The Southern Naturalist

Louisiana Oysters: Culture, Harvesting, and What Comes Next with Dr. Earl Melancon (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this two-part series, hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas continue their conversation with legendary oyster scientist Dr. Earl Melancon, turning the focus to oyster culture, harvesting, and what the future may hold for Louisiana’s iconic fishery. Earl traces the history of oyster aquaculture in Louisiana, breaking down how oysters have traditionally been harvested and how new approaches are changing the industry. What does it really mean when an oyster is described as “milky”? Should you only eat oysters in months with an “R”? And what exactly is off-bottom aquaculture — is it the future of oyster harvesting in Louisiana, or just a passing trend? Drawing from more than five decades of research and time spent alongside oystermen, Earl shares insights, hard-earned lessons, and memorable stories from a lifelong career in oyster science. This episode offers a grounded look at how tradition, science, and innovation intersect in the evolving world of Louisiana oysters. Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/SoNatPodcast/] and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sonatpodcast/]! Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ] Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [sonatpodcast@gmail.com] and we will answer you!

The Oyster: Form & Function with Dr. Earl Melancon (Part 1)

In this first of a two-part series, hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas dive into the secret life of oysters with Dr. Earl Melancon — one of the most prominent voices in oyster science and Louisiana’s commercial fishing world. A Professor Emeritus at Nicholls State University and current Louisiana Sea Grant Scholar, Earl has spent more than 50 years studying the biology, ecology, and culture of oysters alongside the oystermen who harvest them. Together, they explore the natural history of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica — how these remarkable creatures build their shells, change sex as they grow, filter vast amounts of water, and survive a gauntlet of predators in Louisiana’s estuaries. From microscopic larvae to full-grown reef builders, this episode reveals the biology behind one of the coast’s most iconic species — and a foundation of Louisiana’s ecology and culture. Stay tuned for Part 2, where the conversation turns to the human side of oysters — the people, traditions, and challenges of the industry that depends on them. Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/SoNatPodcast/] and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sonatpodcast/]! Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ] Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [sonatpodcast@gmail.com] and we will answer you! Hosts: Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas Produced by Emma Reid   Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Dog Vomit Slime Mold: The Yellow Blob on the Move

In this episode of The Southern Naturalist, Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas explore the slimy, strange, and surprisingly intelligent world of slime molds — with a special focus on the infamous Fuligo septica, also known as dog vomit slime mold. Despite its less-than-appealing nickname, this bright yellow protist is a marvel of biology. Slime molds are cosmopolitan species, meaning they can be found all over the world — from your backyard mulch pile to deep forest floors. While F. septica takes center stage, we also explore a range of other slime mold species and what they reveal about the natural world. These unique organisms have long defied easy classification. Though they’re often mistaken for fungi, slime molds are actually protists — a fascinating group of life forms that blur the lines between what we think we know about cells, movement, and even behavior. We discuss how scientists use slime molds to study things like traffic flow and network optimization, how some slime molds can “solve” mazes, and how their behavior continues to baffle researchers. You'll also hear about the strange folklore that surrounds slime molds across cultures and why these humble blobs have captured the human imagination for centuries. Whether you're a slime mold skeptic or a full-blown myxomycophile, this episode is a deep dive into the gooey, brainy, and totally bizarre world of some of nature’s most overlooked organisms. Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/SoNatPodcast/] and⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sonatpodcast/]! Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ] Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [sonatpodcast@gmail.com] and we will answer you! Hosts: Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas Produced by Emma Reid   Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Why Trees Bloom Before They Leaf: The Mystery of Early Spring

In this episode of The Southern Naturalist, Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas explore the fascinating science behind why some trees, like the Japanese magnolia, burst into bloom before their leaves emerge. Why do these early bloomers put on their floral show in the chill of February? How does this strategy benefit them in the grand cycle of nature? Join us as we dive into the evolutionary and ecological reasons behind this stunning phenomenon, with a special focus on the southern landscapes where these trees thrive. If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!! Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/SoNatPodcast/] and⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sonatpodcast/]! Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠⁠ [https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ] Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠ [sonatpodcast@gmail.com] and we will answer you! Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas Produced by Emma Reid   Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Primeval Predator: The Alligator Gar’s 100-Million-Year Reign

Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimee Thomas dive into the prehistoric world of the alligator gar, a true living fossil that has roamed North America's waters for over 100 million years. With its armor-like ganoid scales, air-breathing swim bladder, and ambush predator instincts, this ancient giant has remained virtually unchanged since the age of the dinosaurs. But despite its primeval legacy, the alligator gar is often misunderstood and even maligned. Join us as we uncover the fascinating evolution, ecological role, and conservation challenges of this Jurassic-era relic. Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at⁠⁠⁠sonatpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ [sonatpodcast@gmail.com] and we will answer you! Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas Produced by Emma Reid   Intern Shelby Perkins Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright