A new species of pocket shark (Mollisquama mississippiensis) that was found in the Gulf of Mexico has recently been classified. Pocket sharks get their name from the “pocket” glands behind their pectoral fins. The glands in glow-in-the-dark pocket sharks produce a bioluminescent fluid. Their bodies also generate light all over from bundles of glandular organs…
Field Frames Friday: There is always that one weird family member.
Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) may look like grumpy rodents with fangs, but did you know they are actually the closest land relative to elephants? Using fossil, morphological, neuronal, and molecular data, scientists have put rock hyraxes in the same clade (Paenungulata) as elephants and manatees. Hyraxes and elephants have similar foot structures and skulls, so…
Field Notes- The Tale of the Pilot Study: Where little goes as planned and not all data fits into a spreadsheet.
“Please put your tray tables up and your seats in their upright position to prepare for landing.” Looking out the window, a mosaic of vivid aqua, bright cerulean, and deep indigo below indicates that we have reached our island destination in the middle of the Pacific. The flight attendant’s announcement instigated a flurry of activity…
Field Frame Friday: Free Bird!! (And captive birds)
In order to investigate Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) behavior, it is useful to study and compare flamingoes both in wild and captive settings. Captive zoo flamingoes are not just for marveling at and pondering how they can stand on one leg for so long, but they are also very useful for controlled experiments that lead to…
Sunday Sketch: Sneaky Cephalopods
Cephalopods, from squid to octopus, are masters of color – and the mourning cuttlefish (Sepia plangon) is no exception. Some male cuttlefish of this species selectively change color on each half of their body, allowing them to have female patterns on one side and male patterns on the other. They orient the “female” side toward…
Field Frames Friday: Is this habitat too hot, too cold, or juuuuust right?
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) choose their habitats based on having optimal thermoregulation (maintaining their body temperature). Some of their preferred habitat characteristics include large, flat rocks, lighter surfaces, and protected coastlines from wave action. These features allow California sea lions to easily perform thermoregulation behaviors such as basking on large flat surfaces (like the…
Field Frame Friday: Oxybenz-don’t — Find sunscreen that protects your skin and coral reefs
Coral reefs are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world (wanna learn more, check out our Creature Feature) and are attractions for human visitors. While human visitors use sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful UV rays, some ingredients have aversive affects on these corals, particularly oxybenzone. The protection of UV light causes…
Creature Feature: Tarantula Hawk Wasp
Read how the tarantula hawk transforms from a mean stinger to an invertebrate villain of science fiction proportions.
Sunday Sketch: Blood Sharing Bats
As their name suggests, vampire bats need to consume blood often to stay alive. Female vampire bats roost in groups, and when some bats aren’t able to get a meal, others in the same group will regurgitate their own meals to share! Research revealed that females who shared meals with an extensive network of nonrelatives…
Field Frame Friday: Grazing or lazing
Beef cattle (bos taurus) display individual differences in grazing behavior on rangelands such as those in California. Even same-breed cattle can exhibit a variety of grazing patterns, such as traversing more terrain, traveling further from water, and climbing higher elevation than their fellow herdmates. [Photo by Nick Chudeau and caption by Maggie Creamer] References Bailey,…
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