Greetings, Chordate Comrades.

Greetings, chordate comrades.

I’m attempting to export yet another culture we’ve had for the past few years on the dying birdsite. Basically three times a year we’d use the hashtag #InverteFest to post unsolicited bug and slug pics and YELL ABOUT HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM.

It could be pics from your garden, OCs, doodles, shitposts, crab memes, whatever. Just remember this is strictly a NO BONE ZONE.

But if you’re going out and feeling like contributing to community science, we have a project on iNaturalist for you to join.

See you in late December.

Daily fish fact #276

Goblin shark!

This deep sea shark is able to rapidly extend its jaws, quickly engulfing prey!

275 notes View Post

invertebabe

8 years ago

Crowdsurfer for The Frights at Beach Goth, Santa Ana, CA

Meet the charming cephalopod that made headlines for cuteness—Opisthoteuthis spp.

The flapjack octopus Opisthoteuthis is a cirrate octopus. A small pair of fins on their mantle and webbed arms allow them to either drift or pulse like a jellyfish just above the seafloor. Scientists believe the finger-like cirri lining each arm are used to detect and capture prey such as small crustaceans, polychaetes, and molluscs living in the mud.

Many cephalopods die shortly after they spawn, but Opisthoteuthis is able to continuously spawn throughout their lifetime. Their eggs require up to three years to develop and hatch. Given the length of time for egg development, it is thought this species may be relatively long-lived, but little is known about their natural history.

In 2014, MBARI researchers collected flapjack octopuses in Monterey Bay for a collaborative exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Upon a closer look, they discovered that the individuals collected were actually an undescribed species. The scientists have started the process to formally describe and name this charismatic cephalopod, so stay tuned. Learn more about the fantastic flapjack on our website.

255 notes View Post

invertebabe

4 months ago