Zodiac Tentacles | Egg Noise | Octo-Brains

Our first story this week prompted an interesting question: which is cooler, octopus or squid?

To keep it fair, we’re bringing back an octopus story to help you decide. Don’t forget to vote!

-Steve

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Zodiac Tentacles

Zodiac signs play a major role in squid matchmaking, sort of. Japanese spear squid mating is based primarily on birth month.

• Squids that hatched early (April-mid July) have more time to grow

• Hatchlings born late (June-mid August) end up far smaller

• Females lay eggs on the outside of their bodies

Larger males fight off rival suitors while smaller ones sneak in to fertilize the exposed eggs. Environmental conditions like water temperature can influence hatch-time, meaning climate change may be playing matchmaker. Claaassic aries though.

When horoscopes reeeally matter

Egg Noise

Noise can negatively affect animal growth and development. Researchers found traffic sounds slow growth and lead to other health factors in birds.

• Bird studied = zebra finch

• Traffic noise played at 65 decibels before and after hatching

• Noise exposed eggs were 19% less likely to hatch

Noise exposed hatchlings experienced slow growth, lower red blood cell counts, damaged chromosome tips, and produced ~50% less offspring. Further research into how noise causes these impacts will aid sustainable infrastructure development and help us better understand noise pollution’s impact on humans.

whispers tweet tweet

Octo-Brains

Great minds think alike! While studying octo-brains, researchers found active LINE transposons, or jumping genes, which also exist in human brains.

• LINE = Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements

• Act as a copy/paste function likely aiding in learning processes

• Found in two common species: Octopus vulgaris and Octopus bimaculoides

This is an example of convergent evolution, when unrelated species adapt similarly over time. It could explain why octopi are far more intelligent than most other invertebrates...and escape rooms.

Why are they called TENtacles if there's only eight?

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Do sheep count to fall asleep?”

Merino sheep must have the comfiest sleep in the animal kingdom!

st3v on site

Nature Sounds

Noise pollution researchers forgot to send a nest for testing help. Fortunately st3v had some mycelium laying around from the latest Bee’s Knees Coffee!

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