The Pink Meanie, New Jellyfish Species: Pair With a Nice Peanut Butter?

        With up to 100-foot-long tentacles and measuring three to five feet in diameter, the Pink Meanie jellyfish, classified as a new species in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011, is both striking in appearance and in stingyness (not stinginess!). 

       Officially named Drymonema larsoni, the rare giant pink invertebrate looms large and menacing in the Gulf Waters. It was the first new jellyfish family named since the 1920's.

      Up to 30 moon jellies have been found inside a single Pink Meanie. 
      

       
      “It’s rare that something like this could escape the notice of scientific research for so long. That it did is partially due to Drymonema’s extreme rarity almost everywhere in the world, except the northern Gulf of Mexico, where it bloomed in 2000. However, much of the project’s success can be tied to the use of molecular techniques, such as DNA sequencing, in addition to more traditional visual examination,” stated Dr. Keith Bayha from Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

     The kindergartners made great Pink Meanie models and enjoyed the moniker greatly:

        They were aghast that most jellyfish projects for kids give the jellyfish models eyes. Not on our Pink Meanies!



Are you surprised it took so long to discover these giant, pink jellies? Do you have a different nickname suggestion?

Steph

[Satire] New Species of Jamfish Blooms Alongside Jellyfish

     "Satire labeling" is a thought that came to me while peeling The Onion yesterday. There are no jamfish (as far as I know) but there is an abundance of jellyfish this year in several ocean spots near the U. K. and in the Pacific northwest:

      The image above is of a "bloom" of jellyfish six years ago in the Ketchican, Alaska, coastal waters. Swarms of jellyfish are becoming more common due to agricultural runoff which carries fertilizers and other chemicals fueling the growth of algae and plankton, jellyfish’s food source. Overfishing has also wiped out many jellyfish predators. 

     These delicate, indigo (versus indigo, delicate) jellyfish are common on beaches in California this summer. Their features remind me of a cross between spider webs, tree rings and pyramids (in a blueberry-color scheme):

       And then there's the Barrel Jellyfish to echo the Barrel Cactus: 

     These beautiful invertebrates also have a tie to other things in nature via the growth pattern of their tentacles' stings. This fascinating 6- minute video shows the microscopic pattern of the venom ejecting from a jellyfish tentacle (which echoes the pattern of some quartz crystal growth):

 Jellyfish Sting in Slow Mo


    The "real" scientist talking about "real" science is a trip. His enthusiasm about the 1/3 second delay from the splaying pattern from the tentacle to the ejection of the venom could launch "The Wonderful World of Jellies!"
 
     Speaking of jellyfish >>> jelly beans >>> Tootsie Roll Pops, we'd better start bringing our calculators with us (or whip out our phones' calculator ap) to the grocery store:

     And speaking of rolls >>> roles >>>: One of my favorite roles is being a mom which segues to my daughter who turns 21 this week. Have another great trip around the sun, Zoë!

     
     The photo was taken right after our son's barber, Sterling, 88-years-young at the time, gave her a free haircut to lessen the "sting" of her cutting her own hair ;-).

      If you're ever in a jam, here i am.

Stood-irely and joyfully,

Steph (aka mom)

Word Woman

     Nine-foot-tall petrified tree trunk from China newly on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Guess where I'm going this weekend!

     So, on a day when we were experimenting with half-life, synchronicity is sometimes just too good:

         Is your uranium ore container half-empty or half-full?   
        
          I went for my annual physical today and my doctor has changed floors in the medical building. This sign was next to a Fertility Clinic. Do you see EGG also?! I laughed aloud.