Gordon Ober – oceanbites

A long history of tool use in marine mammals? You otter believe it!

The use of tools by animals has been documented in a wide range of species, from birds to invertebrates, encompassing…

The Emergence of Science Twitter: 140 characters of facts and…fun?

It’s hard to argue that recent changes in the political landscape have brought science and scientists down from the Ivory…

Biology Climate Change Ecology Human impacts

The Kelp in the Coal Mine: can kelps act as an indicator for climate change?

Many scientific studies have shown that kelp species are sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Some scientists think of them…

Biology Climate Change Ecology Sea Ice

Frozen Food: how ice algae support Arctic ecosystems

It may seem like a harsh place to grow, but algae inhabit the under side of Arctic ice. As it…

Biology Climate Change Ecology

Kelp Deforestation: warming oceans are paving the way for seaweed eaters

As oceans heat up, tropical fish have started migrating to colder, temperate waters. The change in scenery from corals to…

Behavior Biology Ecology Natural History

Costume Age: some crabs are too young to start dressing up

Well, it’s that time of year again where hoards of costumed kids roam the streets in search of candy. While…

Behavior Biology Book Review

Dolphin Dialects: first evidence of spoken language in cetaceans?

We all know dolphins are intelligent creatures that communicate with one another, but a recent study has analyzed dolphin sounds…

Behavior Biology Ecology Evolution Noise

Loud and Order: How reef fish vocalize to keep schools cohesive

Many animals use vocalizations to send signals to their group, but never before has this been documented in fish, until…

Behavior Biology Ecology Plastic

Small fish dine on small plastics and that’s a BIG problem

We’ve heard a lot about plastics in the ocean, but a new study shows the ecological implications of fish eating…

Behavior Biology Ecology

Inked and Eaten: how squid have adapted a defense mechanism to help them capture prey

Just when we thought squids couldn’t get any cooler, researchers have discovered that squid use ink clouds not just to…

Behavior Physiology

Frequent Fallers: Fat penguins have trouble staying on their feet

Yesterday was World Penguin Day. In honor of that, let’s take some time to appreciate just how awkward they are…

Ecology Human impacts

Armored but uninhabited: how beach armoring is altering transitional communities

Let’s get back on the beach for the final day of spring break! Here we explore the unique communities inhabiting…

Biological oceanography Climate Change Glaciers Sea Ice

Hope Floats: how icebergs are fighting climate change

An iceberg couldn’t help Leo win an Oscar, but new research highlights how icebergs may help battle climate change. Read…

Behavior Biology Book Review Ecology Noise

Rising above the noise

Oceanbites is still “ringing” in the New Year! Find out how in a sea full of noisy fish one can…

Biology Climate Change Developmental Biology Ecology Evolution Physiology

Warming up to climate change

Are you a fish that can’t cope with warming oceans? Don’t hesitate, acclimate! Scientists have found if fish have the…

Conference Ecology Ocean Acidification Policy Science Communication

Wanderings through the Western Society of Naturalists

Takeaways and notes from Sacramento and a jam-packed Western Society of Naturalists meeting!

Biology Climate Change Coastal Management Ecology Ocean Acidification

Diversity and its role in combating the effects of climate change

In the battle against climate change, ecosystems need to get down with diversity.

Biology Developmental Biology Ecology Evolution

The Sting of Sex: odd mating adaptations of box jellyfish

It might be hard for a box jellyfish to buy into the old adage “sex sells,” especially when their gonads…

Biology Conservation Ecology

Fear and Floating in the Atlantic

Does fear of predation alter sea turtle behavior? Researchers put an ecological model to the test by using large-scale movement…

Biology Climate Change Coastal Management Ecology Harmful Algal Bloom

Our Saving Grazers

Think critical ecosystems are threatened by an algal take over? Not so fast, grazers may have something to say about…