NY Weekly’s Post

🦑 The Evolution of the Jellyfish: A Journey Through Time Jellyfish are among the most ancient creatures on Earth, with a fascinating evolutionary history that spans over 500 million years. As members of the phylum Cnidaria, they have adapted to various environmental changes and survived multiple mass extinctions. These gelatinous organisms display a range of forms and sizes, from tiny moon jellies to massive lion's mane jellyfish, showcasing their incredible adaptability. Understanding jellyfish evolution involves examining their unique anatomical features, such as stinging tentacles and pulsating bodies, which have made them efficient predators in marine ecosystems. Recent research emphasizes their ecological role, including impacts on fish populations and their ability to thrive in warmer waters due to climate change. By studying the evolution of jellyfish, scientists can gain valuable insights into marine biology and the overall health of our oceans. Their resilience in the face of environmental changes serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of life on Earth. #Jellyfish #MarineBiology #Evolution #Ecology #ClimateChange https://lnkd.in/d-XmAAjT

CORAL NEWS: Key factors that orchestrate mysterious synchronized coral spawning revealed Corals play an essential role in ocean ecosystems, and like many organisms, they are under threat from climate change and other human activities. To better protect coral, it's first necessary to understand them, in particular their reproductive life cycle, which only happens once a year. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/eB7SyQjQ #coralreefs #coralnews #coralspawning #coralscience #marineecology #marinebiology #coralresearch

Does Animals shrink or increase in size over lineages? There are has been two main schools of thought regarding this question of the last few decades. Cope's rule and it's inverse. A recent study in Nature Communications biology, used a process-based modelling where they reported three characteristic macroevolutionary patterns. One of them doesn't is not consistent with Cope's rule. 1- Cope's rule is valid when species interactions depend mainly on relative body size differences, and there is a low risk of lineage extinction. In such scenarios, species tend to evolve towards larger body sizes. 2- In environments with a higher risk of lineage extinction, a pattern termed "recurrent Cope’s rule" emerges. This involves cyclic evolution towards larger body sizes due to the repeated elimination of top predators. 3- When species interactions are influenced by both body size and ecological niches( how species fit in the echosystem), an inverse pattern may occur, leading to cyclic evolution towards smaller body sizes. This "recurrent inverse Cope’s rule" is characterized by dynamic community evolution, where larger species diversify and smaller species face extinction. https://lnkd.in/dXfCm96K

Terrestrial ecosystems are the thin layer of naturally evolved life at the Earth's surface whose interdependent biodiversity provide ecological services that power local habitats and the biosphere. Sadly, centuries of human overuse have drastically reduced natural ecosystem diversity and resilience, putting landscapes, bioregions, and the biosphere at risk of collapse. A groundbreaking study, "Redefining Extinction Impact," highlights the vulnerability of these ecosystems and reinforces the ideas presented in my ground-breaking scientific paper from nearly a decade ago. The new research emphasizes that terrestrial ecosystems are slow to recover. I am currently researching lag times in ecosystem recovery and regeneration for a follow-up paper. #ecosystems #ecology #science #sustainability | More: https://lnkd.in/eTQPP_ZJ Barry, G. (2014), "Terrestrial ecosystem loss and biosphere collapse", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 25 No. 5, pp. 542-563. https://lnkd.in/eKAGvQG4 Download at: https://lnkd.in/eNB9bYBq

Bioluminescence in the deep sea serves as a vital communication and survival mechanism among marine invertebrates, facilitating complex behaviors such as predation, mating, and territorial defense. In this obscure environment, devoid of sunlight, organisms like the anglerfish ingeniously use bioluminescent lures to attract and capture prey, enhancing their predatory efficiency. Similarly, deep-sea squids may emit bursts of light to disorient predators, using bioluminescence as a defensive tactic to escape threats. Beyond predation, bioluminescence is crucial for reproductive communication; species like ostracods emit distinctive light patterns to attract mates, utilizing the light to signal their location and readiness for reproduction.Territorial behavior is also marked by bioluminescent displays, with jellyfish and similar species using light to deter rivals from their feeding territories. This mode of communication is essential for maintaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, where visual cues are scarce. Moreover, bioluminescence aids in species-specific identification, helping organisms to recognize members of their own species in the vast ocean, thus facilitating more effective social interactions.Sea stars, although less frequently associated with bioluminescence, display this trait under stress or when threatened, possibly as a warning signal of environmental dangers or as a deterrent against predators. The crown-of-thorns starfish, for example, exhibits bioluminescence during periods of stress, highlighting the adaptive nature of this phenomenon. The ability of these organisms to use light emission for navigation or to signal distress underscores the evolutionary sophistication and ecological significance of bioluminescence in navigating the challenging conditions of the deep-sea environment. This multifunctional trait not only enhances the survival of individual species but also contributes to the biodiversity and operational dynamics of marine ecosystems. #bioluminescence #marine #marinebiodiscoverycentre #marinebiodiscovery #deepsea #deepocean #starfish #seastars #nature #science #deep #sea #ocean #jellyfish #darkdeepsea #earth #chemistry #communication #deepseainvertebrates #microorganisms Teresinha Aguiar

Did you know how many stages are in a butterfly’s life cycle? The butterfly’s life cycle, comprising four stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—is a remarkable journey of transformation and adaptation. Each stage is critical for the survival and continuation of the species, showcasing the intricate balance and interdependence within nature. From the strategic egg-laying on host plants to the caterpillar’s relentless feeding, the mysterious metamorphosis within the chrysalis, and finally, the emergence of a beautiful butterfly, this cycle is a testament to nature's ingenuity. Understanding the butterfly’s life cycle can deepen our appreciation for these delicate creatures and the vital roles they play in pollination and biodiversity. It also reminds us of the importance of preserving their habitats to ensure that future generations can witness this incredible process. Have you ever observed the complete life cycle of a butterfly? What stages fascinated you the most? #ButterflyLifeCycle #Nature #Entomology #didyouknow #sciencetrivia

Our climate is becoming ever warmer – impacting plant and animal ecosystems. But this is by no means the first time Earth has experienced climate change. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Peter Heintzman is using genetics to examine how prehistoric climate change has impacted life on Earth. https://bit.ly/3H7gp0E #research #science #paleogenetics #climate #climatechange #history #genetics Stockholm University Peter Heintzman Magnus Trogen Pahlén Magnus Bergström

Our climate is becoming ever warmer – impacting plant and animal ecosystems. But this is by no means the first time Earth has experienced climate change. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Peter Heintzman is using genetics to examine how prehistoric climate change has impacted life on Earth. https://bit.ly/3H7gp0E #research #science #paleogenetics #climate #climatechange #history #genetics Stockholm University Peter Heintzman Magnus Trogen Pahlén Magnus Bergström

New research has challenged traditional evolutionary theories by revealing key factors behind the changing sizes of certain animals over time. A new study suggests that the mystery behind why Alaskan horses, cryptodiran turtles, and island lizards shrunk over time may have been solved. The research proposes that animal size over time depends on two key ecological factors: the intensity of direct competition for resources between species, and the risk of extinction from the environment. Check out the article to learn more about the study's findings. #evolutionarybiology #ecology #animalresearch

A tenth of all named species on Earth are moths or butterflies and they are uniquely sensitive to changes in habitats, temperature and plants on which they thrive. https://loom.ly/e3Yx3cI