I was going to note the appearance of cedar waxwings on my crabapple trees this weekend, as well as two american robins. The first, the waxwing, is a migratory bird, a true harbinger of spring. (Though being migratory, they may well make a hasty retreat after snacking on the sweet fruit) (Carbs = energy, chapter 3!) The cedar waxwing is a heavy duty frugivorous bird - a real fruit hog. A principle benefit derived from the waxwings appearance is seed dispersion. Berries in, seeds out.
The American Robin, our cheerful little friend, alas, is not a true harbinger of spring. Robins don't winter far from their breeding grounds. Instead, they congregate in large flocks in deeper wooded areas where we typically do not see them. The early bird may get the annelid, but with two feet of snow on the ground, Robins too seek small berries to get them through the winter, but tend to drop the berries' seeds within their breeding grounds. Not that there's anything wrong with that........
It was nice to see these two species. Especially with this evenings prediction of -15 degree below zero temperatures. (I'm still awaiting a pair of cardinals that have appeared for several years now. I've heard that they have been making some local appearances)
Needless to say, the picture that accompanies this week's post is not a bird. (I really hope I didn't need to point that out!) Although this little fella was a big story this week too. Indeed until very recently Tapetails (top), Whalefish (middle) and Bignoses (bottom) were thought to be three different species of fish. Tapetails, named after their long streamer-like tail, live in shallow water while the latter two fish have only been found in deep water. Whalefish lack scales, and have those large bulbous jaws, while Bignoses have, well, big noses, and have immobile jaws. (If their jaws are immobile, how do they eat? Apparently, they don't. They live off of the fat stored in their very large livers. This does not sound like an attractive lifestyle)
(Edit 2/2- My hypothesis is that the smaller adult fish with the immobile jaw is the male. There are other deep water fish that fit this model. The male attaches to the female as a parasite, providing his genetic material and living off of his stored energy until he withers away like a spent vestigial organ. Remember, most animals release only a few eggs as opposed to millions of sperm. As much as I hate to say it, males seem to be somewhat dispensable in the Kingdom Animalia. With exceptions of course!)
Studies then showed remarkable similarities between mitochondrial DNA between tapetails and whalefish. Virtually identical. (mitochondrial DNA is a much smaller subset of code passed from mother to offspring). More DNA studies ensued, and as a result, scientists at the Smithsonian discovered preserved specimens of fish that appeared to be in transition from one form to another.
What we have here folks, are three stages in the life of a single fish, representing the larval stage and the fully mature adult male and female of the species. It's a remarkable metamorphosis, and one that helps us look anew at the lifecycles of organisms and cycles of life on the planet.
As for me, I'm still awaiting the metamorphosis that occurs with each spring. Until then, I watch for the arrival of my cardinals, I rejoice in the sun arcing higher into each day's afternoon sky, and prepare for the festive celebration we call Founders Day.
Each day brings its own beauty.
18 comments:
Those are all the same species of fish? Wow. It looks like the middle one (male, I assume) could eat the bottom one for breakfast. I guess in a lot of species (especially birds, like the cardinals you mentioned) the males and females look considerably different. I do feel sorry for the female cardinals--everyone's always looking at their mates, while they fade into the background...
Also, I saw a robin today! I am so ready for it to be spring.
It may be because I've stayed up so late at night, but my thoughts are jumping all over the place right now. So I've got at least two things I'd like to mention.
First, the fact that we just discovered that these three seemingly distinct organisms are of the same species makes me realize how little we know about our own planet. We may have been learning about the world for thousands of years, but this world has been around for BILLIONS of years. There are places all over the world that have never been seen by human eyes, and some that will remain unexplored for years to come. The underwater world holds so much that we have yet to discover. What upsets me is that some of the wonders that the ocean hosts may disappear without a trace if the human race continues to mistreat the planet.
The second thing I would like to mention just popped into my mind because of the talk about DNA. An article I read in. . .Nature Conservancy (I think) had a really interesting article about cheetah DNA. Apparently, the genetic profiles of all of the world's cheetahs are virtually identical. During the last Ice Age, cheetahs went through an 'evolutionary bottleneck,' leaving such a small breeding population that their gene pool has remained very small. The gene pool is so small that cubs are basically clones of their parents. This, of course, leads to very low fertility rates and disease resistance. A disease that would kill only 15% of most animal populations can devastate the cheetah population. As humans encroach on cheetah habitat and kill the magnificent predators for preying on livestock, we shove this sensitive species closer and closer to extinction.
Okay, now my fingers are cold and I'm thinking about the weather, so I'm going to go ahead and agree with Rebecca again. I was ready for spring about three months ago.
Jennie M.
Just thought I'd mention that if anyone is interested in learning more about cheetahs and the dangers the population faces, you can Google the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
And Mr. Engler, I wanted to thank you for this post - I love learning new things about fish. A little weird, I know, but the ocean is too incredible to ignore.
I hope everyone had a great weekend!!
Jennie M.
A few different thoughts come to mind as I read over the postings. My first reaction is to Jennie's posting regarding the vastness of our oceans and the extent to which most of it is still unexplored, particularly in the deep deep depths of the ocean trenches. This fact is intriguing and mind-boggling at the same time. It'll be interesting to see what other creatures will emerge to enhance our science fiction writers' imaginations as scientific discoveries continue.
Along a similar train of thought thinking of both spring (thus warmer weather) and new species- it is exciting to see the numerous species scientists are "discovering" each day, often in tropical climates. A simple google search can offer up a great taste of some funky critters. Mindoro stripe-faced fruit bat anyone? Note I put the word discovering in quotes, as many native cultures of a region are aware of species that are new to and thus discovered by scientists from developed areas.
My next train of thought went from the new discoveries to the endangered and extinct species. Which led my mind to the mysterious case of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, which was thought to have gone extinct about 50 years ago. Just a few years ago researchers lay claim to spotting the bird deep in a swampy woodland and there are currently ongoing searches to provide more evidence toward this claim. I guess from this I see that the world is full of hiding niches which are unfortunately becoming fewer as our population increases and more land is converted for our growing needs.
On a separate note, mitochondrial DNA tracing is an interesting field of research I’m interested in learning more about. The matrimonial links that are present in most organisms will undoubtedly reveal some additional interesting connection as our scientists delve into it even more.
Lastly, I also saw a robin during Wednesday's snowstorm sitting in my crabapple tree looking a little miffed at the weather. The fluffy snow was nice but the warm weather whenever it arrives will certainly be welcomed.
~Katie J.
The fact that those three fish are the same species is astounding. I would not have guessed that just from looking at the pictures. At first I thought that the post was going to describe the evolutionary changes from one fish to the next (or something along those lines).
Also, I haven’t heard much about mitochondrial DNA. That’s something I would like to know more about. What are the other differences it has from “normal” DNA? What traits are passed from mother to offspring on it?
On a different note, after reading Jennie’s post, she commented on just how little we do know about our own planet and how we might never get to see some creatures if we keep mistreating the planet. While I might not agree with what I’m about to say, I feel like presenting a “devil’s advocate” argument. The earth has been around for billions of years and the biosphere is constantly changing. Countless species have gone extinct throughout its existence. New species have come into existence that have pushed older species out. To preserve nature as we have known it for our short existence on this earth is something we simply can not do. We can try and slow the process and hopefully minimize our effects on the process, but species will go extinct nonetheless.
And I would just like to state again that I was trying to present a “devil’s advocate” argument.
As far as spring is concerned, I would love it if the snow could stick around long enough for me to get in some more skiing.
-Mike D.
I thought that the bog was really interesting, as well as the above comments. All of them really made me think about things after reading them. This was especially true with the two different sides that were presented by Jennie and Mike. To a certain extent I agree with both of them. Species will go extinct every once in a while no matter what. However, I think that humans are definately speeding up the process.
I had pretty much the same reaction as Mike did to the three fish at the top of the blog. There is no way that I would have guessed that they were the same species. They look so different and have very different characteristics, such as having an immobile jaw, really long tail, or no scales. I have never heard of an animal that doesn't eat at all. That seems so strange to me.
I'm going to have to side with Rebecca and Jennie, I am definately ready for spring.
-Amanda O.
The first time I saw the pictures, I figured that the post was going to be about creatures of the deep ocean or something like that. But it's amazing that they are all the same species. Like Rebecca said though, the males and females of several species look much different. It's funny that the post was about similairities and differences because just today I was thinking about DNA throughout the human race. Out of all the people that are on the planet now and everyone who evr lived, couldn't there be another person (who's not related to me) who has the same exact DNA as me and looks the same as well?
I have three crabapple trees in my yard and with all the snow, they have attracted bluejays, deer, and even a lone robin. Hopefully spring comes soon.
I find it very interesting that even though they thought each fish was a different species, it turned out that they all were of the same species. It is always interesting how science can be turned around at any second. I myself can not wait for spring!
~Stacy~
I thought that this was a amazing connection. I am also glad that the birds are coming back. Or are making themselves visible. I did not know that they hid in the woods for the winter. Also I have a question. If the fish's jaw is immobile, How does it gain nutrients? Does this effect it's speed and energy? I would like to know more about DNA and how it effects the growth of something that looks completely different when it finishes it's growth cycle, than it did when it began to live. Such as this fish.
-Elsa C.
At first glance it is hard to imagine all three fish being the same species, but at a second glance similarities are more noticeable. For instance, the structure of their tales and the direction in which they seem to bend. Also, the first fish (tapetail) is especially interesting because it does not remind me of a fish at all. I'm not exactly sure what it reminds me of, but it just goes to show that there are some unusual creatures out there!
Personally, I think those fish are at least slightly similar in that they are really not that attractive. I suppose that's not their fault though, bad luck with DNA. I'm curious as to why a fish would evolve so that in one stage of its life it has a mouth that can't do anything, why didn't they evolve to just be like all the other fishies?
I also find it interesting that we can rely on the appearance of animals' spring-detecting abilities to determine when spring is coming. I wonder if humans would be able to tell when seasons were close to changing if we didn't have any calanders or anything like that.
-Daniel G.
After first looking at these different fish I would have never guessed that they really are all the same species. When looking further into however, there are some very similar traits that begin to show! After reading this blog and responding to the pictures, I myself am VERY excited for spring. I hope our good old friend "Mr. Groundhog" decides to come back out soon ;)
-Heidi
Today is the day that I am catching up with my blog posts…. #2for today. Yes!!
I, too, was amazed to learn that these three fish that appear to be as different as they could possibly be are in fact fish of the same species. They look completely different and even live in different water depth. It also struck me that the poor male fish is not able to eat. His only purpose seems to be to make sure that his species lives on. It reminds me of spiders. It seems to be a common habit among female spiders to eat their husband right after the honeymoon.
Some students expressed their amazement about how few things we know about our planet. So many parts of the oceans are unexplored. I even read that we actually know more about outer space than we know about our own planet. But discoveries like this one also make me think how much we already know about our planet. The knowledge about the existence of these fish is already remarkable in my opinion. But knowing that they are the same species despite the missing similarities is really something.
Well, I am not looking forward to the spring. I don’t want the snow to melt. It will be muddy and depressing. We have springs in Germany, but the winter here is something special.
That's really odd that they are all the same species of fish. To me they look completely different. The middle fish looks like it could be a predator of the other two fish. Though I guess that makes sense. because there are many species where the male and female look completely different. It's just interesting to think that we've know about these three fish for a while and we are just now learning that they are actually the same.
Katie B
Same species huh? wow. but then again humans can look pretty different from each other but look closer and you 'll see were all the same.(there's a Barney lesson for the day) Anyway fish a pretty cool, I don't know how many times I've wished I could breath underwater.(how exactly does that work?) But deep sea fish are always the coolest. I wouldn't want to have a jaw that didn't move. also does that mean, they are born with everything they will need for thier life cycle? all the energy and protien. like they can't get anymore than they amount they start with? What if one of them has a super active day, does that shorten his possible lifespan, which would then mean, (unlike us) the lazier and fatter you are the longer you'll live?
-Da Cleava
I thought the blog was interesting. it was nice to hear about the birds in your yard MR. E. it made me think of the turkeys that were in my yard just a few days ago. they had jumped into our crab apple tree and were eating the berries I assume. (the dead ones most likey there were no new ones as of yet thanks to the weather still being winter and the snow still being on the ground). The fish in the picture were wierd looking, but interesting. I guess you dont have to look like your brother to be his sister, right? Anyways I hope that the middle fish doesnt eat the bottom one for breakfast Rebecca! The poor creature. Maybe we could get our turkeys and robins together and have a party!
Anya P.
I cannot wait for spring either. Just the other day I had an amazing dream which had green grass in it. I was pumped until I woke up to a cold dark and gloomy winter day.
I wasn't expecting these fish to be the same, by the looks i would've never guessed. Internally I might have noticed a few similarities. Such as the large liver, I wish I could see that in these fish.
With this whole male and female thing I do not know what is up. The only thing I can recall is Mr. Whitaker's tree speech about pollenization and such.
Andy H - Look UP!
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