rhamphotheca:

Research on fluorescence in marine organisms

By Karen Konzen (2005)
Research Assistant, University of Florida

Latitude: 29° 09.286’ N
Longitude: 88° 00.857’ W

As Dr. Mikhail Matz’s Research Assistant on this exploration, my role is to examine fluorescence in marine organisms – wherever we can find it, whenever the opportunity arises. Already, with not even half of the expedition completed, we have found fluorescent creatures from the surface all the way to depths of 1,800 feet, ranging in size from plankton to a shark about a meter in length.

Watch video taken on Aug 22.

In order to fluoresce, an organism must be able to produce special proteins that can absorb energy from waves of light that hit them and re-emit it at a different wavelength as fluorescent color.  Since there is no light in the deep ocean, why do organisms such as the zooanthid polyps we collected the other day (see Aug 22 daily log) have these proteins? Their fluorescence is incredibly bright when we view them in the right light on board the ship, but how do they use this ability while living at 1,800 feet below the surface?…

(read more: NOAA Ocean Explorer)

iheartmyart:

Watercolors by Cecilia Carlstedt

(via tylervarsell)

earthandscience:

This super cool mammal is the Ring-tailed Mongoose (Galidia elegans) that is only found on Madagascar - where all the amazing animals hang out. This creature reaches lengths of 12.5 to 15 in. and weighs around 24 to 32 oz. But of course the snazzy part of this guy is the bushy red and black ringed tail.

Ring-tailed Mongooses are active during the day and superb climbers. You’ll find them frolicking in the trees hunting for small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and eggs.

Source: Red and Black Rings Are Beautiful Things

(via rhamphotheca)