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Posts

May 19, 2013

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4:10 PM | Shrinking Alligator Penises: Using Wildlife Models to Study How Chemical Contaminants May Affect Human Reproductive Systems (Guest Post)
<!--StartFragment--> Erin on the side of a river somewhere in western NC, hard at work study obviously. <!--StartFragment-->Erin Abernethy is a Master’s student in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, where she is studying scavenging ecology in Hawaii. Before coming to Athens, Erin lived in North Carolina earning her BS in Biology at Appalachian State. For that degree,

Guillette Jr., L., Pickford, D., Crain, D., Rooney, A. & Percival, H. (1996). Reduction in Penis Size and Plasma Testosterone Concentrations in Juvenile Alligators Living in a Contaminated Environment, General and Comparative Endocrinology, 101 (1) 32-42. DOI:

Living Alongside Wildlife
Conservation | Ecology
Citation
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3:50 PM | The extinction of the Irish brown bear
A new study by Saoirse Leonard and co-authors from the Institute of Zoology, London and the University of Liverpool model the potential survival of brown bears in an Irish glacial refugium. The study has just been published in Biology Letters, and … Continue reading →

Leonard, S., Risley, C. & Turvey, S. (2013). Could brown bears (Ursus arctos) have survived in Ireland during the Last Glacial Maximum?, Biology Letters, 9 (4) 20130281-20130281. DOI:

Edwards, C., Suchard, M., Lemey, P., Welch, J., Barnes, I., Fulton, T., Barnett, R., O'Connell, T., Coxon, P., Monaghan, N. & Valdiosera, C. (2011). Ancient Hybridization and an Irish Origin for the Modern Polar Bear Matriline, Current Biology, 21 (15) 1251-1258. DOI:

A dribble of knowledge
Environment | Conservation
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Citation

May 18, 2013

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4:58 PM | faunafacts: Crinoid, New Caledonia by Rodolphe Holler
faunafacts: Crinoid, New Caledonia by Rodolphe Holler
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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4:47 PM | The Hard Way
Business guru Malcolm Gladwell argues that practice is more important than talent.
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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2:43 PM | Migratory Species Vulnerable to Five Key Threats
The ‘Big Five’ primary causes of biodiversity loss … are habitat destruction, overharvesting and poaching, pollution, climate change and introduction of invasive species.” Migratory species are especially vulnerable “as they depend entirely on a network of well-functioning ecosystems to refuel, reproduce and survive in every ‘station’ they visit and upon unrestricted travel.”
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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1:15 PM | Deadly Snakes, Ugly Critters, Leonardo DiCaprio and Other Links from the Brink
A deadly but critically endangered snake, one of the world’s rarest birds and a heavily guarded flower are among the endangered species in the news this week. A New Snake with a Sad Story: A gorgeous but extremely dangerous new snake species has been discovered in Honduras. The new palm pit viper has been named [...]
Scientific American - Extinction Countdown
Biology | Conservation

May 17, 2013

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7:33 PM | Taylor Wilson: My radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors
Taylor Wilson, is known as the boy who played with fusion, because at the age of 14 became the 32nd individual on the planet to achieve a nuclear-fusion reaction.
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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2:47 PM | Eye of the tiger
A new study on the genetic structure of the Indian tiger has found that the current  tiger population now only retain a small proportion of the historical mitochondrial DNA  haplotypes. The new study has just been published in Proceedings of the Royal … Continue reading →

Mondol S, Bruford MW & Ramakrishnan U (2013). Demographic loss, genetic structure and the conservation implications for Indian tigers., Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society, 280 (1762) 20130496. PMID:

A dribble of knowledge
Environment | Conservation
Citation
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12:35 PM | Friday Roundup: This Week's Wildlife Links (May 17th, 2013)
This article could use a little more reflection about working alongside potentially dangerous animals and a little less sensationalism. But, it's still an incredible story: I was swallowed by a hippo. Who knew? Snakes like hot springs too. The Roundup from a couple weeks ago featured amazing pictures of a pod of Orcas attacking a group of Sperm Whales. This week's unlucky victim is a dolphin.

Wenger SJ, Isaak DJ, Luce CH, Neville HM, Fausch KD, Dunham JB, Dauwalter DC, Young MK, Elsner MM, Rieman BE & Hamlet AF (2011). Flow regime, temperature, and biotic interactions drive differential declines of trout species under climate change., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (34) 14175-80. PMID:

Living Alongside Wildlife
Conservation | Ecology
Citation
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10:51 AM | The Biodiversity Heritage Library Receives the CBHL Long Award of Extraordinary Merit
The Biodiversity Heritage Library is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of the Charles Robert Long Award of Extraordinary Merit from the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (CBHL).The highest honor bestowed by CBHL, the Charles Robert Long Award for Extraordinary Merit was founded to honor outstanding contribution and meritorious service to CBHL or to the field of botanical and horticultural libraries or literature. Since 1988, only 14 people have received this […]
Biodiversity Heritage Library
Biology | Conservation

May 16, 2013

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8:56 PM | Ecuador opening its rainforest to oil drilling despite bitter past experience
Perhaps they are hoping that this time, China will do better at respecting indigenous people’s rights, health, and the integrity of the jungle environment than Texaco was able to do?
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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8:52 PM | GoPro Passes Grizzly Test
Ever imagine what it would be like to stare down the mouth of a grizzly bear? Well, thanks to Brad Joseph and his GoPro, you can find out. Just look at those teeth and claws! Plus, bonus footage of grizzlies catching fish!
Science Sushi
Evolution | Conservation
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1:30 PM | What Do Tigers and Kiwi Have in Common? The Answer Lies in Their Genes
At first (and probably second) glance you wouldn’t think that tigers and kiwis have all that much in common. Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) live in India and the surrounding countries, where the predators can weigh more than 220 kilograms. Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) live exclusively in New Zealand, where the flightless birds weigh [...]
Scientific American - Extinction Countdown
Biology | Conservation
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12:00 AM | livinginchaosbeauty: My final project in scientific...
livinginchaosbeauty: My final project in scientific illustration! I wanted to draw some of the forms of the mimic octopus, Thaumoctopus mimicus, one of the coolest organisms I know of.[Much better scans to come in the far-off future]
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology

May 15, 2013

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9:20 PM | marine-science:  
marine-science:  
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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9:00 PM | Eau de Manipulation: Malarial Mosquitoes More Attracted To Human Scent
By the time you realize what has happened, it’s too late. An Anopheles gambiae mosquito can land on your skin completely unnoticed. While you continue unaware, she stealthily walks over your exposed flesh, searching, probing the surface of your skin with her proboscis until she finds a blood vessel. She then situates her body perfectly [...]

Smallegange R., van Gemert G.J., van de Vegte-Bolmer M., Gezan S. & Takken W. (2013). Malaria Infected Mosquitoes Express Enhanced Attraction to Human Odor. , PLoS ONE, 8 (5) e63602. DOI:

Science Sushi
Evolution | Conservation
Citation
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6:40 PM | scinerds: Colorful phytoplankton blooms off the coast of...
scinerds: Colorful phytoplankton blooms off the coast of France.  Nasa writes: Blooms can be a blessing to other marine species, as these tiny floating plants often feed everything from zooplankton to fish to whales. But some algae and plankton blooms can turn dangerous, either through the production of chemical toxins or by severely depleting the oxygen supply in the ocean and creating “dead zones” that suffocate marine creatures.
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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5:53 PM | scientificillustration: Die Kreidefauna des Peterwardeiner...
scientificillustration: Die Kreidefauna des Peterwardeiner Gebirges Palaeontographica 52 (1905-6)
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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1:20 PM | colchrishadfield: Dr. Seuss-inspired swirls in the Black Sea.
colchrishadfield: Dr. Seuss-inspired swirls in the Black Sea.
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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10:40 AM | astronomy-to-zoology: A Flame Scallop (Lima scabra) showcasing...
astronomy-to-zoology: A Flame Scallop (Lima scabra) showcasing its ‘electric’ bioluminescence. Video Source
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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10:00 AM | Visual Riches of BHL Dazzle those Outside the Biodiversity Domain
Museums and the Web poster. Trish Rose-Sandler.This spring BHL staff member Trish Rose-Sandler participated in two conferences which were outside of the biodiversity community but whose attendees were very much interested in the natural history illustrations found within the pages of BHL books and journals. These included the Visual Resources Association (VRA) annual conference held in Providence, Rhode Island, April 3-5, and the Museums and the Web (MW) conference held in Portland, Oregon, […]
Biodiversity Heritage Library
Biology | Conservation
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9:31 AM | Climate Scientist Andrew Weaver wins the first ever Green party seat in BC election
The British Columbia Green Party just made history, voters in the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head elected Andrew Weaver, Canada Research Chair in Climate Modelling and Analysis at the University of Victoria, and a lead author for a chapter of the IPCC AR4, to the Legislative Assembly. Andrew Weaver is the first Green party member ever to be elected to the legislative Assembly; his election continues the trend started by Elizabeth May, who was the first ever federal Green party member to be […]
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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8:20 AM | heythereuniverse: Ascidian embryos | wellcome images
heythereuniverse: Ascidian embryos | wellcome images
Mad as a Marine Biologist
Conservation | Marine Biology
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2:54 AM | Aviation regulations also apply to witches: brooms are heavier-than-air-transport aircraft
From Swaziland - Witches Flying BroomsticksCivil Aviation authorities in Swaziland explain that witches flying broomsticks above 150m will be subject to arrest and fines. What can you say?
Chthonic Wildlife Ramblings
Conservation

May 14, 2013

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7:22 PM | Science Seeker Award Winners Announced!
  X2! The winners of the inaugural Science Seeker Awards have been announced! My posts got nods as finalists in two categories: Best Biology Post and Best Life-in-Science Post. Thank you so much to the judges for these honors, and a huge congrats to all of the winners and other finalists. I strongly suggest reading through [...]
Science Sushi
Evolution | Conservation
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2:59 PM | A right wing defence of pure science funding by governments
Andrew Coyne does an excellent job of demonstrating why the move away from pure science funding is a bad idea from an economic perspective
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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2:56 PM | Italian Pesticide Ban Improves Bee Colony Health
A ban on the insecticide-soaked seed coating enforced by the Italian government last year seems to have worked wonders, judging from the freshest data collected on the ground by researchers, beekeepers and regional authorities alike.
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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1:42 AM | Ambient Carbon Capture
It’s time to start thinking about how to subtract carbon from the atmosphere.
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy
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1:19 AM | Canada to Abandon Pure Science Altogether?
Phil Plait reports that the National Research Council—the Canadian scientific research and development agency—has now said that they will only perform research that has “social or economic gain”. In the past, civilized countries as a matter of pride contributed to the common pursuit of knowledge.
Planet 3.0
Conservation | Policy

May 13, 2013

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8:02 PM | Desperately Seeking Cichlid: Fish Species Down to Last 3 Males, No Known Females
The last three males of an all-but-extinct fish species would really, really, really like to meet a female. Once upon a time the Mangarahara cichlid (Ptychochromis insolitus) lived in a single habitat: a river in Madagascar from which the species gets its name. That river has now been dammed and the habitat has dried up. [...]
Scientific American - Extinction Countdown
Biology | Conservation
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