Woo-ha! Ain't science something?

[nonotyet]

there is a bit in this article that mentions "hybrids and their offspring" but the article is called "Jumble Jaws" so I am not entirely certain as to its scientific merit.

[peacocks]

that is so cool. I wish I could read the whole article

[clare]

the first article says

Colin Simpfendorfer, a partner in Morgan's research from James Cook University, said initial studies suggested the hybrid species was relatively robust, with a number of generations discovered across 57 specimens.

So I'd say "yes". I haven't read the one in the Strine yet (I hate that paper with such passion).

[clare]

there is a bit in this article that mentions "hybrids and their offspring" but the article is called "Jumble Jaws" so I am not entirely certain as to its scientific merit.

The Australian (despite my hatred of it) is certainly reputable as far as scientific reporting goes, though they're a bit sketchy on climate change. I hate it because it's incredibly conservative, but not in a redneck way. I also hate it for the fact that they've closed their site to the public. Online was the only way I'd ever read them, no way that I'm giving them money. It just encourages them, they like Lord Monckton as he seems reputable to them. And silly headlines like that are just how stuff is reported here....There may be somewhere else to get the Aus article, or another one that'll tell you the same stuff.

[clare]

This one seems to be accessible, and it talks about breeding
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/hybrid-sharks-swarm-east-coast/story-e6frg8y6-1226235110122
I can probly copy and paste it if you can't see it...

Ah fuckit. here ya go

AUSTRALIAN scientists say the discovery of interbred sharks off the east coast, the first hybrid sharks found, could signal the presence of "tropical" sharks in waters as far south as Sydney.

But it's the scale of the discovery that has astonished them. Multiple generations of the new creature have been identified in five locations between northern NSW and far north Queensland.

The university and government researchers say it is too early to tell why the hybrid sharks are themselves capable of reproducing -- unlike mules, for example -- or whether they'll supplant their parent species, but they say the discovery suggests other similar shark and ray species could also be interbreeding and improving their ability to adapt to climate change.

The new animal is a hybrid of the genetically distinct Australian black tip, whose range extends north from Brisbane, and the larger common black tip found in southeastern coastal waters.

"Wild hybrids are usually hard to find, so detecting hybrids and their offspring is extraordinary," said Jennifer Ovenden from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

"To find 57 hybrids along 2000km of coastline is unprecedented."

University of Queensland research scientist Jess Morgan said hybridisation was common in plants and relatively common among fish because of their external fertilisation. "They just release their eggs and sperm into the water column," she said.

"(But) sharks physically mate, which is usually a good way to make sure you don't hybridise with the wrong species."

Dr Morgan said that while neither black tip species was considered a man-eater, they looked the part and hybridisation could make them stronger.

"I don't think it's a result of climate change per se, but it could certainly give the sharks more genes to cope with change in the environment," she said.

"By mixing their DNA, the species considered more tropical has been able to extend its range into cooler waters."

Dr Morgan said the discovery highlighted how little was known about commonly observed sharks. Scientists were unsure how or even when the hybridisation had taken place.

She said the team would seek funds to investigate how far the hybrids had spread, with black tips also present in Northern Territory and West Australian waters, and whether the new incarnation would prove stronger than its parents.

She said the evidence suggested the new creatures were likely to remain an "animal in limbo", neither different enough from their progenitors to constitute a new species nor powerful enough to take over.

James Cook University and NSW Department of Primary Industries scientists also participated in the research.

So yeah, lots of shark sex was had.

[peacocks]

the first article says

Colin Simpfendorfer, a partner in Morgan's research from James Cook University, said initial studies suggested the hybrid species was relatively robust, with a number of generations discovered across 57 specimens.

So I'd say "yes". I haven't read the one in the Strine yet (I hate that paper with such passion).

Oh, oops. I guess I skimmed past that bit when I read it.

[coldforge]

This one seems to be accessible, and it talks about breeding
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/hybrid-sharks-swarm-east-coast/story-e6frg8y6-1226235110122
I can probly copy and paste it if you can't see it...

Ah fuckit. here ya go

AUSTRALIAN scientists say the discovery of interbred sharks off the east coast, the first hybrid sharks found, could signal the presence of "tropical" sharks in waters as far south as Sydney.

But it's the scale of the discovery that has astonished them. Multiple generations of the new creature have been identified in five locations between northern NSW and far north Queensland.

The university and government researchers say it is too early to tell why the hybrid sharks are themselves capable of reproducing -- unlike mules, for example -- or whether they'll supplant their parent species, but they say the discovery suggests other similar shark and ray species could also be interbreeding and improving their ability to adapt to climate change.

The new animal is a hybrid of the genetically distinct Australian black tip, whose range extends north from Brisbane, and the larger common black tip found in southeastern coastal waters.

"Wild hybrids are usually hard to find, so detecting hybrids and their offspring is extraordinary," said Jennifer Ovenden from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

"To find 57 hybrids along 2000km of coastline is unprecedented."

University of Queensland research scientist Jess Morgan said hybridisation was common in plants and relatively common among fish because of their external fertilisation. "They just release their eggs and sperm into the water column," she said.

"(But) sharks physically mate, which is usually a good way to make sure you don't hybridise with the wrong species."

Dr Morgan said that while neither black tip species was considered a man-eater, they looked the part and hybridisation could make them stronger.

"I don't think it's a result of climate change per se, but it could certainly give the sharks more genes to cope with change in the environment," she said.

"By mixing their DNA, the species considered more tropical has been able to extend its range into cooler waters."

Dr Morgan said the discovery highlighted how little was known about commonly observed sharks. Scientists were unsure how or even when the hybridisation had taken place.

She said the team would seek funds to investigate how far the hybrids had spread, with black tips also present in Northern Territory and West Australian waters, and whether the new incarnation would prove stronger than its parents.

She said the evidence suggested the new creatures were likely to remain an "animal in limbo", neither different enough from their progenitors to constitute a new species nor powerful enough to take over.

James Cook University and NSW Department of Primary Industries scientists also participated in the research.

So yeah, lots of shark sex was had.

More like NSFW Department of Primary Industries

[clare]

There's no actual pics of shark sex though :-/

[Good Intentions]

Which is a shame since those fuckers are kinky.

[peacocks]

Ya'll. This part right here is awesome.

The university and government researchers say it is too early to tell why the hybrid sharks are themselves capable of reproducing -- unlike mules, for example -- or whether they'll supplant their parent species, but they say the discovery suggests other similar shark and ray species could also be interbreeding and improving their ability to adapt to climate change.

...

University of Queensland research scientist Jess Morgan said hybridisation was common in plants and relatively common among fish because of their external fertilisation. "They just release their eggs and sperm into the water column," she said.

"(But) sharks physically mate, which is usually a good way to make sure you don't hybridise with the wrong species."

[fishjim]

Am I the only one who keeps imagining this researcher "Jess" as our own jess?

[jess]

Ha! That would be awesome. Sadly, no, but I am in the middle of writing up a study on individual differences in human mating habits/choice. No hybridization though (at least, that I'm aware of...).

[peacocks]

Whoa, I'd read that study.

[jess]

Thanks! It's going to be pretty cool I think—basically looking at how the relationships between various interpersonal emotional responses within individuals relate to the extent to which people are willing to engage in casual sex or not. It will be a while before it gets finished and published, but if it does (I think it should able to be, somewhere anyway, since the results I have so far are cool), I will let you know.

Also, a science (largely bio from what I've read so far) blog that seems very cool, recommended by a neuroscientist friend of mind: http://sickpapes.tumblr.com/

[Ah_Pook]

Controlled Quantum Levitation on a Wipeout Track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Zqmdv5iyIOY

[peacocks]

jess that blog rules

[fishjim]

Revival of Iconic California Condor Threatens State's Wind Farm Boom

One of the best business stories I can remember -- and it's in Forbes! It's an investigation of the conflict between wind farms and the California condor. Makes it hard not to ask, will there ever be clean energy? Or is the only green energy generation imaginary?

[Good Intentions]

Look, widespread modification of the environment is widespread modification of the environment. And there will simply not be a renewable energy source which allows us to drive personal cars,  and similar energy uses for petroleum, because goddamn that takes a lot of energy (not something much short of cold fusion, anyway). But there are more bad and less bad options to take. Ultimately we are going to have to pull the fuck back on our energy consumption (or import it from space, that would be awesome), but there is stuff we can do in the short and medium term as well.

[fishjim]

I'm with you, GI. I just happen to think wind farms are slaughterhouses, and that a lot of folks are in denial about that.

[Little Sixes Little Nines]

i think i heard they are the second-least disruptive currently used energy source (second to solar)? is that true or did i make it up?

[fishjim]

that's probably true, it's just that nearly all of the disruption is inflicted on birds, which is a hot button for me. i live pretty close to the altamont wind farms and the bird kills there are notorious - just whole migrating flocks chopped up. wind farms are to birds what dams are to fish.

my druthers would be solar (despite the toxic semiconductor industry required to make the panels) and a radical energy slowdown, though i understand i'm something of an extremist.

i guess i'm like an energy vegan.

EDIT: and i guess that implies i'm closely monitoring where my home electricity comes from, which i'm not. just paying attention & hoping for the solar industry to speed up.

[elpollodiablo]

From the archives:

You know, if this job has taught me anything it's that the green movement is a bunch of meaningless, self-congratulatory bullshit; a way for over-educated yuppies to make money off of one another while getting to pat one another on the back for having a social conscience. For every good idea that's going to effect positive change, there are 30 assholes who have added a leaf to their business cards and want to sell you environmentally-friendly convention materials like handbills and banners and loads of other bullshit so you can attend these insufferably smug, self-satisfied GO GREEN conventions where you will try to sell you own marginally less-wasteful products to other people who have spent oodles of money on promotional materials, as well. If this is what environmentalism looks like, our planet is effed in the a.

[jm]

I just found the thing I made out of a handful of people reading that the other day.  Nostalgia!

[fishjim]

Awesome, pollo! We're of one mind on this.

From the archives:

You know, if this job has taught me anything it's that the green movement is a bunch of meaningless, self-congratulatory bullshit; a way for over-educated yuppies to make money off of one another while getting to pat one another on the back for having a social conscience. For every good idea that's going to effect positive change, there are 30 assholes who have added a leaf to their business cards and want to sell you environmentally-friendly convention materials like handbills and banners and loads of other bullshit so you can attend these insufferably smug, self-satisfied GO GREEN conventions where you will try to sell you own marginally less-wasteful products to other people who have spent oodles of money on promotional materials, as well. If this is what environmentalism looks like, our planet is effed in the a.

[G.C.R]

I can't look at that thing without hearing Alex's breathy tones and Marinus sounding terribly serious. Also that Laura thing.