framed

muerto con fag

ink

lebanon octopus

A fossil octopus found in Lebanon has dramatically changed zoologists' thinking on these creatures' historic origin.

An ultraviolet picture of the octopus fossil found in Lebanon, which is more than 95m years old. Photograph: Dirk Fuchs/Free University of Berlin

Keuppia levante is one of several newly discovered fossil octopus species found in Lebanon that challenge previous assumptions about the origin and age of the Octopoda. Along with Keuppia hyperbolaris and Styletoctopus annae, this species is now the earliest unequivocal fossil for the group.

Truly remarkable anatomical details were observable due to the fine-grained Cenomanian limestones in which these species were entombed 180-95 million years ago. Octopods were previously thought to have arisen in mid-Cretaceous times. Thanks to characters observed in these newly discovered species, scientists now think octopods appeared significantly earlier, possibly even in Jurassic times.

Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University

blanket octopus

Blanket Octopus is the common name used to describe four species of octopus belonging to the Tremoctopus genus. The four species are the Common Blanket Octopus, Gelatinous Blanket Octopus, Palmate Octopus, and Tremoctopus Robsoni. They are called so because of the transparent webbing connecting their dorsal and dorsolateral arms, which resembles a large a large flowing blanket.

These species can be found in the open seas of the Mediterranean as well as the North and South Atlantic Ocean. Sightings are rare, making the Blanket Octopus an elusive and mysterious species.

The "blanket" is a defense mechanism, and a handy one too, as Blanket Octopuses do not have ink to ward off predators. Instead, the Blanket Octopus will unfurl its blanket, making it look significantly larger and intimidating, with the intention of scaring off whatever threatens it.

Interestingly, Blanket Octopus is immune to the poison of the Portuguese man o' war, a jellyfish-like invertebrate known for its deadly venom. Taking advantage of their immunity, Blanket Octopuses will rip off the Man o' war's tentacles and use them to defend themselves from attacks.

Males and females look as though their two different species! Female Blanket Octopuses may grow in excess of two meters in length, whereas males only reach a few centimeters. The males have a detachable arm in which sperm is stored. When it is time to mate, the male detaches its arm and lodges it into the female's mantle. The male dies shortly afterwards while the female goes on to carry over 100,000 eggs that she keeps attached to her until they are ready to hatch.

one of a kind

doctorate

beach legs

supermoon

alexis facca

athiest prejudice

http://friendlyatheist.com/2011/03/26/study-shows-anti-atheist-prejudice-goes-down-when-our-numbers-go-up/

ceph eyes

the eye of the octopus is often used as an example of convergent evolution (that is, where similar structures evolve from different beginnings due to similar uses)--and I knew that in some ways, the octopus eye works better than the human eye (it doesn't have the same blind spot from the optic nerve, for example), but there are some really cool things I didn't know about cephalopod eyes.


The most obvious difference between cephalopod eyes and human eyes is that cephalopods have horizontal pupils. Not only that, but because the eyes can rotate in a way that most vertebrate eyes cannot, and because cephalopods have a balance organ called a statocyst, they can always keep their pupils horizontal, no matter what position their body is in. This means their brains can always interpret visual information the same way, and not have to account for the position of the eye.

Cephalopod eyes can also see polarized light, allowing them to communicate by creating changing patterns on their skin that we humans can't see except with the help of special cameras.

The difference between cephalopod and vertebrate eyes partly stems from their very beginnings. While vertebrate eyes develop as an extension of the brain, cephalopod eyes started out as light-sensitive skin cells that folded inwards to form the structure they have now.

Both types of eyes developed retinas, corneas, irises and lenses, but the way those structures are arranged and used is different. The light-receptive cells in cephalopod eyes point directly outward into the light, while those of vertebrates point inward, instead catching light reflected off the back of the eye.

Vertebrate eye lenses are flexible and the can can be focused by special muscles that change the shape of the lens. Cephalopod eye lenses are inflexible and have their focus fixed on a relatively nearby point, but can be focused with muscles that move the entire lens closer to or father from the retina.

reflections

tsunami

blue jean baby

line bird

simple

ramones vs. misfits

world penis size map

http://thestir.cafemom.com/love_sex/118279/world_penis_size_map_is

red paisley

food is your fuel

oh deer

cigarettes and cephalopods

where the sidewalk ends

patchwork

SMTWTFS

	Sun's day Sunday. Greek: Helios, Apollo. Roman: Sol. (Diamanche)
	Moon's day Monday. Greek: Selene, Roman: Luna. (Lundi)
	Tiw's day Tuesday. Nordic god of War and the sky. Greek: Ares, Roman: Mars. (Mardi)
	Woden's day Wednesday. Norse Odin, the supreme God. He established the laws that governed the universe, created the first man and woman, and controlled human destiny. His wife was Frigg, and his children included Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Greek: Hermes, Roman: Mercury. (Mercredi)
	Thor's day Thursday. Norse god of thunder, might, and war—also associated with marriage, the hearth, and agriculture. He was armed with a magical hammer that returned to him, iron gloves, and a belt of strength. Greek: Zeus, Roman: Jupiter. (Jeudi)
	Frigg's day Friday. Frigg, Norse mother goddess and the wife of Woden. Queen of the heavens, a deity of love and the household. Greek: Aphrodite, Roman: Venus. (Vendredi)
	Saturn's day Saturday. In Roman religion, god of time and harvests, agriculture. On his festival, the Saturnalia, work ceased, gifts were exchanged, and war was outlawed. Greek: Chronos, Roman: Saturn. (Samedi)

http://deoxy.org/time/d2k/thedays.htm

torsal

lotti dotti

flowers in the attic

vascongestion

niacin

atlantis

Lost city of Atlantis, swamped by tsunami, may be found

Greek philosopher Plato wrote about Atlantis some 2,600 years ago, describing it as "an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Hercules," as the Straits of Gibraltar were known in antiquity. Using Plato's detailed account of Atlantis as a map, searches have focused on the Mediterranean and Atlantic as the best possible sites for the city.

Tsunamis in the region have been documented for centuries, Freund says. One of the largest was a reported 10-story tidal wave that slammed Lisbon in November, 1755.

Debate about whether Atlantis truly existed has lasted for thousands of years. Plato's "dialogues" from around 360 B.C. are the only known historical sources of information about the iconic city. Plato said the island he called Atlantis "in a single day and night... disappeared into the depths of the sea."

Experts plan further excavations are planned at the site where they believe Atlantis is located and at the mysterious "cities" in central Spain 150 miles away to more closely study geological formations and to date artifacts.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-tsunami-atlantis-idUSTRE72B2JR20110312?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

the ministers tree house

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/13769

Bodacious Mystic Badass of Buena Vista

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2981

my thesis site in the setiu lagoon-estuary of terengganu, malaysia

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positively adorable