Category Archives: Science

DNA analysis splits identical algae into species

by Richard Aspinall on September 25, 2012

A group of single-celled algae called Symbiodinum—that live inside corals and are critical to their survival—are only now being separated into species using DNA analysis, according to biologists at Penn State University. Scientists can now sort single-celled algae into species—and use that knowledge to better conserve the corals they live in.… More:

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Less is more for reef-building corals

by Richard Aspinall on September 10, 2012

Researchers at the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) have made a discovery that challenges a major theory in the field of coral reef ecology. The general assumption has been that the more flexible corals are, regarding which species of single celled algae (Symbiodinium) they host in coral tissues, the greater ability corals will have to survive environmental stress.… More:

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200 year old oceanic mystery solved

by Richard Aspinall on September 7, 2012

The origin of Cerataspis monstrosa has been a mystery as deep as the ocean waters it hails from for more than 180 years. For nearly two centuries, researchers have tried to track down the larva that has shown up in the guts of other fish over time but found no adult counterpart. Until now.… More:

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hobbyist kit in unusual places

by Richard Aspinall on September 6, 2012

Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a behind the scenes visit with the team at the London Aquarium and thought I’d share a few images in this and subsequent posts.… More:

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First footage of rare anglerfish

by Richard Aspinall on September 5, 2012

A rare species of anglerfish has been filmed for the first time by US scientists and reported in the journal Deep Sea Research Part I by the team from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), California.… More:

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Cook Islands creates the world’s largest marine park!

by Tal Sweet on September 4, 2012

The Cook Islands recently declared an area nearly twice the size of France will become the world’s largest marine park. Prime Minister Henry Puna said the 1.065 million square kilometre (411,000 square mile) reserve “(is) the largest area in history by a single country for integrated ocean conservation and management”. Read the full story: Cook Islands declares world’s largest marine park… More:

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Arctic sea ice extent breaks 2007 record low

by Richard Aspinall on September 4, 2012

Arctic sea ice appears to have broken the 2007 record daily extent and is now the lowest in the satellite era. With two to three more weeks left in the melt season, sea ice continues to track below 2007 daily extents.… More:

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Award winning UK aquarium The Deep, is working on rare spider conservation

by Richard Aspinall on August 30, 2012

The Deep, one of the UK’s most well-respected aquaria is working to protect one of the country’s rarest arachnids by ‘fostering’ 100 Fen Raft spiderlings, in an effort to establish new populations of the species.… More:

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Romney and Obama urged to support the oceans

by Richard Aspinall on August 28, 2012

In a letter delivered to both campaigns on Aug. 14, sixty leaders in exploration, conservation, science and business — including members of the Cousteau family, ocean leaders from Google, the dive industry, National Geographic, the National Aquarium and Coastal States Organization have called on presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of protecting America’s coasts and oceans.… More:

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Squid Skin and Cypress Hill combine forces

by Rich Ross on August 24, 2012

The folks at Backyard Brains, known for their Spikerbox that can help you record and see neural activity, and researchers at at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA have applied the Backyard Brains protocol stimulating an amputated cockroach leg into motion via music to the chromatophores of squid skin, with very cool results. Squids, and other cephalopods, neurally control the pigmented cells in their skin, chromatophores, to reflect light. The squid skin in use belongs to the Longfin Inshore Squid, loligo pealei, and has three different chromatophore colors – brown, red and yellow – with each chromatophore surrounded by muscles that can contract to reveal the pigment underneath. According to Backyard Brains, “We used a suction electrode to attach to the squid’s fin nerve, then connected the electrode to an iPod nano as our stimulator. The results were both interesting and beautiful. The video is a view through an 8x microscope zoomed in on the dorsal side of the fin”.
If you didn’t think cephalopods were cool before, this alone should change your mind. Perhaps in the future, dance clubs will be wall papered with artificially grown squid skin, or perhaps your television will be made of a squid skin analogue. I know, we still want our jet packs, but perhaps the squid can help us there too.… More:

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A reefer’s guide to weekend activities- Whale-watching Trip

by Marcin Smok on August 23, 2012

Just because spending an evening having face flattened on the aquarium glass panels and remaining motionless for hours (except eyes racing after tank inhabitants) isn’t enough for an average aquarium keeper, we need to entertain ourselves in some other ways. Beside public aquariums visits and fish store carpools, there are plenty of other activities more or less related to our hobby. In this series of articles, I’ll aim to write about some of the most interesting ideas to fill your free time and feed your creative mind…… More: