December 2015 - The Super Fins

IN THE NEWS:

Known as a mermaid's purse, the egg sac of oviparous sharks allows the pup to develop. Note the long, curly tendrils that help the egg attach to seaweed and remain out of harm's way until birth. This is the egg of a lesser spotted dogfish from Wales. Credit: Tom Oates, 2009.

What is a Mermaid’s Purse?

December 30, 2015

By Scott Rowan Sharks have two ways to birth that vary from species to species: […]

Dean’s Blue Hole beach, the free-diving capital of the world in Long Island, Bahamas, is a perfect example of gorgeous beaches created by millions of years of fish feces. Photo credit: Stacey Venzel.

PARADISE OF POOP: Meet the fish whose feces create luxury vacations

December 23, 2015

By Stacey Venzel If you find yourself cooped up in front of a fireplace this […]

Bleached branching coral (foreground) and normal branching coral (background). Keppel Islands, Great Barrier Reef.

Why should I care about global warming?

December 16, 2015

By Stacey Venzel Over the last one hundred years, the average temperature on our planet […]

Jaws by Peter Benchley.

DAH-DUM, DAH-DUM: The real story behind “Jaws”

December 14, 2015

By Stacey Venzel Terror surrounding the great white shark received a major boost in 1974 […]

These tanks, filled with water from the same source, show how mussels can filter the water. The tank on the right has mussels. The tank on the left doesn't. Photo credit: Virginia Tech.

Are mussels the secret answer to cleaning polluted water?

December 11, 2015

By Valerie K Clark Short answer: Yes, but should they be introduced to clean polluted […]

Great hammerhead shark (Sphryna mokarran). Photo credit: Jake Mohan.

Why do hammerheads have hammer heads?

December 9, 2015

By Blaise Jones When people picture sharks, they probably imagine a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with […]

Coral outcrop on Flynn Reef at The Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit: Toby Hudson.

What are the biggest threats to reefs?

December 7, 2015

By Emma Corradini Though coral reefs protect an estimated 25 percent of all marine life, these […]

Benjamin Franklin published this map of the Gulf Stream in 1769.

What causes the Gulf Stream?

December 4, 2015

By Bob Baldwin Benjamin Franklin created the chart above to show the mysterious river of […]

A swell shark egg, often referred to as a mermaid's purse. The growing shark pup inside can be seen through the thin outer shell. This photo was taken in the Northern Channel Islands in 2011. Photo credit: Vagabondvince310.

Do sharks lay eggs or give birth to live pups?

December 2, 2015

By Hannah Roddy Sharks are fascinating creatures, especially when it comes to discussing their reproduction […]

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