Fireworms at Mission Bay
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 12 October 2012
Scripps researchers study glowing fireworms that perform brief, stunning bioluminescent mating displays tied to lunar cycles. These worms glow via mucus, use it to attract mates and avoid predators, and mysteriously vanish in winter.
Keywords: mating ritual, lunar cycles, Odontosyllis phosphorea, Scripps, marine biology
Around the Pier: Excerpt from "The Grounding of a Marine Biologist"
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 27 October 2012
Marine ecologist Paul Dayton reflects on how personal experiences in nature—from deserts to kelp forests—shaped his ecological insights, stressing that true understanding of ecosystems requires direct, long-term engagement with natural environments.
Keywords: Paul Dayton, natural history, sense of place, ecology, field experience, marine biology, ecosystems
Ocean Salinity Trends Show Human Fingerprint
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 7 November 2012
Ocean salinity changes since 1955 align with human-induced climate change, not natural variability, say Scripps researchers. Salinity trends confirm shifts in the water cycle and reinforce human impact on ocean temperature and circulation.
Keywords: ocean salinity, human impact, water cycle, Scripps, global warming, density
