Andrew Thaler

Ancient sharks, not only sub-par, but also pretty gross

March 18, 2010 Andrew Thaler 4 Comments

Science

If you’re still unconvinced by previous meditations into the sub-par-ody of sharks, consider this study, reported over at Laelaps: The simplest explanation was that the shark (or sharks) which left the marks had been intentionally trying to eat the feces. “From the curvature of the toothmarks and their positions on the specimens,” Godfrey and Smith … Read More “Ancient sharks, not only sub-par, but also pretty gross” »

Bluefin tuna fails to make UN’s list of protected fish

March 18, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Conservation

Seriously, what the fuck? A proposal to protect the Atlantic bluefin tuna prized in sushi was rejected at a UN wildlife meeting today. The decision was reached after Japan, Canada and scores of poor nations opposed the measure on the grounds that banning exports of the fish would devastate fishing economies. Monaco introduced the proposal … Read More “Bluefin tuna fails to make UN’s list of protected fish” »

Brewmaster Sightings

March 17, 2010March 17, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Uncategorized

It had to happened one day. My colleague and Antarctic explorer David Honig sends this photograph of the infamous post “How to brew beer in a coffee maker, using only materials commonly found on a modestly sized oceanographic research vessel” proudly displayed aboard the oceanographic research vessel RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer. In recognition of his … Read More “Brewmaster Sightings” »

10 things I hate about sharks

March 14, 2010March 14, 2010 Andrew Thaler 7 Comments

Science

Although vertebrates, sharks have cartilaginous skeletons. Why can’t they make up their minds? Sharks don’t fly anymore. Seriously, there used to be flying sharks. Flying Sharks. You can’t make this stuff up. Shark fins have no flavor. None. I mean what’s the point? Dermatologists get confused. Teeth for skin? What’s up with that? Sharks aren’t … Read More “10 things I hate about sharks” »

Summary of tweets from Benthic Ecology 2010

March 14, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Conservation, Science

If you were follwing along on Twitter this weekend, you know that all three of us were at the Benthic Ecology 2010 meeting in Wilmington, NC. Below are some of the more interesting conversations that occurred while livetweeting the event.

Sharks are sub-par, at best

March 12, 2010 Andrew Thaler 15 Comments

Science

In honor of the world premier of David Shiffman’s first major motion picture, “Four things everyone needs to know about sharks,” we are proud to repost our original response to the article, “Sharks are sub-par, at best.” Enjoy!

For too long have I sat idly by as my co-blogger has waxed poetic on the glories of sharks. How great they are as predators, how perfectly they’ve evolved. They’re ancient, pre-historic, haven’t changed in millions of years. They’re the ultimate predator, and champion in the ocean. Unchallenged, unmatched, awesome. A wonder of evolution.

It’s time to clear up some of those -other- myths about sharks.

1. Sharks are ancient creatures that have lived unchanged for millions of years.

While technically true that sub-class Elasmobranchii has been around for hundreds of millions of years, modern sharks are, well, modern. They’ve been evolving for exactly as much time as just about everything else currently alive. And they are far from unchanged. Modern sharks, though they may resemble some older models (just like modern lemurs resemble Ida), are much different beasts then their Silurian cousins. Ancient sharks occured in a diversity of forms, back when they actually dominated the ocean. These modern sharks are just the scruffy leftovers.

365 days of Darwin: March 8, 2010

March 8, 2010March 7, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Uncategorized

Charlie rides Henry, the monster Pug!

Life in FAILboat Bay

March 7, 2010April 21, 2010 Andrew Thaler 1 Comment

Uncategorized

If you haven’t been following my Twitter feed (why aren’t you following my Twitter feed?), you may have missed the picture from FAILboat Bay over the last two weeks. For some reason, the small bay right next to my house has accumulated derelict boats over the winter. Vacationers tend to leave their boats moored over the winter and assume nothing will happen to them during the 9 months they’re abandoned. Of course, anything can happen to a boat over 9 months, and most tend to not be well anchored to begin with. Here is a selection of some of my favorite FAILboats from the last 2 week.