Glowing Worms Found Deep in the Ocean
A group of glowing worms has been found dwelling in the deep ocean, some of which release body parts as tiny “bombs” to ward off predators. Continue Reading »
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Ghost Slug – a New Species Identified by British Scientists
A carnivorous slug has been identified as an entirely new species by specialists at the University and National Museum Cardiff.
First discovered in a Cardiff garden last year, a member of the public brought the slug to the attention of researchers in the School of Biosciences. Molecular work showed that the slug was genetically very different from its closest relatives which are usually only found in Georgia and Turkey. Continue Reading »
Foraminifera and their Long History of Study
Introduction
Foraminifera are found in all marine environments, they may be planktic or benthic in mode of life. The generally accepted classification of the foraminifera is based on that of Loeblich and Tappan (1964). The Order Foraminiferida (informally foraminifera) belongs to the Kingdom Protista, Subkingdom Protozoa, Phylum Sarcomastigophora, Subphylum Sarcodina, Superclass Rhizopoda, Class Granuloreticulosea. Continue Reading »
Dermochelys coriacea – Also Known As The Leatherback Turtle
The following is based on information from the Recovery Plan for U.S. Population of Leatherback Turtles, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, 1992. Obtained from the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, and used with their kind permission. Continue Reading »
Eunice Aphroditois – Also Known As the Bobbit Worm
The Bobbit worm, Eunice aphroditois, is a ferocious underwater predator. The bobbit worm, also known as the Eunice worm, can be found in Secret bay in Bali, Indonesia - Police Pier & Nudie Retreat in Lembeh, Indonesia - and Mainit Muck or Basura in Anilao, Phillipines. It likes sandy and gravel substrates, that you would find on “muck” dives. Continue Reading »
Hadrocodium wui – The Mammal of the Early Jurassic
A fossil from the Early Jurassic (Sinemurian, is similar to 195 million years ago) represents a new lineage of mammaliaforms, the extinct groups more closely related to the living mammals than to nonmammaliaform cynodonts. Continue Reading »
Saddleback Caterpillar – Be Careful When Taking A Closer Look
About this Caterpillar:
Though the bright green “saddle” makes you want to take a closer look at the saddleback caterpillar, don’t be tempted to pick it up. The saddleback’s spines protrude in nearly every direction. The caterpillar will arch its back to get as many spines into you as possible. The young caterpillars feed together in a group, but as they get larger they begin to disperse. Continue Reading »
Idiacanthus Atlanticus – Also Known As the Black Dragonfish
Identification
The Black Dragonfishes (Family Idiacanthidae) are long, slender fishes.
These fishes are sexually dimorphic. The top two images show a female with its small eyes, chin barbel, and long fang-like teeth. The male is much smaller. It lacks teeth, lacks the chin barbel, has a non-functional gut, and is dark brown rather than black. Continue Reading »
The Bizarre and Horrifying Helicoprion
If you thought the fictional Ningen was bizarre, behold the Helicoprion. And this horrifying sea creature is, or actually, was very real, as evidenced by their peculiar lower teeth, fossils of which have been found. It may have grown up to 20 feet long. Continue Reading »
Interesting Facts About Hallucigenia Sparsa
When originally discovered and prepared, fossils of the animal Hallucigenia appeared to have preserved two rows of spines on one side of the animal and one row of tentacles on the other. Identifying its head was a problem - the fossil showed only a rounded, dark stain at one end and a narrower, dark stain at the other. Continue Reading »