When 2 becomes 12: Cryptic species need some love like they’ve never needed love before
When 2 becomes 12: Cryptic species need some love like they’ve never needed love before avatar

By , on February 26th, 2013 One comment   Ecology, Evolution, New Research, New Species, Organisms   , , , , , ,  

A “species” is a hypothesis. And for microscopic critters, this hypothesis is very often wrong. Everyone knows I despise charismatic megafauna (especially dolphins). I will now secretly admit that I also don’t care much for charismatic invertebrates. I mean, Yeti crabs are pretty much the Lindsay Lohan of marine creatures – they’re just too damn . . . → Read More: When 2 becomes 12: Cryptic species need some love like they’ve never needed love before

When 2 becomes 12: Cryptic species need some love like they’ve never needed love before avatar

Deep-sea additions to the Nematode Tree of Life
Deep-sea additions to the Nematode Tree of Life avatar

By , on March 10th, 2011 One comment   Ecology, New Research, Open Access, Organisms   , , ,  

Sometimes I am stunned by the vastness of the internet, as well as the brief 15-nanoseconds of fame that go along with most of its content. The other day I discovered the ‘Charlie the Unicorn’ videos on YouTube, after (ironically?) having a conversation with a real three-dimensional human. I was excited by this hilarity and . . . → Read More: Deep-sea additions to the Nematode Tree of Life

Deep-sea additions to the Nematode Tree of Life avatar

What in Darwin’s Name Are Chaetognaths?!
What in Darwin’s Name Are Chaetognaths?! avatar

By , on June 7th, 2010 8 comments   New Research, Organisms, Plankton   , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  

Lynn Margulis classified the Chaetognaths, known as arrow worms, as deuterostomes. Deuterostomy is characterized by several developmental characteristics including radial, indeterminate cleavage, a posterior position of the blastopore (deuterostomy=”second mouth”), enterocoelous coelom formation and a tripartite adult body plan with a post-anal tail. At least this is what I was taught “growing up”. Three . . . → Read More: What in Darwin’s Name Are Chaetognaths?!

What in Darwin’s Name Are Chaetognaths?! avatar

Kevin Zelnio…New and Improved…Now With 30% More Shrimp!
Kevin Zelnio…New and Improved…Now With 30% More Shrimp! avatar

By , on April 15th, 2009 12 comments   New Research, Opinion & Editorial, Organisms, Scientist!, Seeps, Vent, & Whale Falls   , , , , , ,  

Kevin described a new species today. What have you done? KZ is now among the scientifically published. Occurring this week in the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington is “A new species of Alvinocaris (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Alvinocarididae) from hydrothermal vents at the Lau Basin, southwest Pacific, and a key to the species of . . . → Read More: Kevin Zelnio…New and Improved…Now With 30% More Shrimp!

Kevin Zelnio…New and Improved…Now With 30% More Shrimp! avatar