You know you are researching an ugly species when...

[Randy Skinner]

I thought I would start this discussion for those of us unsung researchers who, as luck (or unluck) has it, are studying what you could define as an ugly, non-charismatic species.

Here is an example of how you can tell if your species of research is truly an ugly one.
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If you are a researcher, one way to know if you are indeed studying an ugly species, is the the demographical response at a general biology or ecology conference. If your poster or presentation elicits response from many specialists from diverse backgounds not generally related to your field, and from general viewers/listeners, then relax my friends, you have a reasonably charismatic species :)

If, like me, if you go to conferences, and the interest in your poster/presentation is specifically from those who are specialist in your field of research, with little or no interest from the general public, then, you are indeed studying an ugly species. Most everyone else avoids you like the plague, while the guy in the next booth doing research on polar bears is getting general public questions and approval, and tons of interest.

I guess I am the figurative 98 pound weakling next to the muscled man from the comic book ads of long ago...

The worse response I got at a talk was for a GIS undergraduate class. I was asked by the professor to come in and talk about how landscape ecology and GIS are intertwined, and to highlight my research and how GIS is being used. The lecture went excellent, and my powerpoint presentation was informative and crisp on the lecture hall screen, and was not the least nervous. When I got to my research and presented an image of the species I am researching, the professor let out an audible gasp and exclaimed loudly, "that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen - it looks like black vomit!".

I kind of lost the audience after that...

Cheers,
Randy Skinner

[Nathan Yaussy]

I have no Idea what that professor was talking about. It looks like a lot of common lichens--not repulsive at all. Granted, not likely to show up on t-shirts, but not actually ugly.

[Randy Skinner]

The photo on the Arkive site is actually when the lichen is relatively dry and grey looking. When the weather is foggy and damp for some time, the lichen becomes engorged with water, and turns a deep, dark green. The apothecia on the lichen (the little dots), turn a somber mauve or reddish colour.
Here is a photo of Ep from the Sierra Club website that kind of explains what I am talking about. :)

http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/biodiversity/forests/cam... The photo is mid-way through the page.

Here is photo to show what it looks like in it's wet phase...

[Nathan Yaussy]

Okay, so it does look a little like black puke. Though I am still thinking about how to put it on t-shirts.

[Randy Skinner]

LOL. I never thought of that aspect of Ep - is it shirt-worthy?