Scientists have discovered a population of unusually large mako sharks off the California coast, raising questions about their size and potential impact on the ecosystem. While some believe these sharks are a new breed, others suggest their size is due to abundant food sources and the potential threat of overfishing.
Two recent shark attacks in Florida have sparked rumors linking the incidents to the presence of orcas in the Gulf of Mexico. However, marine biologists dismiss this theory as unsubstantiated. Experts believe the attacks are more likely due to increased human activity and changes in bait fish distribution. Orca sightings are also attributed to the rise in eco-tourism, not a surge in their population.
Up to 160 pilot whales have become trapped in shallow waters on a Western Australian coast, with officials expressing concern that many may have to be euthanized. The highly social animals are known for following each other into difficulty, resulting in mass strandings.
A new study suggests that deep-sea corals that lived 540 million years ago may have been the first animals to glow, far earlier than previously thought. This discovery pushes the origin of bioluminescence back by around 270 million years and places it around the time of the Cambrian explosion, when life on Earth evolved and diversified rapidly.
New research suggests that deep-sea corals that lived 540 million years ago may have been the first animals to glow in the dark, far earlier than previously thought. Marine creatures that glow today include fish, squid, octopuses, jellyfish, and even sharks, all as a result of chemical reactions. They use light for various purposes, such as startling predators, luring prey, or finding mates.
New research indicates that bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to produce light through chemical reactions, originated in animals at least 540 million years ago. This finding, based on an investigation of octocorals, an ancient group of marine invertebrates, predates the previous oldest known instance of the trait by nearly 300 million years. Experts believe bioluminescence has evolved independently at least 94 times in nature and serves various functions, including camouflage, courtship, communication, and hunting.
Local environmentalist organizations joined forces with Clean Ocean Action (COA) to host the 5th Annual Staten Island Student Summit, an educational day filled with hands-on scientific experiences for local students. Students from various elementary schools and Staten Island Academy took on the role of marine biologists, engaging in interactive presentations led by experts from organizations such as the Natural Resources and Protective Association, Great Kills National Park Service, Billion Oyster Project, Staten Island Zoo, and more. The event aimed to foster environmental awareness, inspire students to become stewards of their natural surroundings, and promote the conservation of Staten Island’s marine life.
