Latest

A Distinctive Look

The Angular roughshark (Oxynotus centrina) stands out with its unique, angular body shape that is unlike any other shark. Its body has a distinctive humped, almost pyramid-like appearance due to its high, triangular dorsal fins and compressed, thickset torso. The first dorsal fin, located just behind the head, is particularly tall and prominent, while the second is slightly smaller. These large fins give the shark its sharp-edged, almost boxy profile, which contrasts with the streamlined bodies of most other sharks.

The study, led by Michael J. Williamson, analysed data from over 700,000 shark detections across the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean between 2013 and 2020. It reveals that grey reef sharks are showing signs of distress. As coral ecosystems are impacted more and more by pollution and climate change, these sharks are reducing their time on the reefs. Instead, they are expanding their ranges and spending more time away from their ranges.

The Salish Sea is home to two unique populations of orcas: the northern and southern residents. While the northern population has slowly rebounded to over 300 individuals, the southern residents remain critically endangered, with their numbers stuck at around seventy-five.

The reasons behind the southern orcas' struggle to recover have been well-documented—reduced salmon runs, pollution, and past capture for entertainment purposes. Now, new research suggests another key culprit: human-made underwater noise.

The SS United States, a famous ocean liner renowned for its record-breaking speed and rich history, could find a new purpose as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida.  

The ship has been docked at a Philadelphia pier for decades, but due to a long-standing legal dispute over rent and dockage fees, a court has ordered the current owners, the non-profit SS United States Conservancy, to vacate its current home by 12 September.  What happens next is unclear.

Researchers found the first evidence of a large shark killing a porbeagle shark, which can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh 500 pounds. Their study was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

The Realm of Darkness

Descending into the deep ocean means entering a world devoid of natural light, where the sun's rays can't penetrate. This zone is characterized by crushing pressures, near-freezing temperatures, and a complete absence of daylight. These conditions create a unique set of challenges for the creatures that inhabit this mysterious realm. To thrive in such an environment, deep-sea organisms have evolved a range of extraordinary adaptations.

Venomous animals have evolved a diversity of toxins to incapacitate prey and defend against predators. Many of these toxins have become valuable tools in basic and biomedical research and have been developed as drug leads, drugs, and diagnostic agents.

A recent study describes how researchers closely observed humpback whales in Southeast Alaska using advanced technology including drones and special tags that monitor their movements and behaviours. What they’ve discovered is fascinating: humpback whales create intricate bubble-nets by releasing air from their blowholes while swimming in circles. These bubbles rise to the surface, forming a net-like structure that traps krill and small fish.

A review published in the journal Animal Sentience describes the surprising abilities found so far among octopus species.