls will feed on the eggs. Shelter : Nests are on barren gravel or sand ridges 1-1.5 miles from the shore, lined with grass and shell pieces. Reproduction : Breeding occurs March- October. One brood of 2-3 black-spotted eggs per year. Eggs are incubated and chicks are raised by both parents. Human Impact : Temperature and light levels trigger seasonal migration.