TGIF: The Cambrian Explosion Song
TGIF: The Cambrian Explosion Song avatar

By , on July 15th, 2011 4 comments   Biodiversity, Evolution, Geology, Paleobiology, TGIF: Pictures & Movies   , ,  

Because it’s Friday and you need to begin every Friday morning with a song about the Cambrian Explosion Because it’s Friday and you need to begin every Friday morning with a song about the Cambrian Explosion

Tide Pool: Cephalopods, Ash, and Sulphur Are to Blame
Tide Pool: Cephalopods, Ash, and Sulphur Are to Blame avatar

By , on February 24th, 2011 Leave a comment   Biodiversity, Cephalopods!, Environmental Sciences, Evolution, Geology, Natural Disaster, New Research, Paleobiology, Paleobiology   , , , , , , , , , ,  

An occasional series where we briefly report 3 new studies and tell you why they are cool! Heightened biodiversity may make an ecosystem more stabile and robust.  One of the reasons for this is that high biodiversity may create redundant species, i.e. species that serve a similar ecological role in the ecosystem.  A loss of one species may not . . . → Read More: Tide Pool: Cephalopods, Ash, and Sulphur Are to Blame

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Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on the To Humble Diatom
Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on the To Humble Diatom avatar

By , on January 15th, 2011 Leave a comment   Adaptations, Biodiversity, Conservation & Environment, Critters, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Evolution, Geology, Life Science, Paleobiology, Paleobiology, Scientist!   , , , ,  

Dear Diatoms, You are pretty, and I like you. Haeckel liked you too, so did Gaudi. Obviously, they appreciated the little things in life. While you still make appearances now and again in modern life, let’s face it: being microscopic and aquatic, recognition is an up-current battle, and you can’t swim. Perhaps obscurity suits you? . . . → Read More: Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on the To Humble Diatom

Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on the To Humble Diatom avatar

Cephalopod on Cephalopod Crime
Cephalopod on Cephalopod Crime avatar

By , on December 1st, 2010 2 comments   Cephalopods!, Ecology, Evolution, Paleobiology, Paleobiology   , , , ,  

New work in the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society indicates that ammonites were likely preyed upon beaked squids.  The Chamouth Mudstone Formation on the British Coast is famous for its ammonite fauna from 183-195 million years ago.  Twenty percent of the ammonites were found to have damage toward the rear of shell.  This spot . . . → Read More: Cephalopod on Cephalopod Crime

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Of eyes and sex in lizardfishes
Of eyes and sex in lizardfishes avatar

By , on October 20th, 2010 5 comments   Adaptations, Biodiversity, Evolution, Fish, Life Science, Mating & Reproduction, Paleobiology, Paleobiology   , , , , , ,  

145 million years ago, in the Cretaceous, the air was warm and the seas were high and rum flowed freely.  On land, mammals were oppressed under dinosaur Republican rule.  Massive reptiles and ammonites, long since extinct, dominated the oceans.  Under the reign of these giants, the lizardfishes were mere fledglings.  Today, the 256 known lizardfishes represent an . . . → Read More: Of eyes and sex in lizardfishes

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Yicaris – Progenitor of the Crustacea
Yicaris – Progenitor of the Crustacea avatar

By , on August 30th, 2010 Leave a comment   Adaptations, Biodiversity, Evolution, New Research, Paleobiology   , , , ,  

Finding any new fossil is rare. Finding invertebrate fossils is made even more rare because of the squishy nature of most invertebrates. Sometimes the wandering paleontologist, toiling away with utmost care through dust and debris, can find parts of squishy invertebrates like scolodonts (polychaete jaws), coral rubble, carbonate shell cement, or maybe sea star or . . . → Read More: Yicaris – Progenitor of the Crustacea

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