c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
Molecular biologist from Texas, here to share my meanderings on nature, science, history, politics, and zombies. Long threads a specialty.
What I love about ichthyosaurs: they're marine REPTILES pretending to be fish pretending to be dolphins.
Like, if you unfocus your eyes here, it's a dolphin, right?
But I think we need to talk about Ichthyotitan: a marine reptile pretending to be a fish pretending to be a BLUE WHALE.
Like, if you unfocus your eyes here, it's a dolphin, right?
But I think we need to talk about Ichthyotitan: a marine reptile pretending to be a fish pretending to be a BLUE WHALE.
a dolphin with a long nose is swimming against a blue sky
Alt: An ichthyosaur with a long nose is swimming against a blue sky, from an animation in the gif library.
media.tenor.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
What I love about ichthyosaurs: they're marine REPTILES pretending to be fish pretending to be dolphins.
Like, if you unfocus your eyes here, it's a dolphin, right?
But I think we need to talk about Ichthyotitan: a marine reptile pretending to be a fish pretending to be a BLUE WHALE.
Like, if you unfocus your eyes here, it's a dolphin, right?
But I think we need to talk about Ichthyotitan: a marine reptile pretending to be a fish pretending to be a BLUE WHALE.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
You're gazing into the baby blues of a conch, a medium to large sea snail. I THINK this species is a Queen conch (Aliger gigas), common in the Caribbean.
The true conchs (Family Strombidae) have camera-type eyes with hemispherical lenses, some of the most complex eyes in gastropods.
The true conchs (Family Strombidae) have camera-type eyes with hemispherical lenses, some of the most complex eyes in gastropods.
a close up of a person 's foot next to a dog 's head .
Alt: The camera zooms in on a conch shell, revealing two very human-looking eyes on the end of slimy eyestalks on a snail-like conch. The body is a dark brown, the shell is a light toast color with white accents.
media.tenor.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:57 PM
You're gazing into the baby blues of a conch, a medium to large sea snail. I THINK this species is a Queen conch (Aliger gigas), common in the Caribbean.
The true conchs (Family Strombidae) have camera-type eyes with hemispherical lenses, some of the most complex eyes in gastropods.
The true conchs (Family Strombidae) have camera-type eyes with hemispherical lenses, some of the most complex eyes in gastropods.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
As I get ready for another cozy weekend of Olympics watching, I'm seeing lots of chatter about ice quality for different sports. As a Minnesotan and a science journalist, just wanted to reshare this video about why ice temps matter!
It turns out that not all ice is created equal. Ice rinks are calibrated specifically for different sports, and at the Olympics these sport specifics are tightly controlled by the event’s "ice meisters."
🎤✏️: Marta Hill
📸: Getty Images
🎤✏️: Marta Hill
📸: Getty Images
February 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM
As I get ready for another cozy weekend of Olympics watching, I'm seeing lots of chatter about ice quality for different sports. As a Minnesotan and a science journalist, just wanted to reshare this video about why ice temps matter!
I hear you're supposed to send hearts and stuff to your sweetie on V-day, so I'm thinking about sending some of these to my beloved wife, my Valentine since 1993.
(🔬: Stress Cardiac MRI from Mt Baker Imaging)
(🔬: Stress Cardiac MRI from Mt Baker Imaging)
February 13, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I hear you're supposed to send hearts and stuff to your sweetie on V-day, so I'm thinking about sending some of these to my beloved wife, my Valentine since 1993.
(🔬: Stress Cardiac MRI from Mt Baker Imaging)
(🔬: Stress Cardiac MRI from Mt Baker Imaging)
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
1000's of V-day smooches from your Demodex besties.
February 14, 2024 at 1:16 PM
1000's of V-day smooches from your Demodex besties.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Nobody tell thymine what adenine gets up to in RNA.
Science Valentines from The Amoeba Sisters (www.amoebasisters.com )
Science Valentines from The Amoeba Sisters (www.amoebasisters.com )
February 14, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Nobody tell thymine what adenine gets up to in RNA.
Science Valentines from The Amoeba Sisters (www.amoebasisters.com )
Science Valentines from The Amoeba Sisters (www.amoebasisters.com )
This strange little bird is an 'oystercatcher', one of 12 species in family Haematopodidae, Latin for "blood foot" because of dark red coloration on the legs of some.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
This strange little bird is an 'oystercatcher', one of 12 species in family Haematopodidae, Latin for "blood foot" because of dark red coloration on the legs of some.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The tech behind 'Pop Rocks' candy was patented in 1961, but the product wasn't launched until 1976.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
June 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
The tech behind 'Pop Rocks' candy was patented in 1961, but the product wasn't launched until 1976.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Hello world. One of my favorite fun facts to share about elephants…their trunks are covered in whiskers, with built-in intelligence! If that got your attention…check out our new paper in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 13, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Hello world. One of my favorite fun facts to share about elephants…their trunks are covered in whiskers, with built-in intelligence! If that got your attention…check out our new paper in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Modern alligators & crocodiles are basically the Corgi or Dachshund version of their early ancestors, "pseudosuchian archosaurs".
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
a warm welcome to galahadosuchus, a small crocodylomorph from late triassic england 🐊 the holotype was previously referred to terrestrisuchus, but bodenham et al. redescribe it as a separate taxon in their #openacess paper
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Modern alligators & crocodiles are basically the Corgi or Dachshund version of their early ancestors, "pseudosuchian archosaurs".
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
TIL:
"Paprika" is a spice made from ground red pepper, first cultivated in Mexico.
The term is the diminutive of 'papar', Hungarian for 'pepper'. It was introduced there from the New World ~1560's.
Heat level is mostly determined by how many seeds are mixed with pericarp.
"Paprika" is a spice made from ground red pepper, first cultivated in Mexico.
The term is the diminutive of 'papar', Hungarian for 'pepper'. It was introduced there from the New World ~1560's.
Heat level is mostly determined by how many seeds are mixed with pericarp.
October 12, 2023 at 12:40 AM
TIL:
"Paprika" is a spice made from ground red pepper, first cultivated in Mexico.
The term is the diminutive of 'papar', Hungarian for 'pepper'. It was introduced there from the New World ~1560's.
Heat level is mostly determined by how many seeds are mixed with pericarp.
"Paprika" is a spice made from ground red pepper, first cultivated in Mexico.
The term is the diminutive of 'papar', Hungarian for 'pepper'. It was introduced there from the New World ~1560's.
Heat level is mostly determined by how many seeds are mixed with pericarp.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Why don't Texans put beans in chili?
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
October 29, 2024 at 10:55 PM
Why don't Texans put beans in chili?
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
1895: Lyman Davis of Corsicana, TX sold chili from the back of his wagon for 5 cents. He made enough to buy a store where he sold "brick chili" to oil boomers.
In 1921, he started canning it and selling it under a brand named for his pet wolf, Kaiser Bill (shown)
Thus, Wolf Brand Chili was born.
In 1921, he started canning it and selling it under a brand named for his pet wolf, Kaiser Bill (shown)
Thus, Wolf Brand Chili was born.
October 29, 2024 at 11:26 PM
1895: Lyman Davis of Corsicana, TX sold chili from the back of his wagon for 5 cents. He made enough to buy a store where he sold "brick chili" to oil boomers.
In 1921, he started canning it and selling it under a brand named for his pet wolf, Kaiser Bill (shown)
Thus, Wolf Brand Chili was born.
In 1921, he started canning it and selling it under a brand named for his pet wolf, Kaiser Bill (shown)
Thus, Wolf Brand Chili was born.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
It's NOT true that Darwin owned an unread copy of Mendel's work Versuche über Pflanzenhybriden ("Experiments on Plant Hybridization").
He owned an uncut copy of Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge ("The Plant Hybrids") by Focke, which SUMMARIZED Mendel's findings.
Mendel, however, DID read Darwin's work.
He owned an uncut copy of Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge ("The Plant Hybrids") by Focke, which SUMMARIZED Mendel's findings.
Mendel, however, DID read Darwin's work.
What I think is fascinating is that Darwin went to his grave not knowing what the mechanism for heredity was and ruing that he was missing a fundamental part of his theory… and someone found a copy of Mendel’s book, unread, in his library.
September 29, 2024 at 3:07 PM
It's NOT true that Darwin owned an unread copy of Mendel's work Versuche über Pflanzenhybriden ("Experiments on Plant Hybridization").
He owned an uncut copy of Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge ("The Plant Hybrids") by Focke, which SUMMARIZED Mendel's findings.
Mendel, however, DID read Darwin's work.
He owned an uncut copy of Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge ("The Plant Hybrids") by Focke, which SUMMARIZED Mendel's findings.
Mendel, however, DID read Darwin's work.
A letter from Charles Darwin to Charles Lyell on Oct. 1, 1861:
"But I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything."
then, later: "One lives only to make blunders."
So relatable.
"But I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything."
then, later: "One lives only to make blunders."
So relatable.
February 12, 2026 at 5:17 PM
A letter from Charles Darwin to Charles Lyell on Oct. 1, 1861:
"But I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything."
then, later: "One lives only to make blunders."
So relatable.
"But I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything."
then, later: "One lives only to make blunders."
So relatable.
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.