iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

It's time for the map of life to grow again. This time, I'm extending the Pristiformes with the addition of the longtooth sawfish. Remember, more than just the sharks and their ilk can be found here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #biology #infographic #evolution

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It's time for another Map of Life update. There are 4 new species this time, the Paraselachimorpha in the top left corner. There's more map of life action here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #evolution #biology

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I have neglected the development of the map of life for too long. I'm still working on the cartilaginous fish. The new addition is the wonderfully bizarre Squaloraja. The full maps are here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #infographic #evolution

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Today is the next addition to the map of life. New-in is the bizarre ancient shark ancestor Plesioselachus. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #infographic

An educational infographic titled "Matilda's Lab: Map of Chondrichthyes" displays a phylogenetic tree diagram categorizing cartilaginous fish.

Concentric, colored circles illustrate taxonomic ranks from species up to class. The diagram is divided into major sections: Holocephali (chimaeras and extinct relatives) and Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays, and skates).

Illustrated circular badges feature specific species with their scientific names, including the Megalodon, Great White Shark, Whale Shark, Hammerhead, Manta Ray, and Stingray. These badges are grouped into larger color-coded rings representing families, orders, and cohorts like Batoidea and Selachimorpha.

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Let's kick the week off with another addition to the map of life. 2 new orders are dropping into the squaliform sharks. Remember that you can see the full maps here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/

An educational diagram titled "Map of Chondrichthyes" from Matilda's Lab. The file Chondrichthyes 22.06.26.jpg displays a nested phylogenetic map grouping cartilaginous fish.

Concentric colored rings define taxonomic ranks from Species to Domain. The tree splits into major groups: Holocephali (extinct forms, chimaeras) and Elasmobranchii. Elasmobranchii divides into Batoidea (rays and skates like Manta and Torpedo) and Selachimorpha (sharks).

Sharks are subdivided into Galeomorphi (including Lamniformes like Megalodon and Great White, and Carcharhiniformes) and Squalomorpha (including Squaliformes and Hexanchiformes). Each animal is illustrated inside a bubble with its scientific species, genus, and family names.

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Let's get back to building the map of life after our book break. Today I'm adding the Squaliformes with 4 species representing. You can see the full maps here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #scicomm #inforgraphic #evolution #sharks

An infographic titled "Map of Chondrichthyes" from Matilda's Lab, utilizing a nested, color-coded Venn diagram structure to illustrate the taxonomy of cartilaginous fish. A key shows rings representing taxonomic ranks from Species to Domain. The main class, Chondrichthyes, is divided into Holocephali (extinct and modern chimaeras like Hydrolagus) and Elasmobranchii. Elasmobranchii is split into Batoidea (rays and skates, including manta and stingrays) and Selachimorpha (sharks). Shark orders feature Galeomorphi (e.g., Carcharhinus glauca, Sphyrna mokarran, Otodus megalodon) and Squalomorphi (e.g., Squalus acanthias). Detailed circular icons show specific species.

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

There's been a lot of posts about my book recently, so let's get back to something more traditional. It's the next update to the map of life. I had one poor ray left drawn, but not included, so now the Torpedo is finally in. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/

Infographic titled "Map of Chondrichthyes" by Matilda’s Lab, illustrating the taxonomic hierarchy of cartilaginous fish through nested, color-coded bubbles.

The diagram is split into two primary groups: Holocephali (ghost sharks and chimaeras) on the left, and Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays, and skates) occupying the center and right.

The Elasmobranchii section is further divided into:

Batoidea: Featuring rays and skates such as the Manta Ray, Blue-spotted Stingray, and Sawfish.

Selachimorpha (Sharks): Displaying various orders including the Whale Shark, Great Hammerhead, Thresher Shark, and the extinct Megalodon.

A legend in the bottom-left corner explains the color-coding for biological classification levels, ranging from Species (white) and Genus (green) up to Kingdom (blue) and Domain (purple).

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It's a fairly big update to the map of cartilaginous fish today. 7 new species of mackerel shark have been added. The full map of life can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #evolution #sharks

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Here are the newest addition to map of cartilaginous fish. There are 5 new ground sharks on the map now. Many common names are in the alt text. Remember, you can see the full map here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #evolution

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Here is the next addition to the map of cartilaginous fish. Only one addition this time, the small eye skate. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #evolution #sharks #rays

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Here comes the next addition to the map of life. This time I've added all of my illustrated carpet sharks (the orectolobiformes). Remember, you can see the full map of life (without these recent shark updates) here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #scicomm

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

It's back! After an involuntary hiatus, the map is life is making a return. I have completed my line-up of illustrated bull-headed sharks on the Chondrichthyes map. I have the next bit ready to share with you all soon. See the full map here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos... #scicomm #sciart

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Happy Christmas Eve Eve. Today, the advent calendar reveals the runner-up in most popular post of the year, and it's a personal favourite of mine. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2022/03/03/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

3 sleeps left. This lesson shows how Scrooge may have had authentic encounters on Christmas Eve. Deep down, he must have already known the error of his ways. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/w... #scicomm #ghosts #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Only 4 days to go, and today's advent calendar treat may be useful when it comes to over-excited children over the coming week. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/m... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

We're properly getting to the business end of things now that we're only 5 days away from the big day. Your Christmas may be fairly static, but some plants are much more mobile. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/h... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

On the advent calendar today, a little thought for how many of us may be feeling this time next week. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/c... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Today's advent calendar entry is a bit of a blast from the past. It's a post that falls into a very small Venn diagram overlap between science and dresses. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/is-that-dress-blue-and-black-or-white-and-gold/ #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Things are heating up on the Advent Calendar today. The 8th most viewed post of the year is "on fire!" matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

It's a late update to the advent calendar today, as I've out at work since 5am. I deserve a cookie. I think I have a shark that can help with that... matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/c... #scicomm #sciart #sharks #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

We've hit the top 10 on day 15 of the advent calendar. It may not be as controversial as the God question, but some people do get rather passionate about the status of Pluto. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar #pluto

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Day 14 of the advent calendar brings us to the verge of the top 10 posts. Just missing out on the final countdown is an ancient and rare off-shoot on the shark family tree. #scicomm #sharks #adventcalendar matildaslab.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/f...

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Day 11 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar has a tale for you today. Or should that be, no tail? matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Day 12 of the advent calendar brings the 13th most viewed post of the year. Unlucky for some. Definitely for featured fish. I used to have some in my aquarium when I made this. RIP 😞 matildaslab.wordpress.com/2023/02/06/n... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Day 11 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar has a tale for you today. Or should that be, no tail? matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Welcome to day 10 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar. If sharks make you feel unconformable, then you may be following the wrong account. Also, here's one that can walk on land! matildaslab.wordpress.com/2020/08/28/e... #sharks #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

It's day 9 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar, and today we have the closest thing that nature has produced to a shark crossed with a unicorn. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/s... #scicomm #extinctanimals #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Day 8 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar, and we've come across the most controversial of subjects. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/d... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Day 7 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar, and they don't come much bigger than this. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2020/05/17/w... #scicomm #infographic #whaleshark #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Day 6 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar is very "hands-on". matildaslab.wordpress.com/2020/09/10/w... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Day 5 of the advent calendar reveals a post that would be more at home, and indeed was written for, Halloween. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/w... #scicomm #werewolves #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Day 4! It's time for another lesson in the countdown. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2023/10/10/h... #scicomm #adventcalendar #dogs #evolution

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Day 3 of the Matilda's Lab Advent Calendar contains the first cartoon on the list: matildaslab.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/p... #scicomm #sciart #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Day 2 of the Matilda's Lab advent calendar, and we have our first lesson up: matildaslab.wordpress.com/2016/11/07/a... #scicomm #viruses #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

It's that time of the year again, to open the first door on the Matilda's Lab advent calendar, where we count down the most view blog posts of the year. matildaslab.wordpress.com/2020/04/25/p... #scicomm #adventcalendar

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Map of life update: Last week, I thought that I was done with my Mylobatiformes. I was mistaken. I found 2 more, included this week. Remember, the full maps can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

The map of life has been a little neglected recently as I've been swamped with other things recently. I've dropped 2 new rays into the mix now. The full map is still here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #sciart #evolution #sharks #rays

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Now that we've finished with the mammals for now, let's start building the area where is all started, the cartilaginous fish, the chondrichthyes. The full map and the mammals excerpt can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Matilda's Lab turned 10 years old today. To mark the occasion, I have updated the website's "About Matilda's Lab" page. Also, the logo now sports an "Est. 2015", mainly because doing this any earlier would have looked a bit pathetic.

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

It's here! The updated map of life. 124 organisms all together. The full map, plus the stand-alone mammals, can be found here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #scicomm #evolution #sciart

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

There's a new Matilda's Lab single on the loose! The Waves is a tour through the electromagnetic spectrum but steering clear of the dangers of the high energy end of things. It's available on the major streaming platforms. The link to my artist pages is here: linktr.ee/chrismacalis... #sciencesong

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

I completed this wave of updates to the mammals. I've actually gone slightly outside the scope of mammals. Adding Dimetrodon now makes this a map of the synapsids. The full map, which I'm now in the process of incorporating this into, is here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Here's a map of mammals update. I'm close to finishing this batch of mammals before moving to a different area of the map of life. I've added Deltatherium, who lived alongside the dinosaurs. See the full map (minus additional mammals) here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

It's time for a map of life update. I've rounded off my illustrated placental mammals today, with that addition of 3 species within the Xenarthra: an armadillo, a sloth and an anteater. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #biology #mammals

A circular diagram illustrating the classification of mammals. The diagram shows major taxonomic groups, including Order, Family, Genus, and Species, with examples of 54 organisms from the different groups. The image is labelled "Map of Mammals."

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

The new Matilda's Lab track is in the process of dropping onto the streaming platforms. Why not get some love in your eardrums? Find a link here: linktr.ee/chrismacalis...

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

There's just one update to the map of mammals this week. The aardvark, but it does allow me to group everything together within the magnaorder, Epitheria. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

It's time for another Map of Mammals update as I add the 50th species. The new additional are an elephant and a manatee. You can see this and the full map of life here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

It's a smaller update to the map of mammals this week, with only 3 new species, in the Eulipotyphla. But it has allowed me to unite everything in one group now, the Boreoutheria. The full map can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

It's a smaller map of mammals update this week. Mainly because of where the bats sit and that I've only drawn 2 of them so far. The current map of life and this one can be seen here: matildaslab.wordpress.com/map-of-life/ #sciart #mammals

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Matilda's Lab @matildaslab.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

The new Matilda's Lab single is out! Only a Theory is the first chapter of Richard Dawkins' Greatest Show on Earth book, in song form. linktr.ee/chrismacalis...

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