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Taya de Blonk

@evolutionoftaya.bsky.social
52 followers 84 following 1 posts

evolution, parental care, reproduction, genetics, systematics, ichthyology 👩🏻‍💻🧬 NCSU MEAS PhD student in the NC Fish Lab 🐟🐠🌎

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Reposted by Taya de Blonk
Dr. Jey McCreight 🏳️‍⚧️🧬 @jeymccreight.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
The amount of connections to scientists working in the field of genomics that I'm finding in the Epstein emails is terrifying, disgusting, and sadly unsurprising We need to deeply investigate how much these scientists actually knew, or how much they were involved There need to be consequences
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Dr Lauren Smith @saltwaterlifeuk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
🐸 🐟 Crikey! Wednesday again already, time for my “wind-back Wednesday” post! An absolute cracker of a #Frogfish I think these are incredible, they can take some spotting too amongst the reef! 📍 Philippines, 2010. 📸 Panasonic. 🤿 🌊 #scubadiving #underwaterphotography #wildlifewednesday #marinelife
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Orlando Schwery @oschwery.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
As we all settle back in at home after an amazing #ssb2026 in Baton Rouge, it seems fitting to share this recent pub from @mbomaaaron.bsky.social where he writes about the utility of taxonomic education. Aaron was a @systbiol.bsky.social mentee and so it is very exciting to see this work of his out!
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OPB @opb.org · 15/01/2026
Washington banned octopus farming in 2024, but a new bill is making its way through the Legislature that would also ban the sale, possession, transport and distribution of farmed octopus. The aim isn't to outlaw the culinary use of octopus, proponents say, but to ensure it is treated humanely.
opb.org
Washington may ban sales of farmed octopus
After stalling in the last session, a bill to outlaw the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus advanced out of committee this week on a party-line vote.
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Frontiers | Spawning patterns and reproductive biology of yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae) off south-eastern Australia www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.... 🧪🐠🦑🌎
frontiersin.org
Frontiers | Spawning patterns and reproductive biology of yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae) off south-eastern Australia
We characterized the reproductive biology of the ecologically and commercially important small pelagic fish Trachurus novaezelandiae (yellowtail scad) in sou...
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Taya de Blonk @evolutionoftaya.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
“What would our world look like if all natural history collections disappeared?” Loved #SSB2026! Organized by @jembrown.bsky.social. Great workshops, talks, panel discussion, and collections tours, plus an awesome social hosted by @prosanta.bsky.social. Great to meet some more fishy folks as well 🐠
Emily Graslie of Brain Scoop standing stage left presenting on the importance of natural history collectionsSocial event hosted at the LSU Museum of Natural  Science. Meat service displayed directly near a large, glass encased, polar bearPanel of scientists sat side by side on stage under the SSB26 logo on screenVarious herpetofauna displayed on a table
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Norm Douglas @ringstem.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Actual botanists don't feel like they need to lie to their neighbors about their jobs.
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
The great @jembrown.bsky.social closing out #ssb2026 It was a wonderful meeting thanks to the hardwork of Jeremy and funding from @lsu.bsky.social and other sources. Systematic biology is alive and well. Especially proud of all the Global South who attended.
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
I’m so proud of @lsu.bsky.social Museum of Natural Science and @tropicalbotany.bsky.social Herbarium folks who volunteered for these tours to over 100 folks - I’m sure they won’t forget what they saw behind the scenes. #museums #naturalhistory #ssb2026
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
The wonderful Emily Graslie talking to the #SSB2026 crowd about the importance of natural history museums. She has an art background and became enamored with the University of Montana natural history collections and created the #brainscoop series.
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American Fisheries Society @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
The American Fisheries Society extends our support to the furloughed fisheries and aquatics professionals affected by the U.S. federal government shutdown. Read our full statement on the shutdown and its impacts on natural resources here fisheries.org/2025/10/afs-...
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The Fisheries Podcast @fisheriespod.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
This week, Alanna talks to Dr. Jessie Kittel, a research scientist at the Blue World Research Institute. Jessie's research using modeling techniques has varied from humpback whales to yellowtail flounder. Jessie is also a 100-ton captain!
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Braasch Lab @ Michigan State University @fishevodevogeno.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Quote of the Day, as found in "Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy: Ecology, Evolution, and Function" pressbooks.palni.org/comparativev... Check it out - looks great! #EndlessFishMostBeautiful
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Windsor Aguirre @windsor-aguirre.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
“We are undergoing unprecedented loss of freshwater across the planet.” And need new leadership yesterday. :/ www.newscientist.com/article/2490...
newscientist.com
We are undergoing unprecedented loss of freshwater across the planet
Rising temperatures are causing water to evaporate and driving humans to extract more groundwater, which is moving freshwater from the land to the seas and creating a "continental drying" trend
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Chris Mah @echinoblog.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
NEMO! (a clownfish) with lil cymothoid isopod friend! Lembeh Photo by Dave Johnson Photography www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4...
orange clownfish, with white stripe amidst sea anemone tentacles, with isopod in mouth which parasitically replaces the tongue
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Kory Evans Ph.D @sternarchella.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Every fish that we catch has a story, some are crazier than others. We caught this unicornfish during a night dive in Okinawa last year. The trip was memorable because we had to end the dive early when North Korea fired a missile in our general direction and we had to take cover
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Evolution @journal-evo.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
July Editor's Choice article: "Parental care drives the evolution of male reproductive accessory glands across ray-finned fishes" Lucas Eckert, Jessica S Miller, John L Fitzpatrick, Sigal Balshine, Benjamin M Bolker academic.oup.com/evolut/artic... @lucaseckert.bsky.social @bbolker.bsky.social
Tailspot Blenny Ecsenius stigmatura by LagunaticPhoto
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James Albert @gymnotus.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
New paper alert: 42 ecological traits for all 6,000+ valid species of #Neotropical_freshwater_fishes, the most diverse continental vertebrate fauna on Earth. A foundation for future studies on the ecology and conservation of tropical aquatic biodiversity. nature.com/articles/s41...
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Bob Wong @bbmwong.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Hot off the press. global.oup.com/academic/pro...
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
An (omics) perspective on the evolution of vision in deep-sea fishes reveals exceptional adaptations to life in the extreme Musilova & Cortesi 2025 Functional Ecology besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirec... #ichthyology #teamfish neat review of genetics of deep-sea vision in fishes
deep-sea adaptations have evolved independently in several groups.
Eye shape: A prominent morphological example is the evolution of an elongated tubular, barrel eye to maximize photon capture in several
deep-sea groups. Groups, where tubular eyes are common, are marked by a black square and a tubular eye scheme; groups with one/
few cases of tubular eyes but where the majority of species have a camera-type eye are marked with black dots (i.e. anglerfishes and
dragonfishes). Retina: Rod-only retinas are a common feature of many adult deep-sea fishes. In other cases, they possess the typical duplex
retina with cones (green cells) and rod cells (grey cells). Multibank: In some species, the rod cells are organized in multiple layers, forming a
multibank retina, while other deep-sea fishes have the typical vertebrate single layer. Cone/rod id: Some deep-sea fishes have photoreceptor
cells with an uncertain id that is intermediate between rods and cones due to a mismatch of the opsin and phototransduction cascade genes
(e.g. in Scopelarchidae and Evermanellidae; Aulopiformes), or thanks to the presence of transmuted cells (i.e. rod-like cones in Maurolicus
spp.; Sternoptychidae; Stomiiformes). Rhodopsins: Like other vertebrates, most lineages only have one rhodopsin (rh1) gene. Two rhodopsins
are found in pearleyes (Scopelarchidae; Aulopiformes), and hatchetfishes (Sternoptychidae, Stomiiformes), and more than three rhodopsin
genes are found in lanternfishes (Myctophiformes), spinyfins (Diretmidae), and tube-eye (Stylephoriformes). Photos (from top to bottom):
Threadfin dragonfish, Echiostoma barbatum (Stomiiformes; photo Zuzana Musilova); pearleye, Benthalbella sp. (Aulopiformes; photo Zuzana
Konvičková); and silver spinyfin, Diretmus argenteus (Trachichthyiformes; photo Vít Kaufman). Based on data from Collin and Partridge (1996),
De Busserolles et al. (2017), De Busserolles et al. (2020), Lupše et al. (2021) and Musilova, Cortesi, et al. (2
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Kai The Fish Guy @kaithefishguy.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Pseudojuloides edwardi Quite possibly the most beautiful wrasse in existence
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Alex Maile @anoplogaster.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Have you ever seen a juvenile Buffalo Trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus)? I absolutely love their weird skeleton which forms this bony carapace making their body rigid.
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Peter Hundt @pjhundt.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Two new studfish! Thanks to the Sandel Lab for letting me tag along :) www.mapress.com/zt/article/v...
mapress.com
Phylogenomic species delimitation of studfishes (Fundulidae: Fundulus ): evidence for cryptic species in agreement with the central highlands vicariance hypothesis | Zootaxa
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Patrick Lynch @patrlynch1.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Life in emergent freshwater marshes. For my forthcoming book "PONDS: An Illustrated Guide," Yale University Press, 2026. 🧪🌿🌎 #sciart #wildlife #scicomm #sciviz #wildlifeart #iNat #scientificillustration #natureart #visualscicomm #sciviz #scicomm #marshes #freshwater #wetlands
Photo-diagram and illustrations depicting the many forms of life in emergent freshwater marshes.
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Alex Maile @anoplogaster.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
1/11 New #OpenAccess #anglerfish paper in @plosone.org! We combine genomic, mitochondrial, and morphological data to produce the most complete evolutionary hypothesis for anglerfishes! Includes new body shape, habitat analyses, and a new frogfish subfamily) 🦑 doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org
A total-evidence phylogenetic approach to understanding the evolution, depth transitions, and body-shape changes in the anglerfishes and allies (Acanthuriformes: Lophioidei)
The anglerfishes and allies (Lophioidei) are a diverse group of fishes with over 400 carnivorous species that are renowned for their remarkable hunting behavior employing a modified first dorsal-fin s...
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Kai The Fish Guy @kaithefishguy.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Black background fish photography are MY NACHOS.
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Dr. Solomon David @solomonrdavid.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Emerald Bowfin!☘️🐟 From the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, few freshwater fishes are as festive as male bowfins! Their bellies and fins turn bright green during spawning season (right now in parts of their range!)🌎 *Gulf of MEXICO.
Two fish, Emerald Bowfin, are seen on measuring boards during scientific field research. They have bright green fins and eyespots on their tales. Male bowfins develop these bright green colors during spawning season, which coincides with St Patrick’s Day throughout much of their range. Top fish is from Michigan, bottom fish is from Louisiana. Scientists still don’t know the mechanism for developing these super green fins!
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Dr. Solomon David @solomonrdavid.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
It’s true! ~ this lungfish, probably
A Marbled African Lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) in an aquarium looks directly at the camera. Lungfishes have the largest genomes among vertebrates. They also breathe air, and the four African species can survive periods of drought by undergoing estivation (slowed metabolism, like hibernation but in a drought instead of winter). They are also among the most ancient lineages of jawed vertebrates, and are more closely related to humans than fish like salmon or bass!
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Animal Behaviour Collective @abcmicrogrants.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
We granted 8 microgrants totalling £1295! 🥳🥳🥳 Our next funding round will open for applications on 26th May. Thank you to all our donors for making this possible!! 🫶
ABC distributed 8 microgrants already this year totaling 1295 GBP. Next round of application opens in May.Contribute to ABC by making a one time donation or becoming a monthly backer!
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Oh HELL yeah look at that squid on the cover, beautiful reef squid we LOVE a reef squid in this household
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Kory Evans Ph.D @sternarchella.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
In the process of digitizing the fish prints from Okinawa and the results are stunning
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
I love the diversity of #fishfaces These are images from a collecting trip to Taiwan in 2006 (the first of three trips I have made to that beautiful island). #ichthyology #fishes #TeamFish
From top left - armored searobin, a pretty-eyed goby (if I remember correctly), a spikey pufferfish, a Bombay duck, a Naso unicornfish, and a goblin shark
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Dr. Solomon David @solomonrdavid.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Pair of Florida Gars swim among the cypress trees in the Everglades; we got to walk right alongside them! Our National Parks are incredible and MUST be protected; our federal workers are integral to natural resource conservation!
Two gars (fish) swim alongside each other in a shallow section of the Florida Everglades.
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Kelporama @kelporama.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
This little guy is the second Canadian record of the minute nudibranch species Tenellia flavovulta. The first was one I found nearby in 2023. Not the only out-of-range nudibranch I've found here on southern Vancouver Island. #MolluscMonday
Underwater photo. A small nudibranch on red algae. The nudibranch has an orange patch on its face and black and yellow oblong protuberances down the length of its body. There is a transparent watermark with my username: Kelporama
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 24/02/2025
Your regular reminder that the US air & water pollution laws passed in the 60s & 70s -- and the elaborate federal bureaucracy created to administer them -- constitute one of the most successful gov't interventions in history. WILDLY successful. The envy of the world.
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
I just donated to support @misselasmo.bsky.social Minorities in Shark Science, and it’d be great if you’d consider doing that too donate.misselasmo.org/campaign/def...
donate.misselasmo.org
Defend the Deep
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Trump Administration’s Threats to Dismantle NOAA Are an Attack on Our Safety and Our Economy
buff.ly
Trump Administration’s Threats to Dismantle NOAA Are an Attack on Our Safety and Our Economy
The Trump administration's threat to dismantle NOAA is an attack on the safety and wellbeing of American communities.
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Tyler Muller @ichthytyler.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
For this weeks #SundayFishSketch I'm staying close to home and painted the Shorthead Pirate Perch, Aphredoderus mesotrema. David Starr Jordan first described this in 1877 as a new species of Pirate Perch due to it's intermediate cloachal position. And later determined this was only a juvenile...
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Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Swimming smarter, not harder: fishes exploit habitat heterogeneity to increase locomotor performance Di Santo & Goerig 2025 Cool new commentary that "synthesizes existing research to offer a perspective on how fishes actively exploit complex environments to enhance their locomotor efficiency"
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Juan J. Schmitter-Soto 🇨🇺🇵🇸🇲🇽 @jjschmittersoto.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
We ichthyologists have lost a legend: obits.csnh.com/william-bill...
obits.csnh.com
William "Bill" N Eschmeyer Obituary 2024 - Cremation Society of New Hampshire
View William "Bill" N Eschmeyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
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William B. Ludt, PhD @planet-of-fishes.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
A little more light hearted news for your feed. 🐟🦑 "The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming." www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Princess Mononoke's San inspires naming of deep-sea fish
The newly discovered fish has stripes on its face like the Studio Ghibli warrior princess.
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Kai The Fish Guy @kaithefishguy.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
PhD opportunity: I am looking for a PhD student to study taxonomy and systematics of labrid fishes and other coral reef taxa. Successful applicants will be jointly based at the University of Sydney and the Australian Museum Research Institute.
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Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 07/02/2025
White House budget proposal may slash NSF funding from 9 billion to 3 billion a year.
arstechnica.com
White House budget proposal could shatter the National Science Foundation
“This kind of cut would kill American science and boost China.”…
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Peter Hundt @pjhundt.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
2 new studfish species (Fundulus) coming soon! Selecting type series at Bell Museum. Photo by Hugh Gabriel
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