Polar Bears International’s Post

What do turtles, scent-trained dogs, and human movement have in common? 🐢🐶🏃 See the link below to learn more about how the CFWE and College of Education are teaming up for some unique research! 🧐 https://bit.ly/4hwlxf4

How do you estimate the age of an octopus? 🐙 Understanding the age of octopuses helps in determining growth rates, reproductive cycles, and sustainable harvesting practices. Marine scientists from the University of South Australia have developed a practical tool for estimating the age of octopuses. They've published their open-access guide in CSIRO Publishing's Marine and Freshwater Research journal. Discover fascinating research stories of incredible invertebrates. 👇

Hey 👋👋 If you have to update your knowledge about nature's Misnomers, this article will serve you best. https://lnkd.in/d9Ek5biZ

Through the work I do capturing, collaring, and tracking fishers in Minnesota, as part of a team based out of the Natural Resources Research Institute at University of Minnesota Duluth, I'm generally not permitted to share photos or video of our target species. However, on this occasion, while we trapped in the University's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve back in Dec, the University posted this video that I took of us releasing a collared fisher. Enjoy a glimpse at these beautiful and elusive denisons of the forest. I can't believe this video of mine went viral. This is a perfect example of how I would like to accompany my skills as a photographer with my work as a wildlife researcher. I hope this video gives people an opportunity to see these majestic and sorely misunderstood beings. I want to take a minute to dispel some rumors. Fishers, also referred to as fisher cats in New England - to my chagrin - , are commonly blamed for terrorizing the nocturnal woodland world with their shrieks. This is completely misplaced. The vocalizations people associate with fishers are actually those of a red fox. Having now handled and been around about 20 fishers, and having now worked with experts who have studied fishers for years, I can say that fishers are one of the most quiet creatures I've seen. The most common sound I've heard them make is a very low pitched gurlging. Secondly, fishers are not a threat to people, children, or cats. There is a huge misunderstanding that fishers are one of the leading predators of outdoor domestic cats. This was shown to be false by a study of over 226 fisher scats and stomachs in Massachusetts. That same study did note two instances of fishers eating a cat. Fishers only weigh, on average, 5-14 pounds. It doesn't make sense for fishers to pursue a prey item that is as large as themselves and as well armed as a cat. For their own self-preservation, fishers focus their attention on rodents (mice to squirrels to porcupines), lagomorphs (rabbits and hares), carrion, fruits, and seeds (the proportion of which depends on the region and season). If you're ever lucky enough to see one of these magnificent critters, savor the moment. https://lnkd.in/dezs6x8z

Our latest research paper is now published! This study combined a local fishing practice i.e., boat lift net fishery (locally known as 'bagan') with scientific observation in Kaimana, Papua, and captured valuable insights into cetacean behavior, abundance, and feeding associations. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gVeYdHE3

Our recent work on solitary bee nesting highlights some important findings. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eeY9HkQ9 #SaveTheBees #BeeConservation #ScienceBuzz #sciencecommunication

A new menace for the European beekeeping sector is moving westward! BeeGuards members are among the authors of this first report of the presence of Tropilelaps mercedesae in Georgia! Start to learn about this new threath and be prepared: knowledge is pivotal for a sustainable managment! We'll soon post also about how to quickly check your colonies for its presence! Download on: https://lnkd.in/eqFDYvMq #BeeGuards #research #HorizonEU #ResearchEurope #ResearchImpactEU #climatechange

I’m pleased to announce a new publication (open access!) https://lnkd.in/eGNMKGa5, resulting from MS thesis research by my former student Katelyn Overstreet. For the last several decades, mangroves have been extending their northernmost range limit in Florida, moving into saltmarshes and increasing in abundance due to a lack of severe freezes. In 2018, a three-day freeze caused significant defoliation, but not mortality, of mangroves in St. Augustine, Florida, at the site of a nutrient-enrichment experiment (Dangremond et al. 2020). We previously found that N-fertilized trees experienced less freeze damage, but non-fertilized trees regrew at rates that mimicked the effects of N-fertilization (Feller et al. 2023). This led to the hypothesis that green leaves that froze and fell in place acted as nutrient sources for trees recovering from freeze damage. Our new paper (Overstreet et al. 2025) provides support for this hypothesis. Leaf litter from green leaves (frozen and unfrozen) spurred growth at higher rates in mangrove seedlings than senescent leaf litter or controls. It's interesting to see how well these tropical plants are doing as the climate warms and they move into more temperate zones.

Ocean acidification (OA) is a growing threat to Oregon's vital shellfish industry, impacting oyster hatcheries and farmers alike. To address this challenge, the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST), through funding from HB 3114, is supporting research at Oregon State University's Molluscan Broodstock Program. This project focuses on breeding Pacific oysters for increased resilience to OA. Scientists are investigating the effects of acidified seawater on larval development and exploring whether stress-conditioning parental oysters can lead to offspring better equipped to handle OA conditions. OOST's investment in this research demonstrates a commitment to tackling the challenges posed by ocean acidification head-on. By supporting cutting-edge science, we are working to protect Oregon's marine resources and ensure a thriving future for our coastal economy. Discover the full scope of OOST-funded research projects at https://lnkd.in/g82XnfPx #OregonOceanScienceTrust #OceanAcidification #OysterAquaculture #MolluscanBroodstockProgram #MarineResearch #HB3114

This featured species may just be mightier than the sword. The pen clam (family Pinnidae) is a common mollusk found along South Carolina's beaches that is easily identified by its fan-shaped structure that tapers from one end to the other, resembling a quill pen. Brown in color, the pen clam naturally camouflages underneath the sand, where it extends the narrow end of its shell above the surface and uses byssal threads (a bundle of filaments or threads commonly found on mollusks) to secure itself on a hard structure. The pen clam is a filter feeder and is often found in commensal relationships (where one species benefits and another species is neither helped nor harmed) with organisms such as small shrimp and crabs. Interested in marine and environmental science and education? Check out our education newsletter, The Lettered Olive, for monthly featured species like this one, as well as information on resources and upcoming events for educators. Sign up at the link in our bio! #LearnMoreOutdoors #MarineSciences Photo credit: E.V. Bell