#68: Spring Galls: Nature's Master Geneticists, a conversation with Adam Kranz

If you're a long-time listener, you're already familiar with the remarkable world of galls and the “Gall Week” community science events that have taken place in the past. But today, we're taking a fresh look at galls with a specific focus on the importance of spring galls, which our guest Adam Kranz of gallformers.org, describes as the most scientifically interesting galls!OK, for those who haven’t heard those past episodes - that’s OK. The first 31 minutes of today’s episode is entirely new content, and I’ve appended our first conversation with Adam at the end.Plant galls are unique organs induced by a variety of organisms, ranging from wasps to moths to midges to mites to fungi. These organisms have figured out how to modify a plant’s genetic expression for the benefit of its own lifecycle. It really is magical.Today, Adam tells us why spring galls are, perhaps the most scientifically interesting, and have the most opportunity for new discoveries - possibly even by you. And I really enjoyed how our conversation strays into broader ecology and phenology topics, too. Galls have a lot to teach us!Spring Gall Week is from April 15th to 23rd, yes, there is a bonus weekend added to it. During that time be sure to get out and look at your oaks, hackberries, hickories, and other plants and document the galls you find on iNaturalist. Here's the link to the iNaturalist project to make it easy for you to get involved.And a big thanks to Dr. Merav Vonshak and Adam for continuing to coordinate these events.FULL SHOW NOTESOrganizations and ToolsBiodiversity Heritage LibraryGallformersGall Phenology ToolGall Week Spring 2023 iNaturalist ProjectBooks and ArticlesPlant Galls of the Western United States, by Ronald RussoRearing Insects by Charley EisemanTracks and Signs of Insects and Other Invertebrates by Charley EisemanUndescribed Gall FAQWeld Cynipid Books: Free via the Biodiversity Heritage Library and HathitrustCynipid Galls of the Eastern United StatesCynipid Galls of the Pacific SlopeCynipid Galls of the SouthwestRelated PodcastsDr. Merav Vonshak - Gall Week 2021 - the first gall weekCharley Eiseman - leafminers, galls, and moreDr. Doug Tallamy discusses some oak gall factsSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!