Weekly Photo Challenge - Anything Goes!

[Dark Tranquility]

The other "ME"












2:30 a.m. and still have a lot to do....

[Datura]

That is interesting Jared. You could not do this work without computers.

Better not mess with you with those poisons around there

[akritic]

OMG you're a scientist in addition to your web stuff? Didn't see that one coming That's cool though.

[asp_funda]

a biologist? eh!

[Dark Tranquility]

a biologist? eh!

Yep and more precisely a molecular/population genetecist or an evolutionary biologist

[Datura]

Yep and more precisely a molecular/population genetecist or an evolutionary biologist

Do you work with a specific plant or critter?

[Dark Tranquility]

Do you work with a specific plant or critter?

For now I work on these guys:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Solea_solea.jpg

I am focusing on Three species of the same genus: Solea aegyptiaca, Solea senegalensis and Solea solea

[Datura]

For now I work on these guys:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Solea_solea.jpg

I am focusing on Three species of the same genus: Solea aegyptiaca, Solea senegalensis and Solea solea

Thanks. What are you trying to find out with this research? And why these fish? Are they a very ancient type? We have in the waters where I live here these ancient horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) from prehistoric times. They are a subject of much research.

Many possibilities spring to mind

[Dark Tranquility]

I am trying to genetically characterize Mediterranean populations of these fish species... they are important cause they are cultured, their economical value is quite high (around $25-40/Kg) and also there are scientific challenges like the fact that 2 of these species are Hybridizing....

[Datura]

I am trying to genetically characterize Mediterranean populations of these fish species... they are important cause they are cultured, their economical value is quite high (around $25-40/Kg) and also there are scientific challenges like the fact that 2 of these species are Hybridizing....

That is very interesting. Is it not normal that these would hybridize? Is the value reduced if they do? Do they taste any different? If they are in culture, is it maybe a better fish when crossed? More suitable for culture?

I think there was something done like this with salmon, but they have a milder flavor and color in culture.

Sorry if I ask too much, but it is fascinating.

[Dark Tranquility]

Yes it is interesting hybrid zones between animals or plants can occur naturally or due to anthropogenic action. Hybrid animals will often be bigger as they have higher probability of being sterile and then all the energy that is originally meant to be for reproduction is used for growth instead! so, in theory, hybrids would probably have better taste and more flesh in them...
Hybrid zones are very very interesting to study evolution as barriers to gene flux that are well established for "true" species are just partial in the case of hybridizing species (converging/diverging species)... thus we can have a better idea on evolutionary processes, speciation etc...

Culturing fish is becoming more and more important as the sea resources are not enough to feed the world!!

[Datura]

So that explains to me now why the liger is so huge, bigger than tiger or lion. Might that also explain why humans tend to grow larger/taller because of the cross "breeding" that is so common today and was not as wide spread in the past?

The culturing of fish and other animals is essential I think.

Thanks Jared

[Dark Tranquility]

So that explains to me now why the liger is so huge, bigger than tiger or lion. Might that also explain why humans tend to grow larger/taller because of the cross "breeding" that is so common today and was not as wide spread in the past?

The culturing of fish and other animals is essential I think.

Thanks Jared

You're welcome!
You're right about ligers, tigons...
But I'm not sure it is the case of humans, first of all because I was speaking about sterile hybrids that invest their reproduction energy in growth! then Humans are considered to belong to the same species

[Datura]

Ok, you cleared that up for me about the humans It is only the sterile hybrids that give energy to growth, and since all humans are the same, they could never be hybrids unless crossed with an ape as an example or whatever, that would produce sterile offspring. Then the growth you describe would apply to that offspring as well. Frightful thought…

[Dark Tranquility]

Ok, you cleared that up for me about the humans It is only the sterile hybrids that give energy to growth, and since all humans are the same, they could never be hybrids unless crossed with an ape as an example or whatever, that would produce sterile offspring. Then the growth you describe would apply to that offspring as well. Frightful thought…

Exactly...

[Datura]

That was a nice little lesson. I enjoyed it. Thanks Jared

[LJK]

P.S. - I've heard that here in the US the genetically modified farm salmon are getting out of their boundries and cross-breeding with the wild salmon; thus creating the danger of losing the originals to hybrids & their offspring.

[What's your take on GMFs D.T.?]

Spooky, innit?
El

[Dark Tranquility]

P.S. - I've heard that here in the US the genetically modified farm salmon are getting out of their boundries and cross-breeding with the wild salmon; thus creating the danger of losing the originals to hybrids & their offspring.

[What's your take on GMFs D.T.?]

Spooky, innit?
El

I'm not a big fan of GMFs... but they may be necessary sometimes... Alot of "accidents" like the one you described happened before... it was the case for instance for the seabass in the Mediterranean! We should try to have more control and avoid the escaping of GM organisms in general...

[akritic]

Wow photo challenge turned science lesson, top stuff I really enjoyed reading this thread. Jared, since you have such a passion for this aspect of science do you not blog about it?

[Dark Tranquility]

Wow photo challenge turned science lesson, top stuff I really enjoyed reading this thread. Jared, since you have such a passion for this aspect of science do you not blog about it?

good idea! but I don't have a lot of time yet to blog about it! but I'm planning to do so...

[ParkinT]

I simply like this photograph. I am pleased and proud.

[Datura]

Yes indeed, it is a gem