How Life Thrives Under the Ocean’s Crushing Pressure
Like most deep-sea biologists, I have a large collection of decorated Styrofoam cups. A couple dozen line the bookshelf of my office, each displaying a…
What do baseball and fishes have in common?
Here’s the third in our series of guest posts from California Academy of Sciences ichthyologist Dr. Luiz Rocha I am not going to lie to…
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These are a few of my favorite species: The Torpedo Ray
“Shields up! Phasers set to kill! Engage!” If the Pacific Torpedo Ray (Torpedo californica) had an inner dialogue whilst stalking delicious fishy snacks, I could imagine it…
View More These are a few of my favorite species: The Torpedo RayHow much weight is the "Ocean Atlas" really carrying on its shoulders?
Artist Jason deCaires Taylor has teamed up with B.R.E.E.F. to create “Ocean Atlas”, the worlds largest underwater sculpture. Underwater reef, diverter of tourists from natural reefs and a new…
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These are a few of my favorite species: almost zombie like brachiopods
The lowly brachiopod. They make my list because they represent the antithesis of a charismatic organism. Today the attention they get is mostly by mistake. Brachiopods are often…
View More These are a few of my favorite species: almost zombie like brachiopodsInterview with the Vampire Blennies
This is our second guest post from ichthyologist, tech diver and all-round good guy Dr. Luiz Rocha at the California Academy of Sciences. You should…
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These are a few of my favorite species: Anything with an instrument on it
As a physical oceanographer I have a love-hate relationship with sea life. Ocean biology is totally cool….until it interferes with my measurements. I’m looking at you…
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Species: Carnivorous Sponges
Most sponges, inspiration for dish cleaners and mess absorbers, feed by filtering water through those many holes and channels. Their scientific name, Porifera, literally means…
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Species: Spotted Porcupine Fish
As scientific mariners, we spend an inordinate amount of shore time on sleezy docks and seedy piers around the world, from the gritty shipyards of…
View More These Are a Few of My Favorite Species: Spotted Porcupine FishShark vs. CTD. Shark 1, CTD 0.
There is a common saying amongst oceanographers, “if you put something in the water, there is no guarantee you will get it back.” I’ve been in…
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These are a Few of My Favorite Species: Pistol Shrimp
My dream day includes Clint Eastwood and I drinking bourbon, smoking cigars, and watching The Outlaw Josey Wales. At one of the most memorable moments in…
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