What’s flappening with moth flight?

by Peishu Li Flying is hard. It takes master control over the production, maintenance and redirection of forces, as well as a keen sense of the surrounding environment. Yet the physical challenges of flying have not stopped animals from taking to the skies. If anything, animals have evolved a myriad of flying behaviors to suit […]

Research and design: how biologists draw inspiration from nature’s complexities

Written by Andrew Saintsing Nature is full of awe-inspiring things, like a butterfly’s scaly wings diffracting light to produce brilliant color. For comparative physiologist Dr. Jon Harrison, wonder at the natural world sparked a lifelong passion in the rules of biological scaling. “I’ve always loved the stories about giraffes and their huge hearts and all […]

Leatherback Sea Turtles Struggle to Find the Ocean on Moonless Nights

Written by Sam Zlotnik Edited by James Murray For a sea turtle hatchling, getting to the ocean is critical. This behavior, called seafinding, is hardwired in all sea turtle species. Newly hatched turtles must find the ocean without getting eaten by predators or wandering off-course. And according to Dr. Mike Salmon, a biology professor at […]

Houdinis of the sea: Ink-credible independent origins of defensive inking in sea hares, cuttlefish, and pygmy sperm whales

Sea hares, cuttlefishes, and pygmy sperm whales are masterful escape artists. To escape predation, they produce clouds of dark colored inks containing cocktails of sticky and biochemically unpleasant substances, a behavior called “defensive inking”. As their escape acts overwhelm the sensory systems of potential predators, the Houdinis of the sea swim to safety. How do […]

Proposed SICB Constitution and Bylaws Amendments

The ballot is now open for your votes on a series of important amendments to our SICB Constitution and Bylaws! All members – students, postdocs, full, emeritus, and family members – are eligible to vote, and we need to hear your voice on these issues. As detailed below, we are now voting on society-wide amendments, […]

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