todropscience:

The throwing of objects is an uncommon behavior in animals. Now, for the first time, researcher have record this beheavior in gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) in the wild, a species from the subtropical waters of eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Several underwater video were analysed by australian researchers. In the videos, octopuses gather up seashells and other marine debris, to push it through the water using their siphon and arms, in a intentionally action in throwing the material to other octopuses. The results show only a quarter of the throws were succesfull. 

According to researchers, throwing at other individuals in the same population, as apparently seen in these octopuses, is a rare form of nonhuman projectile use, previously seen only in some social animals, as polar bears, primates, elephants and vultures, the gloomy octopus is the firts invertebrate in the list.

Gif descriptions: above, two octopuses are surrounded by scallop seashells, one octopus is hit by a cloud of silt projected through the water by a throwing octopus. Below, a octopus contracte its mantle, and a use its siphon to throw a scallop seashell.

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This tiny clam, only 11 milimimeters in length, named Cymatioa cooki, was believed to be extinct for 40,000 years, but was recently found living on the coast of Santa Barbara, California, only about 3 of them have been found. In 1937, the molluscan...

This tiny clam, only 11 milimimeters in length, named Cymatioa cooki, was believed to be extinct for 40,000 years, but was recently found living on the coast of Santa Barbara, California, only about 3 of them have been found. In 1937,  the molluscan fauna from local Pleistocene deposit described nearly 300 species, with the description of two clams, Rochefortia reyana and Bornia cooki (now Cymatioa cooki). Since then, Cymatioia cooki was believe to be extinct, until now.

Cymatioa cooki is a rare species, and while other related species have been shown to be commensal with other invertebrates, researchers have been unable to determine any specific commensal relationships for it.

Photo description: The clam has a long foot, the shell is ovaloid, pale and translucent. The clam is in sand with small algaes nearby.

The throwing of objects is an uncommon behavior in animals. Now, for the first time, researcher have record this beheavior in gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) in the wild, a species from the subtropical waters of eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Several underwater video were analysed by australian researchers. In the videos, octopuses gather up seashells and other marine debris, to push it through the water using their siphon and arms, in a intentionally action in throwing the material to other octopuses. The results show only a quarter of the throws were succesfull. 

According to researchers, throwing at other individuals in the same population, as apparently seen in these octopuses, is a rare form of nonhuman projectile use, previously seen only in some social animals, as polar bears, primates, elephants and vultures, the gloomy octopus is the firts invertebrate in the list.

Gif descriptions: above, two octopuses are surrounded by scallop seashells, one octopus is hit by a cloud of silt projected through the water by a throwing octopus. Below, a octopus contracte its mantle, and a use its siphon to throw a scallop seashell.

While this species is new to science and lives in one of the remotes habitas in the world, the hadal zone, it is not exempt from plastic pollution, one individual was found to have a microplastic PET (Polyethylene-terephthalate) fiber in its gut. PET...

While this species is new to science and lives in one of the remotes habitas in the world, the hadal zone, it is not exempt from plastic pollution, one individual was found to have a microplastic PET (Polyethylene-terephthalate) fiber in its gut. PET is a very common plastic usedto make water bottles, food packaging and fibers clothings. This species was named  Eurythenes plasticus after this finding.

A recently discovered deep sea fish from the Atacama Trench, a large trench near the coast of Chile and Peru, in the west coast of South America, sheds light on how fish species colonize deep sea environments. Reaching the size of a hand, this deep...

A recently discovered deep sea fish from the Atacama Trench, a large trench near the coast of Chile and Peru, in the west coast of South America, sheds light on how fish species colonize deep sea environments. 

Reaching the size of a hand, this deep sea fish is named Paraliparis selti, and is related to southern ocean species rather to typical deep sea snail fishes, according to molecular and micro computed tomography analysis. The genus Paraliparis is abundant in the Southern Ocean, as well in the Antarctic, but surprising, this fish is the first member of the genus found in the hadal zone, at 6500 m depth.

This trench is poorly explored, in 2018, three snailfishes, similar looking to Paraliparis selti, were discovered.

Photo description: Four different footages of the Paraliparis selti. This fish is blue, scaless,  present  large eyes and a body elongate. In the images, is shown swimming near the bottom, eating a fish carcass.

Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) can be cannibalist, according to new findings. These petrels are common predators in austral islands around Antarctic Peninsula, scavending and preding on a wide ranges of preys, with highly...

Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) can be cannibalist, according to new findings. These petrels are common predators in austral islands around Antarctic Peninsula, scavending and preding on a wide ranges of preys, with highly opportunistic feeding habits, meaning these birds can eat whatever they can. On different dates, in monitored colonies at Nelson Island, two males were sighted feeding on the young of other pairs. The island is also inhabited by penguins, providing enough food to southern giant petrels, suggesting these males would not be  opportunistic cannibals. Researchers confirm that cannibalism is part of the behavior repertoire of male southern giant petrels, but have no clues about what push this behaviour.

Photo description: A southern giant petrel eating a chick, surrounded by rocks.

The Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet (Pseudanthias hangapiko) is the latest new species for Rapa Nui, commonly know as Easter Island, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands. Showing a clearly dimorphism, with males being slightly bigger and redish...

The Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet (Pseudanthias hangapiko) is the latest new species for Rapa Nui, commonly know as Easter Island, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands.

Showing a clearly dimorphism, with males being slightly bigger and redish than females, these fishes are tiny, with around 3 to 4.5 cm in length. These fishes were collected at 80 m depth on Hanga Piko, a mesophotic coral ecosystem near the coast of Rapa Nui, hence its name, for the location where it were collected.

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- A Rapa Nui Fairy Basslet aggregation on a rocky mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) at 80 m depth.

This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of  technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, as result of a international research collaboration, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in these deep ecosystems. It is also, the first record of the genus in Rapa Nui, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.

PENGUINS ARE EATING MICROPLASTIC IN THE ANTARCTICA Microplastics are widespread in the marine environment but are still poorly understood in Polar regions, particularly in the Antarctica. Now, an international study reveals the presence of...

PENGUINS ARE EATING MICROPLASTIC IN THE ANTARCTICA

Microplastics are widespread in the marine environment but are still poorly understood in Polar regions, particularly in the Antarctica. Now, an international study reveals the presence of microplastics in three penguin species from Antarctica and warns about the state of our southern ecosystems.

Now, an international study reveals the presence of microplastics across Antarctica, in three penguin species, chinstrap, gentoo and adélie penguins, and warns about the state of our southern ecosystems.

Researchers analyzed scat samples from chinstrap, gentoo and adélie penguins at breeding colonies across the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea, over seven seasons. They found microplastics are widespread across years and colonies in Antarctic Peninsula. These particles are mostly polyethylene and polyester, but also, in cellulose fibres. Results shows a similar frequency of occurrence of particles across all colonies, suggesting there is no particular point source for microplastic pollution in the Scotia Sea,

Researchers highlight the need for further assessment of microplastics in this sensitive region of the planet, the potential effects on penguins and other organisms in the Antarctic marine food web.

Photo description: Gentoo penguin colony, with nearly 40 penguins, some of them are nesting in a free-ice area near the water.

Usually, amphipods are small, with a shrimp-like shapes, these crustaceans are found mostly marine and freshwater ecosystems. But a new species discovered in the Atacama Trench, in front of the Atacama desert, northern Chile, has shown a new...

Usually, amphipods are small, with a shrimp-like shapes, these crustaceans are found mostly marine and freshwater ecosystems. But a new species discovered in the Atacama Trench, in front of the Atacama desert, northern Chile, has shown a new exception to the rule.

The Eurythenes atacamensis is a very large amphipod species, with a maximum observed length 8.3 cm. Despite the extreme environmental conditions of high pressure, low temperature, and limited food availability, this species is considered abundant in deep sea ecosystems in the Atacama trench, and feed mainly in carrion. This finding highlights that even dominant and ecologically important species are still being discovered within the deep sea.  

Photo description: Four Eurythenes atacamensis amphipods in near real size are show in a black fond. The size is big, and one big could fit in an adult hand.

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COELACANTHS CAN LIVE FOR 100 YEARS

Coelacanths (pronounced SEAL-uh-kanth) are primitive-looking fishes, survivors from the dinosaur-era to modern date. As far we know, only two coelacanths species are know, found in coastal waters of South African and Indonesia.

Researchers believed coelacanths has a maximum lifespan of 20 years, placing the coelacanth among the fastest growing marine fish. But these findings are at odds with the coelacanth’s other known biological features including slow metabolism, ovoviviparity, and low fecundity, typical of fish with slow life histories and slow growth.

Now, new methods for ageing coleacanths using scale ring growth reveals these prehistoric fish may live a centenarian life, but also, its life history is among the slowest of marine fishes, with 5-years gestation, and reaching sexual maturity at 50 years, the study found.

As long-lived species with slow life histories are extremely vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic perturbations, researchers aims that coelacanths may be more threatened than previously considered.

Photo description: An african coelacanth free-swimming in what appears to be a submarine cave. It’s mottled pattern is made visible by the help of external lighting from submarine divers.

A HOTSPOT OF SEA STAR BIODIVERSITY UNCOVERED IN RAPA NUI — THE MOST ISOLATED ISLAND IN THE WORLD

Recent expeditions to Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) have revealed amazing undescribed sea star species from unexplored mesophotic coral reefs and also, from deeper depths never reached before.

In a recent work published in Zootaxa, Dr Christopher Mah, a eminence in echinoderms, describe three new species for Rapa Nui, but also other news species from adjacent region in the South Pacific.

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-  Uokeaster ahi, named for the Rapa Nui marine deity Uoke, who submerged Rapa Nui into the ocean using a large lever, and ahi for the local word for fire. Is endemic from the waters around Rapa Nui. Photo by Terry Gosliner.

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-  Hacelia raaraa inhabit at depth of 80 m below surface sea, where light still pass. It is found in rocky bottoms, among hydroids and algae.

This new species is named by the rapanui word ra’ara’a for “rough and rugged” alluding to the very bumpy surface texture seen in this species. Photo by Dr. Luiz Rocha.

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- Linckia profunda is one of the deepest known species in the area, and its name profunda alludes to the deep bathymetric range of this species. Arms in this species are unequal in length, round in cross-section, with an irregular surface. It is found in Rapa Nui, but also in other areas in the South Pacific.  Photo by Dr. Luiz Rocha.

These findings highlight the uniqueness of these marine ecosystems and how much we still do not know about the sea. Therefore, the importance of considering them in the establishment of efective management strategies for these communities, which are within the Rapa Nui marine-protected area created in 2017.

[Photo description: Uokeaster ahi have short arms with robust and rounded spikes, similar to spheres. Hacelia raaraa have long arms, with numerous dome-like tubercles forming lines along the surface of body and arms, giving it a rough appearance. Linckia profunda have long and slim arms, with plane ]

NEW SPECIES OF DUMBO OCTOPUS DISCOVERED IN THE PACIFIC OCEANThe dumbo octopuses are a group of deep-sea cephalopods with around 45 species know to date. These octopuses have “fins” on the sides of the head, resembling elephant ears, and have...

NEW SPECIES OF DUMBO OCTOPUS DISCOVERED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

The dumbo octopuses are a group of deep-sea cephalopods with around 45 species know to date. These octopuses have “fins” on the sides of the head, resembling elephant ears, and have relativelly small sizes.

Now, using a cominantion of minimally invasive gene analysis and non-invasive techniques digital photography, a team of german biologists has discovered a new species of dumbo octopus, named Emperor dumbo Grimpoteuthis imperator, living at more than 4000 m depth in the northern part of the Emperor Seamounts, an undersea mountain chain in the northwestern part of the North Pacific.

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- Map of the North Pacific Ocean. Red dot shown location of the Emperor seamounts, from where the Emperor Dumbo was discovered. 

Usually, collecting and describing organisms from the deep ocean implies invasive methods, requiring dissection to examine internal organism, and even partial destruction of specimes. Thus, this methodology help to maintain valuable specimes for further researchs.

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-Collected in July 2016, using a chain bag dredge, the specimen reached 30 cm in size, and was identified as a mature male.  Using a combination of MRI, micro-CT, researchers were able to build the first interactive 3D model of a cephalopod beak.

Researchers make available a digital copy of the animal, so anybody interested can download it from the online database “MorphoBank” for further research and learning purposes. The preserved octopus itself is kept in the archives of the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, Germany. 

A new deep-sea softnose skate, the Western Blue Skate Notoraja hesperindica, is described based on six specimens caught in deep water at 1600 m depths off southern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean. This blue skate is...

A new deep-sea softnose skate, the Western Blue SkateNotoraja hesperindica, is described based on six specimens caught in deep water at 1600 m depths off southern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar in the western Indian Ocean. 

This blue skate is a medium-sized species, reaching a total length of at least 55 cm, and is the only Notoraja species known from the western Indian Ocean and differs with other skate in the area by its intense dark blue-grayish coloration.

YES, A TIKTOKER HOLD A DEADLY OCTOPUSAnd survived to tell the tale. At first glance, the blue-ringed octopus looks perfectly innocuous in their beautiful color pattern, bur rather, is an warning signal to potential predators. These colorful tiny...

YES, A TIKTOKER HOLD A DEADLY OCTOPUS

And survived to tell the tale.

At first glance, the blue-ringed octopus looks perfectly innocuous in their beautiful color pattern, bur rather, is an warning signal to potential predators. These colorful tiny octopus can kill you if they feel in danger.

Recently, a TikToker went viral after holding in their hands one of the most most dangerous animals in the ocean, in a vacation in Bali. TikTok is an understandable site.

blue-ringed octopus are actually four highly venomous species of octopus found in tide pools and coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans, from Japan to Australia. They produce a potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, a potentially-deadly substance also found in pufferfish. The toxin is produced by symbiotic bacteria in the blue-ringed octopus’s salivary glands, and is usually used in hunting and self-defence.