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Archive 2017 · The Sani Project (VII)

  
 
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · The Sani Project (VII)


The mouse opossum (Marmosa sp.) can appear like it is all face; huge eyes, large whiskers, and a powerful nose, a triumvirate of sensation.

And, when you live in the world of the senses, amplified and concentrated, you can get a little twitchy! Probably why it is not the hissing, odorous, rodent of ill-repute many have come to know and fear when doing their spring cleaning. Rather, it is shy, nocturnal and eschews human contact.

An opportunist and a prolific breeder, It is a survivor and as such, one of the most commonly encountered nocturnal mammals here at #Sanilodge.



Mimicry is not always a straightforward determination. X looks like Y and thus Y must be a model for X, and it's a Z is that.

One must take into account an organism's natural predators. their search image, as well as other potential confounding variables of which there are many. This rigorous, arduous process is part of the reason why there are only a few model organisms (like hoverflies/bees/wasps) which then go on to serve as the textbook examples of mimicry. Research can be self-reinforcing and limited in scope when this cycle picks up steam, because non-model organisms, though highly meritorious of study, do not have the rich framework of supportive, peer reviewed study which is often necessary to draw on in order to ask even basic questions. Just consider a research article, and look at the reference section, there's a lot there! If that framework doesn't exist, one must create it 'de novo', an unrealistic and beggaring endeavour.
Therefore from its inception, even framing a question related to non-model organisms will meet with resistance from upstream; the publishers, and as a consequence supervisors, lab directors, and those to whom the researcher is more immediately beholden. And that friends, is where innovation and research goes to die.

Meanwhile many other amazing, and important examples languish in obscurity. Not only does this mean that these organisms never see the spotlight, but the unique evolutionary voyage of each species is forgone in favour of convenience, and (usually) anthropocentric concerns. However, it is only through a myriad of different examples which provide data, and cumulative support that a theory can gradually be shored up and reinforced so that a model can gain favour and eventually become accepted. When we base theories off of a select few cases, it is a rickety foundation, prone to overturning. Maybe some of these unstudied organisms will do just that, highlighting our shortcomings, and encouraging diversity, as well as depth-of-study.

Although this juvenile katydid (orange) and assassin bug nymph (red) do not appear to have a model-mimic relationship, there are sufficient physiological similarities that I wonder at the possibility of cross-reactivity, false negatives, potentially edible prey being passed up due to a passing resemblance. Predators are exceptionally adept at unmasking subterfuge, they have to be. They are in an evolutionary arms race, this is not just intra-specific competition, or against their beguiling prey. Since food is often a limiting resource, they are potentially competing indirectly (or directly) against other predators for the same prey. However, they must balance this need with the risk of envenomation, poisoning, injury, or some other fitness-reducing consequence of overzealous predation. Moreover, other assassin bugs (which would form the model organism in this case) actually are orange and bear a similar light banding pattern, reminiscent of the katydid. Thus, one could imagine a cline of patterns, and colours which gradually ebb from toxicity to mimicry, a fuzzy boundary where mimic populations would be in flux as they enjoy decreased predation conferred by 'herd immunity'. Just one of those thoughts that will only see the light of day on the digital page, rather than a lab.





Worth getting down in the dirt for:



No, you're not tripping (well maybe in those States and Countries where pot has been legalized you are. I am looking squarely at you Netherlands. Yes, we all see you sitting there in the back row. No, no, don't try to hide behind Belgium, we know exactly what it is you're doing. High GDP and low crime rates be damned, obviously a smokescreen! Well, I just hope that you brought enough for the rest of the class.), follow this Kerouackian journey, from psychedelic youth, to mature and responsible oldie. Sex, drugs, rock and roll and tie-dye shirts; these are your baby boomer regrets, don't put them on this poor, oblivious beetle larva. It just wants to eat a good leaf!



"Urine trouble in the rainy season"

The change in seasons is always a beautiful time of transition. The spring thaw, as winter whites give way to summer greens. A profusion of colour, and contrast. Animals stirring from dormancy, and resuming their activities, foraging, feeding, and mating. Squirrels racing about, refilling their larders that are almost exhausted.

Of course in the Amazon there are but two seasons, the rainy season and the 'dry season'. And here too in #Sanilodge, we are in the midst of transition. Rains are becoming more common, of longer duration, and more forceful. Poncho -my stalwart friend, is always by my side, hanging from my utility belt alongside my umbrella, plastic bags, 'rainproof' covers, and silica gels. I feel like a very practical super-hero. "Never fear, I will keep you dry!" - my heroic shout might be heard to echo throughout the rainforest. But in the rainforest, water is like fate, it always comes to pass. And whether it's being caught unawares, the 1 in 100 time that you forget your gear, or a rat that has chewed its way through your bags, the the water will find you. It will wet you, and it will laugh at you and your pitiful attempts to keep it at bay.

Our squirrels here are much more monkey-like! This one stares on bemused at a plastic-wrapped foreigner, trying desperately to thwart fate.
"Do you think that they can think?" my understudy says, pointing at the squirrel monkey.
"What have I told you about anthropomorphizing?" I say with a sigh as I get into a better shooting position. "You remember the the grasshopper, right"?
"You mean the Malefic..."
"Don't you say it!!!" - I cut him off abruptly.
I turn my attention back to the squirrel monkey. Man, he just never learns, at least while distracted the monkey hasn't taken off. It is still starting at me intently.

"Foolish human, I think I'll pee on him as I jump over him."

- "Gah, You, You, You Monkey!!!" I shake my fist at the squirrel monkey, already disappearing into the bushes. My assistant meanwhile, rolling about the floor of the canoe in hysterics, imitating my "O" of surprise in slow motion.

Despite my laborious preparations, the rains (albeit monkey-made) still found a way of surprising me.



Sanilodge recently implemented 24hr internet. It has really cut into my spare and sleeping time. So here I am almost midnight, still chugging along. Here's my non-alcoholic nightcap. A pair of capped herons (Pilherodius pileatus):



"Peace, love, flower power, let's all get along!"

Ohhhh hippies, love them or firehose them, there's always a few hanging around ready to braid your hair and offer you a "complimentary hug".

But flowers are not the innocent beauties people make them out to be. They deceive, they beguile and they manipulate. Nowhere is this more prevalent, than amongst the orchids, the largest family of flowering plants.

Any potential pollinator can fall prey to this duplicitousness. From the tachinid flies lured with a false promise of sex to the Telipogon peruvianus blooms (talk about blue bells!) to the more oft cited example of bumblebees attracted to Ophrys spp. orchid blooms, again with the pseudo-copulation. Hmmm...sounds like they've got a bit of a mother nature-complex, or is it Pollen-envy, I always get them mixed up...

Yes, I understand flowers are used in this context as a metaphor for something that I'm frankly too lazy to google right now. After all, I'm not a hippy who has never opened a science textbook, I'm a scientist who is too busy to open a book of literature, Yeesh!

I guess some of them are just pretty too...like this Erycina pusilla.



Boa:
I keep religious/political commentary out of the fora, but if you'd like to read a similar type description to the above, then you can see the description here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforests/33398165252/in/dateposted-public/



"Once upon an odour":

In an attempt to instil some entomological knowledge into my 3 year old nephew, I am slowly building a repertoire of short stories, tales of natural enchantment and wonder. Disney meets Attenborough if you will.

Once upon a time, the stink bug had no stink. It was simpler time, but the times were changing, and gradually they fell prey to the wolves of the rainforest; the owlflies, and wasps, spiders and centipedes. These bugs, they had to do something! And so the most gallant of all the bugs stepped forward and said "I have a sword! This sword was handed down to me by my ancestors and their ancestors before them. It has always been right here on my back, and though I have never had to use it, I am certain, it will protect us. This family heirloom and legacy, we call it Darwin's Flame! With this, I shall fend off the wolves!"

And so the next day, this Sir Gallant left the safe confines of their leafy home. "Come, eat me if you dare!" - he shouted into the air. A bird, attracted to the sound, saw this foolish bug out in the open, with what looked like only a small thorn to protect himself. This thorn was no match for his beak, so he swooped in and ate him up. All that was left of Sir Gallant was the small spine which had done nothing to protect him. And so the long and proud lineage of Sir Gallant came to an end, and the bugs were left with no swords or thorns, no one to protect them, and they were all very afraid once again.

The bugs once again huddled together, "What are we to do? Sir Gallant, he was the bravest of us bugs, if he can't fend off the wolves, then how are we to do it?" Then stepped forward the most clever and brilliant of the bugs. I have an idea he said in a voice barely above a whisper, and all the other bugs leaned in to listen to what he had to say. "I will paint my body red and black. I have observed the birds, they do not eat the red and black bugs, they leave them alone!" There was not the twitch of an antenna, the buzz of a cicada or the stridulation of a cricket to be heard. Not only were the bugs amazed by the intelligence of this plan, but other insects from nearby, the beetles, and the katydids, the ants and the wasps, they watched and listened in wonder, and had their own ideas on what to make of this. "I call this Mimicry!" - declared Brainy bug, "and tomorrow we will be afraid no longer!".

And so the next day, Brainy bug stepped out from their leafy home. He was painted in red and black, from the seeds and fruits of the nearby trees. Brainy bug was the smartest of all the bugs, but he was not very brave. And so he didn't shout like Sir Gallant had, but he slowly walked over to the juiciest fruit, on the furthest branch and took a long sip from the tasty sugars. It was delicious! He couldn't get enough, he drank and he drank, he forgot about everything else. Hours went by until he had finally filled up. But in that time, the clouds had come in, and the rain had begun to fall. Brainy bug looked at the rain and he was very afraid. He hurried back to his leafy home, but he had chosen the furthest branch with the juiciest fruit, and he was very far away indeed. As he ran, the red and black paints slowly drained away. "Oh no" he cried! And just then, the same bird heard his cry, saw this foolish bug out in the open, and with not even a thorn to protect himself! "Now that's not a very smart bug" the bird said to himself, as he swooped in and ate up Brainy bug.

The other bugs looked on in horror. First Sir Gallant, and now Brainy bug! They huddled together once more, now, Very frightened! "What are we to do!?" The bugs couldn't decide, some thought that they should hide under the leaves and wood like the wood bugs, others thought maybe they should only go out at night, when the bird was sleeping. "If we can't change what we are, then maybe we can change how we behave?" This idea was voted on by all the bugs but one, the Stink bug. He was not allowed into the group meetings, and when he passed by, all the other bugs held their noses and made fun of him. Stink bug was very sad. He went back to his family. "What did they say? Did you vote?" His Stink Wife asked Stink bug. ""No, they wouldn't let me into the meeting". Stink Wife wrapped her arms around stink bug and told him not to worry, one day, everyone would know his name.

And so the next night, one by one, the bugs went out while the bird that had eaten Sir Gallant and Brainy bug was sleeping. They moved quickly and quietly. They stepped carefully over sticky cobwebs, and sharp spines, until they made it to the juiciest of fruits. There they drank. It had been a long time since they had had such a good drink, and so they drank and they drank. But something wasn't right. "Hey did you hear that?"- Skinny bug said, looking around. "Hey, has anyone seen Angry bug?" Sleepy bug looked about in between yawns, "No, I haven't seen"...and just then sleepy bug disappeared. The bird was not the only predator, there was something else there, something in the night. And one by one, slowly, all the bugs were eaten up.

Stink bug woke up the next morning, kissed Stinky Wife good morning, and went out to the juiciest of fruits and he drank and drank, just like he always had. Stink bug and Stinky Wife had lots and lots of Stinky children. They were So stinky, that no one touched them. When baby bird swooped in one day to eat one of Stinky bugs children, he stopped "Pee Yoo. Take a bath!!!" he said, and flew off. And so Stinky bugs children had children that grew up to be just as stinky, maybe even more so!

And that's how the stink bug got its stink - through the evolution of aldehyde, and additional biochemicals reflected in incremental changes in its DNA, whilst other less desirable or else less effective traits were naturally selected out of the gene pool.

Brain over brawn, but stink - stink over all!



Thanks for looking and commenting,
Paul Bertner



Mar 21, 2017 at 08:39 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · The Sani Project (VII)


Another great set and great commentary Paul ~ Ron


Mar 21, 2017 at 09:06 PM
Archibald
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · The Sani Project (VII)


Amazing shots.


Mar 21, 2017 at 09:33 PM
LordV
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · The Sani Project (VII)


Wonderful shots, narrative and story
Brian v.



Mar 22, 2017 at 01:51 AM
e6filmuser
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · The Sani Project (VII)


Paul,

Very enjoyable and informative.

When it comes to mimicry, it is all too easy to concentrate on the visual, perhaps to the neglect of the olfactory.

Harold



Mar 22, 2017 at 02:51 AM
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · The Sani Project (VII)


Thanks everyone, much appreciated!


Mar 23, 2017 at 08:06 AM
JohnK007
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · The Sani Project (VII)


Immersive as usual ... the last image especially so.


Mar 23, 2017 at 07:44 PM
bladesofgrass
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · The Sani Project (VII)


Thanks John!



Mar 28, 2017 at 01:49 PM





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