Seagrass beds along Florida’s east coast have collapsed, wiping out an important manatee food source. With nothing to eat, scientists are racing to save this gentle marine mammal Continue reading…
Tropical invaders: the Med’s warming seas put native species in hot water
A host of fish species arriving via the Suez canal look set to stay – with perilous consequences for ecosystemsPasquale Tuccio docked his small, blue and white wooden boat at the old pier on Linosa, one of Italy’s tiny Pelagie islands in the strait of …
Venomous sea snakes may attack divers during mating season, study suggests
Acts of aggression likely because of ‘mistaken identity during sexual interactions’, researchers writeHighly venomous and sexually aroused sea snakes may attack human divers after confusing them with other snakes during breeding season, a new study sug…
A[BillionBillionBillion]undant Prochlorococcus
Penny Chisholm won the 2019 Crafoord Prize for her 1985 discovery of the most abundant living thing on the blue dot. Obligatory TED talk. Exec summary. Maybe Procholorococcus qualifies for “weird forms of life”? In 1985 Penny Chisholm and Rob Olsen too…
Dead zones spread along Oregon coast and Gulf of Mexico, study shows
Agricultural runoff from farms and livestock operations creates oxygen-depleted areas inhospitable to animal and plant lifeScientists recently surveyed the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico around Louisiana and Texas and what they discovered was a larger-th…
The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales; Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder – reviews
Two books on the mysteries of the deep ocean take very different approaches in stressing the urgent need for conservationDivers investigating an underwater canyon off California made a startling discovery in 2002. They found a dead whale that appeared …
The ocean in winter gives sustenance like nothing else I know | Alison Rourke
Drifting sand dunes and changing seasons beneath the water are worthy opponents of pandemic bluesThe sand dunes on the ocean floor are as beautiful as any desert I’ve seen. The waves that skim their peaks carve out gentle mountains and valleys. Eddies …
On Earth, things evolve into crabs—could the same be true in space?
Evolution experts were kind enough to answer Ars’ questions about alien crabs.
Sexy secret life of basking sharks uncovered in Hebrides
Scientists record fin-to-fin contact in gentle giants, most likely part of courtship, for first timeFin-to-fin synchronised swimming, thought likely to be part of courtship, has been seen in groups of basking sharks for the first time. Video cameras at…