March 31/2021

 

Feature:

This Bobtail Squid Might Be the Cutest Thing in the Ocean

"Gather ‘round, ocean lovers…we found it. We found what we’re pretty positive could be the cutest cephalopod in the entire ocean, & its name is the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes)...check out these 6 things to know about one of the most adorable invertebrates in the entire ocean: the Hawaiian bobtail squid.

This species is tiny…like, really tiny.

While there are a wide range of cephalopods that come in all sorts of shapes & sizes, this petite little squid species only reaches an average of around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in mantle length upon reaching adulthood. For comparison, that’s just a bit smaller than your average golf ball...

They’re itsy bitsy ocean night owls!

...the Hawaiian bobtail squid...are not big fans of going out & about during the daytime, & are known to literally bury themselves in the sand until it’s time to hunt for food when the sun goes down.

They love crunchin’ on crustaceans.

One of this little cephalopod’s favorite snacks is a delicious shrimp! They are also known to eat a number of small fish & annelids (essentially, worms of the sea). They may be small, but bobtail squids pack a powerful punch when it comes to wrangling their next meal.

They have extremely well-developed little eyeballs.

Did you know that a number of cephalopod species are often used in studies to further understanding of human eyesight? Many of the mechanisms that serve ocular function in these creatures are similar to those of the human eye. For example, their ability to project sharp, clear & focused images mirrors human ocular process quite well, serving as a model in studies focused on researching & finding solutions to congenital disorders of the eye in human beings. Bobtail squid have also been used as models in human immunology research.

They’re basically BFFs with bacteria.

...The Hawaiian bobtail squid has garnered significant attention in recent years, as its symbiotic relationship with a very particular little bacteria makes it (quite literally) light up a room...Bobtail squid have a fascinating specialized light organ in their ink sac that produces light each night (both so the squid can avoid predators, & to assist in its agility in hunting its own prey). Well, that little light organ doesn’t just operate all on its own. Who’s to thank for this nightly illumination ability? A little bacterial microorganism, known as Vibrio fischeri.

These bacteria thrive within the light organ, & the relationship proves truly symbiotic. The squid provides sustenance through sugars for the bacteria, while the bacteria provide the squid with the ability to camouflage itself (it literally illuminates to match the brightness of the moon). What may be the most intriguing aspect of this example of symbiosis is the mere fact that this relationship could be dubbed, if you will, truly monogamous: Vibrio fischeri is the only bacteria with the ability to thrive within the light sac! Compared to other symbiotic relationships in the animal kingdom, this is quite unusual. For example, green sea urchins serve 184 microbial symbionts, & white rock shell sea snails serve nearly 1,500. Serving only one symbiont makes the bobtail squid’s relationship with its little bacterial partner truly unique, & is currently being studied in depth in research on the evolutionary development of symbiotic relationships.

Bobtail squid are so good at camouflage, even the U.S. military has studied it.

The camouflage abilities that come with the aforementioned symbiotic relationship are no joke: bobtail squid basically have nature’s version of an invisibility cloak! The ability for this animal to disguise itself is so good, in fact, that the United States Air Force has even studied the reflective attributes produced by the symbiotic relationship to improve aircraft camouflage.

I don’t know about you, but if I were a teeny tiny squid under 2 inches long, I’d be pretty darn impressed with myself for being used as a model for military-grade aircraft. I suppose that just comes to show how much nature truly does have to teach us…even in the tiniest of creatures off the coast of the Hawaiian islands!"

Katie Hogge

July 2/2019

oceanconservancy.org

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March 24/2021

 

Feature:

These Sea Slugs Can Lose Their Heads Then Grow New Bodies

"Sea stars can grow new arms. Crayfish can grow new claws. There are interesting creatures that can grow back body parts if accidents happen.

That's child's play after what researchers saw a sacoglossan sea slug do. The slimy mollusk managed to lose its head & then began crawling around. Eventually, it grew an entirely new body.

'We were surprised to see the head moving just after autotomy,' said Sayaka Mitoh of Nara Women's University in Japan. 'We thought that it would die soon without a heart & other important organs, but we were surprised again to find that it regenerated the whole body.'

Mitoh, a PHD candidate, raises sea slugs from eggs to adults in order to study their life cycle. One day she happened to see a slug head moving around without its body.

Although it was detached from the body & heart, the head moved on its own around the bottom of the tank. Within a few days, the slug began to regrow its body. The regeneration was complete after about 3 weeks.

Mitoh & her colleagues reported the discovery in the journal Current Biology.

After the initial discovery, the researchers observed what they called 'extreme autotomy' (self-amputation) & whole-body regeneration in 2 species of sapoglossan sea slugs.

They found that for younger slugs, the detached heads began eating algae within hours. The wound typically closed at the back of the head within days. They started regrowing a heart within a week & the regeneration of the entire body was finished after around 3 weeks...

Young or old, the headless bodies never generated a new head. But they did move around & respond to being touched for several days & sometimes months after losing their heads, the researchers said.

             

Understanding Why & How

The researchers aren't sure why the sea slugs shed their heads or how they're able to grow new bodies.

They may have parasites that can hurt reproduction so they are removing their heads in order to also remove the parasites. But the researchers aren't sure what prompts them to know when to cast off the body when they do it.

And there's the question of how.

Mitoh says they believe there must be cells located in the neck that are similar to stem cells. These are able to regenerate a new body.

How the heads can survive without a heart & other vital organs is another puzzler. The researchers say these sea slugs fuel their bodies by photosynthesis. They rely on chloroplasts from algae in their own bodies when other food isn't available, a process known as kleptoplasty.

They think this might help them survive long enough after autotomy to regenerate a body.

'As the shed body is often active for months, we may be able to study the mechanism & functions of kleptoplasty using living organs, tissues, or even cells,' Mitoh said. 'Such studies are almost completely lacking, as most studies on kleptoplasty in sacoglossans are done either at the genetic or individual levels.'"

Mary Jo DiLonardo

March 9/2021 

Treehugger.com

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March 17/2021

 

Feature:

10 amazing animal species native to Ireland

"Ireland... is roughly 10,000 years old. Upon breaking apart from mainland Europe after the last ice age, it only then began to flourish into the rich, temperate island it is today.

Due to its relative youth, it has fewer plant & animal species when compared to Britain or mainland Europe. But don’t think this means there’s any shortage of compelling creatures native to the Emerald Isle.

From tiny nocturnal creatures to the mighty red deer, here is our list of 10 amazing animal species native to Ireland.

10. Irish Hare                                                                          One of the oldest species in Ireland, the Irish hare is an allusive creature, usually found grazing woodland areas. Considerably larger than its rabbit cousin, the hare isn’t here by coincidence.

According to the Hare Preservation Trust, the species had survived the most recent ice age by taking refuge in the tundra-like landscape of the south of Ireland.

9. Badger

Although found throughout Europe, badgers are mainly residential to Ireland. If you’re planning a walk in the countryside, hedgerows, grasslands, or woodlands around the island after sunset, you may just be lucky enough to spot one of these nocturnal creatures.

They’re usually wary of humans, so respect their desire for space or else you’ll risk the animal getting aggressive.

8. Irish setter

The beautiful Irish setter is a much-loved breed of dog that originates from... Ireland. Although known for their russet-red coat, records indicate that this wasn’t always the case.

Around 400 years ago, the breed used to be red & white, 2 colours that made it easier for hunters to spot them in their fields. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the breed, as we know them today, became popular.

7. Connemara pony

These majestic creatures are known for their gentle nature & the strong bonds they are able to form with their owners.

Standing at 12.2 to 14.2 hands high, Connemara ponies are the largest breed of pony out there.

6. Red fox

The largest of all the foxes, the red fox is one of the most amazing animal species native to Ireland—& a beautiful sight to behold in woodland areas of Ireland. They’ve even been spotted in urban areas at times, as they are highly adaptive.

Red foxes tend to stay out of the path of humans, which is understandable given the level to which this striking animal has been hunted by us in the past.

5. Pygmy shrew

The minute pygmy shrew takes the title of Ireland’s smallest mammal, measuring only between 4.5 & 6cm. Although often mistaken for a mouse, these creatures can be distinguished by their smaller body size, more velvet-like fur, & slightly furred tail.

Although largely absent from heavily forested areas, you can find them in grasslands, heaths, & peatlands across the emerald isle.

4. Hedgehog

Adored by cute animal lovers everywhere, hedgehogs have reached 'native' status in Ireland. These gentle creatures are non-territorial & are more at risk from human behaviour than other animals.

Although a common household pet, hedgehogs can be seen in the wild after dark in the countryside. Be careful, though; due to their size & colouring, they can often be missed on the ground beneath your feet.

3. The great Irish elk

The great Irish elk is one of the largest deer to have ever lived in Ireland. Unfortunately, these towering creatures have long been extinct, with most of their antlers & skeletons being found in the country’s bogs.

One theory for their extinction is that their wide-spanning antlers became so big that the animals could no longer support them on their heads. 

2. The viviparous lizard

It’s a well-known legend that Saint Patrick banished snakes from Ireland, & whether or not you believe that to be true, you won’t find any slithering serpents here. In fact, the closest thing you’ll find is the viviparous lizard, Ireland’s only lizard.

Small in size, but with a long tail, this reptile has the ability to regrow its tail should it ever be ripped off by predators.

1. Red deer

Believed to have been present in Ireland for at least 12,000 years, the mighty red deer is Ireland’s biggest land mammal, & the only current species of deer considered 'native' to here.

If you’re looking to photograph one of these, you’ll get your best snaps in late September to November & during the winter months, particularly when there is snow on the ground."

Lewis Sloane

irelandbeforeyoudie.com

10/10/2019

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March 10/2021

Feature:

Meet Shasta: Mt. Bachelor’s Newest Avalanche Rescue Dog

"A 10-week-old golden retriever puppy named Shasta was just announced as the newest member to Mt. Bachelor’s avalanche rescue team.

Mt. Bachelor, located in central Oregon, is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. with an elevation of 9,065 feet, 360-degree views from its summit, & a vertical drop of 3,365 feet.

The adorable puppy is getting familiar with the mountain & ski resort, while greeting skiers & snowboarders. She is currently traveling with her Ski Patrol handler, Drew Clendenen, by snowmobile but will soon learn to ride the chairlift.

Shasta is the 16th dog to join the Avalanche Dog Rescue Program, which was founded in 1991. She will join 3 other rescue dogs – Riggins, Mango, & Banyon.

The dogs are trained to work with their handlers to find & rescue people trapped under the snow after an avalanche by using their incredible sense of smell.

'Our 4-legged friends have the tremendous advantage of being able to travel at higher speeds over uneven terrain & use their heightened sense of smell to support rescue efforts led by Ski Patrol,' states Mt. Bachelor.

February storms have reportedly dropped over 85″ of snow on the mountain & it keeps snowing! Safety is the top priority for the team, so rescue dogs & Ski Patrol are on the mountain daily training & on the alert for dangerous conditions.

Shasta is just beginning her training & will spend the next year learning the ropes. By next winter, she will be fully trained & ready to help, should the need arise.

'The end goal is you have a dog that uses its nose to smell someone that could be 10 feet in the ground,' Clendenen said. 'The dog is going to alert us by digging or barking … it’s all about a game.'"

 Andrea Powell

goodnews.greatergood.com

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MWee

eet Shasta: Mt. Bachelor’s Newest Avalanche Rescue Dog

By Andrea Powell

 

Feature:

A golden catch 

"The odds of catching a yellow lobster are about 1 in 30 million, so you can imagine the celebration that went down when a lobsterman nabbed one off the coast of Maine. Its name is Banana, & it gets its special hue from a pigment in its shell. Luckily, the man who caught Banana knew what a find he had on his hands (or rather, in his bucket), & brought the golden crustacean to the University of New England to be fawned over — er, researched. Banana will now live a life of lobster luxury at the school & may help area universities learn more about the effects of water temperature in the Gulf of Maine. According to a lab coordinator, the lobster of honor weighs about a pound & a half, & is 'settling in nicely.'"

CNN's Good Stuff

CNN.com

Feb. 13/2021

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