Pineapple Express Delivery
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Published: 17 January 2017
A tropical brown booby seabird, rare in central California, made a surprise landing on the R/V Rachel Carson in Monterey Bay, likely blown off course by the Pineapple Express. After resting briefly, it flew off, uninterested in canned sardines.
Keywords: brown booby, seabird, Monterey Bay, Pineapple Express, R/V Rachel Carson, tropical bird, marine wildlife
Amazing “black seadevil” anglerfish observed in Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Published: 21 November 2014
On November 17, MBARI scientist Bruce Robison filmed a rare deep-sea anglerfish, Melanocetus, at 580 meters depth in Monterey Bay. It was the first time this species was recorded in its natural habitat, using its glowing lure to attract prey.
Keywords: deep-sea anglerfish, Melanocetus, MBARI, Monterey Bay, bioluminescence, ROV Doc Ricketts, deep-sea exploration
Unusual snails found thriving at hydrothermal vents
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Published: 10 December 2014
MBARI researcher Shannon Johnson Williams identified five new Alviniconcha snail species from hydrothermal vents using DNA sequencing. Living in extreme heat and acidity, these “punk rock” snails have degraded or no shells. One is named after Joe Strummer.
Keywords: Alviniconcha, hydrothermal vents, deep-sea snails, DNA sequencing, extreme environments, Shannon Johnson, Joe Strummer
