Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Post

Eyes are utterly fascinating. Beyond their diverse colour and shapes, lies their multiple intricate structures that seamlessly work together to facilitate vision. The evolution of eyes across different species showcases remarkable diversity, from simple light-sensitive cells in primitive organisms to the sophisticated eyes found in mammals, birds, fish and insects. The zebrafish and human eyes share more similarities than "it meets the eye". Check out our latest blog to dive into this topic 👇 https://bit.ly/3WnsrM8 #OphthalmologyResearch #Zebrafish #DrugDiscovery

⚡ With the newly discovered Syntretus perlmani parasitoid wasp species, we have the opportunity to better understand our ecosystem. Detailed information about the characteristics, life cycle and ecological role of this species…

Ever heard of a numbat? These animals (one shown above) are curious creatures from Western Australia. The only marsupials that are active solely during the day, when they scratch at soil and rotting logs for termites, these squirrel-sized animals are built to hoard body heat. But that same energy-saving trait may put the already endangered animals at risk as the climate warms. A new study shows that the animals might rapidly overheat in the sun, even at relatively reasonable temperatures. A video from a thermal imaging camera (second slide) shows a numbat walking into a warmer area from a cooler area. The surface temperature of some parts of a numbat’s body can increase to 35° Celsius or more, suggesting the animals rapidly heat up in the sun. The finding hints that, as the climate warms, numbats may need to keep their termite foraging forays short to avoid overheating. (& : Christine Cooper) #researchworld #researchworldconference2024 #numbats #animals #biology #climate #australia

UNIQUE CREATURES LIKE THIS :- The rainbow tripod fish, scientifically known as " Bathypterois grallator ", is a fascinating deep-sea species residing in the abyssal plains of the world's oceans. 1. Unique Adaptations : The rainbow tripod fish has long, elongated pelvic fins and a long caudal fin that it uses to "stand" on the ocean floor. This adaptation allows it to remain stationary in the deep-sea currents, a unique method of positioning compared to other fish. 2. Habitat : This species is typically found at depths of around 3,000 to 5,000 meters. The deep-sea environment is characterized by complete darkness, high pressure, and cold temperatures. 3. Feeding Behavior : The tripod fish feeds by extending its pectoral fins to sense and capture prey such as small crustaceans and other invertebrates that drift by in the deep-sea currents. It uses its long fins to detect vibrations and movements in the water, which helps it locate food. 4. Appearance : Although called "rainbow" tripod fish, the name likely refers more to the iridescent quality that many deep-sea creatures exhibit due to light scattering in their scales or bioluminescence, rather than an actual rainbow coloration. 5. Reproduction : Little is known about the reproductive habits of the rainbow tripod fish due to the challenges of studying deep-sea organisms. 6. Scientific Significance : Studying the rainbow tripod fish and other deep-sea creatures helps scientists understand more about life in extreme environments and the adaptations required to survive there. #uniquecreatures #animalkingdom #animalcare #animallover #nature #aquaticlife #marinelife #fishes

Almost all animals on #Earth are bilaterally symmetrical. This essentially means that the right side of their body is identical to the left side of their body. Not all species show bilateral symmetry, with sea stars and some of their relatives displaying radial symmetry. Flatfish on the other hand are a strange exception - they are completely asymmetrical. Flatfish start off life as a bilaterally symmetrical #larva. As they grow, they undergo a bizarre transformation. One of their eyes begins to migrate through or around their head until both eyes are located on the same side. The flatfish will then take up residence on the seafloor, laying on one side of its body with both eyes facing upwards. Eye migration can be used to help identify flatfish. In some species, the right eye migrates over to the left side (sinistral flatfish) and in others, the left eye migrates towards the right side (dextral flatfish). Despite this, some flatfish species are notorious for hybridising with each other, which makes identifying them a little tricky. Interestingly, more primitive members of the flatfish, notably the 3 species of spiny turbot (Psettodes sp.), are less asymmetrical. Additionally, the eyes of spiny turbot do not follow a set migration route and their larvae can develop into either sinistral or dextral adults. This suggests that set eye migration and true #asymmetry are highly evolved traits within modern species. #fish #fishbiology #flatfish #fisheries #blueeconomy #research #science https://lnkd.in/gnCE-zqY

I'm excited to announce our new article describing the first recorded instance of a Phlebotomine sand fly on the island of Curaçao (and with that, the entire Dutch Caribbean). In our article, we detail the accidental discovery of Micropygomyia trinidadensis. While some literature suggests that M. trinidadensis could be a potential vector for Leishmania, there have been no recorded cases of sand fly-related illnesses in humans or animals on these islands to our knowledge. Additionally, the sand flies referred to as ‘M. trinidadensis’ in the literature are likely an aggregation of multiple species under the same name. Therefore, we are uncertain if the Caribbean type can actually function as a vector for Leishmania, and there is even uncertainty about whether this species is mammophilic (mammal-biting) or herpetophilic (reptile-biting). This underscores again the importance of a well-studied taxonomic backbone for understanding and predicting public health risks. Future studies are essential to determine the distribution of this species across the islands and to identify its local host preferences. Thanks a lot to Marieta Braks who co-organized the expedition with me, and to all the co-authors/mosquito team: Maarten Schrama, Pasquale Ciliberti, Pepijn Helleman, Roel Wouters and Francis Schaffner. We are also very grateful for the support of the vector control team of Curaçao and Carel de Haseth. More work from our 2022 mosquito survey on Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire will follow soon. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gvniKu8f

🌟 Exploring the World of Rodents: Understanding Our Furry Neighbors 🌟 Rodents are more than just household nuisances; they're a diverse group of mammals with fascinating characteristics and ecological roles. Here's a glimpse into some of the most common rodents we encounter: 🐭 House Mouse (Mus musculus) 🐀 Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) 🐀 Black Rat (Rattus rattus) 🐀 Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus) 🏠 Roof Rat (Rattus rattus) 🦌 Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) 🐁 White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) 🌾 Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) 🌲 Wood Rat (Neotoma spp.) 🐿️ Voles (Microtus spp.) 🏡 Pocket Gophers (Geomys spp.) 🐁 Gerbils (Gerbillinae) 🐹 Hamsters (Cricetinae) 🌳 Squirrels (Sciuridae family, including various species such as tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels) 🌰 Chipmunks (Tamias spp.) 🐾 Prairie Dogs (Cynomys spp.) 🦘 Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys spp.) 🌾 Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) 🌿 Nutria (Myocastor coypus) 🌊 Beavers (Castor spp.) Each species plays a unique role in its ecosystem, from seed dispersal to soil aeration. Understanding and respecting these creatures is vital for maintaining ecological balance. #Rodents #Wildlife #Ecology #Biodiversity #NatureAppreciation #LinkedInPost

🐞 Cychrus caraboides L., also known as the snail-eating ground beetle, is a beetle in the runner family (Carabidae) with a body length of up to 20 mm. Its body is uniformly black with a glossy dense scoring. Head elongated and narrow, maxillae large and strong. Forewing narrow heart-shaped. Lids fused, with a rounded, oval shape. Legs long and slender, adapted to move quickly. 🌎 The snail-eating ground beetle is found in almost all of Europe, with the exception of its southern regions. It can be found in countries such as Belarus, Benelux, the UK, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, Scandinavia, the Balkans and throughout Central Europe, In the north it reaches far beyond the Arctic Circle. 🏚 Cychrus caraboides prefers moist and humus soils in deciduous and mixed forests. It can often be found under moss and in rotten stumps. It is mainly active at night and lives in shady places such as woodlands and other wooded areas. It is found on upland heathland in the UK. 🍲 The snail-eating ground beetle, both adults and larvae, feed on snails, especially small species of Oxychilis 🔍 Cychrus caraboides is a fairly common species in Europe and is not currently considered an endangered species and is not subject to any form of species protection. #InsectOfTheDay #Biodiversity #NaturePhotography #Entomology #CychrusCaraboides #snaileatinggroundbeetle #Beetles #groundBeetles #NatureProtection #FaunaEurope. #EnvironmentNatural #carabidae #cychrus #predators #snails #nocturnalanimals #Nature #Biology #Insect #Ecosystem #Forest #Environmentalprotection #Nature #Animals

Did you know some sea turtles can migrate over 10,000 miles in a single year? 🌍 Using the Earth’s magnetic field as a guide, turtles undertake incredible long-distance journeys across oceans. 🧭 These gentle creatures play an important role in maintaining marine ecosystems by controlling jellyfish populations and keeping seagrass beds healthy. 🌊🌱 Sadly, many turtle species are endangered due to plastic pollution and climate change. By spreading awareness, we can help protect these magnificent animals and the habitats they rely on. 🔹 Follow @weprajati for more insights into the animal world. 🔹 DM for credit or removal. Photo credit always goes to the owner. #Turtle #MarineConservation #EndangeredSpecies #AnimalFacts #WildlifeConservation #EcoFriendly #Sustainability #Zoology #Biology #EnvironmentalProtection #SaveTheTurtles #LinkedInLearning #Biodiversity

Happy Earth Day! This incredibly special day is for celebrating and appreciating the natural world around us. Read on to learn about the research being conducted at the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) this Earth Day.    Collection season at the CREW Plant Division is in full SPRING! Plant Scientists at CREW collaborate with organizations all over the United States in the spring months to acquire cuttings of threatened oak species for cryopreservation. Cryopreservation is the process of freezing and storing plant tissues or seeds in liquid nitrogen (-196°C or -320°F). CREW focuses primarily on cryopreserving shoot tips, which are the growing stem cells from plants grown in culture.   First, oak cuttings are delivered and processed; they are sterilized in a bleach solution. Then, the oak shoots are put into an additional fungicide and rinsed in sterile water before being put into culture on nutrient-rich medium. After close watch for contamination, the test tube oaks that survive can be transferred to a hormone medium, which instructs the plant to produce tons of new shoots. The shoot tips are then isolated and can be cryopreserved.   Oaks cannot be seed banked using conventional methods, therefore cryopreservation of shoot tips is the only way to bank this species. In the event of population decline, CREW’s frozen garden would provide a backup and contribute to the restoration of threatened plant populations.