Victoria Zhou
March 9, 2014
Author: Brent McDonald
Published: March 5, 2014
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/us/minnesota-mystery-whats-killing-the-moose.html?_r=0
Summary:
Moose all over Minnesota are dying quickly and alarmingly. In the past couple of years, the population has shrunken so much so as to inspire a cancellation of the annual moose hunt in Minnesota in 2012. Recently, the population has been recovering slightly, but the moose are still dying two times faster than what is necessary to keep a population going. The decline of the moose have also been noted in places such as New Hampshire and Montana. Biologists and researchers have been tagging and tracking many moose in the area, so that they can know when one has died, locate it, and find a cause of death. There is still no direct answer as to why the moose are dying out, but one main reason seems to be climate change. There has been notably shorter winters and warmer temperatures all over southern moose habitat and this has been known to cause moose stress, as they tend to do better in cooler climates, which in turn weakens their immune systems. The warmer temperatures have also allowed white-tailed deer to become more plentiful. White-tailed dear carry brain worm, a parasite, which is deadly to moose. This combination is a likely reason as to why the moose may be dying. Although, there are other possible factors even things such as the actual tagging and tracking of the moose. Research and tracking is still going on as biologists rush to figure out the killer and a way to stop it.
Connection:
In this term, we will be studying animals and particularly worms and vertebrates. Moose are vertebrates and it is also mentioned that one possible reason for their many deaths are brain worms, which are obviously worms. White-tailed deer are mentioned as well as carriers of brain worms and they are also vertebrates. Previously, we studied ecology and relationships between animals. This article highlights how the growth of one population, white-tailed deer, which carries a parasite, brain worms, affects the numbers of another population, moose. This shows another relationship between moose and white-tailed deer besides just competition for resources, which we learned about in out ecology unit.
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The First Animals Helped Oxygenate the Ocean
Thanoshi Balasuriya
Source: University of Exeter
Published: March 9, 2014
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140309150540.htm
Summary:
The common understanding is that the oxygenation of the ocean caused the development of animals. However, researchers have a new theory that the evolution of the first animals may have caused that oxygenation instead of the other way around. Of course, this oxygenation then did lead to more complex animals, but not the first animals. Sponges require very little oxygen, and therefore it was possible for them to have developed with the early Earth conditions. These sponges filtered out particles of organic material while pumping water out. This then lessened the demand for oxygen, since the ocean oxygen levels versus the organic material levels were now balanced, and thus the ocean was oxygenated. The productivity of the oceanic ecosystem was also reduced because phosphorus was no longer needed in the ecosystem, causing less oxygen to be needed, and therefore not trapped. Once the ocean became oxygenated with the help of these first animals, there were more suitable conditions for more complex, mobile animals to evolve and develop.
Connection:
In class, we learned that because of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, the carbon in the atmosphere was trapped, and oxygen was produced. This then led to the atmospheric oxygen levels to increase rapidly and the chemical composition of the atmosphere was predominantly oxygen based. Therefore, the first animals were able to develop and evolve, using the oxygen from the atmosphere. However, this article contradicts this theory about the evolution and development of the first animals. This says that instead of the first animals developing because of the high oxygen levels, the first animals actually themselves helped oxygenate the ocean, thus allowing for more complex animals to evolve and develop. These first animals were heterotrophic and used existing organic material in the ocean to help oxygenate the ocean, whereas in class, we learned that autotrophic photosynthetic organisms were the cause for atmospheric oxygen levels to be raised.
Source: University of Exeter
Published: March 9, 2014
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140309150540.htm
Summary:
The common understanding is that the oxygenation of the ocean caused the development of animals. However, researchers have a new theory that the evolution of the first animals may have caused that oxygenation instead of the other way around. Of course, this oxygenation then did lead to more complex animals, but not the first animals. Sponges require very little oxygen, and therefore it was possible for them to have developed with the early Earth conditions. These sponges filtered out particles of organic material while pumping water out. This then lessened the demand for oxygen, since the ocean oxygen levels versus the organic material levels were now balanced, and thus the ocean was oxygenated. The productivity of the oceanic ecosystem was also reduced because phosphorus was no longer needed in the ecosystem, causing less oxygen to be needed, and therefore not trapped. Once the ocean became oxygenated with the help of these first animals, there were more suitable conditions for more complex, mobile animals to evolve and develop.
Connection:
In class, we learned that because of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, the carbon in the atmosphere was trapped, and oxygen was produced. This then led to the atmospheric oxygen levels to increase rapidly and the chemical composition of the atmosphere was predominantly oxygen based. Therefore, the first animals were able to develop and evolve, using the oxygen from the atmosphere. However, this article contradicts this theory about the evolution and development of the first animals. This says that instead of the first animals developing because of the high oxygen levels, the first animals actually themselves helped oxygenate the ocean, thus allowing for more complex animals to evolve and develop. These first animals were heterotrophic and used existing organic material in the ocean to help oxygenate the ocean, whereas in class, we learned that autotrophic photosynthetic organisms were the cause for atmospheric oxygen levels to be raised.
Flower Loss Doomed the Mammoths
Becky Nitschelm
Author: Stephen Ornes
Published: Feb 27 2014
https://student.societyforscience.org/article/flower-loss-doomed-mammoths
Summary: A new study shows that mammoths may have gone extinct do to the decrease of there main food, a type of flower called forbs. Before this study, many scientist thought that between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago, mammoths roamed grass filled fields, eating mostly grass. However, the study has shown that in fact mammoth's diets were about 63% forbs, 27% grasses. To find out the diet of these mammoths, the scientists looked at fossilized feces. Therefore, at the end of the ice age, when everything was melting and the lands were become wetter, many of the forbs could not survive. Other plants like cotton grass, willows, and horsetails soon out competed the forbs. Another scientist however, does not agree with this hypothesis. Michael Hofreiter, a biologist from the University of Potsman, has a different idea. He believes that the mammoths did not die out because of the lack of forbs as food. He says that the biggest decrease of forbs happened after the mammoths had already become extinct.
Connection: This term in science we have been talking about both animals and plants and the effects of the environment on them. Because of the change in temperature, which caused the melting of ice and increased wetness, the forbs, in order to stay alive, had to adapt, just like the water plants that adapted to fill the open niches on land. However, because they could not adapt, they were out competed for, which also connects to our study of evolution. In addition, this article connects to the fact about organisms being reliant on one another. The forbs becoming less common could have caused the mammoths to become extinct
Author: Stephen Ornes
Published: Feb 27 2014
https://student.societyforscience.org/article/flower-loss-doomed-mammoths
Summary: A new study shows that mammoths may have gone extinct do to the decrease of there main food, a type of flower called forbs. Before this study, many scientist thought that between 50,000 and 12,000 years ago, mammoths roamed grass filled fields, eating mostly grass. However, the study has shown that in fact mammoth's diets were about 63% forbs, 27% grasses. To find out the diet of these mammoths, the scientists looked at fossilized feces. Therefore, at the end of the ice age, when everything was melting and the lands were become wetter, many of the forbs could not survive. Other plants like cotton grass, willows, and horsetails soon out competed the forbs. Another scientist however, does not agree with this hypothesis. Michael Hofreiter, a biologist from the University of Potsman, has a different idea. He believes that the mammoths did not die out because of the lack of forbs as food. He says that the biggest decrease of forbs happened after the mammoths had already become extinct.
Connection: This term in science we have been talking about both animals and plants and the effects of the environment on them. Because of the change in temperature, which caused the melting of ice and increased wetness, the forbs, in order to stay alive, had to adapt, just like the water plants that adapted to fill the open niches on land. However, because they could not adapt, they were out competed for, which also connects to our study of evolution. In addition, this article connects to the fact about organisms being reliant on one another. The forbs becoming less common could have caused the mammoths to become extinct
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Deer Disrupt Natural Forest Growth
Leo Scheidemantel
March 8th 2014
No author given
Published: March 8, 2014
Source
Summary
Cornell University did a recent study on how deer impact the natural growth of forests. Surprisingly instead of benefiting the forest's growth the study showed that the deer negatively impacted the forest. The deer preferred eating the native plants and rejected the invasive species. Without the native species the invasive species thrives and reproduces. Another impact the deer had was overgrazing on the plants caused bare soil and less biodiversity of the area. Researchers germinated seeds found in forests with high populations of deer and compared them with germinated seeds from forests with low populations of deer. The forests with high deer population had more invasive species's seeds and fewer native plant's seeds than the forests with lower populations of deer.
Connections
This article relates to our ecosystems unit and our plants unit. In the ecosystem unit we learned about interspecific competition, which in this case the invasive species and the native species of plants are competing with each other. And the deer feed mostly on the native species, which helps the invasive species out-compete the native plants. In the plants unit we learned about plant's different ways of seed dispersal as well as how they grow. The deer feed on the native plants before they are able to reproduce as well as the fact that the deer do not eat the seeds or fruits, they eat the leaves and stems. Without the leaves and stems the native plants are not able to produce enough food for themselves through photosynthesis to grow reproductive parts. The invasive plants however survive and reproduce, even though the deer do not eat them other animals in the forest such as birds may feed on any fruit produced and spread the seeds. Thus further spreading the invasive species and diminishing the native species.
March 8th 2014
No author given
Published: March 8, 2014
Source
Summary
Cornell University did a recent study on how deer impact the natural growth of forests. Surprisingly instead of benefiting the forest's growth the study showed that the deer negatively impacted the forest. The deer preferred eating the native plants and rejected the invasive species. Without the native species the invasive species thrives and reproduces. Another impact the deer had was overgrazing on the plants caused bare soil and less biodiversity of the area. Researchers germinated seeds found in forests with high populations of deer and compared them with germinated seeds from forests with low populations of deer. The forests with high deer population had more invasive species's seeds and fewer native plant's seeds than the forests with lower populations of deer.
Connections
This article relates to our ecosystems unit and our plants unit. In the ecosystem unit we learned about interspecific competition, which in this case the invasive species and the native species of plants are competing with each other. And the deer feed mostly on the native species, which helps the invasive species out-compete the native plants. In the plants unit we learned about plant's different ways of seed dispersal as well as how they grow. The deer feed on the native plants before they are able to reproduce as well as the fact that the deer do not eat the seeds or fruits, they eat the leaves and stems. Without the leaves and stems the native plants are not able to produce enough food for themselves through photosynthesis to grow reproductive parts. The invasive plants however survive and reproduce, even though the deer do not eat them other animals in the forest such as birds may feed on any fruit produced and spread the seeds. Thus further spreading the invasive species and diminishing the native species.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Managed honeybees linked to new diseases in wild bees, UK study shows
Julia Friend
March 2nd, 2014
No author identified
Published February 19th, 2014
Source
Summary
The decline of bee species throughout the world has been a known crisis. In the UK, it has been discovered that some of the diseases behind the decline are being passed from managed honeybee colonies to wild bumblebees. Deformed wing virus (DWV) and the fungal parasite Nosema ceranae were identified as two extremely detrimental conditions in honeybees that are able to infect bumblebees. Indeed, a screening of both bee types across the UK found the two diseases far-reaching.
The infected honeybees can leave traces of the pathogens on the flowers they pollinate to be later picked up others, such as the bumblebees. The strain of DMV is identical at the same sites in both species, enforcing that the disease is from a single source. The higher concentration of both DMV and Nosema ceranae in the managed honeybees suggest that they are the source, in addition to how bumblebee infection patterns can be predicted by the infection of the honeybees.
Connections
The article connects to both the microbes and plants units. Although not discussed in class, the textbook explained the structure and reproductive processes of viruses, therefore describing the deformed wing virus in the bees. More discussed were fungi, and the diversity beyond the decomposing mushrooms we think of off hand. Fungi, like athlete's foot or the mentioned Nosema ceranae, can be parasitic organisms.
Another connection comes from the plants unit, specifically flowering plants and pollination. As they do not grow in primarily aqueous environments, they need another method of spreading and fertilizing their seeds. This is done by motile organisms, animals, who may brush from flower to flower and carry some of the sticky pollen with them. While bees collect nectar, they unknowingly transfer pollen to various plants to aid in the sexual reproduction of the plants. The article argues that along with the pollen, the bees leave traces of the diseases for other bees to pick up while pollinating.
March 2nd, 2014
No author identified
Published February 19th, 2014
Source
Summary
The decline of bee species throughout the world has been a known crisis. In the UK, it has been discovered that some of the diseases behind the decline are being passed from managed honeybee colonies to wild bumblebees. Deformed wing virus (DWV) and the fungal parasite Nosema ceranae were identified as two extremely detrimental conditions in honeybees that are able to infect bumblebees. Indeed, a screening of both bee types across the UK found the two diseases far-reaching.
The infected honeybees can leave traces of the pathogens on the flowers they pollinate to be later picked up others, such as the bumblebees. The strain of DMV is identical at the same sites in both species, enforcing that the disease is from a single source. The higher concentration of both DMV and Nosema ceranae in the managed honeybees suggest that they are the source, in addition to how bumblebee infection patterns can be predicted by the infection of the honeybees.
Connections
The article connects to both the microbes and plants units. Although not discussed in class, the textbook explained the structure and reproductive processes of viruses, therefore describing the deformed wing virus in the bees. More discussed were fungi, and the diversity beyond the decomposing mushrooms we think of off hand. Fungi, like athlete's foot or the mentioned Nosema ceranae, can be parasitic organisms.
Another connection comes from the plants unit, specifically flowering plants and pollination. As they do not grow in primarily aqueous environments, they need another method of spreading and fertilizing their seeds. This is done by motile organisms, animals, who may brush from flower to flower and carry some of the sticky pollen with them. While bees collect nectar, they unknowingly transfer pollen to various plants to aid in the sexual reproduction of the plants. The article argues that along with the pollen, the bees leave traces of the diseases for other bees to pick up while pollinating.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Everett Han
Mr. Mathieu
Period 2
Michael Angelo Francisco
January 15, 2014
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343965/scitech/science/cats-and-dogs-had-a-common-ancestor-and-here-it-is
Summary:
Recently, a fossil was found that is thought to be the ancestor of both dogs and cats. This name of this animal is "Dormaalocyon". This animal was estimated to be about a foot in length and about a kilogram in weight and preys on smaller animals and insects. Scientists found that 280 of the nearly 14,000 teeth specimens that they found in Dormaal’s soil belonged to the ancient tree mammal. Based of of these findings, the primitive teeth and the age of them place it very close to the carnivoraforms’ evolutionary roots. Anklebones that were found pointed out that the creature spent most of its time scurrying from tree to tree in the warm, humid woodlands of its time. It has been confirmed to be one of the earliest carnivores. This animal helped scientists figure out that there may have been an even earlier group than the carnivoraforms from whom they descended from. The Dormaalocyon provides information concerning the evolution of placental mammals after the disappearance of the largest dinosaurs. Their study showed that carnivoraforms were very diversified at the earliest Eocene, which allows hypothesizing that they were probably already diversified during the latest Paleocene.
Connection:
This relates to what we are discussing in class because it says that both dogs and cats evolved from the same ancestor. It is important to know that this article informs people that many animals, including stereotypical enemies such as cats and dogs can be descendants of the same ancestor. This also relates to how we have talked about different time periods because it was mentioned in the article that the Dormaalocyon appeared after the era known as Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
Mr. Mathieu
Period 2
Michael Angelo Francisco
January 15, 2014
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343965/scitech/science/cats-and-dogs-had-a-common-ancestor-and-here-it-is
Summary:
Recently, a fossil was found that is thought to be the ancestor of both dogs and cats. This name of this animal is "Dormaalocyon". This animal was estimated to be about a foot in length and about a kilogram in weight and preys on smaller animals and insects. Scientists found that 280 of the nearly 14,000 teeth specimens that they found in Dormaal’s soil belonged to the ancient tree mammal. Based of of these findings, the primitive teeth and the age of them place it very close to the carnivoraforms’ evolutionary roots. Anklebones that were found pointed out that the creature spent most of its time scurrying from tree to tree in the warm, humid woodlands of its time. It has been confirmed to be one of the earliest carnivores. This animal helped scientists figure out that there may have been an even earlier group than the carnivoraforms from whom they descended from. The Dormaalocyon provides information concerning the evolution of placental mammals after the disappearance of the largest dinosaurs. Their study showed that carnivoraforms were very diversified at the earliest Eocene, which allows hypothesizing that they were probably already diversified during the latest Paleocene.
Connection:
This relates to what we are discussing in class because it says that both dogs and cats evolved from the same ancestor. It is important to know that this article informs people that many animals, including stereotypical enemies such as cats and dogs can be descendants of the same ancestor. This also relates to how we have talked about different time periods because it was mentioned in the article that the Dormaalocyon appeared after the era known as Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Living On Islands Makes Animals Tamer
Carter Terranova
Author: University of California - Riverside
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140110103720.htm
Published: Jan. 10, 2014
Summary:
One of Darwin's ideas while he was on the HMS Beagle on an expedition around the world, was that organisms "evolve to lose structures, functions, and behaviors they no longer needed when environmental circumstances changed." He also noticed that island organisms acted more tame, which he believed was because they adapted to having less predators around them. Researchers from University of California - Riverside, Indiana University, Purdue University - Fort Wayne, and George Washington University concluded that island lizards are, in fact, tamer than mainland lizards. To conclude this, the researchers analyzed the flight initiation distances (the distance between the predator and the prey before the prey starts to flee) of island lizards and mainland lizards from around the world. The results show that the farther the island is from the mainland, the more tame the lizards are, and the flight initiation distance is reduced because there are less to no predators to flee from. Results also show that predator approach speed is important, as well as the size of the prey relative to the predator. If the prey is small, the predator will not attack that individual prey, resulting in a very small to no flight initiation distance.
Connection:
Author: University of California - Riverside
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140110103720.htm
Published: Jan. 10, 2014
Summary:
One of Darwin's ideas while he was on the HMS Beagle on an expedition around the world, was that organisms "evolve to lose structures, functions, and behaviors they no longer needed when environmental circumstances changed." He also noticed that island organisms acted more tame, which he believed was because they adapted to having less predators around them. Researchers from University of California - Riverside, Indiana University, Purdue University - Fort Wayne, and George Washington University concluded that island lizards are, in fact, tamer than mainland lizards. To conclude this, the researchers analyzed the flight initiation distances (the distance between the predator and the prey before the prey starts to flee) of island lizards and mainland lizards from around the world. The results show that the farther the island is from the mainland, the more tame the lizards are, and the flight initiation distance is reduced because there are less to no predators to flee from. Results also show that predator approach speed is important, as well as the size of the prey relative to the predator. If the prey is small, the predator will not attack that individual prey, resulting in a very small to no flight initiation distance.
Connection:
The connection from this article is to the evolution unit. In that unit we learned about natural selection. Natural selection on remote islands will favor animals with reduced flight initiation distances because there is no reason for animals to waste the time and energy on an unneeded escape from predators that are scarce or nonexistent on the island. The lizards will not go through natural selection of large flight initiation distances if that will not be something that helps the lizards survive and reproduce. This study also is important because it proves that Darwin's observation of animals being tamer on islands is true. Though the lizards and other animals are losing their extended flight initiation distance, they are still adapting and changing to better suit themselves in their new environment with few to no predators, rather than like animals living on the mainland who are adapting and changing to better suit themselves living with predators (natural selection).
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Early Sharks Reared Young in Prehistoric River-Delta Nursery
Megan Zhou
No author given, but is based on materials provided by the University of Michigan.
Published: January 7, 2014
Summary:
310 million years ago, Bandringa sharks had migrated downstream from freshwater swamps to a tropical coastline. This left behind fossil evidence of one of the earliest known shark nurseries. Paleontologists from the University of Michigan concluded that all known species of Bandringa are long-snouted, bottom-feeding predators that lived in an ancient river delta system. This fossil discovery is the earliest known example of shark migration to spawn, and this behavior is still present in species known today. Along with being the earliest example of a shark nursery with egg cases and small sharks preserved in the same sediments, these Bandringa fossils also are the only known example of a freshwater to saltwater shark migration. Today, no shark alive breeds in the open ocean and spends the rest of their lives in freshwater. These Bandringa sharks are most likely one of the earliest close relatives of modern sharks. Bandringa was discovered originally in 1969, and was always thought that the genus contained two species, one that lived in freshwater areas and another that lived in the shallow ocean. With these new fossils and reevaluating 24 different ones, the paleontologists Sallan and Coates concluded that the Bandringa were a single species that lived, at different times of their lives, in both fresh and salt waters. This reclassification as a single species creates a more complete picture of the extinct shark’s anatomy and helps the discovery of some previously unreported features such as downward jaws, spines, and sensory organs. This is the first fossil evidence for a shark nursery is the earliest evidence for segregation of the juveniles and adults.
Connection:
This article relates to our study on evolution, specifically classification and the fossil record. We have learned how fossils are made, and it had initially led the scientists to believe that they were two species. The freshwater sites having these shark fossils tended to preserve the bones and cartilage, while the marine sites was able to preserve the soft tissue. This also lead to the misclassification of the species as two. This also relates to our study on Darwin and how he has mistakenly classified the finches as different species of birds due to the evidence that he had at the time. Similarly, the paleontologists did not make the connection that the Bandringa sharks were one species before they had the fossil evidence from this nursery. These shark fossils shown in the fossil record also displays our study about the age of these fossils. Because these are 310 million year old fossils, they would have been layered upon layered with other fossils on top of them, due to relative dating.
Seven Distinct African Crocodile Species, Not Just Three, Biologists Show
Julia Friend
Author: Mickie Anderson
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131218130150.htm
Published: December 18, 2013
Summary:
Scientists have long thought that there were merely three known African crocodile species, but now it has come to light that there are at least seven. These species were recently identified by differences in genetics and physical features from the known species; a study between skulls has given significant evidence. Similarly, these newly named species are geographically separated.
The distinction in taxonomy is significant when it comes to the conservation of species. The distinction between the newly discovered West African crocodile and its Central African relative led to the discovery that is in the top four most endangered crocodiles in the world. Agencies dedicated to protecting the crocodiles need to use their money and resources efficiently by focusing on specific species like the West African. Additionally, the new classifications stops zoos from wasted efforts in trying to breed two different species.
Connection:
The article relates to both evolution and classification. It cites the differences between similar crocodile species; because they are so closely related that they previously could not have been told apart, all likely have a common ancestor. The different species are "geographically separated", which connects to geographic isolation. These various terms are all ones we have explored in class notes (common ancestor and geographic isolation). The article additionally addresses the disparity between species in that they cannot interbreed, which is the biological definition of "species" we were given.
The scientists classification of the crocodiles also relates to our class's identification of the bugs we used in the Wolbachia project. We, like the biologists, had to use physical information about the organism to categorize it.
Author: Mickie Anderson
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131218130150.htm
Published: December 18, 2013
Summary:
Scientists have long thought that there were merely three known African crocodile species, but now it has come to light that there are at least seven. These species were recently identified by differences in genetics and physical features from the known species; a study between skulls has given significant evidence. Similarly, these newly named species are geographically separated.
The distinction in taxonomy is significant when it comes to the conservation of species. The distinction between the newly discovered West African crocodile and its Central African relative led to the discovery that is in the top four most endangered crocodiles in the world. Agencies dedicated to protecting the crocodiles need to use their money and resources efficiently by focusing on specific species like the West African. Additionally, the new classifications stops zoos from wasted efforts in trying to breed two different species.
Connection:
The article relates to both evolution and classification. It cites the differences between similar crocodile species; because they are so closely related that they previously could not have been told apart, all likely have a common ancestor. The different species are "geographically separated", which connects to geographic isolation. These various terms are all ones we have explored in class notes (common ancestor and geographic isolation). The article additionally addresses the disparity between species in that they cannot interbreed, which is the biological definition of "species" we were given.
The scientists classification of the crocodiles also relates to our class's identification of the bugs we used in the Wolbachia project. We, like the biologists, had to use physical information about the organism to categorize it.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Test-Tube Burger
Link: http://science.time.com/2013/08/05/meet-schmeat-say-hello-to-the-stem-cell-hamburger/
Some vegetarians object to meat for the reason of killing the animal. If there was a way to fix that maybe they could eat meat. Scientists are in fact working on a way to produce meat with out killing animals. This meat is made from stem-cells grown in labs with proteins and amino acids. The cost of producing meat from animals is a lot more than we think, the costs of land for the animals, food for the animals, land to grow the food for the animals, medicine for the animals, slaughtering the animals, processing the meat is all factored into the total. Removing those extra steps and necessities makes meat production far more efficient and cost effective.
In class we discussed many things relating to this article. Early in the quarter we talked about the efficiency of eating meat against eating plants due to the cost of feeding the animals we eat instead of that food going directly to us. Later we learned about all the parts that make up a cell and the molecules that make up the parts. To "grow" meat these molecules are very important, the amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.
Some vegetarians object to meat for the reason of killing the animal. If there was a way to fix that maybe they could eat meat. Scientists are in fact working on a way to produce meat with out killing animals. This meat is made from stem-cells grown in labs with proteins and amino acids. The cost of producing meat from animals is a lot more than we think, the costs of land for the animals, food for the animals, land to grow the food for the animals, medicine for the animals, slaughtering the animals, processing the meat is all factored into the total. Removing those extra steps and necessities makes meat production far more efficient and cost effective.
In class we discussed many things relating to this article. Early in the quarter we talked about the efficiency of eating meat against eating plants due to the cost of feeding the animals we eat instead of that food going directly to us. Later we learned about all the parts that make up a cell and the molecules that make up the parts. To "grow" meat these molecules are very important, the amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
"Invisible" Red Lion Fish invade the Caribbean
"Invisible" Red Lion Fish invade the Caribbean
David Chen
October 20, 2013
James Cook University
Published Oct 18, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-10-ghost-fish-caribbean.html
Summary:
Studies by James Cook University scientists Oona Lonnstedt and Professor Mark show the reason for the lionfishes' extreme success in the Caribbean, where it is thriving as an invasive species. Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they were accidentally introduced to the Caribbean Basin ecosystem around 30 years ago. The studies show that they are so good at catching prey because, they are almost invisible to the small fish. The Red Lion Fishes' camouflage is so good, that they are virtually undetectable. Studies included two other native predatory fish, and the same small prey fish were forced into interaction with them. The prey fish could not adapt to the lionfish as a threat, and the lionfish could swim up and capture almost every single one of them. This was a big contrast from the other two predatory fish, where they had much lower feeding success. The ability to trick the learning mechanism of prey with their camouflage makes the lionfish very successful, and almost unstoppable.
Connection:
This article connects to our past unit on ecology. Although the article doesn't go into depth about how the lionfish actually affects the Caribbean Reef Basin i.e. "eating its way through the reef ecosystem" and "viewed as a huge nuisance.", it does explain why the lionfish is so overwhelmingly successful. It connects with our learning of invasive species and how they can change a native ecosystem, often drastically. This article shows exactly how an invasive species is able to thrive so well in a new environment. In this case, the lionfishes' camouflage tricks the native prey fish learning mechanism, and the lionfish is able to thrive and hunt freely.
David Chen
October 20, 2013
James Cook University
Published Oct 18, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-10-ghost-fish-caribbean.html
Summary:
Studies by James Cook University scientists Oona Lonnstedt and Professor Mark show the reason for the lionfishes' extreme success in the Caribbean, where it is thriving as an invasive species. Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they were accidentally introduced to the Caribbean Basin ecosystem around 30 years ago. The studies show that they are so good at catching prey because, they are almost invisible to the small fish. The Red Lion Fishes' camouflage is so good, that they are virtually undetectable. Studies included two other native predatory fish, and the same small prey fish were forced into interaction with them. The prey fish could not adapt to the lionfish as a threat, and the lionfish could swim up and capture almost every single one of them. This was a big contrast from the other two predatory fish, where they had much lower feeding success. The ability to trick the learning mechanism of prey with their camouflage makes the lionfish very successful, and almost unstoppable.
Connection:
This article connects to our past unit on ecology. Although the article doesn't go into depth about how the lionfish actually affects the Caribbean Reef Basin i.e. "eating its way through the reef ecosystem" and "viewed as a huge nuisance.", it does explain why the lionfish is so overwhelmingly successful. It connects with our learning of invasive species and how they can change a native ecosystem, often drastically. This article shows exactly how an invasive species is able to thrive so well in a new environment. In this case, the lionfishes' camouflage tricks the native prey fish learning mechanism, and the lionfish is able to thrive and hunt freely.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Adelie Peguins and Emperor Penguins
Have A 100% Success Rate for Feeding
in Recent Studies
Summary written by Marshall Grant
Today, scientists from all around the world travel to the thick depths of the Antarctic to study the behaviors of the many species of animals it is home to. We know a lot about the surface interaction of penguins as part of a flock on land through camera study and in-field analysis, but never did scientists ever try to study the interaction of penguins on other organisms in the freezing antarctic waters, until now. Many recent SCUBA divers have filmed the breath taking movements of penguins under ice caps. Though many species of penguin are endangered, the question rises about their success rate while fishing.
A recent study carried out by a Japanese Research Team, have tagged and applied small long range cameras on the back of Adelie Penguins to count and gather data on feeding rates for the penguin species. The same process was carried out by an American Research Team on Emperor penguins to gather their success data. The results pooled by both teams was astonishing. Adelie Penguins were able to capture 2 krill organisms per second and 14 fish organisms every 20 seconds without failing to capture or miss its prey on the approach. The same held true for the Emperor Penguin where it went 100% catch rate in 3 hour feeding period.
Why is this important? Further study is providing us with a better understanding of the feeding behaviors of these agile birds of the Antarctic. It also generates a greater question towards the important of conservation of fish and krill species in order to preserve the Penguin population, as they play a vital role in the ecosystem of the Southern Ocean.
Connection:
Since the topic we cover is animals, a penguin fits the category. In biology class, we are better understanding how animals came to being, and the adaptations that help them accomplish such in certain environments The Penguins of the Southern Ocean are a perfect example of how big our ocean is and how little we have explored from it. Learning more from Penguins and creatures of our world's oceans will better help us as a society preserve and protect the resources and species of this great planet of ours. Further research on animals like the Penguins and what we study in biology class will open new doors to evolution, research, discovery, and innovation.
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