Whales may owe their efficient digestion to millions of tiny microbes
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 4 December 2019
Whales digest wax esters—tough marine fats—efficiently thanks to gut microbes. These microbes help break down lipids from krill and copepods, revealing their vital role in whale nutrition and marine carbon cycling.
Keywords: whales, wax esters, gut microbes, digestion, WHOI
Underwater pile driving noise causes alarm responses in squid
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 16 December 2019
Underwater pile driving noise triggers alarm behaviors in squid like inking and jetting, but they quickly habituate, possibly raising predation risk. Repeated exposure showed similar reactions, suggesting temporary memory of the noise.
Keywords: squid, pile driving, noise, behavior, habituation, WHOI
How microbes reflect the health of coral reefs
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 19 December 2019
Protected offshore reefs in Cuba, like Jardines de la Reina, show greater microbial diversity and reef health than human-impacted reefs in Florida, due to lower nutrient and organic carbon levels from reduced pollution and development.
Keywords: coral reefs, microbes, Cuba, Florida Keys, pollution, protection
