Barnacle Evolution I: Phylogeny Served Without Plates
Barnacle Evolution I: Phylogeny Served Without Plates avatar

By , on January 10th, 2011 3 comments   Adaptations, Evolution, New Research, Seeps, Vent, & Whale Falls   , , , , , , , , , ,  

Lepas anatifera from Washington state, USA. Photo credit: David Cowles 1997. Barnacle evolution was recently rewritten by a large effort of Perez-Losada and colleagues in 2008. Using a combination of genes and morphological traits they rejected some of the ideas that were foundational to barnacle biology and taxonomy, while giving new support for other . . . → Read More: Barnacle Evolution I: Phylogeny Served Without Plates

Barnacle Evolution I: Phylogeny Served Without Plates avatar

Another Blow to Sea Cucumbers and a New Challenger to the Ring
Another Blow to Sea Cucumbers and a New Challenger to the Ring avatar

By , on March 21st, 2008 10 comments   Opinion & Editorial, Organisms   , , , , , ,  

Ed Yong over at Not Exactly Rocket Science ha an awesome post highlighting recent research on the unique vision of mantis shrimps. At the end of his post he (rightfully) dismisses the sea cucumber: “Personally, I think mantis shrimps kick the crap out of sea cucumbers, but they’re on a par with squid, which incidentally . . . → Read More: Another Blow to Sea Cucumbers and a New Challenger to the Ring

Another Blow to Sea Cucumbers and a New Challenger to the Ring avatar