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Researchers used a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to explore the depths of the East Scotia Ridge, which is full of hydrothermal vents which can reach up to 719 degrees Fahrenheit (382 degrees Celsius). They discovered an amazing new world packed with unknown species. According to project leader Professor Alex Rogers of Oxford University’s Department of Zoology, these alien-looking white creatures are thriving in the rich chemicals ejected by the vents (via Lost World Discovered Under Antarctica)
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~ Do dolphins mourn their dead? | MNN - Mother Nature NetworkDuring one expedition, the researcher and his team witnessed a heartbreaking scene between a mother dolphin and her deceased newborn calf. The mother could be seen repeatedly lifting the corpse to the surface, presumably in an attempt to get it to breathe.
“This was repeated over and over again, sometimes frantically, during two days of observation,” said Gonzalvo. “The mother never separated from her calf…. [She] seemed unable to accept the death.”
Gonzalvo experienced a similar scene a year later, when he came across a pod of dolphins that appeared to be assisting a 2 to 3-month-old dolphin that was having difficulty swimming.
“The group appeared stressed, swimming erratically,” he said. “Adults were trying to help the dying animal stay afloat, but it kept sinking.”
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Belugas are famed for the way in which their faces are able to convey human-like expressions. Certainly Matrena and Nilma seemed to enjoy frolicking with Natalia. The taming of the whales happened in the Murmansk Oblast region in the far north-west of Russia at the shore of the White Sea near the Arctic Circle branch of the Utrish Dophinarium. (via Naked female scientist tries to tame beluga whales in the arctic | Mail Online)
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As a result of vital activity of organisms in the lake Gippslend, the water along the coast became an intense bluish glow, incomparable in its beauty to any illuminated pool. (via Bioluminescent lake in Australia (8 Photos) | Crazy pics)
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Many of the SEAPLEX scientists are considerably more concerned about the environmental impacts of these tiny pieces than we would be over a few larger pieces, or even a huge plastic island. There are many reasons for this, including toxins and the potential for such pieces to be ingested, but I think one of the most underrated impacts is the introduction of hard surfaces to an ecosystem that naturally has very few of them. Microbes, plants, and animals that live on hard surfaces are very different than those that live floating freely in the ocean, and adding all that plastic is providing habitat that would not naturally exist out there.
~ Does the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” exist? « SEAPLEX -
Sea angels use sharp chitinous hooks in their mouths to pull out and eat the soft bodies of sea devils.
BBC - Earth News - In pictures: Angels and devils under Arctic ice
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“One of our co-authors saw them actually flapping their fins. Some people have seen them jetting water while in flight. We felt that ‘flight’ is more appropriate because it implies something active.” (via Photographic Evidence Proves That Squid Can Fly : TreeHugger)
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A recently discovered species called a squidworm found in the Celebes sea in Southeast Asia (via Secret of Weird and wonderful creatures of the deep Revealed)
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Millions of killer giant squid are not only devouring vast amounts of fish they have even started attacking humans. Two Mexican fishermen were recently dragged from their boats and chewed so badly that their bodies could not be identified even by their own families. No wonder the giant squid are called “diablos rojos” - red devils. (via Giant Squids Depleting Fish Populations, Now Turning Their Hungry Tentacles To Humans - Geekologie
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Some absolutely amazing video of the bow taken by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory team with cameras mounted on Phoenix’s expertly piloted ROV.
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