Saturday, October 31, 2026

Oct. 28/2026

                             

Is it a boy or a girl? For alligators, it may come down to one degree

by Savannah Peat, University of Georgia

Is it a boy or a girl? For alligators, it may come down to one degree

The future of the alligator species could come down to a one- or two-degree temperature difference, according to new research from the University of Georgia. The findings are published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

A small change on the thermometer could determine whether a gator develops as a male or female. And that could have ramifications for alligator populations as temperatures rise.

Typically, incubations at cooler temperatures (think 86 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit) & hot spells (97 degrees Fahrenheit & above) result in more female gators. Moderate temperatures (90 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit) yield more males.

But these trends largely reflect controlled experiments in laboratories in which alligator eggs are incubated under constant temperatures.

Nests in the wild don't experience constant temperatures; instead, temperatures fluctuate due to heat waves or just going from day to night.

The present study gives scientists a better understanding of real-world nest conditions.

"For population health & stability, I think it means that those small differences are really important," said Benjamin Parrott, senior author of the study & an associate professor in UGA's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory & Odum School of Ecology. "Whenever a population is out of balance, it can impact population growth. Whenever you start to lose females, then the population can really get in trouble."

Hotter weather could skew gator hatchlings female

The researchers collected 146 alligator eggs from 7 nests in South Carolina. They incubated the eggs under 5 different temperatures, averaging 86 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, with small daily fluctuations (around 5 degrees) to simulate realistic nest conditions. They then identified the resulting sex of the alligators & used that to create a new model that connects offspring sex with incubation temperature.

Their new model closely matched previous sex outcomes at cooler temperatures. But at higher temperatures, even a change of one or two degrees made a big difference in whether alligator embryos developed as male or female.

"We know from monitoring nests that these temperature cycles fluctuate. But we also know that a small difference can lead to mostly males or mostly females being produced," Parrott said. "That's really relevant for how the environment is going to be changing in the near future. If temperatures are biasing sex ratios, that's a big issue."

The eggs' swap back to a female outcome occurred at a lower temperature threshold than anticipated. Whereas some previous models expected the flip to happen around 97 degrees Fahrenheit, the new model suggests that sex was more likely to be female starting at 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures between the 2 female-producing ranges still produce mostly males.

Previous studies also found temperatures above about 94 degrees Fahrenheit could hurt alligator embryos, with survival oftentimes limited at 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The present study, however, found that not only did short spurts of high temperatures (up to 96 degrees Fahrenheit) not harm the embryos, but they increased the likelihood of embryos developing as females rather than males.

"This work is important because it's trying to ensure that we have an accurate tool to be able to say, "Okay, here's a nest temperature. What sex will the alligators from this nest most likely be as a result?" We're able to know better what to expect," said Karin Ebey, lead author of the study & a doctoral student in the Odum School.

New model helps predict sex more accurately, easily

The model is the first of its kind to predict how incubation temperatures determine a creature's sex while accounting for daily temperature fluctuations. By better reflecting natural weather patterns, it could help researchers more accurately predict alligator sex ratios in the wild. Researchers say the method could also eventually be applied to other critters.

"Alligators are predators, but they are also ecosystem engineers. They're important to the environments they reside in," Ebey said. "Alligators are an abundant & well-studied species, allowing them to serve as a model for other crocodilian species.

"We're hoping what we learn in alligators can also inform conservation efforts for other species of crocodile."

Understanding how temperature impacts these reptiles is increasingly important as global temperatures change.

"It's one step forward, & it's a great tool, but we still need so much more research to be able to properly predict sex ratios in populations of sea turtles, alligators, crocodiles or freshwater turtles," Parrott said. "How are those populations going to respond to different environmental conditions? We still have a long way to go."

This study was co-authored by Christopher Smaga & Mathews Nascimento, graduates of the Odum School, & Thomas Rainwater.

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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Oct. 21/2026

                          

Some Monkeys Seem to Become Germophobic After Living Through a Disease Outbreak, Just Like Humans

By Sara Hashemi 

Smithsonianmag.com

Oct. 28/2026 

In early 2020, while humans were sanitizing their groceries & obsessively washing their hands to avoid Covid-19, some Japanese macaques in Texas were dealing with their own outbreak in similar ways. After experiencing the spread of a deadly disease at their sanctuary, the monkeys seemed to become germophobic.

In a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on October 21, scientists found that macaques that had experienced the outbreak became more wary of food that appeared contaminated. The findings could help researchers pinpoint the evolutionary origins of disgust, which is at the center of what researchers call the behavioral immune system—a collection of strategies that animals use to evade pathogens.

“We can show now, in non-human primates, that this is the same for them,” says study co-author Federico Rossano, a cognitive scientist at the University of California, San Diego, in a statement. “Even with no knowledge of how disease is transmitted, being exposed to others getting sick & dying changes the likelihood of engaging in behaviors that potentially could lead to some form of sickness.”

The study began with an outbreak of simian retrovirus (SRV) among Japanese macaques at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in southern Texas. SRV causes an AIDS-like immunodeficiency & spreads through scratches & bites. Once a monkey is infected via contaminated bodily fluids, the disease “can take a rapid progression, where about 3 to 4 weeks after you initially get infected, you might die,” says study co-author Stephan Kaufhold, a cognitive & behavioral scientist at UC San Diego, to Jonathan Lambert at NPR.

The sanctuary responded to the outbreak by separating, testing, & quarantining groups of monkeys. That created 4 groups: 3 that experienced the outbreak either by getting sick or witnessing others become ill, & one that hadn’t.

To see how those experiences affected the animals, the researchers set up an experiment where the macaques received 2 plates of grapes, a rare treat. On one plate, a red grape sat on a clean surface, while on the other, a grape sat atop epoxy-coated macaque poop. (Previous research suggests these animals will still eat a high-value snack if it’s presented with poop.)

They repeated this experiment across nearly 200 successful trials among 55 sanctuary-born monkeys. Animals that experienced the outbreak ate the contaminated grape in 47% of trials, whereas those that didn’t experience the outbreak consumed it in 79% of trials.

The macaques that lived through the outbreak avoided the contaminated grape more often than those that didn’t witness the illness’ effects, even though they didn’t know how the disease spread. And in the case of SRV, feces has nothing to do with transmission.

“The monkeys see disease & sick individuals & increase their overall sensitivity, even for a transmission route that is completely unrelated to how the disease actually spreads,” Kaufhold tells Ryan Green at the New York Times. What’s more, monkeys from the exposed groups behaved similarly regardless of whether they had been infected; seeing another individual go through the disease was enough.

In a different experiment, the researchers tested 54 macaques of multiple species from various backgrounds—sanctuary-born, zoo-born, laboratory-reared animals & former pets—to see how upbringing might influence their behavior. Analyses revealed that former pets were much more likely to eat the contaminated food than sanctuary-born macaques raised by their moms.

“One possibility is that these monkeys didn’t have the opportunity to learn typical avoidance behaviors from their mothers & other macaques early in life,” Kaufhold explains in the statement. “Even after living with other monkeys for several years, that early experience may still shape how they respond to potential sources of disease.”

While the study didn’t directly look at disgust, the researchers suspect the animals’ post-outbreak avoidance could have something to do with the emotion. “The possibility that things like disgust are influencing the behavior of other species, & especially species like primates, it’s definitely a possibility worth considering,” says Andrew MacIntosh, a biologist at the Canada-based conservation charity Wilder Institute who wasn’t involved in the study, to NPR.

“It seems plausible that past exposure to outbreaks could make individuals more cautious or risk-averse,” he adds, though he would like to see more research to confirm that. Still, one thing is clear: Many of us want to avoid eating a poop-contaminated grape.

Some Monkeys Seem to Become Germophobic After Living Through a Disease Outbreak, Just Like Humans

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Oct. 14/2026

                           

Black Bear Gets Caught Red-Handed Breaking Into A Home For Snack Time

By Katy Kroll  

Oct. 1/2026 

We all know bears love food. From Winnie the Pooh's endless desire for honey to Yogi Bear stealing picnic baskets, the running jokes about bears' love for snacks abound. There's a reason for that stereotype, as real-life bears are known to forage for food around backyards & campgrounds. But wait till you see this black bear who got caught red-handed on camera breaking into a Lake Tahoe home to grab a few snacks! 

In August 2026, some vacationers came back to a surprise at their California cabin — a hungry black bear had broken in & stolen some snacks. In the surveillance clip, you see the bear on the porch casually ripping out a window screen before pulling itself up & disappearing inside, only to come back out with a pack of brioche buns in its mouth. A report by the Sacramento Bee shared that the unexpected visitor also ate some croissants & steaks out on the porch & then wandered back off into the woods.

"I too like brioche buns," said someone on the ABC News X post. Meanwhile, another person added, "Am I the only one who finds those fluffy creatures cute?🥰 If they weren't so dangerous, I would pet them all day! 😆" Forget the picnic basket — this bear went straight for the kitchen!

Black bears are natural foragers

Black bears are basically opportunistic omnivores, meaning they'll eat whatever is available instead of sticking to one favorite meal. A bear might munch on berries, roll a rotten log for insects, or happily snack on unattended people food left behind at a campsite, making them the ultimate foragers. For the most part, black bears eat a plant-based diet, though they do eat smaller animals & fish. The time of year plays a big role in a black bear's daily food hunt. In spring, they often focus on vegetation & scavenge dead animals after emerging from their dens after a long winter. Meanwhile, summer means plenty of insects, nuts & berries, & other easy-to-find snacks. 

In fall, when bears enter an intense period of eating before winter, they can spend much of their day searching for calorie-rich foods to build up fat reserves for hibernation. Of course, sometimes, a bear's idea of a buffet suspiciously looks like someone's backyard when unsecured garbage, bird feeders, & other household goodies can provide an easy meal, which is why bears occasionally wander into neighborhoods. To a hungry bear, a yard can seem like a convenience store, especially when natural food is harder to find, so keep that in mind & just let them pass through with little fanfare.

Read More: https://www.cuteness.com/2267836/black-bear-breaks-into-home-and-steals-snacks/

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Thursday, October 8, 2026

Oct. 7/2026

                           

Why Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys?

By Jennifer Coates, DVM

Published Apr. 2/2026

Watching your dog play with a new toy is certainly entertaining, but why do dogs like squeaky toys so much? And if your dog couldn’t care less about them, are they missing out? 

Understanding what drives your dog’s preferences can help you choose better toys & keep playtime as entertaining (& safe!) as possible. 

3 Reasons Why Dogs Like Squeaky Toys

Squeaky dog toys tap into some of a dog’s most deep-seated instincts & desires.  

1. It Triggers Their Prey Drive 

Dogs descend from predators. Even the most pampered pooch has an instinctive predatory sequence that involves hunting, stalking, & catching prey.  

When the hunt is successful (from the dog’s point of view), their prey often lets out a high-pitched sound, which squeaky toys effectively mimic. For many dogs, a toy that makes that noise when it’s bitten is simply irresistible because, to them, it means “I caught something!” 

2. The Sound is Immediately Rewarding 

Dogs can quickly develop strong associations between sounds & rewards—that’s the foundation of clicker training, after all.   

When it comes to chewing on a squeaky toy, each bite produces an instant, rewarding sound indicating success, which keeps dogs coming back for more. 

3. People Reinforce the Behavior 

Squeaky toys are also hard for people to ignore. If you give your dog attention when they’re making noise with a toy, you are providing them with another type of reward, making it more likely they’re going to grab a squeaky toy in the future. 

Are Squeaky Toys Good for Dogs?

Yes, squeaky toys for dogs offer benefits that go beyond simple entertainment. 

Mental stimulation: Boredom in dogs is a real problem, & good toys can provide relief. The best options for keeping dogs engaged for as long as possible produce rewards like squeaks or small treats.  

Stress & anxiety relief: When dogs are stressed or anxious, they need a way to release energy & soothe themselves. A play session with a squeaky toy can do both.  

Provides an outlet for normal behavior: Dogs are natural chewers. Supporting teething puppies is important, but chewing is a natural behavior throughout a dog’s life. A squeaky toy that rewards chewing with noise provides positive feedback. 

The Best Squeaky Toys for Dogs
The best squeaky toy depends on your dog’s size, play style, & how aggressively they chew. Here are five good options: 

GNAWSOME Squeaker Bone Dog Toy: A durable, spiky rubber bone that has a satisfying squeak & comes in 2 sizes. 

FuzzWoof FluffBunny Squeaky Plush Dog Toy: A stuffing-free squeaky toy made with tear-resistant fabric & triple-stitched seams. 

Hartz Dura Play Ball Squeaky Latex Dog Toy: A bacon-scented, latex squeaky ball that is available in 2 sizes & great for games of fetch. 

Frisco Monkey Plush Rope Squeaky Dog Toy: Combines the appeal of a rope toy & a squeaky toy. A good option for dogs who like both tugging & chewing.

Ethical Pet Fun Sloth Squeaky Plush Dog Toy: An adorable plush option for dogs who love carrying their toys around & giving them a good squeak. Available in 2 sizes. 

Always supervise your dog with any new squeaky toy before letting them play with it alone. 

And there’s no need to worry if your dog doesn’t like squeaky toys. You can meet all your dog’s needs in other ways, including quieter puzzle feeders, chews, & other types of dog toys. 

Safety Tips for Dog Squeaky Toys
Squeaky toys are great for most dogs, but they do come with some risks. Here’s what to keep in mind. 

Always Supervise Your Dog With a New Squeaky Toy 
Aggressive chewers can destroy squeaky toys & swallow the squeaker or other parts. If your dog eats their toys, it can lead to dangerous gastrointestinal obstructions that often require surgery to correct.  

Watch your dog the first few times they interact with any new toy to ensure it’s safe for them. 

Match the Toy to Your Dog’s Size & Chewing Behavior 
Large dogs who are powerful chewers need durable toys that don’t fit completely in their mouths. Meanwhile, small dogs & careful chewers can get frustrated with toys that are too big & too tough. 

Rotate Toys to Maintain Interest 
Dogs can become bored with toys that are always left out. Rotate through a selection of squeaky toys to help keep your pup interested. 

Inspect Toys Regularly 
Check all of your dog’s toys, including their squeaky toys, for tears, loose parts, or damage before each play session. A toy that was safe yesterday may not be safe today, so always keep a few replacements on hand. 

Dog Squeaky Toys FAQs

What do dogs think when they hear a squeaky toy?
When a dog is chewing on a toy & hears a squeak, they likely think it sounds like a small prey animal that has been caught. This triggers excitement & the urge to continue biting or shaking the toy.  

Are squeaky toys stimulating for dogs? 
Yes, squeaky toys are both physically & mentally stimulating for dogs. The sound provides immediate feedback that reinforces chewing behavior, & the toy's interactive nature keeps dogs engaged. 

Why do dogs rip out the squeaker from toys?
Some dogs are driven to find the source of the squeaking noise & will destroy a toy in the process. Ripping a squeaker from a toy can be seen as part of a dog’s natural predatory sequence.  

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Sept. 30/2026

                      

Thinking Beyond the Dog: Guard Llamas

By Anna O'Brien, DVM

July 26/ 2013

Today I’d like to tell you folks about a neat niche industry that I wasn’t aware of until I started practicing: guard llamas. I first came across a guard llama at a client’s alpaca farm. Amongst the alpacas, I spied a much taller, & much more serious, llama. Thinking he was just a fellow camelid, I was quickly corrected by his owner. “That’s our guard llama.”

Guard llama? Who ever heard of such a thing?

As it turns out, guard llamas are commonly employed out west on sheep & goat farms where predation, especially from coyotes & feral dogs, is a major problem. Alpaca farms, although much smaller venues than sheep farms on the range out west, also have problems with canids, usually in the form of neighbors’ unleashed dogs.

So why pick a llama over a guard dog, with breeds tailored specifically for guarding livestock, such as the Great Pyrenees, Komondors, Akbash, & Anatolian Shepherds? As it turns out, there are many great reasons. Llamas are naturally aggressive toward coyotes & dogs. If they see a predator, they will make a distinctive alarm call & will either run after the predator or gather the flock & stand between the flock & the predator. Although llamas may lack the snarling, growling appearance of an aggressive guard dog, the image of a 600-pound llama running in your direction with ears back should be enough to discourage intrusion!

In 1990, researchers from Iowa State University surveyed sheep farmers in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California, & Oregon regarding their experiences with guard llamas. Respondents reported an average loss of 21% in sheep annually before getting a llama, & 7% loss afterwards. 80% of the respondents considered their guard llamas as “effective” or “very effective.”

Other than being good at their job, guard llamas have other perks. Firstly, they don’t need to be specifically trained as a guard animal nor do they need to be raised with sheep, as guard dogs require. Llamas aren’t as susceptible to traps & poisons as guard dogs are given their size & generally less inquisitive nature, & “accidents,” meaning a guard animal going after the animals he is supposed to be protecting, are virtually non-existent. Additionally, llamas can eat the same feed as the sheep, be treated with the same medications, vaccinated & dewormed the same way, & can live out on pasture with the sheep. Llamas also have longer life spans than dogs of any breed, frequently living over 20 years.

Donkeys are also sometimes used as guard animals & have most of the same perks as guard llamas over guard dogs, although donkeys are less popular than llamas in this pursuit. Although some donkeys are aggressive to dogs & coyotes, others are complacent, so choosing the right kind of donkey is important for the job at hand.

It is recommended that only one llama be used to protect a flock. A group of llamas will often form their own “clique” & ignore the sheep, goats, or alpacas, which is obviously not conducive to protecting them. Being herd-oriented animals, using a single llama entices him to understand that the sheep/goat flock is now his own herd, & the large size disparity between the llama & the small ruminants encourages dominance in the llama. There are many reports of guard llamas out west becoming very bonded to the small ruminants that they guard.

My first experience with a guard llama gave me the impression he was just a freeloader. He didn’t appear “on guard” or vigilant. In fact, he looked a little too laidback. I was skeptical. However, at a visit to another alpaca farm, while taking care of some young stock, I heard a noise. Inquiring what it was, the client looked up & explained it was the guard llama & that he had heard something so he was raising the alarm. I looked over my shoulder & sure enough, I could see the llama at the perimeter of the pasture, ears up, pacing back & forth, his attention completely centered on whatever was in the woods beyond the fence.

After that, my opinion changed. I was impressed. Guard llamas? Yes, now I’ve heard of them. And I’m a fan.

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Friday, September 25, 2026

Sept. 23/2026

                              

Scientists Discover Strange New Deep-Sea Fish Species

By Raúl Nava, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

Sept. 20/2025

The bumpy snailfish is one of 3 newly identified deep-sea snailfish species described by MBARI collaborators at SUNY Geneseo.

MBARI’s cutting-edge underwater tools are uncovering unique species that inhabit the deep ocean. In 2019, researchers observed a pink snailfish gliding just above the seafloor that did not match any known species. Follow-up research has now confirmed that this fish is a newly identified species, the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi).

Scientists from the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo), working with colleagues from the University of Montana & the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, reported their findings in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology. Their publication describes the bumpy snailfish documented by MBARI researchers along with 2 additional snailfish species found on the abyssal seafloor off the coast of California.

“MBARI seeks to make ocean exploration more accessible by sharing our data & technology with our peers in the science community. We welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from SUNY Geneseo to expand our understanding of life in the deep ocean, especially since documenting deep-sea biodiversity is critical to detecting any changes that may be occurring in this environment,” said MBARI Senior Scientist Steven Haddock, who led the research expedition that encountered the bumpy snailfish.

Uncovering secrets to survival in extreme environments

Snailfishes are members of the family Liparidae. They are characterized by their large heads, soft, gelatinous bodies with loose skin, & slender tails. Many species possess a specialized disk on their underside that helps them attach to the seafloor or even ride along on larger animals like deep-sea crabs. In shallower waters, some species use this disk to cling to rocks & seaweed, curling their bodies much like a snail.

More than 400 species of snailfish have been formally identified across the globe. They occupy an impressive range of marine environments, from coastal tide pools to the planet’s deepest ocean trenches. In fact, the deepest-living fish ever recorded is a snailfish.

At SUNY Geneseo, Associate Professor Mackenzie Gerringer focuses on deep-sea snailfishes while studying physiology & ecology in extreme environments. Her research combines taxonomy, functional morphology, & physiology to uncover how these fishes survive in conditions defined by immense pressure, freezing temperatures, & constant darkness.

“The deep sea is home to an incredible diversity of organisms & a truly beautiful array of adaptations. Our discovery of not one, but 3, new species of snailfishes is a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about life on Earth & of the power of curiosity & exploration,” said Gerringer.

Chance encounters spark new discoveries

MBARI’s Biodiversity & Biooptics Team observed the newly described bumpy snailfish during an expedition aboard the institute’s retired flagship research vessel Western Flyer. Haddock & his team were exploring the outer reaches of Monterey Canyon, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) offshore of Central California, with MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts at a depth of 3,268 meters (10,722 feet) when they observed this small snailfish swimming above the abyssal seafloor.

MBARI researchers collected this individual—an adult female 9.2 centimeters (3.6 inches) long—for further study in the laboratory. With features unlike other deep-sea snailfishes that MBARI had encountered offshore of California, Haddock reached out to Gerringer for more detailed analysis. MBARI frequently collaborates with expert taxonomists to review footage & specimens. These partnerships offer fresh perspectives that often spark new discoveries.

New additions to the family

Gerringer & researchers from the University of Montana & the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, including former MBARI postdoctoral fellow Jeff Drazen, examined the bumpy snailfish as part of a comprehensive analysis of 3 unusual snailfish specimens collected offshore of California. The team combined imaging, morphological, & genetic approaches to compare these snailfishes to other known fishes.

Using microscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, & careful measurements, the team collected detailed information about the size, shape, & physical characteristics of the 3 fishes, distinguishing them from all known species. They also sequenced the DNA of the specimens to compare these animals to other snailfishes & determine their evolutionary position in the family Liparidae. Their examination confirmed that all 3 snailfishes were new to science. The team has made their CT scan data publicly available via MorphoSource & genetic sequence data via GenBank (PV300955-PV300957 & PV298545-PV298546).

In addition to the bumpy snailfish, the SUNY Geneseo team described the dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi) & the sleek snailfish (Paraliparis em).

The bumpy snailfish has a distinctive pink color, a round head with large eyes, wide pectoral fins with long uppermost rays, & a bumpy texture. The dark snailfish has a fully black body with a rounded head & horizontal mouth. The sleek snailfish is distinguished from other snailfishes by a long, black, laterally compressed body, absence of a suction disk, & prominently angled jaw.

Both the dark & sleek snailfishes were collected in 2019 by Drazen & colleagues during an expedition with the submersible Alvin at Station M, a research site operated by MBARI offshore of Central California at a depth of approximately 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). MBARI scientists & researchers worldwide have leveraged a unique 30-year dataset collected by a suite of advanced instruments at Station M to make several important discoveries about abyssal ecosystems & the ocean-climate connection. The species name of the sleek snailfish, Paraliparis em, recognizes this unique research site & the people & programs that have supported the Station M time series.

Haddock’s encounter is the only confirmed observation of the bumpy snailfish, so the full geographic distribution & depth range of this species remain unknown. However, a closer look at MBARI’s extensive archive of underwater video suggests this species may have been previously encountered offshore of Oregon in 2009 and mistaken for a similar species, the bigtail snailfish (Osteodiscus cascadiae).

Cataloging life in the depths

The deep sea is the largest living space on Earth. The inky waters beneath the ocean’s surface teem with life, including many species unknown to science. With threats like climate change & mining putting deep-sea communities at risk, documenting the residents of this environment is more urgent than ever.

Over the past 38 years, MBARI researchers & our collaborators have discovered more than 300 new species. We share video footage & specimens with taxonomy experts around the world, giving other researchers access to the deep sea. MBARI science & technology are helping establish a baseline understanding of ocean health & deep-sea biodiversity so we can better assess how climate change, pollution, mining, & other human activities will affect the marine ecosystems. From the mesmerizing “mystery mollusk” to the carnivorous harp sponge, each discovery is a new piece of the puzzle.

Reference: “Descriptions of 3 Newly Discovered Abyssal Snailfishes (Liparidae) from the Eastern Pacific Ocean” by Mackenzie E. Gerringer, Sarah Suplicz, Jessica L. Palmeri, Lydia Fregosi, Brett H. Woodworth, Emily McMahon, Samantha Shepard, Logan M. Peoples, & Jeffrey C. Drazen, 27 August 2025, Ichthyology & Herpetology.

DOI: 10.1643/i2024069

Funding for this work was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE-1829612), the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, & the SUNY Geneseo Research Foundation.

Scientists Discover Strange New Deep-Sea Fish Species

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