Penikese Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Penikese Island ecosystem supports 81 documented wildlife species across 78 taxonomic genera. Located in Dukes County, Massachusetts, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 17 frequently observed species and 16 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Martha's Vineyard nearby has 19% more documented species, Penikese Island offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #10 for species diversity among 27 Dukes County County natural areas, placing it in the 63th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#10

Regional Rank

Out of 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#10 of 27 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Martha's Vineyard

-19% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 81 total documented species.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Very Common2 obs.

Datura stramonium

thorn-apple

Very Common2 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common2 obs.

Spilosoma virginica

Yellow Woolly Bear

Very Common2 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Common2 obs.

Glaucium flavum

yellow hornpoppy

Common2 obs.

Lathyrus japonicus

sea pea

Common2 obs.

Solanum lycopersicum

tomato

Common2 obs.

Lysimachia arvensis

Poor Man'S Weatherglass

Common2 obs.

Hibiscus moscheutos

mallow-rose

Common2 obs.

Xenox tigrinus

Tiger Bee Fly

Occasional1 obs.

Sphex ichneumoneus

Great Golden Digger Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Pyrrharctia isabella

Isabella Tiger Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Ancyloxypha numitor

Least Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Occasional1 obs.

Phoebis sennae

Cloudless Sulphur

Occasional1 obs.

Cercyonis pegala

Common Wood Nymph

Rare1 obs.

Automeris io

Io Moth

Rare1 obs.

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Leaf beetle

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Penikese Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-19%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dukes County County, Massachusetts

Nearby Natural Areas

Martha's Vineyard

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-19% vs. current

Dukes County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-19% vs. current

Oak Bluffs

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Edgartown

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Aquinnah

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Chilmark

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Gosnold

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Tisbury

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Dukes County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-19%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dukes County County, Massachusetts

Nearby Natural Areas

Martha's Vineyard

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-19% vs. current

Dukes County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-19% vs. current

Oak Bluffs

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Edgartown

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Aquinnah

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Chilmark

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Gosnold

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

Tisbury

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-19% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#10

Regional Rank

Out of 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#10 of 27 locations

63th percentile for diversity

vs. Martha's Vineyard

-19% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 81 total documented species.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Very Common2 obs.

Datura stramonium

thorn-apple

Very Common2 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common2 obs.

Spilosoma virginica

Yellow Woolly Bear

Very Common2 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Common2 obs.

Glaucium flavum

yellow hornpoppy

Common2 obs.

Lathyrus japonicus

sea pea

Common2 obs.

Solanum lycopersicum

tomato

Common2 obs.

Lysimachia arvensis

Poor Man'S Weatherglass

Common2 obs.

Hibiscus moscheutos

mallow-rose

Common2 obs.

Xenox tigrinus

Tiger Bee Fly

Occasional1 obs.

Sphex ichneumoneus

Great Golden Digger Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Pyrrharctia isabella

Isabella Tiger Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Ancyloxypha numitor

Least Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Pieris rapae

small white

Occasional1 obs.

Phoebis sennae

Cloudless Sulphur

Occasional1 obs.

Cercyonis pegala

Common Wood Nymph

Rare1 obs.

Automeris io

Io Moth

Rare1 obs.

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Leaf beetle

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 81 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.