c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
Molecular biologist from Texas, here to share my meanderings on nature, science, history, politics, and zombies. Long threads a specialty.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
"There is grandeur in this view of life - that from so simple a beginning, endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." Happy birthday to the only and only Charles Darwin. 🧪
February 12, 2026 at 4:41 PM
"There is grandeur in this view of life - that from so simple a beginning, endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." Happy birthday to the only and only Charles Darwin. 🧪
Happy Darwin Day 2026! 🧪
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
February 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Happy Darwin Day 2026! 🧪
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science."
- Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871).
As of 2025:
The country with the most Spanish speakers ("speak Spanish at home") is Mexico at ~135 million.
The country with the 2nd most: the USA, with 45 million.
If you include bilinguals, it jumps to 58 million.
About 10% of all Spanish speakers, globally, live in the USA.
The country with the most Spanish speakers ("speak Spanish at home") is Mexico at ~135 million.
The country with the 2nd most: the USA, with 45 million.
If you include bilinguals, it jumps to 58 million.
About 10% of all Spanish speakers, globally, live in the USA.
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 PM
As of 2025:
The country with the most Spanish speakers ("speak Spanish at home") is Mexico at ~135 million.
The country with the 2nd most: the USA, with 45 million.
If you include bilinguals, it jumps to 58 million.
About 10% of all Spanish speakers, globally, live in the USA.
The country with the most Spanish speakers ("speak Spanish at home") is Mexico at ~135 million.
The country with the 2nd most: the USA, with 45 million.
If you include bilinguals, it jumps to 58 million.
About 10% of all Spanish speakers, globally, live in the USA.
The ducks that sound like:
"Oooh! You brought your famous tater-tot hot dish?"
"Oooh! Who made the jello salad?"
"Oooh! Did you see that dress she was wearing?"
"Oooh! You brought your famous tater-tot hot dish?"
"Oooh! Who made the jello salad?"
"Oooh! Did you see that dress she was wearing?"
A comforter in Europe is often called an 'eiderdown', because they were traditionally made with the warm, dense down of an eider duck.
The eider is a sea duck that occupies the cold reaches of the near-Arctic, places like Finland & Canada.
Their calls sound like Wisconsin moms at a potluck. 😉
The eider is a sea duck that occupies the cold reaches of the near-Arctic, places like Finland & Canada.
Their calls sound like Wisconsin moms at a potluck. 😉
Common eider courtship display and vocalisations
YouTube video by Paul Rose
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
The ducks that sound like:
"Oooh! You brought your famous tater-tot hot dish?"
"Oooh! Who made the jello salad?"
"Oooh! Did you see that dress she was wearing?"
"Oooh! You brought your famous tater-tot hot dish?"
"Oooh! Who made the jello salad?"
"Oooh! Did you see that dress she was wearing?"
Bluesky needs more moth content.
Although the caterpillar is just as impressive as the moth here.
Although the caterpillar is just as impressive as the moth here.
The cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is the largest in North America, with wingspans up to 7 inches (18 cm). The adults lack working mouths & only live 2 weeks.
Bright coloration on the wings resembles a snake's eyes to deter predators, but I want to show you the caterpillar...
(📷: Scott Zona)
Bright coloration on the wings resembles a snake's eyes to deter predators, but I want to show you the caterpillar...
(📷: Scott Zona)
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Bluesky needs more moth content.
Although the caterpillar is just as impressive as the moth here.
Although the caterpillar is just as impressive as the moth here.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Someone told me lately "Bluesky is just like Twitter." I argued that was untrue on the basis that last time I had a Twitter account most times I got a new follower their bio said "single & looking for fun" & here when I get a new follower it tends to say something like "professor of rare moths".
February 12, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Someone told me lately "Bluesky is just like Twitter." I argued that was untrue on the basis that last time I had a Twitter account most times I got a new follower their bio said "single & looking for fun" & here when I get a new follower it tends to say something like "professor of rare moths".
Here's my other new friend from Puerto Rico.
Meet the Puerto Rican Tody which has the unfortunate scientific name of 'Todus mexicanus', thanks to a mix-up of samples by a visiting ornithologist in 1830.
There's a campaign to rename it to 'Todus borinquensis', the Taíno name for the island.
Meet the Puerto Rican Tody which has the unfortunate scientific name of 'Todus mexicanus', thanks to a mix-up of samples by a visiting ornithologist in 1830.
There's a campaign to rename it to 'Todus borinquensis', the Taíno name for the island.
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Here's my other new friend from Puerto Rico.
Meet the Puerto Rican Tody which has the unfortunate scientific name of 'Todus mexicanus', thanks to a mix-up of samples by a visiting ornithologist in 1830.
There's a campaign to rename it to 'Todus borinquensis', the Taíno name for the island.
Meet the Puerto Rican Tody which has the unfortunate scientific name of 'Todus mexicanus', thanks to a mix-up of samples by a visiting ornithologist in 1830.
There's a campaign to rename it to 'Todus borinquensis', the Taíno name for the island.
I've been learning about Puerto Rican fauna & I find this little guy fascinating.
It's the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti) & the name is perfection.
1. It's from Puerto Rico.
2. It's a cuckoo.
3. It eats lizards (sorry).
One last zing: the locals call it "pájaro bobo mayor"...
It's the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti) & the name is perfection.
1. It's from Puerto Rico.
2. It's a cuckoo.
3. It eats lizards (sorry).
One last zing: the locals call it "pájaro bobo mayor"...
February 12, 2026 at 1:45 AM
I've been learning about Puerto Rican fauna & I find this little guy fascinating.
It's the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti) & the name is perfection.
1. It's from Puerto Rico.
2. It's a cuckoo.
3. It eats lizards (sorry).
One last zing: the locals call it "pájaro bobo mayor"...
It's the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti) & the name is perfection.
1. It's from Puerto Rico.
2. It's a cuckoo.
3. It eats lizards (sorry).
One last zing: the locals call it "pájaro bobo mayor"...
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
You're looking at the most powerful magnet in the UK, circa 1845. It was crafted by Michael Faraday using a link from a boat's anchor chain wound with copper wire.
He used it in his lab to show that all matter is affected by magnetic fields, either paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
He used it in his lab to show that all matter is affected by magnetic fields, either paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
October 3, 2023 at 2:44 AM
You're looking at the most powerful magnet in the UK, circa 1845. It was crafted by Michael Faraday using a link from a boat's anchor chain wound with copper wire.
He used it in his lab to show that all matter is affected by magnetic fields, either paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
He used it in his lab to show that all matter is affected by magnetic fields, either paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Five years after the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines started, it seems the mystery of why the Astra-Zeneca and J&J vaccines led to a rare but deadly side effect of unusual blood clots and bleeding has finally been solved.
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
There are many levels of "naked": underwear only, no clothing at all & the highest level of (human) nakedness: only wearing socks.
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
There are many levels of "naked": underwear only, no clothing at all & the highest level of (human) nakedness: only wearing socks.
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Then we have the glass frogs of Family Centrolenidae, who take it to the next level: visible organs.
This is part of their Cloak of Invisibility!
(📷: Jaime Culebra)
Glacier the skunk is chowing down on an apple in her home at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Until 1993, Glacier would have been in Family Mustelidae with weasels & badgers.
But molecular evidence showed that her ancestors diverged 60 MYA, so she gets her own family: Mephitidae which means, roughly, "stinky."
Until 1993, Glacier would have been in Family Mustelidae with weasels & badgers.
But molecular evidence showed that her ancestors diverged 60 MYA, so she gets her own family: Mephitidae which means, roughly, "stinky."
February 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Glacier the skunk is chowing down on an apple in her home at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Until 1993, Glacier would have been in Family Mustelidae with weasels & badgers.
But molecular evidence showed that her ancestors diverged 60 MYA, so she gets her own family: Mephitidae which means, roughly, "stinky."
Until 1993, Glacier would have been in Family Mustelidae with weasels & badgers.
But molecular evidence showed that her ancestors diverged 60 MYA, so she gets her own family: Mephitidae which means, roughly, "stinky."
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Let's talk about the potoos, family 'Nyctibiidae'. There are seven species of these insectivorous birds in Central & South America.
What immediately stands out are the giant mouth & bizarre eyes, both adaptations to hunting for bug meals (and for some, also birds & bats) at night.
What immediately stands out are the giant mouth & bizarre eyes, both adaptations to hunting for bug meals (and for some, also birds & bats) at night.
a person holding a bird in front of an oxygen sign
Alt: a person holding a Common potoo in front of an oxygen sign. The person wears a high-vis orange jumpsuit, suggesting an industrial or scientific field based facility.
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Let's talk about the potoos, family 'Nyctibiidae'. There are seven species of these insectivorous birds in Central & South America.
What immediately stands out are the giant mouth & bizarre eyes, both adaptations to hunting for bug meals (and for some, also birds & bats) at night.
What immediately stands out are the giant mouth & bizarre eyes, both adaptations to hunting for bug meals (and for some, also birds & bats) at night.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Some dinosaurs had hooves!
"E. annectens preserves the oldest hoof renderings for any tetrapod, the first record of hooves in a reptile, the first instance of a hooved tetrapod capable of bipedal locomotion, and the first hooved tetrapod with disparate fore and hindfoot posture"
"E. annectens preserves the oldest hoof renderings for any tetrapod, the first record of hooves in a reptile, the first instance of a hooved tetrapod capable of bipedal locomotion, and the first hooved tetrapod with disparate fore and hindfoot posture"
Two new Edmontosaurus skeletons with preserved skin just got published by Paul Sereno and collegues. They had a fleshy scaly crest over their back and hoofed feet!
I was lucky enough to see the specimens last summer. The publication is open access:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
I was lucky enough to see the specimens last summer. The publication is open access:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Some dinosaurs had hooves!
"E. annectens preserves the oldest hoof renderings for any tetrapod, the first record of hooves in a reptile, the first instance of a hooved tetrapod capable of bipedal locomotion, and the first hooved tetrapod with disparate fore and hindfoot posture"
"E. annectens preserves the oldest hoof renderings for any tetrapod, the first record of hooves in a reptile, the first instance of a hooved tetrapod capable of bipedal locomotion, and the first hooved tetrapod with disparate fore and hindfoot posture"
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
If you visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan & go to the shores of Lake Superior at night, be sure to bring a long-wave UV light source so you can hunt for fluorescent Yooper Stones.
"Yooper" here is a play on 'U.P.' (Upper Peninsula), but they're rocks that contain a fluorescent mineral, sodalite.
"Yooper" here is a play on 'U.P.' (Upper Peninsula), but they're rocks that contain a fluorescent mineral, sodalite.
April 14, 2025 at 11:18 PM
If you visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan & go to the shores of Lake Superior at night, be sure to bring a long-wave UV light source so you can hunt for fluorescent Yooper Stones.
"Yooper" here is a play on 'U.P.' (Upper Peninsula), but they're rocks that contain a fluorescent mineral, sodalite.
"Yooper" here is a play on 'U.P.' (Upper Peninsula), but they're rocks that contain a fluorescent mineral, sodalite.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Look, once you find the shrimp, you never go back. #ScienceSky #EvoSky
February 10, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Look, once you find the shrimp, you never go back. #ScienceSky #EvoSky
A Moment of Zen to start your day:
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Inst. (MBARI) documented an encounter with Stygiomedusa gigantea, the giant phantom jelly.
The Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) named "Doc Ricketts" captured this video at a depth of 990 meters (3,200 feet) in Monterey Bay.
Hypnotic!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Inst. (MBARI) documented an encounter with Stygiomedusa gigantea, the giant phantom jelly.
The Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) named "Doc Ricketts" captured this video at a depth of 990 meters (3,200 feet) in Monterey Bay.
Hypnotic!
February 10, 2026 at 2:19 PM
A Moment of Zen to start your day:
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Inst. (MBARI) documented an encounter with Stygiomedusa gigantea, the giant phantom jelly.
The Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) named "Doc Ricketts" captured this video at a depth of 990 meters (3,200 feet) in Monterey Bay.
Hypnotic!
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Inst. (MBARI) documented an encounter with Stygiomedusa gigantea, the giant phantom jelly.
The Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) named "Doc Ricketts" captured this video at a depth of 990 meters (3,200 feet) in Monterey Bay.
Hypnotic!
Here's a weird etymological convergence:
both of these plants are called "plantains."
-Plantago major, 'broadleaf plantain', an herb that grows as a weed in soil all over Europe.
-'Musa × paradisiaca', the 'African plantain', which is a relative to the banana, but larger & starchier/less sweet.
both of these plants are called "plantains."
-Plantago major, 'broadleaf plantain', an herb that grows as a weed in soil all over Europe.
-'Musa × paradisiaca', the 'African plantain', which is a relative to the banana, but larger & starchier/less sweet.
February 10, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Here's a weird etymological convergence:
both of these plants are called "plantains."
-Plantago major, 'broadleaf plantain', an herb that grows as a weed in soil all over Europe.
-'Musa × paradisiaca', the 'African plantain', which is a relative to the banana, but larger & starchier/less sweet.
both of these plants are called "plantains."
-Plantago major, 'broadleaf plantain', an herb that grows as a weed in soil all over Europe.
-'Musa × paradisiaca', the 'African plantain', which is a relative to the banana, but larger & starchier/less sweet.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Let's talk about root beer & why you've probably never tasted real sassafras OR sarsaparilla.
Root beer was originally made by adding yeast to a syrup made from the pulverized root bark of a sassafras tree.
Sassafras produces SAFROLE, a compound that deters animals from eating the bark or leaves.
Root beer was originally made by adding yeast to a syrup made from the pulverized root bark of a sassafras tree.
Sassafras produces SAFROLE, a compound that deters animals from eating the bark or leaves.
a glass mug of a & w beer with foam on top
Alt: a glass mug of a & w beer with foam on top. The foam spills over slowly.
media.tenor.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Let's talk about root beer & why you've probably never tasted real sassafras OR sarsaparilla.
Root beer was originally made by adding yeast to a syrup made from the pulverized root bark of a sassafras tree.
Sassafras produces SAFROLE, a compound that deters animals from eating the bark or leaves.
Root beer was originally made by adding yeast to a syrup made from the pulverized root bark of a sassafras tree.
Sassafras produces SAFROLE, a compound that deters animals from eating the bark or leaves.
Frogs are not especially picky about what they eat.
Sometimes it's bugs, sometimes it's a bad Tinder date who hits a sour note at karaoke.
But one thing you may not know about frogs: they can swallow with their EYES.
Sometimes it's bugs, sometimes it's a bad Tinder date who hits a sour note at karaoke.
But one thing you may not know about frogs: they can swallow with their EYES.
'It's risky for male frogs out there': Female frog drags and attempts to eat screaming male
Female green and golden bell frogs in Australia will eat their male counterparts when the males' mating call displeases them.
www.livescience.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Frogs are not especially picky about what they eat.
Sometimes it's bugs, sometimes it's a bad Tinder date who hits a sour note at karaoke.
But one thing you may not know about frogs: they can swallow with their EYES.
Sometimes it's bugs, sometimes it's a bad Tinder date who hits a sour note at karaoke.
But one thing you may not know about frogs: they can swallow with their EYES.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
In 1825, a skilled Black artisan taught a young medical student, Charles Darwin, how to preserve animal specimens via taxidermy, a skill he used in his exploration of the Galapagos.
John Edmonstone was born a slave in Guyana, but freed when the family who owned him moved back to Scotland.
John Edmonstone was born a slave in Guyana, but freed when the family who owned him moved back to Scotland.
February 13, 2025 at 1:53 AM
In 1825, a skilled Black artisan taught a young medical student, Charles Darwin, how to preserve animal specimens via taxidermy, a skill he used in his exploration of the Galapagos.
John Edmonstone was born a slave in Guyana, but freed when the family who owned him moved back to Scotland.
John Edmonstone was born a slave in Guyana, but freed when the family who owned him moved back to Scotland.
Let's learn about the coquí frog 🐸 (Eleutherodactylus coqui), native to Puerto Rico where it is a beloved national symbol.
I want to focus on their call: two tones described as co- and -quí.
(SOUND ON) Take a listen 👂 & see if you spot the pattern.
Then I'll tell you something amazing about it.
I want to focus on their call: two tones described as co- and -quí.
(SOUND ON) Take a listen 👂 & see if you spot the pattern.
Then I'll tell you something amazing about it.
February 9, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Let's learn about the coquí frog 🐸 (Eleutherodactylus coqui), native to Puerto Rico where it is a beloved national symbol.
I want to focus on their call: two tones described as co- and -quí.
(SOUND ON) Take a listen 👂 & see if you spot the pattern.
Then I'll tell you something amazing about it.
I want to focus on their call: two tones described as co- and -quí.
(SOUND ON) Take a listen 👂 & see if you spot the pattern.
Then I'll tell you something amazing about it.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The smallest extant owl is the Elf Owl, no larger than a sparrow, with mean wingspan of 30 cm (11 in) and body weight of 40 grams (1.4 oz).
The Elf Owl migrates between the US Southwest (including Texas!) in Spring/Summer & Central Mexico in Fall/Winter.🦉
(Photo :BeadleB, Wikimedia)
The Elf Owl migrates between the US Southwest (including Texas!) in Spring/Summer & Central Mexico in Fall/Winter.🦉
(Photo :BeadleB, Wikimedia)
February 11, 2024 at 3:54 PM
The smallest extant owl is the Elf Owl, no larger than a sparrow, with mean wingspan of 30 cm (11 in) and body weight of 40 grams (1.4 oz).
The Elf Owl migrates between the US Southwest (including Texas!) in Spring/Summer & Central Mexico in Fall/Winter.🦉
(Photo :BeadleB, Wikimedia)
The Elf Owl migrates between the US Southwest (including Texas!) in Spring/Summer & Central Mexico in Fall/Winter.🦉
(Photo :BeadleB, Wikimedia)
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Although these look like earthworms, they're actually Rena dulcis, the Texas blindsnake (or threadsnake).
They form one of the most unusual mutually beneficial relationships with the tiny screech owl: they play nanny & housekeeper in screech owl nests.
(pic: Victor Engel, Wikimedia)
They form one of the most unusual mutually beneficial relationships with the tiny screech owl: they play nanny & housekeeper in screech owl nests.
(pic: Victor Engel, Wikimedia)
February 13, 2024 at 12:58 AM
Although these look like earthworms, they're actually Rena dulcis, the Texas blindsnake (or threadsnake).
They form one of the most unusual mutually beneficial relationships with the tiny screech owl: they play nanny & housekeeper in screech owl nests.
(pic: Victor Engel, Wikimedia)
They form one of the most unusual mutually beneficial relationships with the tiny screech owl: they play nanny & housekeeper in screech owl nests.
(pic: Victor Engel, Wikimedia)