Hello Hello! I'd like to share our recent letter on coral reef-related policy published in Science!
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Endangered Species Act changes threaten reefs www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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More below β¬οΈ
Google Scholar seems a bit unresponsive to Boolean search operators lately or it is just on my end?
Counting down my days as a fellow at SI NMNH. Nothing but pure bliss to be here.
Workspace at NMNH MSC. #taxonomy #blackcorals
First day of fellowship begins today.
Back on land after a month of being at sea sampling in Earth's most remote ecosystem - the deep sea. Always just grateful for the experience and the kind people I have met during that time. @dsbsoc.bsky.social
I am Kurt Bryant Bacharo, currently a graduate student in the Molecular Invertebrate and Systematics Laboratory @miselab.bsky.social at the University of the Ryukyus. Prior to relocating to Japan, I finished my BS and MS degrees in Marine Biology at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines where I had the privilege to study the readily accessible shallow-water reefs in my country. Image: Kurt Bacharo smiling and wearing glasses, a white hard hat, flotation device and a DSBS17 shirt on the deck of the R/V Kaimei.
Coming from the developing world, the concept of deep-sea exploration has always been out of sight, out of mind. The opportunity only opened to me when I was selected as an OceanCensus participant to board JAMSTEC R/V Kaimei for the KM 24-03 (Leg 2) research cruise last year to explore the Kyushu-Palau Ridge and the Daito Islands. The latter is part of the Deep-Sea Archaic Refugia in Karst (D-ARK) project, whose main objective has been on the documentation of the deep-sea biodiversity found inside limestone caves. Now in its second year, I am lucky to be part of the project again to further explore the hidden biodiversity of the Daito Islands. This year's participation for the KM 25-06C research cruise was made possible by a Research Support Award granted by @DSBSoc. Image: Kurt gesturing towards the docked R/V Kaimei from the adjacent pier.
As my current project focuses on the taxonomy of black corals in southern Japan, the deep-sea offers significant research opportunities related to biodiversity, biogeography, and species discovery. Few of the specimens collected both in KM 24-03 (Leg 2) and KM 25-06C research cruises highlighted new records of black corals in the NW Pacific, and perhaps some are likely new to science. Image: Two pictures of Kurt smiling towards the camera on deck of the R/V Kaimei. He is wearing a dark blue JAMSTEC shirt.
Another exciting 2025 #DSBSoc support awardee!
Meet Kurt Bacharo (@kurtbb.bsky.social), a grad student in the @miselab.bsky.social at U. of the Ryukyus working with #BlackCorals and currently aboard the #JAMSTEC R/V Kaimei exploring the biodiversity off the Daito Islands.
Read more in alt-text!
I'm wondering if you got an idea where the A. sylospongia specimen went to? Probably with Jeremy? We have collected similar sponge-associated antipatharians here in the NW Pacific!
The D-ARK (Deep-Sea Archaic Refugia in Karst) voyage continues! Was able to join as an @oceancensus.bsky.social participant last year. And now, on its second year, I am lucky to be part of it again with the generous cruise support provided by @dsbsoc.bsky.social.
Are you inspired by the mysteries of the deep? We're launching a new initiative ArtSea Matchmaking that pairs artists and scientists for creative collaborations rooted in deep-sea science. Together, you'll co-create compelling work that bridges disciplines and reaches wider audiences through exhibitions and outreach.
π¨π¬ CALLING ALL ARTISTS & DEEP-SEA SCIENTISTS!
π‘ Open to ALL artists & scientists
β¨π Deadline: August 31
β¨π Apply via the short form in our bio / link below!
π forms.gle/SftLbez3ML2j...
In case you missed it: SSB is hosting a breakout meeting Jan 9-11.
Thinking about hosting a workshop or tutorial? Email @jembrown.bsky.social for more information - or find him at the in-person #evol2025 in two weeks!
ssb2026.github.io
Physalia megalista, a cnidiran with a gas filled float, raised sail, and long blue tentacles hanging below. Image credit: Dalila DestanoviΔ
Excited to share our study on sailing siphonophores, AKA bluebottles or man-o'-war! π we received hundreds of samples from scientists around the world, part of a huge effort to sequence genomes and test for multiple species 𧬠out today in @currentbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.cu... π¦π§ͺπ
A new species of black coral, represented by two specimens collected 738 m and 1604 m deep off Puerto Rico and Hawaii, respectively, is recognized in the family Schizopathidae. See its description here: doi.org/10.3897/zook...
mushroom shaped organism with translucent base
Many may not remember the DENDROGRAMMA mystery! This weird mushroom-shaped thing was described in 2014 as a "new metazoan" of unknown affinities! They were hinting that it might be a new phylum-but THEN 2 years later @drtimohara.bsky.social sequenced it and BOING! BENTHIC
#SIPHONOPHORE!
Looking to join a marine expedition β but need funding support? π’ The Ocean Census Expedition Awards are now OPEN for applications.
Find out more and apply π
oceancensus.org/publications...
Interesting video showing off the Antarctic brittle star Ophionotus cleaning itself off! #echinoday youtube.com/shorts/9cBOk...
New paper by MISE octocoral crazy collectors and friends!! @lauramacrina.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
yellow feather star with feathery arms and long tendrils attached to sponge
A feather star, sitting on this weird sponge/black coral cluster, 1445 m but with interestingly weird arm movements! Kure Atoll #okeanos #saveNOAA #echinoday
A curiousity! Glass sponge with a black coral inundated within it! 981 m #okeanos #saveNOAA #spongethursday
Visual depiction of the evolutionary trend of black coral skeletal networks and ridges. www.nature.com/articles/s42...
π¨ Fossilized Black Corals π¨ Includes two transitional species too! Come learn about the evolutionary trend toward regularity in the axial skeleton from the Ordovician to modern day antipatharians (includes reduced ridges and a longitudinal fusion of networks). www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Calling all marine scientists involved in marine species discovery π£ The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards are now open for applications. These are financial awards, generously provided by The Nippon Foundation, to help fund the discovery of new species.
Info here: oceancensus.org/awards/
multiple plush toy nudibranchs on a shelf
Was at #AWESOMECON here in DC and wow. Handmade PLUSHIE NUDIBRANCHS! Sometimes I think education about invertebrates is working! #molluscmonday
The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards support outstanding taxonomists, biodiversity and community scientists involved in marine species discovery.
Financial awards available to apply for now oceancensus.org/awards/
orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads
orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads
orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads
Benthic siphonophores! aka Sea Dandelions! GORGEOUS, weird & deadly! All those thin threads? stinging cells! but also holding the animal in place. It has created a curtain of death around it as food gets stung and eaten! #okeanos Lumpy Seamount North Atlantic #saveNOAA
spiral coral in multiple whorls
spiral coral in multiple whorls
IRIDIGORGIA! the fireworks coral-for #octocoralFriday #Okeanos #saveNOAA south of Hawaiian Islands, about 700m I think? from dive 4 of the shakedown cruise!
NEW PAPER ON CORAL RESTORATION PUBLISHED IN ONE EARTH!
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Within we find a lack of knowledge on basic coral biology limits innovation.
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Please enjoy! doi.org/10.1016/j.on...
Request on ResearchGate if you need access:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
#wormwednesday! A #newspecies of an unusual polychaete genus Ctenophoricola (#Phyllodocida, Phyllodocidae, Alciopini) from the Indian Ocean how interesting! www.mapress.com/zt/article/v...
We are super happy and proud to celebrate our MISE graduates! Congratulations to Dr. Iori @mizukaming.bsky.social, Dr. Ifenna, Dr. Jue for their PhD, Ayaka and Kairi for their MSc, and Yuka, Nanami and Shion for their bachelor degree!πππ
Grabbing one of the "Kinoshita" coral treasures here at the University Museum, University of Tokyo. Collected back in 1894, described in 1910, and opening it for re-examination after decades.
