Weird Animal Brain: Strawberry Squid

Also known as the cock-eyed squid, this beautiful and weird creature is unique not only because of its similarities to a strawberry, but also because of its two very special eyes. Like many others creatures who live in the deep ocean, the strawberry squid has figured out a special way to spy on prey in little to no light. Learn more in the infographic below:

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For more info:

Higgins, C. (2016). The Case of the Green-Eyed Squid. Retrieved August 27, 2017, from http://mentalfloss.com/article/82383/case-green-eyed-squid

Simon, M. (2016). Absurd Creatures: Why the Strawberry Squid Has One Tiny Eye and One Giant Eye. Retrieved August 27, 2017, from https://www.wired.com/2016/04/absurd-creatures-strawberry-squid-one-tiny-eye-one-giant-eye/

Thomas, K. N., Robison, B. H., & Johnsen, S. (2017). Two eyes for two purposes: in situ evidence for asymmetric vision in the cockeyed squids Histioteuthis heteropsis and Stigmatoteuthis dofleini. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372(1717), 20160069. doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0069

Weird Animal Brain: Fly

Fly lips are called labellum and fly feet are called tarsi. Both the labellum and tarsi contain taste receptors which help the fly find food. Think about that the next time a fly lands on your donut! Butterflies also have taste receptors on their feet, but only use them to avoid poisonous plants.

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References:

Bittel, J. (2017, August 03). Four Weird Ways Animals Sense the World. Retrieved August 06, 2017, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/11/141122-crabs-snakes-smell-taste-nose-science-biology/

Montell, C. (2009). A taste of the Drosophila gustatory receptors. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 19(4), 345-353. doi:10.1016/j.conb.2009.07.001

Weird Animal Brain: Brittle Star

Brittle stars are covered in protective outer plates, but they also have another structure of internal plates. A particular species of brittle star seems to be able to use these internal plates for vision: it reacts to visual stimuli, like the presence of a predator or a safe place to hide.

Scientists hope we can improve existing technology and invent new technology by understanding how the brittle star uses these calcite lenses.

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For more info:

Burgess, Daniel S. (2014). Brittle Star Features Calcite Lenses. Photonics Media. Photonics Media, 10 Jan.

Ye, Xiaozhou, Fei Zhang, Yurong Ma, and Limin Qi. (2014). Brittlestar-Inspired Microlens Arrays Made of Calcite Single Crystals. Small. 1677-682.

Roach, John. (2001). Brittle Star Found Covered With Optically Advanced “Eyes”. National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 22 Aug. 2001.

Weird Animal Brain: Moth

These beautiful little creatures are incredibly skilled at sniffing out mates. The pheromone the females release is called bombykol. Scientists are on the hunt for exactly how this pheromone activates the male brain.

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Weird Animal Brain: Shark

This quote from a Scientific American article on the ampullae of Lorenzini articulates just how powerful the shark's electrical sense is:

"This effect is equivalent to the intensity of the voltage gradient that would be produced in the sea by connecting up a 1.5-volt AA battery with one pole dipped in the Long Island Sound and the other pole in the waters off Jacksonville, Fla. Theoretically, a shark swimming between these points could easily tell when the battery was switched on or off. (Later measurements of brain response indicate that sharks can discern 15 billionths of a volt.) No other tissue, organ or animal exhibits such extreme sensitivity to electricity. Indeed, engineers have difficulty measuring such weak fields in sea-water using modern equipment."

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Weird Animal Brain: Octopus

The octopus almost reaches alien status when it comes to its brain and nervous system.  And yet, the differences can help us understand more about the human brain as well as unique solutions nature has come up with for difficult problems like camouflage.  Octopuses can see polarized light, but cannot see color.  However, their skin changes both color and texture to camouflage with the surroundings.

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For more info:

Courage, Katherine Harmon. “How the Freaky Octopus Can Help Us Understand the Human Brain.” Wired. Conde Nast, 1 Oct. 2013. Web.

Groskin, Luke. “I, Octopus – Science Friday.” Science Friday. N.p., 16 June 2016. Web.