Tag Archives: unique

Close-Up View of Io’s Unique Features Captured by NASA’s Juno Mission

Posted on by
Reply

In December 2023 and February 2024, NASA’s Juno spacecraft will fly extremely close to Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io, coming within about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) of the surface and obtaining the first close-up images of the moon’s northern latitudes. Planetary scientists have now turned images collected during the flight into animations that show two of Io’s most dramatic features: its mountains and a nearly glassy rock formed by cooling lava called Loki Patera. It emphasized the smooth lake.

The JunoCam instrument aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft imaged Io, the most geologically active object in the solar system, on February 3, 2024, from a distance of approximately 7,904 km (4,911 miles) . Image credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS.

“There are only a few scattered volcanoes on the island of Io, and we captured some of them active,” said Juno principal investigator and Southwest Research Institute cosmologist. said Scott Bolton, director of science and engineering.

“We also obtained great close-ups and other data about a 200 km (127 mile) long lava lake called Loki Patera.”

“It shows in amazing detail how these crazy islands are embedded in the middle of a potential magma lake fringed with hot lava.”

“The specular reflections that our instruments record about the lake suggest that parts of Io’s surface are glass-smooth, reminiscent of the obsidian glass produced in volcanoes on Earth. “

Map generated using data collected by Juno microwave radiometer (MWR)’s instruments revealed that Io not only has a relatively smooth surface compared to Jupiter’s other Galilean moons, but also has poles that are colder than the mid-latitudes.

During Juno’s long-term mission, the spacecraft will fly closer to Jupiter’s north pole with each pass.

This change in direction allows the MWR instrument to improve the resolution of Jupiter’s polar cyclones.

This data allows us to compare multiple wavelengths at the poles and reveals that not all polar cyclones are created equal.

“Perhaps the most striking example of this difference is seen in the central cyclone at Jupiter’s north pole,” said Dr. Steve Levin, Juno project scientist and researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. states.

“Although clearly visible in both infrared and visible light images, the microwave signature is not as strong as other nearby storms.”

“This indicates that its subsurface structure must be very different from other cyclones.”

“As the MWR team continues to collect more and better microwave data in every orbit, we expect to develop more detailed 3D maps of these interesting polar storms.”

Source: www.sci.news

Unique feeding methods of Oligocene dolphins

Posted on by
Reply

Aureia lelehua It has unique teeth and is thought to have formed a cage around small fish. These teeth, weak apex, flexible neck, and smallest size among its relatives allow it to be an effective hunter in shallow water, according to a team of paleontologists from the University of Otago.

skull of Aureia lelehua; Notice the spread of the teeth and the unevenness of the face. Image credit: Meakin other., doi: 10.1080/03036758.2024.2314505.

The newly described dolphin species lived in the Oligocene oceans about 22 million years ago.

dubbing Aureia lelehua this species was approximately 2 meters (6.6 ft) long and was very likely echolocated.

It has a weak skull, flexible neck, and unique lateral tooth orientation, suggesting that it scanned shallow waters and captured small prey by placing them in cages in its teeth.

University of Otago palaeontologist Shane Meakin said: “This dolphin had widely spread teeth, which are thought to have hugged fish like a wide cage. Other ancient dolphins in the region typically “This is unusual because it used its teeth to attack its prey.”

“When you look at a dolphin's teeth, it's natural to think that the large teeth at the front and center of the mouth are its main tools for catching prey and stabbing or cutting down unfortunate fish.”

“This looked like how closely related dolphins hunt; Aureia lelehua They seem to be taking a completely different approach, using these teeth in a more delicate way. “

fossil of Aureia lelehua The skull, teeth, ear bones, lower jaw, vertebrae and ribs were discovered in a quarry in New Zealand's Hakataramea Valley.

“Between 22 million and 27 million years ago, New Zealand sank and went from 1% above sea level to completely submerged, during which time marine life flourished,” the paleontologists said.

“The contemporary deposits are representative of many of the cetacean species present in the collections of the University of Otago Museum of Geology.”

“One of them is Aureia lelehua It was taken from a limestone quarry in South Canterbury's Hataramea Valley, known as 'Howe's Quarry'. ”

discovery of Aureia lelehua This indicates that there were many dolphin fossils in one small area, and their shapes varied widely.

“This shows that seemingly similar animals can coexist if they explore different ecological niches,” Meakin said.

“We also show that early prehistoric dolphins used different foraging strategies to explore different niches, which is why fossil localities such as the Hataramea Valley yielded so many species. Extinct dolphins have been recovered.

of findings On February 21, 2024, Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

_____

Shane Meakin other. Aureia lelehuaa new platanistoid dolphin born in the Oligocene of New Zealand with a unique feeding method. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, published online on February 21, 2024. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2024.2314505

Source: www.sci.news

The unique shape of a duck’s penis: Why is it corkscrewed, and how does it affect mating?

Posted on by
Reply

Duck penises are quite unusual. You may have come across information about Drake online or seen pictures of him. In that case, you probably know that Drake’s genitals are not shaped like a typical phallus but instead have a corkscrew shape.

So, why do ducks have such peculiar reproductive organs? How do they reproduce? And what led to their evolution? We posed these questions to Dr. Patricia Brennan, an evolutionary biologist and an expert on duck penises at Mount Holyoke College in the US. Keep reading to discover why Donald Duck might have been better off wearing pants instead of a sailor shirt.

What is the appearance of a duck’s penis?

White duck © Alamy

“They appear somewhat like tentacles, being pale in color and corkscrew-shaped,” described Brennan.

In certain duck species, the penis undergoes growth and regression during the breeding season. The extent of growth depends on the surroundings. A study led by Brennan in 2017 revealed that Drake’s penis grew considerably longer in the presence of other males compared to those in pairs with females, with some reaching up to 18 cm. An example is the red duck species with a total length of only 39cm.

The lake duck, native to South America, boasts the largest bird penis worldwide and the longest relative to body size, with a specimen from Argentina measuring 42.5 cm in length, compared to the average body length when fully retracted of 36 to 46 cm. For reference, the average erect human penis measures 13 to 18 cm.

Per Guinness World Records, the lake duck’s penis is characterized by barbs at the base and a “soft, brush-like” tip.

A duck’s vagina also has a corkscrew shape, but it spirals in the opposite direction from the penis. “It’s like a maze,” Brennan remarked. “At the entrance, there are several blind pouches followed by a series of narrow spirals.”

How do ducks reproduce?

“Quickly!” exclaimed Brennan. “The male’s penis becomes erect, and since they ejaculate in a third of a second, a brief cloacal contact is needed for insemination.” (If you’re curious, you can watch the video here.) Drake delivers sperm into the female’s vagina near the ovaries.

Why did duck reproductive organs evolve this way?

©Shutterstock

The unusual genitalia of ducks is a result of a sexual competition. Forced copulation is common among ducks, so the male’s elongated, flexible penis enhances his chances of successfully impregnating the female, while the female’s counterclockwise vagina offers her some control.

“These intricate structures prevent the complete eversion of unwanted males’ penises, causing their sperm to be nearer to the cloaca entrance, making it easier for females to expel the sperm. Thus, Brennan’s research revealed that female ducks can inhibit fertilization from undesired males.

However, if a female desires to mate with a specific male, she can relax her cloacal muscles to facilitate easier access.

About our expert Dr. Patricia Brennan

Dr. Patricia Brennan is an assistant professor of biological sciences at Mount Holyoke College in the United States. She specializes in the evolution of genital morphology and the mechanisms driving reproductive diversification. She has authored numerous research papers on waterfowl reproductive organs.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Webb discovers unique helium cloud surrounding GN-z11 in its Halo

Posted on by
Reply

GN-z11 is an extremely bright galaxy that existed just 420 million years ago, making it one of the oldest and most distant galaxies ever observed.

This two-part diagram shows evidence of a gaseous mass of helium in the halo surrounding galaxy GN-z11. The small box at the top right corner shows her GN-z11 in the galaxy. The box in the center shows a magnified image of the galaxy. The left-most box shows a map of helium gas in GN-z11's halo. This also includes clumps that are not visible in the infrared colors shown in the center panel. The spectrum in the bottom half of the graphic shows a distinct “fingerprint” of helium within the halo. The full spectrum shows no evidence of other elements, so the helium blob must be fairly pure, made from leftover hydrogen and helium gas from the Big Bang, with little contamination from heavier elements produced by stars. It suggests that there is no. Theory and simulations near particularly massive galaxies of these epochs predict that pockets of primordial gas must remain within the halo, and that these may collapse to form Population III clusters. doing. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Ralf Crawford, STScI.

GN-z11 is an early but moderately massive galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major.

First discovered by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in 2016, the galaxy is estimated to be just 420 million years old, or 3% of its current age.

GN-z11 is about 25 times smaller than the Milky Way, with only 1% of the mass of stars in our galaxy.

Remarkably, this galaxy is home to a supermassive black hole of approximately 1.6 million solar masses that is rapidly accreting matter.

using, near infrared spectrometer Astronomer Roberto Maiorino of the University of Cambridge and colleagues detected gaseous clumps of helium in the halo surrounding GN-z11 using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope's (NIRSpec) instrument.

“The fact that we don't see anything but helium suggests that this mass must be fairly pure,” Maiorino said.

“This is what was predicted by theory and simulations near particularly massive galaxies of these times. There should be pockets of primordial gas left in the halo, and these collapse into population III. They may form star clusters.”

Finding never-before-seen “Population III stars” (first generation stars formed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium) is one of the most important goals of modern astrophysics.

These stars are expected to be very massive, very bright, and very hot.

Their expected characteristics are the presence of ionized helium and the absence of chemical elements heavier than helium.

The formation of the first stars and galaxies marked a fundamental change in the history of the universe, during which the universe went from a dark and relatively simple state to the highly structured and complex state we see today. It has evolved into an environment.

“In future Webb observations, we hope to probe GN-z11 more deeply and strengthen our case for Population III stars potentially forming within the halo,” the astronomers said.

The survey results are journal astronomy and astrophysics.

Source: www.sci.news

Review: Bose Ultra Open Earphones with Unique Open Fit and High-Quality Sound

Posted on by
Reply

Bose’s latest earbuds are a big departure from previous noise-canceling champions, as they’re designed to let outside sound in instead of blocking it out and sitting in your ears, making them more than just gadgets. It also resembles jewelry.

These are the latest evolution of Bose’s open audio technology, which uses small speakers to play music without blocking your ears, and was last seen in the excellent Frames audio glasses, which have since been discontinued.

The Ultra Open Earbuds cost a hefty £300 (€349/$299), joining the ranks of smaller open earbuds such as:
£179 Shocks Open Fit Or the £149 Sony LinkBuds. However, Bose has two major advantages over his rivals. It has a great, full sound and an innovative fit that doesn’t get in the way of glasses or other headwear.





The look and fit of the Ultra Open is unlike any other earphone. The slit on the top projects noise canceling sound and reduces noise leakage from the earphones.

Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery cylinder is located behind the ear and connected via a flexible silicone spring to an L-shaped plastic speaker arm, which together hold the earbuds in place around the side of the ear.

The fit is very unique and takes a little practice to get it right, but once it’s in place it’s light and comfortable. I was sure it would fall if I ran, but no matter how much I sweated or how much I shook my head, it remained firmly in place.





The earbuds are charged via metal contacts on the underside of the battery.

Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unique Needle-Like Fangs Found in Teeth of Extinct Shark

Posted on by
Reply

Paleontologists have described a new species of extinct ramid shark Paleohypotodus Based on 17 fossilized teeth found in Alabama, USA.

Fossilized teeth are Paleohypotodus bizocoi.Image credit: Eversole other., doi: 10.3897/fr.27.e112800.

“Paleohypotodus “Sharks are an extinct genus of sheep-like sharks that range in time from the late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) to the late Eocene (Priabonian), with isolated teeth scattered over large areas around the world. It has been reported from different sources,” said Dr. June Ebersole. McWane Science Center Collections Director and his colleagues.

“There are three recognized species in this genus, including the Cretaceous. Palaeohypotodus bronniand Paleogene Paleohypotodus borgensis and Palaeohypotodus rutoti”

“These species have an upright to strongly hooked distal crown, a smooth cutting edge, one or more pairs of lateral cusps, and a unique combination of folds along the labial crown foot. It is characterized by sturdy teeth.

“Paleohypotodus Although known primarily by solitary teeth, at least one partially associated skeleton has been reported. ”

The newly identified species is Paleohypotodus bizocoilived about 65 million years ago (Paleocene epoch).

A collection of 17 teeth belonging to this species was recently discovered in the historical collections of the Alabama Geological Survey in Tuscaloosa.

The specimen is Porter's Creek Formation Originally from Wilcox County, Alabama.

“A few years ago, while looking through our historic fossil collection at the Alabama Geological Survey, we came across a small box containing a shark tooth collected in Wilcox County over 100 years ago,” Eversole said. the doctor said.

“We've been documenting fossilized remains of hundreds of fish species over the past decade, but it was puzzling that these teeth belonged to sharks we didn't recognize.”

Paleohypotodus bizocoi It was a major predator when the ocean was recovering from the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.

“In Alabama, during the Paleocene, much of the southern half of the state was covered by shallow tropical to subtropical oceans,” says T. Lynn, a paleontologist and curator of fossil collections at the Alabama Geological Survey. Dr. Harrell Jr. says. .

“This era is less well studied, which makes the discovery of this new species of shark all the more important.”

“Shark discoveries like this one give us tremendous insight into how marine life recovers after large-scale extinction events. We also know that global events such as climate change are changing the way our oceans are today. We may also be able to predict how this will affect living organisms.”

As part of their study, the authors compared fossil teeth. Paleohypotodus bizocoi to sharks from a variety of modern sharks, including great whites and shortfin mako sharks.

“By studying the jaws and teeth of extant sharks, we were able to reconstruct the dentition of this ancient species and found that it has a tooth arrangement unlike any other living shark.” said Curator of History Dr. David Sisimuri. Carolina State Museum.

a paper A description of the discovery was published in a magazine fossil record.

_____

JA Eversole other. 2024.new species Paleohypotodus Glickman, 1964 (chondrichthyes, oligidae), collected from the Lower Paleocene (Danian) Porters Creek Formation, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA. fossil record 27 (1): 111-134; doi: 10.3897/fr.27.e112800

Source: www.sci.news

Unique Crown Shapes of Early Carboniferous Tree Species

Posted on by
Reply

Sanphodiacaulis densifolia is an extinct tree species that existed in what is now New Brunswick, Canada, between 359 and 347 million years ago (Carboniferous period). The structure consisted of an unbranched 16 cm diameter trunk and compound leaves arranged in a 13 cm spiral and compressed to a vertical trunk length of 14 cm. The compound leaves in the upper 0.75 m of the trunk were over 1.75 m long, with preserved alternating secondary collaterals starting 0.5 m from the trunk. In the lower region of the trunk there were only persistent leaf bases. Sanphodiacaulis densifolia shows that the early Carboniferous vegetation was more complex than expected, indicating that this was an experimental, perhaps transitional, period of diverse growth structures.

Sanphodiacaulis densifolia. Image credit: Tim Stonecipher.

Trees first appeared during the Middle Devonian period (393 to 383 million years ago), but modern woody plants did not appear until about 10 million years later.

Evidence for dendritic structures (tree-like structures) is primarily based on mud moldings, sand moldings, or calcified stumps, or extensive root structures in fossilized soils.

Under unique preservation conditions, these early trees fossilized with roots and crown structures attached to their trunks.

“The method is Sanphodiacaulis densifolia “It has very long leaves around its slender trunk, and it's amazing how many leaves there are on such a short trunk,” said Dr. Robert Gastaldo, a paleontologist at Colby College. he said.

“The morphology of these 350-million-year-old trees looks like ferns or palms, even though palms arose 300 million years ago.”

“However, the functional leaves of ferns and palm trees are clustered at the top and are relatively few in number.”

“in contrast, Sanphodiacaulis densifolia More than 250 leaves have been preserved around the trunk, with each partially preserved leaf extending 1.75 meters from the trunk. ”

“We estimate that each leaf grew at least another meter before it finished.”

“This means that ‘bottlebrush’ had a dense canopy of leaves that were not woody and spread for at least 5.5 meters around a trunk that was only 16 cm in diameter. Amazing to say the least. .”

Sanphodiacaulis densifolia It has compound leaves arranged in a spiral.Image credit: Gastaldo other., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.011.

Dr. Gastaldo and his colleagues examined five fossil specimens. Sanphodiacaulis densifolia.

The fossil was excavated from the Sanford Quarry, part of the Albert Formation in New Brunswick, Canada.

“These fossils were preserved when an earthquake destroyed trees and other vegetation along the edge of a rift lake,” Gastaldo said.

“The first fossil wood was unearthed from a quarry about seven years ago, but it contained only one partial sample.”

“It took several years to find four other specimens of the same plant in close spatial proximity.”

“One of the specimens reveals how the leaves separate from the top of the tree, which makes this tree quite unique.”

“This is one of the few preserved trunks with crown leaves still attached in a fossil record spanning more than 400 million years.”

Actual and reconstructed heights and biostratigraphic ranges of Pennsylvanian trees from the Middle Devonian. Image credit: Gastaldo et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.011.

Sanphodiacaulis densifolia It probably relied on its unusual growth form to maximize the amount of light it could capture and reduce competition with other plants above ground.

This discovery provides important insights into the evolution of plants and arboreal growth, that is, plants that grow to the height of a tree, or at least 4.5 m, at maturity.

They also remind us that throughout the history of life on Earth, there have been trees that look like nothing we've ever seen before.

“We all have a mental concept of what a tree looks like, depending on where we live on the planet, and we all have a vision of something familiar,” Dr. Gastaldo said. Ta.

“The fossils we report are unique and represent some of the strangest growth forms in the history of life.”

“This is an evolutionary experiment during a period of forest plant biodiversity, and it appears to be a short-lived form.”

“The history of life on land consists of plants and animals that are different from those that live today,” he added.

“The evolutionary mechanisms that operated in the distant past allowed organisms to survive for long periods of time, but their shape, morphology, growth structure, and life history followed different trajectories and strategies.”

“Rare and unusual fossils like the New Brunswick tree are just a few examples of failed experiments that have colonized our planet.”

a paper The survey results were published in a magazine current biology.

_____

Robert A. Gastaldo other. A mysterious fossil plant with a three-dimensional tree-like growth structure from the earliest Carboniferous period in New Brunswick, Canada. current biology, published online on February 2, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.011

Source: www.sci.news

AI Discovers that Your Fingerprint is Not Actually Unique

Posted on by
Reply

New AI has revealed unexpected discoveries. Surprisingly, your fingerprints aren’t as unique as previously thought.

Well, at least when compared to each other. It has long been believed that fingerprints on different fingers of the same person are unique. In other words, the fingerprint on your index finger bears little resemblance to the fingerprint on your thumb.

This belief that “intrapersonal fingerprints” are unique has had a major impact on forensic science. For example, if a criminal leaves different finger prints at different crime scenes, it is difficult for police to link them to one person.

But a new “deep contrast network” artificial intelligence built by scientists at Columbia University could leave a big mark on future crime scenes. The researchers found that they could make predictions after training on a database of 60,000 fingerprints. Two prints are from the same person with 77% accuracy.

This number would rise even more if the AI was fed other fingerprints from the same hand. Researchers say this breakthrough could improve current forensic efficiency by more than 10 times.

“Imagine how well this would work [AI] “If it’s trained on millions of fingerprints instead of thousands, it will work,” said Anib Ray, engineering senior at Columbia.

Dr. Hod Lipson“If this information tipped the balance, I imagine there would be a resurgence of cold cases and even innocent people could be exonerated,” said the author, who oversaw the study.

So what has AI discovered that forensic scientists have missed for decades? Unlike traditional fingerprint comparisons, AI detects “minutiae,” or similarities between the branches and ends of fingerprint ridges. was not focused on. Instead, they focused on the angles and curvature of the whorls and loops at the center of the fingerprint.

Fingerprints are examined by minutiae (L) and central ridge angle (R). – Photo credit: Columbia University.

“Many people think that AI can’t actually make new discoveries, it just regurgitates knowledge,” Lipson says. “However, this study shows that even very simple AI, based on very simple datasets that the research community has had lying around for years, provides insights that have eluded experts for decades. This is an example of how we can deliver.”

After all, the fingerprints on your fingers may not be that different from each other, but it is unlikely to be shared with others. In fact, the chances that two people share the same fingerprint are estimated to be less than 1 in 64 billion. This means that probably more than 1 million years two people with identical fingerprints happen to appear in Scotland Yard’s fingerprint database.

Identical twins also have unique patterns. This is because the bumps on your fingers are determined not only by your DNA, but also by how you developed as a fetus. The length of the umbilical cord, its position in the uterus, blood pressure, nutrition, and rate of finger growth all play a role.

Gorillas, chimpanzees, and koalas are some of the animals that have been found to have unique markings.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Irish Beer has a Genetically Unique Yeast in Guinness

Posted on by
Reply

Some of the yeasts used to brew Guinness today are descendants of those used in 1903.

Artur Widak/NurPhoto SRL/Alamy

The yeast strain used to brew Guinness, Ireland's traditional stout, is genetically different from the yeast strains used to make other Irish beers.

Brewer's yeast (budding yeast) is an essential element in beer production. During fermentation, these microorganisms convert sugars from malt into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Using different strains of this yeast can result in different types of beer, such as stouts and lagers, and can also affect its flavor profile.

Daniel Kerruish A research team from food and drink company Diageo Ireland Unlimited has determined which yeasts are used to brew Guinness, based on records kept by the Guinness brewery since 1903 of the yeast strains used in its malty, bitter stout. investigated its evolution over many years.

The research team compared the genomes of 13 strains. S. cerevisiae There are up to 160 different strains, including those currently or historically used to brew Guinness, and six used by other Irish breweries.

Although Guinness yeast and other Irish brewer's yeasts belonged to the same lineage, Kerruish and his team discovered that they were genetically distinct enough that Guinness yeast belonged to a previously unidentified subpopulation. Did. Irish brewer's yeasts, other than Guinness, were more closely related to strains of British origin.

Guinness strains were also found to produce a particular balance of flavor compounds, including 4-vinylguaiacol, which produces a subtle clove-like aroma, and diacetyl, which imparts a buttery taste.

The research team also discovered that the two strains currently used in Guinness are descendants of the strain used to brew stout in 1903.

“The more we learn about Guinness yeast, the more we realize how unique and special it is,” says Keluisch. “Guinness is a great beer, so it probably won’t surprise you.”

“What's particularly unique and exciting about this study is that the company has very detailed records of past handling of the strains,” he says. brian gibson at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. “This information could be used to further develop these yeasts and others used in industrial applications.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers identify unique species of seal in the Arctic

Posted on by
Reply

This scientific study used satellite transmitters, population counts, and DNA analysis of tissue samples to describe the special Kangi ringed seal in the Ilulissat Icefjord. Here, a satellite transmitter is attached to the seal’s back.Credit: Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Nature Research

Local hunters in the Icefjord near Ilulissat are familiar with a special type of ringed seal known as the Kangia seal. Kangia seals vary in size and appearance, being significantly larger than the common Arctic ringed seal, and with markedly different fur colors and patterns. Recent scientific research has revealed that this distinctive seal has been genetically separated from Arctic seals over a long period of over 100,000 years.

Exploring the natural wonders of the Arctic can be difficult. Extreme weather and vast distances often hinder researchers’ quest to uncover nature’s mysteries.

However, a research project led by Greenlandic and Danish researchers has succeeded in describing a new species of ringed seal that lives in an ice fjord near Ilulissat in West Greenland. A unique natural area on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The results were recently published in a prestigious scientific journal. molecular ecology.

Kangia ringed seals are larger than the typical Arctic ringed seal, and their fur is a different color and has more distinctive markings.Credit: Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Nature Research

small population

For years, researchers worked with local hunters to trap seals in nets and attach small satellite transmitters to their backs. As the seals flew, satellite transmitters sent messages about the seal’s location.

“We found that the Kangia seals mainly stayed within the ice fjords. We were able to count the seals from the plane, so we estimated that there was only about one seal. There are 3,000 special Kangi ringed seals,” said Akual Rosing Asvid, a senior researcher at the Greenland Institute for Nature Research Pingoltitalerifik and one of the researchers who supported the study. .

Color and pattern of the fur of the Kangia ringed seal (left) and a typical Arctic ringed seal (right).Credit: Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Nature Research

Their small population is very unusual compared to the typical Arctic ringed seal, which is huge and often travels thousands of kilometers around the North Pole in search of food.

isolated for thousands of years

The researchers also took small tissue samples from the captive seals. The samples were sent for genetic analysis to determine the seal’s identity. DNA The results revealed that Kangia ringed seals are genetically distinct from typical Arctic ringed seals.

Kangia ringed seals live in the Ilulissat Icefjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its spectacular and unique nature.Credit: Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Nature Research

However, where and how the Kangia ringed seal became isolated from other Arctic ringed seals and why it acquired new special biological characteristics remains a mystery.

Perhaps other arctic fjords also have special seals

The study highlights that there is still much we don’t know about the biodiversity of the Arctic and its potential to adapt to climate change and human activities.

“There are many other fjords in the Arctic that have not yet been studied in detail, and ringed seals may also carry new genetic mutations in these areas,” said Rune Dietz, professor at Aarhus University’s School of Ecological Sciences. Point out. he participated in the research.

Reference: “Evolutionarily distinct ringed seals of the Ilulissat Icefjord” Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Ari Löytynoja, Paolo Momigliano, Rikke Guldborg Hansen, Camilla Hjorth Scharff-Olsen, Mia Valtonen, Juhana Kammonen, Rune Dietz, Frank Farsø Rigét, Steve By H Ferguson, Christian Leidersen, Kit M. Kovacs, David M. Holland, Jukka Jarnvall, Petri Auvinen, Morten Tange Olsen, October 19, 2023. molecular ecology.

DOI: 10.1111/mec.17163

Source: scitechdaily.com