Exploring Unusual Museum Specimens

The video explores how museums collect diverse specimens, including unexpected items like a rusty car door. During a field expedition in Puerto Rico, scientists discovered a 1984 Ford Bronco door covered in lichens. These lichens, which are symbiotic organisms made of algae and fungi, intrigued the scientists. They decided to transport the door to the Field Museum in Chicago for further study. The team identified over 50 lichen species on the door, some fluorescing under UV light, and possibly discovered a new species. This highlights that scientific discoveries can occur in the most unremarkable places.

What unusual item did the Field Museum scientists collect during their expedition?

• An ancient artifact

• A rare bird

• A rusty car door

• A remarkable mammal

Where was the car door with lichens discovered?

• In a museum

• On a mountain

• On the side of the road in Puerto Rico

• In a forest

What organisms were found in abundance on the car door?

• Mushrooms

• Ferns

• Mosses

• Lichens

How many species of lichen were identified on the car door?

• More than 50

• More than 30

• More than 20

• More than 40

What unique feature did some of the lichens on the car door exhibit?

• They changed color in sunlight

• They emitted a pleasant scent

• They fluoresced under UV light

• They grew rapidly