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| Leopard "Mungaba" near threatened species HD High Definition Sigmund and Freud Secret GardenWed, 07 Jan 2009 02:09:51 -0800 by JamesHGraffThe leopard (IPA /l?p?(r)d/; Panthera pardus) is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera; the other three are the tiger, lion and jaguar. Once distributed across southern Asia and Africa, from Korea to South Africa, the leopard's range of distribution has decreased radically over time due to hunting and loss of habitat, and the leopard now chiefly occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. There are fragmented populations in India, Indochina, Malaysia, and China. Due to the loss of range and continual declines in population, the cat has been downgraded to "Near Threatened" species; its numbers are greater than that of the other Panthera species, all of which face more acute conservation concerns.The leopard has relatively short legs and a long body, with a large skull. Physically, it most closely resembles the jaguar, although it is usually smaller and of slighter build. Its fur is marked with rosettes which lack internal spots, unlike those of the jaguar. Leopards that are melanistic, either completely black or very dark in coloration, are one of the big cats known colloquially as black panthers.The species' success in the wild owes in part to its opportunistic hunting behaviour, its adaptability to a variety of habitats and its ability to move at up to approximately 60 kilometres (37 miles) an hour. The leopard consumes virtually any animal it can hunt down and catch. Its preferred habitat ranges from rainforest to desert terrains. Its ecological role and status resembles that of the similarly-sized cougar in the Americas.TourismDesp ite its size, this largely nocturnal and arboreal predator is difficult to see in the wild. The best location to see leopards in Africa is in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve in South Africa, where leopards are habituated to safari vehicles and are seen on a daily basis at very close range. In Asia, one can see leopards at Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, which has one of the world's highest densities of wild leopards, but even here sightings are by no means guaranteed because more than half the park is closed to the public, allowing the animals to thrive. Another good destination for leopard watching is the recently reopened Wilpattu National Park, also in Sri Lanka. They are widely distributed in India, leading to much man-animal conflict. Among the best places to observe leopards in India are national parks in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.Coat of arms of the German state of Baden-WürttembergMan -eatingDespite being predators of man's hominid ancestors, most leopards avoid humans. Still, people are occasionally targeted as prey. Most healthy leopards prefer wild prey to humans, but injured, sickly or struggling cats with a shortage of regular prey often turn to hunting people and may become habituated to it. In extreme cases, both in India: a leopard dubbed "the Leopard of Rudraprayag" may have killed over 125 people; "Panar Leopard" killed over 400 after injury by a poacher making it unable to hunt normal prey. The "Leopard of Rudraprayag" and the "Panar Leopard" were killed by hunter Jim Corbett. Man-eating leopards are considered bold by feline standards and commonly enter human settlements for prey, more so than lions and tigers. Kenneth Anderson, who had first hand experience with many man-eating leopards, described them as far more threatening than tigers: Although examples of such animals are comparatively rare, when they do occur they depict the panther [leopard] as an engine of destruction quite equal to his far larger cousin, the tiger. Because of his smaller size he can conceal himself in places impossible to a tiger, his need for water is far less, and in veritable demoniac cunning and daring, coupled with the uncanny sense of self preservation and stealthy disappearance when danger threatens, he has no equal... ?Nine Man-Eaters and One Rogue, Chapter II The Spotted Devil of GummalapurBecause they can subsist on small prey and are less dependent on large prey, leopards are less likely to turn to man-eating than either lions or tigers. However, leopards might be attracted to human settlements by livestock or pets, especially dogs, and they may resort to the eating of humans should conditions demand it, and no other food is available. Related: leopard mungaba near threatened species hd high definition sigmund and freud secret garden las vegas | |
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| Chinese Lion Dance on poles HD northern style acrobatics kung fu New Year Mirage Las VegasTue, 06 Jan 2009 15:40:58 -0800 by JamesHGraffTraditional Chinese Lion Dance (or Dragon Dance - a misnomer) on poles - extremely acrobatic - for Chinese New Year celebration - usually performed by kung fu masters of this Asian art!Lion dance (simplified Chinese: ??; traditional Chinese: ??; pinyin: w?sh?) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume.Asiatic lions found in nearby India are the ones depicted in the Chinese culture.HistoryThe lion dance originated in India or China. The lion is traditionally regarded as a guardian creature. It is featured in Buddhist lore, being the mount of Manjusri. There are different variations of the lion dance in other Asian cultures including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, with each region possessing their own styles.Chinese lion dances can be broadly categorised into two styles, Northern (??) and Southern (??). Northern dance was used as entertainment for the imperial court. The northern lion is usually red, orange, and yellow (sometimes with green fur for the female lion), shaggy in appearance, with a golden head. The northern dance is acrobatic and is mainly performed as entertainment. Sometimes, they perform dangerous stunts.Southern dance is more symbolic. It is usually performed as a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune. The southern lion exhibits a wide variety of colour and has a distinctive head with large eyes, a mirror on the forehead, and a single horn at center of the head. The lion dance also symbolises the myth of the Chinese new yearThe Lion dance is often confused with the Chinese Dragon Dance, which features a team of around ten or more dancers. The Lion Dance usually consists of two people.Association with kung fuThe lion dance has close relations to kung fu and the dancers are usually members of the local kung fu club. They practice in their club and some train hard to master the skill.Northern styleIn the north the lions usually appear in pairs. Northern lions usually have long and shaggy orange and yellow hair with either a red bow, or a green bow on its head to represent a male or female.During a performance, northern lions resemble a Pekingese or Fu Dogs and movements are very life-like. Acrobatics are very common, with stunts like lifts or balancing on a giant ball. Northern lions sometimes appear as a family, with two large "adult" lions and a pair of small "young lions". Ninghai, in Ningbo, is called the "Homeland of the Lion Dance" (????) for the northern variety.Southern Cantonese styleGuangdong is the homeland of the southern style. The southern horned lions are believed to be Nians.The Cantonese style can be further divided into Fat Shan (Buddha Mountain), Hok Shan (Crane Mountain), Fat-Hok (minor style that exhibits a hybrid of Fat Shan and Hok Shan), Chau Ka (minor style performed by practitioners of Chau family style kung fu), and the Green Lion (Qing1 Shi1 - popular with the Fukien/Hokkien and Taiwanese).Lion Dance in Modern Popular CultureOnce Upon a Time in ChinaSeveral movies in the Once Upon a Time in China series involve plots centered around Lion Dancing, especially Once Upon a Time in China III and IV.Jet Li has performed as a lion dancer in several of his films, including Southern style lion dancing in Once Upon a Time in China III, Once Upon a Time in China and America and Northern style lion dancing in Shaolin Temple 2, and Shaolin Temple 3.Dancing LionA big budget Hong Kong action film featuring Southern style Lion Dancing was released in Hong Kong on April 26, 2007. Plans for world-wide international release have not been announced. Producers have remarked the film was influenced by the type of Lion Dancing scenes seen in Wong Fei Hong movies by both Kwan Tuk Hing, Jet Li and Zhao Wenzhuo.Malaysia's LionMalaysia always conduct world class lion dance competition such as World Genting lion dance championship, 50th years of nationhood world lion dance invitation. national lion dance championship, and etc. Malaysia also produce lion dance product. There are two kinds of malaysian lion head: "he shan shi" and "fu shan shi". The latter kind of lion head widely use in lion dance competition. Related: chinese dragon lion dance dancing on poles hd high definition acrobatic acrobats acrobatics new year traditional kung fu northern style entertainment entertaining | |
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| Fantastic Leopards near threatened HD High Definition Sigmund and Freud Secret Garden Las VegasSun, 04 Jan 2009 20:48:51 -0800 by JamesHGraffThe near threatened leopard is known for its ability in climbing, and it has been observed resting on tree branches during the day and descending from trees headfirst. It is a powerful swimmer, although, not as strong as some other big cats, such as the tiger. The leopard is also very agile, and can run over sixty kilometers an hour, leap over six metres and jump up to three metres vertically. The leopard is primarily a nocturnal creature, and many of its operations are done by night. However, there have been recorded instances of leopards hunting during the light, especially when the sky is overcast. It spends much of its day resting and sleeping, up in the branches of trees, underneath rocks or in the grass.Diet and huntingLeopards are opportunistic hunters. Although mid-sized animals are preferred, the leopard will eat anything from dung beetles to 900 kg (1,984 lb) male giant elands. Their diet consists mostly of ungulates and monkeys, but rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are also eaten. In Africa, mid-sized antelopes provide a majority of the leopard's prey, especially impala and Thomson's gazelles. In Asia the leopard preys on deer such as chitals and muntjacs as well as various Asian antelopes and Ibex. Prey preference estimates in southern India showed that the most favoured prey of the leopard was the chital. A study at the Wolong Reserve in China revealed how adaptable the leopard's hunting behaviour is: over the course of seven years the vegetative cover receded, and the animals opportunistically shifted from primarily consuming tufted deer to instead pursuing bamboo rats and other smaller prey.Fantastic Leopards Sigmund and Freud Secret Garden Las Vegas: Leopards resting on a treeThe leopard stalks its prey silently and at the last minute pounces on its prey and strangles its throat with a quick bite. Leopards often hide their kills in dense vegetation or take them up trees, and are capable of carrying animals up to three times their own weight this way. One survey of nearly 30 research papers found preferred prey weights of 10 to 40 kg (22-88 lb), with 25 kg (55 lb) most preferred. Along with impala and chital, a preference for bushbuck and common duiker was found. Other prey selection factors include a preference for prey in small herds, in dense habitat, and those that afford the predator a low risk of injury.Reproduction and life cycleA male may follow a female who catches his attention. Eventually, a fight for reproductive rights may take place. Depending on the region, leopards may mate all year round (Asia and Africa) or seasonally during January to February (Manchuria and Siberia). The estrous cycle lasts about 46 days and the female usually is in heat for 67 days. Gestation lasts for 90-105 days. Cubs are usually born in a litter of 24,[31] but infant mortality is high and usually no more than 12 cubs survive beyond their infancy.The pregnant females find a cave, crevice among boulders, hollow tree, or thicket to give birth and make a den. Cubs open their eyes after a period of 10 days. The fur of the young tends to be longer and thicker than that of adults. Their pelage is also more gray in color with less defined spots. Around three months the infants begin to follow the mother out on hunts. At one year of age leopard young can probably fend for themselves but they remain with the mother for 1824 months. Related: leopard fantastic leopards near threatened hd high definition sigmund and freud secret garden las vegas social structure home range diet hunting reproduction lifecycle | |
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| Beautiful Tiger endangered species conservation efforts HD Sigmund & Freud Las VegasSun, 04 Jan 2009 17:34:48 -0800 by JamesHGraffThe endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) (three subspecies are already EXTINCT) is a member of the Felidae family; the largest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera. Native to much of eastern and southern Asia, the tiger is an apex predator and an obligate carnivore. Reaching up to 4 metres (13 ft) in total length and weighing up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds), the larger tiger subspecies are comparable in size to the biggest extinct felids. Aside from their great bulk and power, their most recognizable feature is the pattern of dark vertical stripes that overlays near-white to reddish-orange fur, with lighter underparts.Highly adaptable, tigers range from the Siberian taiga, to open grasslands, to tropical mangrove swamps. They are territorial and generally solitary animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey demands. This, coupled with the fact that they are endemic to some of the more densely populated places on earth, has caused significant conflicts with humans. Of the nine subspecies of modern tiger, three are extinct and the remaining six are classified as endangered, some critically so. The primary direct causes are habitat destruction and fragmentation, and hunting. Their historical range, which once reached from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus through most of South and East Asia, has been radically reduced. While all surviving species are under formal protection, poaching, habitat destruction and inbreeding depression continue to be threats.Conservation efforts:Poaching for fur and destruction of habitat have greatly reduced tiger populations in the wild. A century ago, it is estimated there were over 100,000 tigers in the world but the population has dwindled to between 7,000 and 5,000 tigers. Some estimates suggest the population is even lower, with some at less than 2,500 mature breeding individuals, with no subpopulation containing more than 250 mature breeding individuals. The threat of extinction is mitigated somewhat by the presence of some 20,000 tigers currently in captivity, although parts of the captive population, such as the 4-5,000 animals in China's commercial tiger farms, are of low genetic diversity.India: Project TigerIndia harbors the largest population of wild tigers in the world, along with one of the highest human populations. A major concerted conservation effort known as Project Tiger has been underway since 1973, spearheaded by Indira Gandhi. The fundamental accomplishment has been the establishment of over 25 well-monitored tiger reserves in reclaimed land where human development is categorically forbidden. The program has been credited with tripling the number of wild Bengal tigers from roughly 1,200 in 1973 to over 3,500 in the 1990s, though the reports of the Indian government are occasionally met with some skepticism. A recently passed tribal Bill, which allows tribal populations to reside inside designated tiger sanctuaries, may have impacts on the continuing success of the program.A tiger census carried out over 2007, whose report was published on February 12, 2008 stated that the wild tiger population in India has come down to approximately 1,411. It is noted in the report that the decrease of tiger population can be attributed directly to poaching.RussiaThe Siberian tiger was on the brink of extinction with only about 40 animals in the wild in the 1940s. Under the Soviet Union, anti-poaching controls were strict and a network of protected zones (zapovedniks) were instituted, leading to a rise in the population to several hundred. Poaching again became a problem in the 1990s, when the economy of Russia collapsed, local hunters had access to a formerly sealed off lucrative Chinese market, and logging in the region increased. While an improvement in the local economy has led to greater resources being invested in conservation efforts, an increase of economic activity has led to an increased rate of development and deforestation. The major obstacle in preserving the species is the enormous territory individual tigers require (up to 450 km2 needed by a single female). Current conservation efforts are led by local governments and NGO's in consort with international organizations, such as the World Wide Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The competitive exclusion of wolves by tigers has been used by Russian conservationists to convince hunters in the Far East to tolerate the big cats, as they limit ungulate populations less than wolves, and are effective in controlling the latter's numbers. Currently, there are about 400-550 animals in the wild.TibetIn Tibet, tiger and leopard pelts have traditionally been used in various ceremonies and costumes. In January 2006 the Dalai Lama preached a ruling against using, selling, or buying wild animals, their products, or derivatives. Please look up:Save China's Tigers Tiger Sigmund and Freud Secret Garden Las Vegas Related: tiger endangered species extinct extinction conservation efforts sigmund and freud secret garden las vegas hd high definition | |
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| White Tiger sticking his tongue out at us endangered speicies conservation HD Sigmund and FreudSun, 04 Jan 2009 11:37:37 -0800 by JamesHGraffThe endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) (three subspecies are already EXTINCT) is a member of the Felidae family; the largest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera. Highly adaptable, tigers range from the Siberian taiga, to open grasslands, to tropical mangrove swamps. They are territorial and generally solitary animals, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey demands. This, coupled with the fact that they are endemic to some of the more densely populated places on earth, has caused significant conflicts with humans. Of the nine subspecies of modern tiger, three are extinct and the remaining six are classified as endangered, some critically so. The primary direct causes are habitat destruction and fragmentation, and hunting. Their historical range, which once reached from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus through most of South and East Asia, has been radically reduced. While all surviving species are under formal protection, poaching, habitat destruction and inbreeding depression continue to be threats.Conservation efforts:Poaching for fur and destruction of habitat have greatly reduced tiger populations in the wild. A century ago, it is estimated there were over 100,000 tigers in the world but the population has dwindled to between 7,000 and 5,000 tigers. Some estimates suggest the population is even lower, with some at less than 2,500 mature breeding individuals, with no subpopulation containing more than 250 mature breeding individuals. The threat of extinction is mitigated somewhat by the presence of some 20,000 tigers currently in captivity, although parts of the captive population, such as the 4-5,000 animals in China's commercial tiger farms, are of low genetic diversity.India: Project TigerIndia harbors the largest population of wild tigers in the world, along with one of the highest human populations. A major concerted conservation effort known as Project Tiger has been underway since 1973, spearheaded by Indira Gandhi. The fundamental accomplishment has been the establishment of over 25 well-monitored tiger reserves in reclaimed land where human development is categorically forbidden. The program has been credited with tripling the number of wild Bengal tigers from roughly 1,200 in 1973 to over 3,500 in the 1990s, though the reports of the Indian government are occasionally met with some skepticism. A recently passed tribal Bill, which allows tribal populations to reside inside designated tiger sanctuaries, may have impacts on the continuing success of the program.A tiger census carried out over 2007, whose report was published on February 12, 2008 stated that the wild tiger population in India has come down to approximately 1,411. It is noted in the report that the decrease of tiger population can be attributed directly to poaching.RussiaThe Siberian tiger was on the brink of extinction with only about 40 animals in the wild in the 1940s. Under the Soviet Union, anti-poaching controls were strict and a network of protected zones (zapovedniks) were instituted, leading to a rise in the population to several hundred. Poaching again became a problem in the 1990s, when the economy of Russia collapsed, local hunters had access to a formerly sealed off lucrative Chinese market, and logging in the region increased. While an improvement in the local economy has led to greater resources being invested in conservation efforts, an increase of economic activity has led to an increased rate of development and deforestation. The major obstacle in preserving the species is the enormous territory individual tigers require (up to 450 km2 needed by a single female). Current conservation efforts are led by local governments and NGO's in consort with international organizations, such as the World Wide Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The competitive exclusion of wolves by tigers has been used by Russian conservationists to convince hunters in the Far East to tolerate the big cats, as they limit ungulate populations less than wolves, and are effective in controlling the latter's numbers. Currently, there are about 400-550 animals in the wild.TibetIn Tibet, tiger and leopard pelts have traditionally been used in various ceremonies and costumes. In January 2006 the Dalai Lama preached a ruling against using, selling, or buying wild animals, their products, or derivatives. Please look up:Save China's Tigers White Tiger sticking his tongue out at us in HD High Defintion at the Sigmund and Freud Secret Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada ("What's the secret?") Related: white tiger sticking his tongue out at us endangered species conservation efforts sigmund and freud secret garden las vegas nevada hd high defintion james graff jameshgraff graffjamie | |
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| Dancers' Butts - James Graff feeling, fondling, groping, slapping & carressing bronze buttocksSun, 04 Jan 2009 10:01:49 -0800 by JamesHGraffJames Graff feeling, fondling, groping, slapping and caressing 7 Dancers' Bronze Butts on the strip at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.No "IFs" "ANDs" or...If you believe its publicist, this is the "Most Photographed Sculpture in Las Vegas." It's the cast-from-life bronze posteriors of the Crazy Girls, a semi-nude showgirl revue that's been running in the Riviera Hotel-Casino for decades (The show is corny and campy, with an amusing male juggler interspersed for comic relief). Anyone can see the bronze butts for free, at a Riviera entrance right on the Strip sidewalk. Above it is the Crazy Girls' slogan: "No 'IFs,' 'ANDs' or...." Bwahahaha...get it?Crazy Girls sculpture.To be truthful, the sculpture does seem to attract shutterbugs; during the brief time we spent taking photos, several other people came up to do the same thing. So it was less embarrassing for us, sort of. Women usually stand next to the last butt in line, jutting a hip and matching their derrieres to those of the display; the men usually rub, grope, or pretend to bite a butt. Vigorous burnishing of the bottoms imparts good luck in direct proportion to the velocity and friction heat attained -- or so we're told. Riviera Hotel and CasinoIts best days long past, this former Strip star is looking awfully dumpy these days. Between that and its promotion as an "alternative for grown-ups" and an "adult-oriented hotel," you should probably stay here only if you can get a deal and simply must be on the Strip. You certainly shouldn't bring the kids, who are actively discouraged as guests.Opened in 1955 (Liberace cut the ribbon, and Joan Crawford was the official hostess of opening ceremonies), the Riviera was the first "high-rise" on the Strip, at nine stories. Today it tries to evoke the Vegas of the good old days -- "come drink, gamble, and see a show" -- and while it is appropriately dark and glitzy, it's also very crowded and has a confusing layout. Don't miss your chance to take your photo with the bronze memorial to the Crazy Girls (their premier, largely nekkid, show), and their butts, outside on the Strip. There is a pool here, but it's very dull.Rooms are blah and not likely to improve unless the aforementioned new owners decide not to knock the place down. Half the rooms offer pool views. There is the predictable assortment of dining options -- though an excellent choice for families, ironically, is the Mardi Gras Food Court, which, unlike most of its genre, is extremely attractive. White-canvas umbrella tables and Toulouse-Lautrec-sty le murals create a comfortable, French cafe ambience. Food choices are wide ranging, including burgers, pizza, gyros, falafel, and Chinese fare. The Riviera's enormous casino is one of the world's largest; A Evening at La Cage (female impersonators), Crazy Girls (sexy Las Vegas-style revue), and skating variety show ICE.Facilities:Casin o; showrooms; wedding chapel; 5 restaurants plus a food court; outdoor pool; health club & spa; video-game arcade; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. Related: dancers dancer bronze butt butts buttock buttocks bottom bottoms girl girls ass behind rear end tail las vegas stripper strippers lesbian lesbians slapping slap holding fondling feel feeling fondle caress caressing grope groping humor funny humorous entertaining comedy james graff jameshgraff graffjamie riviera hotel casino "crazy girls" nude revue | |
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| Snow White Tiger endangered speicies conservation HD Sigmund and Freud Secret Garden Las VegasSun, 04 Jan 2009 06:32:29 -0800 by JamesHGraffThere is a well-known mutation that produces the white tiger, technically known as chinchilla albinistic, an animal which is rare in the wild, but widely bred in zoos due to its popularity. Breeding of white tigers will often lead to inbreeding (as the trait is recessive). Many initiatives have taken place in white and orange tiger mating in an attempt to remedy the issue, often mixing subspecies in the process. Such inbreeding has led to white tigers having a greater likelihood of being born with physical defects, such as cleft palates and scoliosis (curvature of the spine).Furthermore, white tigers are prone to having crossed eyes (a condition known as strabismus). Even apparently healthy white tigers generally do not live as long as their orange counterparts.Recordi ngs of white tigers were first made in the early 19th century.[42] They can only occur when both parents carry the rare gene found in white tigers; this gene has been calculated to occur in only one in every 10,000 births. The white tiger is not a separate sub-species, but only a colour variation; since the only white tigers that have been observed in the wild have been Bengal tigers (and all white tigers in captivity are at least part Bengal), it is commonly thought that the recessive gene that causes the white colouring is probably carried only by Bengal tigers, although the reasons for this are not known. Nor are they in any way more endangered than tigers are generally, this being a common misconception. Another misconception is that white tigers are albinos, despite the fact that pigment is evident in the white tiger's stripes. They are distinct not only because of their white hue; they also have blue eyes and pink noses.Of the nine subspecies of modern tiger, three are extinct and the remaining six are classified as endangered, some critically so. The primary direct causes are habitat destruction and fragmentation, and hunting. Their historical range, which once reached from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus through most of South and East Asia, has been radically reduced. While all surviving species are under formal protection, poaching, habitat destruction and inbreeding depression continue to be threats.Conservation efforts:Poaching for fur and destruction of habitat have greatly reduced tiger populations in the wild. A century ago, it is estimated there were over 100,000 tigers in the world but the population has dwindled to between 7,000 and 5,000 tigers. Some estimates suggest the population is even lower, with some at less than 2,500 mature breeding individuals, with no subpopulation containing more than 250 mature breeding individuals. The threat of extinction is mitigated somewhat by the presence of some 20,000 tigers currently in captivity, although parts of the captive population, such as the 4-5,000 animals in China's commercial tiger farms, are of low genetic diversity.Please look up:India Project TigerRussiaThe Siberian tiger was on the brink of extinction with only about 40 animals in the wild in the 1940s. Under the Soviet Union, anti-poaching controls were strict and a network of protected zones (zapovedniks) were instituted, leading to a rise in the population to several hundred. Poaching again became a problem in the 1990s, when the economy of Russia collapsed, local hunters had access to a formerly sealed off lucrative Chinese market, and logging in the region increased. While an improvement in the local economy has led to greater resources being invested in conservation efforts, an increase of economic activity has led to an increased rate of development and deforestation. The major obstacle in preserving the species is the enormous territory individual tigers require (up to 450 km2 needed by a single female). Current conservation efforts are led by local governments and NGO's in consort with international organizations, such as the World Wide Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The competitive exclusion of wolves by tigers has been used by Russian conservationists to convince hunters in the Far East to tolerate the big cats, as they limit ungulate populations less than wolves, and are effective in controlling the latter's numbers. Currently, there are about 400-550 animals in the wild.Please look up:Tigers in TibetPlease look up:Save China's Tigers Snow White Tiger Sigmund and Freud Secret Graden Las Vegas Related: snow white tiger endangered species conservation efforts india china tibet sigmund and freud secret garden las vegas | |
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| Saving Tunas Turtles & Sharks PLEASE READ VIDEO DESCRIPTION: Vanishing Wildlife Monterey AquariumSat, 03 Jan 2009 17:51:42 -0800 by JamesHGraffTurtle ConservationAll species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered. The leatherback, Kemp's ridley, and hawksbill turtles are listed as critically endangered. The olive ridley and green turtles are considered endangered, and the loggerhead is a threatened species. The flatback's conservation status is unclear due to a lack of research data.Sea turtles used to be hunted on a large scale in the whaling days for their meat, fat and shells. Coastal peoples have also been known to gather turtle eggs for consumption. One of their most significant threats now comes from bycatch due to various fishing methods, long-line fishing has been blamed as one of the causes of accidental sea turtle deaths, and the black market demand for tortoiseshell for both decoration and supposed health benefits.Nets used in shrimp trawling and fishing have been known to cause the accidental deaths of sea turtles. The turtles, as air-breathing reptiles, must surface to breathe. Caught in a fisherman's net, they are unable to go to the surface to breathe and suffocate to death in the net. In early 2007, almost a thousand sea turtles were killed inadvertently in the Bay of Bengal over the course of a few months as a result of becoming trapped in fishing nets.However some relatively inexpensive changes to fishing techniques, such as slightly larger hooks and traps from which sea turtles can escape, can dramatically cut the mortality rate. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDS) have reduced sea turtle bycatch in shrimp nets by 97 percent. Another danger comes from marine debris, especially from abandoned fishing nets in which they can become entangled.Beach development is another area which poses threats to sea turtles. Since sea turtles return to the same beach locations to nest, if these areas are developed they may be left with nowhere to nest, or their nesting locations may be threatened by human activity. Therefore, there has been a movement to protect these areas, in some cases by special police. In some areas, such as the east coast of Florida, after the adult turtles lay their eggs, they are dug up and relocated to special fenced nurseries where they can be protected from beach traffic. This is not the best thing to do, as many turtle species return to the beach on which they were born. Hatchlings find their way to the ocean by crawling towards the brightest horizon, but often become disoriented on developed stretches of coastline. Special lighting ordinances may also be enforced to prevent lights from shining on the beach and confusing young hatchlings, causing them to crawl towards the light and away from the water, usually crossing a road. A turtle-safe lighting system uses red light in place of white light as sea turtles can't see red light.Another major threat to sea turtles is the black market trade in eggs and meat. This is a pervasive problem throughout the world, but especially a concern in the Philippines, India, Indonesia and throughout the coastal nations of Latin America. Estimates are as high as 35,000 turtles killed a year in Mexico and the same number in Nicaragua. Conservationists in Mexico and the United States have launched "Don't Eat Sea Turtle" campaigns in order to reduce the urban black market trade in sea turtle products. These campaigns have involved figures such as Pope John Paul II, Dorismar, Los Tigres del Norte and Mana. Sea turtles are often consumed during the Catholic holiday, Lent, even though they are reptiles, not fish. Conservation organizations have written letters to the Pope asking that he declare turtles meat.A Green Sea Turtle at restMoreover, global warming may also cause a threat to sea turtles. Since temperatures in the sands define the sex of the turtle while developing in the egg, many feared rising temperatures would only produce one sex, but more research remains to be done in order to understand how climate change might affect sea turtle gender distribution.Sea turtles can also be affected by Fibropapillomatosis, a disease that has been found amongst sea turtle populations and causes tumors.Injured sea turtles are sometimes able to be rescued and rehabilitated by professional organizations such as the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, the Marine Mammal Center in Northern California, and the ClearWater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater Florida. and the Sea Turtle Inc. organization in South Padre Island, TX. One such turtle, named Nickel for the coin that was found lodged in her throat, lives at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.Please see my other videos for more conservation and activism information and search the internet as well - Monterey Aquarium and it's website are an excellent resources! Saving Tunas Turtles & Sharks Vanishing Wildlife Monterey Aquarium Related: saving tunas turtles sharks tuna turtle shark save how to vanishing wildlife threatened endangered species overfishing monterey aquarium | |
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| Saving Tunas Turtles & Sharks Endangered Vanishing Wildlife read & learn in HD Monterey AquariumSat, 03 Jan 2009 17:12:14 -0800 by JamesHGraffRead and learn in HD High Defintion (pause and read!) Saving Tunas Turtles & Sharks Vanishing Wildlife Monterey AquariumTuna management and conservationThere are five main tuna fishery management bodies: the Western Central Pacific Ocean Fisheries Commission, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. The five met together for the first time in Kobe, Japan in January 2007. Environmental organisations made submissions on risks to fisheries and species. The meeting concluded with an action plan drafted by some 60 countries or areas. Concrete steps include issuing certificates of origin to prevent illegal fishing and greater transparency in the setting of regional fishing quotas. The delegates are scheduled to meet at another joint meeting in January or February 2009 in Europe.Years of poor management and over-fishing has left tuna in a perilous state. Of the 23 commercially exploited major tuna stocks identified nine are classified as fully fished, four are classified as overexploited or depleted, three are classified as critically endangered, three are endangered and three are vulnerable to extinction. All 23 stocks are heavily fished.In August 2008 Greenpeace assessed John West owned by private equity firm MW Brands as the seller of the least sustainable tinned tuna sold in the United Kingdom.Association with dolphinsMany tuna species associate with dolphins, swimming alongside them. These include yellowfin tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but not albacore or skipjack. The reason for the association is believed to be the avoidance of dolphins by sharks, which are predators of tuna. Swimming near dolphins reduces the likelihood of the tuna being attacked by a shark.Fishing vessels can exploit this association by searching for pods of dolphins. They encircle the pod with nets to catch the tuna beneath.[16] The nets are prone to entangling dolphins, thus injuring or killing them. As a result of public outcry, methods have been made more "dolphin friendly", now generally involving lines rather than nets. However, there are neither universal independent inspection programs nor verification of "dolphin safeness" to show that dolphins are not harmed during tuna fishing. According to Consumers Union, the resulting lack of accountability means claims that tuna that is "dolphin safe" should be given little credence.Turtles (Please see my other "Saving Tunas Turtles & Sharks" video DESCRIPTION for more on turtle conservation!)Fragil e ecosystemsSea turtles play key roles in two ecosystems that are critical to them as well as to humans?the oceans and beaches/dunes. If sea turtles were to become extinct, the negative impact on beaches and the oceans would potentially be significant.In the oceans, for example, sea turtles, especially green sea turtles, are one of the very few creatures (manatees are another) that eat a type of vegetation called sea grass that grows on the sea floor. Sea grass must be kept short to remain healthy, and beds of healthy sea grass are essential breeding and development areas for many species of fish and other marine life. A decline or loss of sea grass beds would mean a loss of the marine species that directly depend on the beds, which would trigger a chain reaction and negatively impact marine and human life. When one part of an ecosystem is destroyed, the other parts will follow.Beaches and dunes are a fragile ecosystem that does not get many nutrients to support its vegetation, which is needed to help prevent erosion. Sea turtles contribute nutrients to dune vegetation from their eggs. Every year, sea turtles lay countless numbers of eggs in beaches during nesting season. Along one twenty-mile (32 km) stretch of beach in Florida alone, for example, more than 150,000 pounds of eggs are laid each year. Nutrients from hatched eggs as well as from eggs that never hatch and from hatchlings that fail to make it into the ocean are all sources of nutrients for dune vegetation. A decline in the number of sea turtles means fewer eggs laid, less nutrients for the sand dunes and its vegetation, and a higher risk for beach erosion.Saving SharksModern fishing practices pose the greatest threat to the survival of sharks. Because sharks produce few young each year and are slow to reach reproductive maturity, they can't withstand the growing pressure of the global fishing fleet.It's estimated that 100 million sharks, skates and rays are caught and killed each year?and that half of these are accidental victims of fishing gear that targets other species of commercial fish. New scientific studies estimate that some populations of large sharks and other top ocean predators have fallen by as much as 90 percent due to accelerated fishing activities in recent decades. Related: saving tunas turtles sharks threatened and endangered species vanishing wildlife read learn in hd high defintion monterey aquarium | |
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| Cute Otters! Snakes catching tropical fish HD endangered threatened Español Monterey AquariumSat, 03 Jan 2009 01:30:29 -0800 by JamesHGraffWatch in High Definition Read in Spanish (Español) and English (pause the video!) Threatened Asian small-clawed Otters! - Asian vine snakes catching fish as they hang (like vines) from vegetation - Tropical Fish: Paradis fish, betta, pearl gourami - at the Monterey Aquarium in California.The Asian otters are "threatened" animals (not yet endangered or extinct).Southeast Asian riverOtters and breeding fish depend on healthy Asian riversAsian small-clawed otters swim with carfish, gouramis and other tropical fish in ht elazy rivers of Southeast Asia. Looke for the bettas - they're ancestors of the incredibly showy Siamese fighting fish bred for the pet trade.Non-native ferns keep wild bettas from breedingBettas and gouramis have a special way of reproducing - they lay their eggs in "bubble nests" at the surface of the water. In parts of Asia, invasive ferns grow so thick that the fish can't reach the surface to make their nests. Rio del sureste asiaticoLas nutrias y los peces dependen de rios asiaticos saludablesLa introduccion de helechos impide la reporduccion de los betta silvestrasThe movement of swift-running rivers fools us - even rushing rivers are vulnerable!Meet Satu, Tiga, Empat and Dua!These four Asian small-clawed otters come to us from the Singapore Zoo. They're part of the Species Survival Plan, a breeding program for endangered wildlife. The two pairs of bachelor brothers have lived together since 2004.Handlike paws are perfect for picking up preySmall-clawed otters are one of the few mammals to use their front paws with skill that's close to ours. Their handlike paws dig in the mud, turn over rocks, pick up small shrimp and nab crabs and fish.These otters mate for lifeThese truly social otters mate for life and raise their pups together. As pups grow up, they help take care of their brothers and sisters too. But when a parent dies, the siblings split up and venture off alone to find mates of their own.All work and no play? No way!Asian small-clawed otters play more than any otter species - in the wild and on exhibit. Watch for our playful otters juggling their favorite toys - pebbles! You might also see them diving for small stones or hiding them from each other.These otters stay in touch with soundAsian otters communicate with a wide variety of sounds, from squeaks and snorts to chirps and hums. With up to twelve different calls, the otters vocalize often and loudly to stay in touch. The dominant otter usually starts the calling.Hear the sound of a minor squabble between our four ottersHear our hungry otters crunching their kibbleHear our otters yelp, yip and sueal with excitementOtters are semi-aquatic (or in one case aquatic) fish-eating mammals. The otter subfamily Lutrinae forms part of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, polecats, badgers, as well as others. With thirteen species in seven genera, otters have an almost worldwide distribution. They mainly eat aquatic animals, predominantly fish and shellfish, but also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals.Etymology and terminologyThe word otter derives from the Old English word otr, otor or oter. This and cognate words in other Indo-European languages ultimately stem from a root which also gave rise to the English words water, wet and winter.An otter's den is called a holt. Male otters are dog-otters, females are bitches and babies are cubs or pups. The collective noun for otters is pack or sometimes romp, being descriptive of their often playful nature.Characteristi csOtters have long, slim bodies and relatively short limbs, with webbed paws. Most have sharp claws on their feet, and all except the sea otter have long muscular tails.They have a very soft underfur which is protected by their outer layer of long guard hair. This traps a layer of air, and keeps them dry and warm under water.Diet and behaviorOtters do not depend on their specialized fur alone for survival in the cold waters where many live: they also have very high metabolic rates. For example Eurasian otters must eat 15% of their body-weight a day, and sea otters 20 to 25%, depending on the temperature. In water as warm as 10°C (50°F) an otter needs to catch 100 grams (3 oz) of fish per hour to survive. Most species hunt for 3 to 5 hours a day, and nursing mothers up to 8 hours a day.For most otters, fish is the primary staple of their diet. This is often supplemented by frogs, crayfish and crabs. Some otters are expert at opening shellfish, and others will feed on available small mammals or birds. Prey-dependence leaves otters very vulnerable to prey depletion. Related: otter otters tropical fish snake snakes smooth coated monterey aquarium "asian vine snake" california african spotted neck southern sea hairy-nosed river castellano español neotropical threatened asia asian small clawed spanish "paradise fish" betta pearl gourami hd high definition mate for life | |
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| Amazing Jellyfish Sex Wart Comb Jelly rainbow color space ships aliens mating Monterey AquariumThu, 01 Jan 2009 23:51:48 -0800 by JamesHGraffIncredible Wart Comb Jellyfish - mating and dancing with one another! like shimmering rainbow colored Star Wars space ships or aliens mating - and invading the Black and Caspian Seas causing serious problems to those ecosystems and the people who feed off these now unbalanced ecosystems! Mnemiopsis sp. - comb jellyHighly transparent, elongated body, round in cross-section, with semi-transparent rows running the length of the animal. Size: less than 1 inch to 4 inches. No sting. Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. They have several different basic morphologies that represent several different cnidarian classes including the Scyphozoa (about 200 species), Staurozoa (about 50 species), Cubozoa (about 20 species), and Hydrozoa (about 1000-1500 species that make jellyfish and many more that do not)[1][2]. The jellyfish in these groups are also called, respectively, scyphomedusae, stauromedusae, cubomedusae, and hydromedusae; "medusa" (plural "medusae") is another word for jellyfish. Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. Some hydrozoan jellyfish, or hydromedusae, are also found in fresh water. Most of the information about jellyfish that follows in this article is about scyphozoan jellyfish, or scyphomedusae. These are the big, often colorful, jellyfish that are common in coastal zones worldwide.In its broadest sense, the term jellyfish is sometimes used also to refer to members of the phylum Ctenophora. Although not closely related to cnidarian jellyfish, ctenophores are also free-swimming planktonic carnivores, are also generally transparent or translucent, and occur in shallow to deep portions of all the world's oceans. Ctenophores move using eight rows of fused cilia that beat in metachronal waves that diffract light, so that they sparkle with all of the colors of the rainbow. The rest of this article deals only with jellyfish in the phylum Cnidaria.Body systemsJellyfish don't have specialized digestive, osmoregulatory, central nervous, respiratory, or circulatory systems. They digest using the gastrodermal lining of the gastrovascular cavity, where nutrients are absorbed. They do not need a respiratory system since their skin is thin enough that the body is oxygenated by diffusion. They have limited control over movement, but can use their hydrostatic skeleton to accomplish movement through contraction-pulsatio ns of the bell-like body; some species actively swim most of the time, while others are passive much of the time. Jellyfish are composed of more than 90% water; most of their umbrella mass is a gelatinous material - the jelly - called mesoglea which is surrounded by two layers of epithelial cells which form the exumbrella (top surface) and subumbrella (bottom surface) of the bell, or body.Jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system, but rather have a loose network of nerves, located in the epidermis, which is called a "nerve net". A jellyfish detects various stimuli including the touch of other animals via this nerve net, which then transmits impulses both throughout the nerve net and around a circular nerve ring, through the rhopalial lappet, located at the rim of the jellyfish body, to other nerve cells. Some jellyfish also have ocelli: light-sensitive organs that do not form images but which can detect light, and are used to determine up from down, responding to sunlight shining on the water's surface.In captivityJellyfish are commonly displayed in aquaria in many countries. Often the tank's background is blue and the animals are illuminated by side light to produce a high contrast effect. In natural conditions, many jellies are so transparent that they are almost impossible to see.Holding jellyfish in captivity presents other problems. For one, they are not adapted to closed spaces. They depend on currents to transport them from place to place. To compensate for this, professional exhibits feature precise water flows, typically in circular tanks to prevent specimens from becoming trapped in corners. The Monterey Bay Aquarium uses a modified version of the kreisel (German for "spinning top") for this purpose. Related: jellyfish sex mating wart comb jelly amazing incredible most best shimmering rainbow colored space ship ships alien aliens monterey aquarium dancing star wars | |
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| Jellyfish amazing Wart Comb Jelly shimmering rainbow colored space ship/alien Monterey AquariumWed, 31 Dec 2008 23:59:38 -0800 by JamesHGraffComb Jellies invade and disrupt the Black & Caspian Sea ecosystems!Though the jelly-like comb jellies are classified in a different animal phylum than jellyfish (which signifies a distant relationship), they also share the jellyfish's fondness for zooplankton, along with the eggs and larvae of fish and invertebrate animals. Ctenophores commonly found in the Black Sea are Pleurobrachia pileus, Mnemiopsis (different species), and Beroe ovata.Mnemiopsis is a comb jelly native to the Atlantic coastal region between Massachusetts and southern Argentina. In its natural range, it has been known to heavily impact ecosystems by consuming vast quantities of zooplankton, eggs, and the larvae of fish and invertebrates that would otherwise support populations of more desirable species. Mnemiopsis was first observed in the Black Sea in the early 1980s, where it is thought to have been transported and dropped by the ballast water of freighters arriving from distant shores in the western Atlantic.By the late 1980s, populations of Mnemiopsis soared, populations of its favored zooplankton food plummeted, and, coincidentally, commercial catches of the zooplankton-eating anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) were drastically reduced. A few years ago, Mnemiopsis was accidentally introduced into the Caspian Sea, where a similar impact is beginning to be seen. Mnemiopsis sp. - comb jellyHighly transparent, elongated body, round in cross-section, with semi-transparent rows running the length of the animal. Size: less than 1 inch to 4 inches. No sting. Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. They have several different basic morphologies that represent several different cnidarian classes including the Scyphozoa (about 200 species), Staurozoa (about 50 species), Cubozoa (about 20 species), and Hydrozoa (about 1000-1500 species that make jellyfish and many more that do not)[1][2]. The jellyfish in these groups are also called, respectively, scyphomedusae, stauromedusae, cubomedusae, and hydromedusae; "medusa" (plural "medusae") is another word for jellyfish. Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. Some hydrozoan jellyfish, or hydromedusae, are also found in fresh water. Most of the information about jellyfish that follows in this article is about scyphozoan jellyfish, or scyphomedusae. These are the big, often colorful, jellyfish that are common in coastal zones worldwide.In its broadest sense, the term jellyfish is sometimes used also to refer to members of the phylum Ctenophora. Although not closely related to cnidarian jellyfish, ctenophores are also free-swimming planktonic carnivores, are also generally transparent or translucent, and occur in shallow to deep portions of all the world's oceans. Ctenophores move using eight rows of fused cilia that beat in metachronal waves that diffract light, so that they sparkle with all of the colors of the rainbow. The rest of this article deals only with jellyfish in the phylum Cnidaria.Body systemsJellyfish don't have specialized digestive, osmoregulatory, central nervous, respiratory, or circulatory systems. They digest using the gastrodermal lining of the gastrovascular cavity, where nutrients are absorbed. They do not need a respiratory system since their skin is thin enough that the body is oxygenated by diffusion. They have limited control over movement, but can use their hydrostatic skeleton to accomplish movement through contraction-pulsatio ns of the bell-like body; some species actively swim most of the time, while others are passive much of the time. Jellyfish are composed of more than 90% water; most of their umbrella mass is a gelatinous material - the jelly - called mesoglea which is surrounded by two layers of epithelial cells which form the exumbrella (top surface) and subumbrella (bottom surface) of the bell, or body.Jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system, but rather have a loose network of nerves, located in the epidermis, which is called a "nerve net". A jellyfish detects various stimuli including the touch of other animals via this nerve net, which then transmits impulses both throughout the nerve net and around a circular nerve ring, through the rhopalial lappet, located at the rim of the jellyfish body, to other nerve cells. Some jellyfish also have ocelli: light-sensitive organs that do not form images but which can detect light, and are used to determine up from down, responding to sunlight shining on the water's surface. Related: jellyfish sex mating wart comb jelly amazing incredible most best shimmering rainbow colored space ship ships alien aliens monterey aquarium dancing star wars | |
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| Alien invaders disrupting Black & Caspian Sea ecosystems!Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:36:40 -0800 by JamesHGraffComb Jellies invade and disrupt the Black & Caspian Sea ecosystems!Though the jelly-like comb jellies are classified in a different animal phylum than jellyfish (which signifies a distant relationship), they also share the jellyfish's fondness for zooplankton, along with the eggs and larvae of fish and invertebrate animals. Ctenophores commonly found in the Black Sea are Pleurobrachia pileus, Mnemiopsis (different species), and Beroe ovata.Mnemiopsis is a comb jelly native to the Atlantic coastal region between Massachusetts and southern Argentina. In its natural range, it has been known to heavily impact ecosystems by consuming vast quantities of zooplankton, eggs, and the larvae of fish and invertebrates that would otherwise support populations of more desirable species. Mnemiopsis was first observed in the Black Sea in the early 1980s, where it is thought to have been transported and dropped by the ballast water of freighters arriving from distant shores in the western Atlantic.By the late 1980s, populations of Mnemiopsis soared, populations of its favored zooplankton food plummeted, and, coincidentally, commercial catches of the zooplankton-eating anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) were drastically reduced. A few years ago, Mnemiopsis was accidentally introduced into the Caspian Sea, where a similar impact is beginning to be seen. Mnemiopsis sp. - comb jellyHighly transparent, elongated body, round in cross-section, with semi-transparent rows running the length of the animal. Size: less than 1 inch to 4 inches. No sting. Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. They have several different basic morphologies that represent several different cnidarian classes including the Scyphozoa (about 200 species), Staurozoa (about 50 species), Cubozoa (about 20 species), and Hydrozoa (about 1000-1500 species that make jellyfish and many more that do not)[1][2]. The jellyfish in these groups are also called, respectively, scyphomedusae, stauromedusae, cubomedusae, and hydromedusae; "medusa" (plural "medusae") is another word for jellyfish. Jellyfish are found in every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. Some hydrozoan jellyfish, or hydromedusae, are also found in fresh water. Most of the information about jellyfish that follows in this article is about scyphozoan jellyfish, or scyphomedusae. These are the big, often colorful, jellyfish that are common in coastal zones worldwide.In its broadest sense, the term jellyfish is sometimes used also to refer to members of the phylum Ctenophora. Although not closely related to cnidarian jellyfish, ctenophores are also free-swimming planktonic carnivores, are also generally transparent or translucent, and occur in shallow to deep portions of all the world's oceans. Ctenophores move using eight rows of fused cilia that beat in metachronal waves that diffract light, so that they sparkle with all of the colors of the rainbow. The rest of this article deals only with jellyfish in the phylum Cnidaria.Body systemsJellyfish don't have specialized digestive, osmoregulatory, central nervous, respiratory, or circulatory systems. They digest using the gastrodermal lining of the gastrovascular cavity, where nutrients are absorbed. They do not need a respiratory system since their skin is thin enough that the body is oxygenated by diffusion. They have limited control over movement, but can use their hydrostatic skeleton to accomplish movement through contraction-pulsatio ns of the bell-like body; some species actively swim most of the time, while others are passive much of the time. Jellyfish are composed of more than 90% water; most of their umbrella mass is a gelatinous material - the jelly - called mesoglea which is surrounded by two layers of epithelial cells which form the exumbrella (top surface) and subumbrella (bottom surface) of the bell, or body.Jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system, but rather have a loose network of nerves, located in the epidermis, which is called a "nerve net". A jellyfish detects various stimuli including the touch of other animals via this nerve net, which then transmits impulses both throughout the nerve net and around a circular nerve ring, through the rhopalial lappet, located at the rim of the jellyfish body, to other nerve cells. Some jellyfish also have ocelli: light-sensitive organs that do not form images but which can detect light, and are used to determine up from down, responding to sunlight shining on the water's surface. Related: jellyfish wart comb jelly amazing incredible most best invade invaders black sea caspian problem ecosystem shimmering rainbow colored space ship ships alien aliens monterey aquarium dancing star wars | |
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