BLIND VELVET WORM (Tasmanipatus anopthalmus) listed as ENDANGERED

"Another Tasmanian, this rare and remarkable all-white blind velvet worm Tasmanipatus anopthalmus is the latest animal to be listed by the federal government (of Australia) as endangered. It has been recognised as a threatened species in its home state since the early"

- from http://www.abc.net.au/science/

The Blind Velvet Worm faces problems from destruction of its forest habitat for agriculture, such as plantation farming. The fire regime in its habitat has also lead to population decline, as years of misguided fire suppression have lead to fires that are actually more intense and frequent now than the inhabitants of these forests can cope with.

For more info about Velvet Worms, see my earlier post.

Another image of Bose-Einstein Condensate

BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE

In 1924, Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose predicted the "Bose-Einstein condensate," sometimes referred to as the fifth state of matter.

In the gas phase, the Bose-Einstein condensate remained an unverified theoretical prediction for many years. Finally in 1995, Wolfgang Ketterle and his team of graduate students produced such a condensate experimentally. A Bose-Einstein condensate is "colder" than a solid. It may occur when atoms have very similar (or the same) quantum levels, at temperatures very close to absolute zero (-273 °C)...

"Condensates" are extremely low-temperature fluids which contain properties and exhibit behaviors that are currently not completely understood, such as spontaneously flowing out of their containers. The effect is the consequence of quantum mechanics, which states that since continuous spectral regions can typically be neglected, systems can almost always acquire energy only in discrete steps. If a system is at such a low temperature that it is in the lowest energy state, it is no longer possible for it to reduce its energy, not even by friction. Without friction, the fluid will easily overcome gravity because of adhesion between the fluid and the container wall, and it will take up the most favorable position (all around the container).^[4]

Bose–Einstein condensation is an exotic quantum phenomenon that was observed in dilute atomic gases for the first time in 1995, and is now the subject of intense theoretical and experimental study.^[5]

- from Wikipedia: Bose-Einstein Condensate

Ophidian Spotlight: WAGLER'S VIPER (Tropidolaemus wagleri)

For EMMA WOLF...


This gorgeous nocturnal and arboreal (tree dwelling) pit viper (the family of venomous snakes with heat sensing pits on the face) is found in the forests of SE Asia, in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.


A captive Wagler's Viper uses its tongue to smell its surroundings, as all snakes do, using the Jacobson's Organ (a scent organ) in the roof of the mouth. Therefore, remember to wear deodorant around them, you dirty Euro-Trash!


They are also referred to as Temple Vipers, because of their abundance near some Buddhist temples in Malaysia, where they are allowed to pass in the temples and are even sometimes handled.


The belief amongst many zookeepers and snake enthusiasts for a long time was that they were mildly venomous and never bit, because of the practice of handling amongst some Buddhist monks. It turns out that the monks in Malaysia would often sew their mouths shut or defang them... although it is true that this species can often be lethargic and docile.


The Wagler's does in fact have a strong Hemotoxic (acting on the blood and blood vessels) venom, that it uses to prey upon small arboreal animals, like birds, frogs, lizards, and rodents. It is an ambush predator, staying very still for hours to days waiting for prey to come by, when it suddenly and quickly strikes.


Although venom is used for defense as well with Vipers and Pit Vipers, bites inflicted for defense usually inject less venom than those intended to subdue prey. Notice the slit/cat-like pupil that is indicative of the Pit Vipers.


There is some geographic variation in the color and pattern of this species (you will notice the variation by looking back on previous pics), but much of the variation is random and not at all geographic. There is also a sexual dimorphism, difference in body form between the sexes, as with most snakes, the females get larger than the males.


The original Latin name for this species, Lachesis wagleri. Today the genus name Lachesis is used only for The Bushmasters, a group of large neotropical (found in the tropical regions of the Americas) pit vipers.


What do you mean, "why aren't you smilin?"? This IS my smile!

Random Herp Photo - MAN WITH TUATARA AND EGGS

A biologist in NZ holds an adult TUATARA (Sphenodon punctatus) along with its eggs, both part of a captive breeding program in place to save these highly endangered animals.

Tuatara facts:

1. Although they resemble lizards, the 3 species of Tuatara are part of an ancient ORDER of Reptiles known as the Rhynchocephalia. The other orders of CLASS Reptilia are Crocodylia (Crocs and Alligaors), Testudinata (Turtles), and Squamata (Lizards and Snakes).

2. Tuataras are endemic (found only there) to New Zealand.

3. Tuataras are critically endangered animals, having been wiped off the 2 main islands of NZ by introduced animals and destruction of habitat.


MORE INFO ABOUT TUATARAS ON MY PREVIOUS BLOG POST.

EPIGENETICS

"In biology, the term epigenetics refers to changes in phenotype (appearance) or gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence, hence the name epi- (Greek: over; above) -genetics. These changes may remain through cell divisions for the remainder of the cell's life and may also last for multiple generations. However, there is no change in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism;^[1] instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism's genes to behave (or "express themselves") differently."

- from Wikipedia: Epigenetics.

Basically, epigenetic factors like molecular structures suppressing or activating sections of DNA by pressing on them or pulling them out a bit can cause the genetic code to cause the body to react in certain ways. Things like smoking, activity level (exercise), diet and various environmental factors can affect this.

:)

Another installment in our ENDLESS PARADE OF TURTLES! (for Luka)

SPOTTED POND TURTLE (Geoclemys hamiltonii)


These rather handsome devils are found in northern India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.


Also referred to as the Black Pond or Asian Spotted Pond Turtle


The adults reach a length of 14 inches.


The PLASTRON (under shell) of an adult Spotted


This older male ponders the implications of crayfish, snail, or small frog for dinner. Hmmmm, what goes best with a 1956 Chateau Le Quaquaqua?


They inhabit slow or still bodies of fresh water with ample aquatic vegetation.


Turtle on a desk shows us the distinctive 3 keels on the CARAPACE (upper shell).


This baby Spotted was hatched as part of a breeding program in northern India. The distribution of these turtles is very spotty across their range, and it is suspected that they may be endangered.


BABY TURTLE PARTY!!! I'll bring the chopped up beef heart and live earth worms, you bring the buckets... baby turtles and water will be provided by the hall.

Die... or not!

If you don't get it then go read about Schrodinger's Cat here.

Salamander Spotlight: RINGED SALAMANDER (Ambystoma annulatum)

Ringed Salamanders reach a length of up to 7 slimy inches.


The range of the Ringed, occurring in forested areas in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges of MO, AK, and eastern OK.


If you can't figure out where this species gets its common name, I'll just sit here and sigh while you try to think... what seriously? JUST LOOK AT THE #@%*! THING! Oh wait, you're messing with me, aren't you?


A. annulatum often takes cover in subterranean burrows and under heavy leaf litter to keep from drying out. They are seldom seen, but when they are encountered it's usually after heavy rains, when they emerge to breed.


Annulatum has the distinctive short round nose and large eyes of the family Ambystomatidae, the Mole Salamanders (including Tiger, Spotted, and Marbled Salamanders); so called because of the burrowing habits of many of its members.


The larva (or tadpole) of the Ringed Salamander. This species breeds in the fall, in temporary pools formed from heavy rains. The breeding congregations can include 10's to 100's of individuals.


A bucket of Ringed Salamanders gathered for my friend Mark. Don't eat them all at once!

Back from summer haitus!

Various Animal Heads, Phillip Elliott


We took a well deserved summer break from blogging after:

1. Blog burnout
2. Utterly devastating heartbreak
3. A busy busy summer full of unspeakable acts

... but now we're back and ready for more Natural History.

Some Changes:

1. A little art and music
2. We now accept comments!
(moderated, cause this is a family show)
3. I might try to do more botany posts (maybe).