The Unstartled Steppes of Dream
I am Ashley.
This is my personal blog. If you want just marine biology, go here.
I love the world; I really don't like people.
I balance all this animosity towards the human race with being an almost always kind and gentle being to all creatures.
I'm highly introverted and nature is my primary escape from humanity.
Creepy-crawly-slimy things are my favorites. Dinosaurs are fantastic.
Future marine biologist; presently an amateur entomologist, ichthyologist, artist, biologist, and writer.
Literature, video game, and music connoisseur.
I'm so full of passion for the world that it hurts.
I think a lot, I laugh a lot, I love a lot.
Almost none of the photos are mine and only some of the drawings are mine.
Listen in.
Over the past decade, the problem of invasive species has become more pervasive in aquatic systems around the globe. With the continued warming of water bodies due to climate change, dangerous invasives can expand their ranges and invade established habitats.
A notable example of this is the Humboldt squid, also called the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas), moving all the way up the Pacific coast from Mexican waters to as far north as the coast of Vancouver Island. One of the most powerful ways the species disrupts the ecosystem is that it consumes tremendous amounts of prey. Humboldt squids grow to be over 1.5 m in length and an average of 50 kg (100 lbs) in under one year; this necessitates that the squid feeds constantly, which annihilates prey species in the Humboldt’s range. Because many of its prey items are economically important fishes, the expansion and actions of the Humboldt squid are being avidly monitored.
Photo © Brian Skerry
“This adorable creature is the Banded Piglet Squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi). They’re found at depths of 100m or more, and that odd appearance of a smile is caused by skin pigmentation.
Very little is known about this creatures biology. They have been observed upside down more often than not, but no one is sure why. They are kept buoyant by ammonium ions in its body fluids, and has a large light producing organ below each of its eyes.
Image ©Cabrillo Marine Aquarium”
(via siriuslyme)
Southern reef squid, Sepioteuthis australis
Squid species, Alloteuthis subulata
Squid species, Watasenia scintillans
Squid species, Cranchia scabra
(Photo by Danté Fenolio)
Caribbean reef squid, Sepoiteuthis sepoidea
Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis)
Length: 38cm
Location: Tropical/Temperate waters worldwide
Glass Squid (Teuthowenia pellucida)
Length: 1.4-3.8cm
Location: Southern temperate waters
