California based artist and dabbler in the deep sea, Lily Simonson had me at “Party of Yeti’s.” In a new exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History entitled Lily Simonson: Painting the Deep, Simonson features her large scale interpretations of the denizens of the deep. “Inspired by explorations of deep ocean life made in collaboration with Harvard University Professor Peter Girguis, Simonson’s art reflects a passion for the process of science, deep affection for the natural world, and dedication to seeking out and “bringing to light,” the beauty and mystery of places and lifeforms little known and rarely seen.”

In her show, the museum describes, “six original mural-sized paintings that literally glow with luminescent pigments and together create an immersive visual experience where light and color materialize out of a sea of darkness, giving form to a hidden alien universe. Through her extraordinary art, Simonson envelops us in this astonishing world, invites us to share in the excitement of exploration and discovery, and challenges our preconceptions of what it is to be alive.”

Simonson and Dr. Girguis will be presenting a free public lecture on this work – March 14th, 2019. For information or to watch the live stream, please visit: https://hmnh.harvard.edu/event/art-and-science-converge-deep-sea

The post Ain’t No Party Like a Yeti Party first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Everyone gets into science communication for different reasons, but to date this might be my favorite:

“Some senators were being dicks and criticizing physiology science as wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.”

Garfield Kwan, of the dynamic duo behind the ocean comic Squidtoons, was working in a physiology lab at the time when Senator Tom Coburn’s scaling 2011 critique of “wasteful” NSF funding was released. Little did the Senator know that putting on blast the epic physiological research that involved running shrimp on treadmills would inspire Kwan to explore connecting a larger audience to science in his own unique way.

Thus, Squidtoons was born. In collaboration with scientific illustrator Dana Song, Squidtoons is an ocean comic dedicated to translating scientific research into engaging infographics to educate the pubic about science, provide educators with teaching tools, and support scientists with compelling illustrations. Infused with a significant dose of humor and pop culture, each comic is the product of an extensive amount of research and expert scientific review. The illustrations are as accurate as they are dazzling. We here at DSN were fans of Squidtoons before it was cool.

This year Kwan and Song expanded their inky, scicom-ic empire by publishing their first ever Squidtoons book “illustrating science with farts, burps, and giggles.” Containing 120 pages of the Squidtoons “best of” playlist, the book is a fun romp for both kids and adults alike. Garfield reflects on his hopes for the book, “Squidtoons has the potential to be a great outreach tool for researchers around the world, as well as a great platform for the public to understand science by researchers from around the world.”

Get yours today just in time to dazzle your relatives for the holidays with all of your ocean science nerd jokes- courtesy of Squidtoons!

The post Writings on the SeaWall: Squidtoons first appeared on Deep Sea News.

The post Drawing Connections first appeared on Deep Sea News.

I recently came across this artist while attending one of my favorite west coast science conferences. One of the key note speakers was using Jill Pelto’s art as a gold standard in how we can communicate science to the public. Upon first glance the pieces are stunningly beautiful, but as you delve in closer their true efficacy comes to light. Each piece is crafted around a certain scientific trend from receding sea ice to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They are subtle, but impacting.

Pesto is the best kind of science communicator – a scientists and an artist. She is currently working on a Masters of Science at the University of Maine where she studies the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Jill expresses, “My love of nature and wilderness drives me to use creativity to communicate information about extreme environmental issues with a broad audience… I see nature as a work of art, and the origin of my observational skills.”

To find out more or purchase a piece, please visit: http://www.jillpelto.com

The post The Writings on the Sea Wall: Jill Pelto Art first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Just in time for the low winter tides, the brilliant minds of the Martone Lab out of University of British Columbia have come to the rescue (just in case you needed one more reason to love Canadia). With over 100 different species represented from the North Western Seaboard of North America, the Seaweed Sorter app is here to blow some minds.

“Unlike printed dichotomous keys, which use jargon and often require specialized knowledge, Seaweed Sorter uses easy-to-understand, illustrated questions that assume no prior knowledge and allows users to skip questions at any time.

Seaweed Sorter includes more than 250 photos, current and former names, taxonomic details, clear morphological and ecological descriptions, and lists of other seaweeds that “could be confused with” your specimen… Books can be quickly out-of-date, but Seaweed Sorter content will be updated frequently with taxonomic revisions, additional photos, new species, and more. Plus, content is available anytime and doesn’t require an internet connection, making Seaweed Sorter an excellent companion on any trip to the coast.”

Just remember….waterproof phone sold separately. You have been warned.

The post Seaweed Sorting? There’s Now an App for That! first appeared on Deep Sea News.

I love kelp. I love art. It’s safe to say that ‘kelp art’ brings me to a whole new level of excitement that some could consider “overwhelming” in normal human interactions. I’m okay with it- people need to get on my level.

I first came across artist Bryan Helfand’s kelp art a few years back now and I have since been a huge fan. Normally, I reserve this bit for artists whose work communicates science in some interesting way- Bryan is the exception here- but I have found myself enthralled with the way he portrays the ocean and more specifically everyone’s favorite primary producer. Helfand is a local San Diego artist who specializes in mixed media paintings, wood carvings, and murals and whose muse stems from his passion for and experience with the sea. I often find myself perusing his Facebook page for his next beautiful masterpiece- the man is a wizard with a jigsaw.

I love how he captures the unique ebb and flow of Macrocystis – not true to form per se – but beautiful and vibrant none the less. Enjoy a few of his imaginings here and then go take a look at his website for some inspiration. The ocean needs more excellent artists like Bryan to speak for it and show the world how beautiful it truly is.

The post The Writings on the Sea-Wall: Ocean Art by Bryan Helfand first appeared on Deep Sea News.

I firmly believe that good science must always be accompanied with good storytelling. Now more than ever, we must connect those around us to the work we are doing both intellectually (in a way they understand) and emotionally. What better way to do this than in a children’s story book?

One of my personal heroes and an extraordinary scientist whose work we have highlighted here and here, Dr. Danielle Dixson has just announced her first children’s book, “Sea Stories: A Butterflyfish’s Journey to Find Delicious Food.” With co-author and illustrator Caroline Cook, Dr. Dixson tells a story of Buddy the Butterflyfish and his search for food on the reef. This riveting tale parallels Danielle’s work across several local reefs in the Fijian islands looking at how fish can manage chemically noxious seaweeds on corals. And like any great story, this memorable book alludes to some pretty significant lessons for us all to take to heart regarding our roles in the health and balance of these delicate ecosystems.

For those of you with young ones, please consider supporting this wonderful series and the excellent work that Danielle is doing in science and science communication.

Get Your Sea Stories today!

The post Support Sea Stories first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Gloop from gaby bastyra on Vimeo.

The post GLOOP. first appeared on Deep Sea News.

Which is why those visiting the California coast for summer vacation might be slightly confused on who dropped the Ramen in the ocean? Why would anyone waste their 10 for $10 special in the briny blue? It’s preposterous.

Well my friends, that’s because only one of these is Ramen noodles. Can you tell which?

Just in case you need a close up…
Yes, only one is Ramen…the other, Sea Hare egg masses. You heard me right.

Now put away your flavor packets and listen up cause we are gonna have “the talk.” When one mommy sea hare loves a daddy sea hare…just kidding they are hermaphrodites so we can throw all of that basically out the window. During their breeding season, sea hares form large aggregations in which they chain together to make the cutest sea hare babies you ever saw. Being hermaphrodites, the adult hares have both lady bits and man bits too and can choose which to use depending on who is where in the love chain.

Once the deed is did, they lay long “Ramen-like” ribbons of about 80 million eggs that attach to the benthos, turn a pinkish-brown, and take about 10-12 days to hatch. Sea Hares live in the plankton for roughly 30 days till they make their way back to the ocean floor and begin to chow down and start the cycle all over again.

So there you have it, no Ramen wasted here. Keep Calm and Noodle on.

The post Only One of These is Ramen Noodles first appeared on Deep Sea News.

The shell-less gastropods of the sea are collectively known as “sea slugs”. A well-known subgroup of these mollusks, the nudibranchs, are among the most colorful and captivating creatures in the ocean. Nudibranch (noo-də-bránk) means ‘naked-gill’, referring to their external filamentous respiratory organs; one of the physical characters that distinguishes them from other sea slugs. “Nudis”, as they are affectionately called, are also a quite successful clan. Over 2000 are species are known to inhabit marine environments around the planet, from the extreme depths of the seafloor to the littoral pools of the intertidal zone.

The waters of Cabrillo National Monument host at least 25 different species of these soft bodied jewels, a few of which may be observed during a good low tide. With the right timing and a keen eye, one can pick out the small but unmistakable Hopkins’ rose nudibranch (Okenia rosacea). They are one of the more common nudibranchs found here and perhaps the least inconspicuous of all the tidepool organisms at the park. Though small–only 2-3 centimeters long–it’s hard to miss their bright pink, frilly papillae swaying in the water.

The rose nudibranch was first described in 1905 by Frank Mace McFarland, a marine biologist from Stanford University and one of the founders of Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, California. McFarland, well known for his contributions to malacology (the study of mollusks), originally named the rosey-colored slug ‘Hopkinsia rosacea’ after his friend and patron of the marine lab, Timothy Hopkins.

Rose nudibranchs are carnivorous. They utilize their sensory organs, known as rhinophores, to locate their sole food source: the pink encrusting bryozoan, Integripelta bilabiata. They then extract the bryozoan’s soft tissue with specialized teeth. Like many nudibranchs, Okenia rosacea steals the toxins and calcareous spicules of their prey and place them into their feathery appendages for protection. In addition to nourishment and protective compounds, these nudibranchs garner their stunning color from their bryozoan food. The tissues of the bryozoans contain hopkinsiaxanthin, the compound responsible for the slug’’s intense pink hue; and a carotenoid that was unknown to science before its discovery in the tissues of these species.

Historically, the range of these nudis extends from Northern Baja California, Mexico up to the lower Oregon coast. But, until recently, they were rarely noted north of San Francisco. Over the last few years, however, Hopkins’ rose have been seen in surprisingly high numbers in parts of Northern California and have even been observed spawning in the coastal waters of Southern Oregon, a locality in their range that was previously only known from only one specimen. Researchers believe this shift may be due to a warm water anomaly occurring in the North Pacific in 2014 and find it indicative of warming climatic conditions in general.

Like other nudibranchs, Okenia rosacea is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Equipped with both male and female reproductive organs, this species can mate with any other mature individual of the same species. The mated slugs will deposit their pink, ribbon-like spiral egg masses on rocks and other tide pool substrates. In the act of spawning, they deposit eggs from the outside working inward in a counterclockwise motion, thus creating a clockwise spiral. From the eggs hatch tiny planktonic larvae, which develop and eventually settle on the substrate to grow to adulthood.

The more you look into it, the more there is to learn about these bright, beautiful, and fascinating mollusks. The same can be said of just about any species. Our National Parks hold multitudes of life forms, each with myriad complexities and adaptations to discover.

The next time you are exploring the rocky intertidal of the California (or Oregon!) coast, keep an eye out for the truly splendid Hopkins’ rose.

Sources and Reference:

Bertsch H. “Life history of the intertidal Californian nudibranch Hopkinsia rosacea MacFarland, 1905”. Western Society of Malacologists, Annual Report, 1989 21:19-20.

Emerson, W. K., Morris, Robert H., Donald P. Abbott, and Eugene C. Haderlie. “Intertidal invertebrates of California” Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. 1980 98,326

Goddard, Jeffrey H. R. Treneman, N., et.al , “Nudibranch Range Shifts Associated with the 2014 Warm Anomaly in the Northeast Pacific”, Bulletin, Southern California Academy of Sciences 115(1). 2016 :15-40

Strain H. H. “Hopkinsiaxanthin, a xanthophyll of the sea slug Hopkinsia rosacea”. Biological Bulletin97(1) 1949 :206-209.

The post That Which is Bright and Splendid first appeared on Deep Sea News.