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In a fascinating example of vocal mimicry,
researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have
documented a wild cat species imitating the calls of its
intended victim, a small squirrel sized monkey, known as a Pied
Tamarin.This extraordinary behaviour was recorded in the
Amazonian Rain Forest and
confirmed what until now had been only anecdotal reports from
Amazonian inhabitants of wild cat species - including jaguars
and pumas - actually mimicking primates, agoutis, and other
species in order to draw them within striking range.
The researchers recorded the incident when a
group of 8 Tamarins were feeding in a ficus tree. A Margay was
then observed emitting calls similar to those made by Tamarin
babies from a tangle of vines called lianas. Despite the
“sentinel” monkey vocalizing to warn the rest of the group, 4 of
the monkeys chose to investigate these familiar vocalizations
rather than flee, and the Margay suddenly appeared going down
the trunk of the tree in a squirrel-like fashion heading for the
monkeys. Realising the ruse, the sentinel screamed an alarm
which sent the other tamarins fleeing. While this specific
instance of mimicry was unsuccessful, researchers were amazed at
the ingenuity of the hunting strategy.
 Underwater
Glider may change the way scientists track fish. Tracking fish
across vast continental shelves can present a challenge to
anyone studying the seas, but researchers at the University of
Alaska have successfully tested a possible solution in the form
of underwater gliders. The autonomous underwater vehicles,
called gliders, are used for tracking tagged fish.
The acoustic tags are usually implanted in
fish and the gliders are fitted with acoustic listening devices
to hear the signals from the tags. Each glider is about 5 ft
long and flies like an aeroplane through the water in an
up-and-down motion. They are propelled using an internal bladder
that works much like a fish’s swim bladder. When the bladder
expands, the glider moves toward the surface. When it contracts
it moves toward the seafloor, and they convert the changes in
water depth, and pressure, into forward movement.
The gliders move at a speed of about one mile
per hour and can operate for up to three months, and can cover
thousands of miles of ocean. At the surface the
gliders transmit data, and can tell not only
where the fish go, but measure the physical, chemical, and
biological environment of the ocean.
A new packing material that grows itself is
now appearing in shipped products across the globe.The composite
of inedible agricultural waste and mushroom roots is called
Mycobond and its manufacture requires just one eighth the energy
and one tenth of carbon dioxide of traditional foam packing
material. Comparable in effectiveness to foam insulation, it has
the added benefit of being flame retardant and unlike most foam
substitutes, when no longer useful, it makes great compost in
the garden.
There were 37 reported sightings of Basking
Sharks during August; they were seen around the coast from St
Ives to Porthcurno. The largest number seen together were 27 off
The Brisons on the 30th August. Fourteen sightings of Bottlenose
Dolphins were from Newquay on the north coast to St. George’s
Island, Looe, on the south. The largest pod was of 20 off
Porthoustock.
Seven other reports of unidentified dolphins
were probably also Bottlenose Dolphins, because they were small
pods and Bottlenose were seen locally on the same days. 15
sightings of Common Dolphins were from the Brisons to Porthcurno,
except for one sighting of 20 off The Manacles on the 2nd
August. There was only one report of Risso's Dolphins, 3 off
Gwennap Head on the 3rd. Harbour Porpoises were seen 29 times
from Botallack to Gwennap Head; largest number seen together was
10 off Gwennap Head on the 27th.
Five Minke Whales were seen, all off Gwennap
Head as also was a pod of 6 Pilot Whales. Eleven sightings of
Ocean Sunfish were from Padstow on the north coast to Polruan on
the south. 27 reports of Grey Seals were from Newquay around
Lands End to Porthgwarra. There were also two reports of Common
Seals, both off St George’s Island, Looe, Clusters of Buoy
Barnacles attached to birds feathers were also seen in quite
large numbers floating on the surface in an area a few miles off
Newquay on a couple of days. |
