In the field... with a Marine Biologist!

You may be wondering what a marine biologist was doing in the middle of the forest! Dr. Fitzhugh is studying a group of polychaetes or marine worms that actually live in fresh water environments. These creatures are rare and poorly understood, but Dr. Fitzhugh did know that they could be found in some fresh water rivers in Southeast Asia. They make their homes inside the shells of a certain kind of water snail. He had come to Vietnam hoping to discover them and then work with his colleague back home to better understand their biology.

	Searching for Infected Snails
	Dr. Fitzhugh searches for the kind of snail that would house his special polychaete, Caobangia. The snails cling to rocks in shallow parts of fast moving rivers. Infected snails are easy to spot because the tips of their cone-shaped shells look eroded and have tiny holes where the worms have burrowed in.
	Collecting Snails for Study
	Dr. Fitzhugh wades into the shallow part of the river to remove snails clinging to the rocks. He needs to wear shoes to protect his feet from the sharp rocks, metal scraps, and trash that are in the water.
	Looks can be Deceiving
	Though this pristine river may look like a great place for Dr. Fitzhugh to look for his worms, he did not discover any of the infected snails here. He had to keep looking.
	Getting Some Help
	Dr. Fitzhugh relies on help from some of the local children in collecting snails that might house the special worm. Though he tried to explain why the snails were important, most of the children can't understand why he would want them.
	Taking Field Notes
	Like most scientists, Dr. Fitzhugh takes careful notes about his location and the environment as he collects his specimens.
	A Temporary Laboratory
	Before leaving the area, Dr. Fitzhugh wants to insure that he has collected snails that contain the worm. He sets up a temporary lab in the hotel room to take a better look for the microscopic creatures. The hotel balcony is a great place to mix chemicals.
	Preserving the Specimens
	There's no time to study every single snail while in the field and see if they harbor the elusive polychaete so Dr. Fitzhugh places them in a bag with a special chemical that will preserve them until he can get them back to the lab at the museum.