Reason #381 that I love my job I spent this morning doing this: In the last few days I have been tracking down the world’s…
View More Sleuthing the Largest SnailCategory: Evolution
The Ever Increasing Size of Godzilla: Implications for Sexual Selection and Urine Production
In 1954 Godzilla was a mere 50 meters (164 ft). In the newest movie, Godzilla is estimated to be 150 meters (492 ft). For comparison…
View More The Ever Increasing Size of Godzilla: Implications for Sexual Selection and Urine ProductionThe Floating Rocks of the South Pacific
In the South Pacific world building occurs every day. From beneath the ocean’s depths active submarine volcanoes eject molten lava and sulfuric gases well above…
View More The Floating Rocks of the South PacificWood falls are an oasis in a food desert
To grow larger, maintain themselves, and produce offspring, organisms require a ready source of building blocks such as carbon. In short, life requires energy. Keep…
View More Wood falls are an oasis in a food desertWood Falls, Chemicals, & Dubstep
I’ve gotten a little crazy about wood falls lately. My newest research project with Jim Barry at MBARI is definitely coolest research I have ever…
View More Wood Falls, Chemicals, & DubstepA New Parasitic Male Found
The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed–Abraham Lincoln Over 300 different species of anglerfish…
View More A New Parasitic Male FoundThis vampire’s surprising secret
Vampire squid–with cloudy blue eyes, a blood red body, and barbed arms– may be the deep sea’s most frightening creature, but according to a new…
View More This vampire’s surprising secretThe Ocean’s Gelantinous Christmas Tinsel
The above photo is of Apolemia lanosa a type of siphonophore belonging to phylum Cnidaria that also includes corals and jellies. It’s basically the ocean’s…
View More The Ocean’s Gelantinous Christmas TinselThe Tiny Swimming Pigs of Pig Beach
On a largely uninhabited island (a cay) in Bahamas, the chief residents are less than a two-dozen feral pigs. The island is now more lovingly…
View More The Tiny Swimming Pigs of Pig BeachPygmy Squids Females Favor Small Males and Fast Copulation
Females of some species in the wild may not be able to prevent unwanted sex with males. In many crustaceans, males forcibly mate with females…
View More Pygmy Squids Females Favor Small Males and Fast Copulation