John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel.bsky.social
Director of the Alabama Museum of Natural History • He/Him • 🐟Zoologist 🦈 • https://linktr.ee/john.friel
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
🐈 What's TikTok good for? Examining which arthropods are hunted by cats.
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Social media highlights the overlooked impact of cats on arthropods
The impact of domestic cats on vertebrate biodiversity is unequivocal; however, we still know little about their effects on arthropods. By analysing over 17,000 photos and videos from social media p...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🐈 What's TikTok good for? Examining which arthropods are hunted by cats.
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Happy #FossilFriday! This tooth plate is from a giant fossil lungfish called Ceratodus. This specimen is thought to be from the Mesozoic Era and is estimated to be up to 13 feet long! Lungfish have been around for nearly 400 million years, and are one of the closest living relatives to tetrapods!🦎
November 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Happy #FossilFriday! This tooth plate is from a giant fossil lungfish called Ceratodus. This specimen is thought to be from the Mesozoic Era and is estimated to be up to 13 feet long! Lungfish have been around for nearly 400 million years, and are one of the closest living relatives to tetrapods!🦎
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
A new analysis of Dunkleosteus terrelli reveals its massive jaws were far more cartilage-rich than once thought, reshaping ideas about muscle layout, bite mechanics & feeding style. Time to rethink this Devonian apex predator.
Engelman et al.:
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Engelman et al.:
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
November 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A new analysis of Dunkleosteus terrelli reveals its massive jaws were far more cartilage-rich than once thought, reshaping ideas about muscle layout, bite mechanics & feeding style. Time to rethink this Devonian apex predator.
Engelman et al.:
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Engelman et al.:
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Great video highlighting the value of natural history collections and the importance of preserving them for generations to come
The Library of Life - Dahiana Arcila, Ricardo Betancur-R., Ben Frable
YouTube video by FishEvolutionLab-Edu
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Great video highlighting the value of natural history collections and the importance of preserving them for generations to come
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Great "behind the paper with @royalsocietypublishing.org" seminar - lead author of "Evidence of active sound production by a shark" discusses how she came to discover that New Zealand rig sharks can make strange noises @cassyni.bsky.social cassyni.com/events/NRzSF...
November 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Great "behind the paper with @royalsocietypublishing.org" seminar - lead author of "Evidence of active sound production by a shark" discusses how she came to discover that New Zealand rig sharks can make strange noises @cassyni.bsky.social cassyni.com/events/NRzSF...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Basking sharks visit Tipperary!
A new exhibition by Irish artist Tom Meskell opened last weekend in Tipperary Town. In 'Basking - the Nursery', the focal points are two juvenile sharks, each about 2.5 metres in length, suspended in blue-green light amidst the sounds of the ocean.
A new exhibition by Irish artist Tom Meskell opened last weekend in Tipperary Town. In 'Basking - the Nursery', the focal points are two juvenile sharks, each about 2.5 metres in length, suspended in blue-green light amidst the sounds of the ocean.
Basking - The Nursery | Tipperary Artist Directory
Basking – The Nursery is a continuation of Tom Meskell’s acclaimed Basking series, exploring the majestic presence and gentle mystery of the basking shark through illuminated sculpture and…
www.tipperaryarts.ie
November 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Basking sharks visit Tipperary!
A new exhibition by Irish artist Tom Meskell opened last weekend in Tipperary Town. In 'Basking - the Nursery', the focal points are two juvenile sharks, each about 2.5 metres in length, suspended in blue-green light amidst the sounds of the ocean.
A new exhibition by Irish artist Tom Meskell opened last weekend in Tipperary Town. In 'Basking - the Nursery', the focal points are two juvenile sharks, each about 2.5 metres in length, suspended in blue-green light amidst the sounds of the ocean.
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
What does representation in natural history look like? Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday (Dec 2) — we’re excited to share how you can support #BlackinNHMs.” #GivingTuesday
Donation link: www.blackinnhms.org/donate
Donation link: www.blackinnhms.org/donate
November 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
What does representation in natural history look like? Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday (Dec 2) — we’re excited to share how you can support #BlackinNHMs.” #GivingTuesday
Donation link: www.blackinnhms.org/donate
Donation link: www.blackinnhms.org/donate
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
In preparation for this upcoming panel at @sicb.bsky.social, I filmed an Editing 101 for scientists looking to make longer form science outreach videos using Premiere Pro. You can check it out here! youtu.be/pBLuY9ScjEI
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
In preparation for this upcoming panel at @sicb.bsky.social, I filmed an Editing 101 for scientists looking to make longer form science outreach videos using Premiere Pro. You can check it out here! youtu.be/pBLuY9ScjEI
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
UW-Madison is hiring a Professor of History who work in the history of science with a focus on water
For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on December 31, 2025.
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess...
For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on December 31, 2025.
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess...
Professor of History - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
UW-Madison is hiring a Professor of History who work in the history of science with a focus on water
For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on December 31, 2025.
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess...
For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on December 31, 2025.
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
I'm delighted to share the latest publication involving my lab - out now in PNAS:
Geochemists & Paleontologists across the globe joined forces to confirm the preservation of molecular #biosignatures in #fossil organic matter - and explore signals associated with photosynthesis.
Geochemists & Paleontologists across the globe joined forces to confirm the preservation of molecular #biosignatures in #fossil organic matter - and explore signals associated with photosynthesis.
November 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I'm delighted to share the latest publication involving my lab - out now in PNAS:
Geochemists & Paleontologists across the globe joined forces to confirm the preservation of molecular #biosignatures in #fossil organic matter - and explore signals associated with photosynthesis.
Geochemists & Paleontologists across the globe joined forces to confirm the preservation of molecular #biosignatures in #fossil organic matter - and explore signals associated with photosynthesis.
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
NEW episode of MeatEater Podcast chatting gars & native fish conservation!
Grateful for the opportunity to chat stewardship of freshwater natural resources with Steve Rinella and the hunting & fishing crew! youtu.be/xLDSV5qbyzw?...
Grateful for the opportunity to chat stewardship of freshwater natural resources with Steve Rinella and the hunting & fishing crew! youtu.be/xLDSV5qbyzw?...
November 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
NEW episode of MeatEater Podcast chatting gars & native fish conservation!
Grateful for the opportunity to chat stewardship of freshwater natural resources with Steve Rinella and the hunting & fishing crew! youtu.be/xLDSV5qbyzw?...
Grateful for the opportunity to chat stewardship of freshwater natural resources with Steve Rinella and the hunting & fishing crew! youtu.be/xLDSV5qbyzw?...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Ichthyologist Fang Fang Kullander would have been 63 years old today. She travelled the globe for her taxonomical studies of freshwater fish and her work with Fishbase, but passed away at the age of 47 in 2010 from gall duct cancer.
#WomenInSTEM #Ichthyology #FishSky #BioSky 🧪🐟
#WomenInSTEM #Ichthyology #FishSky #BioSky 🧪🐟
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Ichthyologist Fang Fang Kullander would have been 63 years old today. She travelled the globe for her taxonomical studies of freshwater fish and her work with Fishbase, but passed away at the age of 47 in 2010 from gall duct cancer.
#WomenInSTEM #Ichthyology #FishSky #BioSky 🧪🐟
#WomenInSTEM #Ichthyology #FishSky #BioSky 🧪🐟
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
For #FossilFriday & in honor of @alinemghilardi.bsky.social & colleagues' fantastic discovery of a new Cretaceous pterosaur in Brazil in a dinosaur regurgitalite ("fossil vomit"), here's a diagram I made for my book 'Dinosaurs Without Bones' (2014) showing the physics of a puking brachiosaur. 🧪🦕🤮🪨
November 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
For #FossilFriday & in honor of @alinemghilardi.bsky.social & colleagues' fantastic discovery of a new Cretaceous pterosaur in Brazil in a dinosaur regurgitalite ("fossil vomit"), here's a diagram I made for my book 'Dinosaurs Without Bones' (2014) showing the physics of a puking brachiosaur. 🧪🦕🤮🪨
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Ohio State news piece on our deep-sea fish body shape study:
news.osu.edu/how-fishes-o...
news.osu.edu/how-fishes-o...
November 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Ohio State news piece on our deep-sea fish body shape study:
news.osu.edu/how-fishes-o...
news.osu.edu/how-fishes-o...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
By the mid-1970s, only 200 American crocodiles remained, their habitat largely gobbled up by sunseekers. But hope lurked in the shadows of a nuclear power plant—the same facility built to air-condition the homes that had led to the reptiles’ demise. Read more about this unlikely partnership:
The Comeback Croc - bioGraphic
American crocodiles are booming in Florida, thanks to a little help from a nuclear power plant.
www.biographic.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
By the mid-1970s, only 200 American crocodiles remained, their habitat largely gobbled up by sunseekers. But hope lurked in the shadows of a nuclear power plant—the same facility built to air-condition the homes that had led to the reptiles’ demise. Read more about this unlikely partnership:
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Large-eyed animals like owls 🦉 have a trade-off between large eyes & short optic nerves, which lowers eye mobility (to compensate they evolved swivelly necks)
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
The twisted secret behind a chameleon’s oddball eyes | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
The twisted secret behind a chameleon’s oddball eyes
Coiled nerves allow the reptiles to move their peepers in multiple directions at once without moving their heads
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Large-eyed animals like owls 🦉 have a trade-off between large eyes & short optic nerves, which lowers eye mobility (to compensate they evolved swivelly necks)
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
But chameleons 🦎 have long, coiled optic nerves with extra slack for eye mobility, allowing them to use their famous large swivelly eyes 👀🧪🌏
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
November 13, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Here is a quick read to enjoy along with your morning coffee. ☕
Is coffee made from beans partially digested by civets really that much tastier? New chemical analyses suggest it actually is. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coffee-beans-civet-poop-tastier
Coffee beans pooped out by civets really are tastier. Here's why
Pricey civet coffee gets its cred from its journey through the mammal’s gut, which changes the content of fat, protein, fatty acids — and even caff...
www.sciencenews.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Here is a quick read to enjoy along with your morning coffee. ☕
#Museums had a rough 2025: New AAM Report shows lower attendance, lost grants, and less money. 🙁
Museums had a rough 2025: Report shows lower attendance, lost grants, less money
The American Alliance of Museums put out its annual industry snapshot and it's not great. Trump's targeting of museum programming had downstream effects and put a "chill on corporate philanthropy."
www.npr.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
#Museums had a rough 2025: New AAM Report shows lower attendance, lost grants, and less money. 🙁
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Did you know. That the meme-explosion that was the wooden model of Sacabambaspis (an Ordovician jawless fish) held at a Museum in Helsinki, was created by a pioneering Estonian fish paleontologist and palaeoartist, Elga Mark-Kurik. 🧵
November 11, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Did you know. That the meme-explosion that was the wooden model of Sacabambaspis (an Ordovician jawless fish) held at a Museum in Helsinki, was created by a pioneering Estonian fish paleontologist and palaeoartist, Elga Mark-Kurik. 🧵
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
For anyone who can live in Flordia, a great opportunity in an amazing collection:
FMNH is looking for an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Department of Natural History.
🧪⚒️🦑
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
FMNH is looking for an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Department of Natural History.
🧪⚒️🦑
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
University of Florida - Details - FLMNH Collections Manager II / FLMNH Collections Manager III
explore.jobs.ufl.edu
November 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
For anyone who can live in Flordia, a great opportunity in an amazing collection:
FMNH is looking for an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Department of Natural History.
🧪⚒️🦑
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
FMNH is looking for an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Department of Natural History.
🧪⚒️🦑
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
My lab is performing a TBI biomarker study and needs local participants! Recruiting female athletes or non athletes between 18-35, bonus if you suspect you've had a concussion before. Get in touch! 🧠
November 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
My lab is performing a TBI biomarker study and needs local participants! Recruiting female athletes or non athletes between 18-35, bonus if you suspect you've had a concussion before. Get in touch! 🧠
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
The Fudge Lab at Chapman University is recruiting a postdoc for an NSF-funded project on the biophysics of hagfish defensive slime deployment. Please repost!
Apply here: tinyurl.com/4p937dn5
Apply here: tinyurl.com/4p937dn5
November 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The Fudge Lab at Chapman University is recruiting a postdoc for an NSF-funded project on the biophysics of hagfish defensive slime deployment. Please repost!
Apply here: tinyurl.com/4p937dn5
Apply here: tinyurl.com/4p937dn5
Reposted by John P. Friel, Ph.D.
Your lab isn't a home until you've hung up your prized Tiktaalik. My Live, Laugh, Love wall decals gotta be in a box somewhere.
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Your lab isn't a home until you've hung up your prized Tiktaalik. My Live, Laugh, Love wall decals gotta be in a box somewhere.