c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
Molecular biologist from Texas, here to share my meanderings on nature, science, history, politics, and zombies. Long threads a specialty.
If anyone else is needing a little mental health time-out, can I recommend learning about sloths?
Sloths are divided into two groups (genera)
Choloepus (two-toed sloths)
Bradypus (three-toed sloths)
This is a 'Bradypus variegatus,' the brown-throated sloth. See the three toes?
Sloths are divided into two groups (genera)
Choloepus (two-toed sloths)
Bradypus (three-toed sloths)
This is a 'Bradypus variegatus,' the brown-throated sloth. See the three toes?
a sloth 's claws are sticking out of a plastic container
Alt: a sloth 's claws are sticking out of a plastic container
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:25 PM
If anyone else is needing a little mental health time-out, can I recommend learning about sloths?
Sloths are divided into two groups (genera)
Choloepus (two-toed sloths)
Bradypus (three-toed sloths)
This is a 'Bradypus variegatus,' the brown-throated sloth. See the three toes?
Sloths are divided into two groups (genera)
Choloepus (two-toed sloths)
Bradypus (three-toed sloths)
This is a 'Bradypus variegatus,' the brown-throated sloth. See the three toes?
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The bunny harvestman (Metagryne bicolumnata) looks like a bunny operating a spider-legged mech-suit.
Native to the rainforests of Ecuador, they're harmless (no venom glands) & eat rotting vegetation & some small insects.
They belong to Order Opiliones. Just a little guy.
(📷: Andreas Kay)
Native to the rainforests of Ecuador, they're harmless (no venom glands) & eat rotting vegetation & some small insects.
They belong to Order Opiliones. Just a little guy.
(📷: Andreas Kay)
April 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The bunny harvestman (Metagryne bicolumnata) looks like a bunny operating a spider-legged mech-suit.
Native to the rainforests of Ecuador, they're harmless (no venom glands) & eat rotting vegetation & some small insects.
They belong to Order Opiliones. Just a little guy.
(📷: Andreas Kay)
Native to the rainforests of Ecuador, they're harmless (no venom glands) & eat rotting vegetation & some small insects.
They belong to Order Opiliones. Just a little guy.
(📷: Andreas Kay)
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Carcinization remains true, even in Norse mythology.
(🧑🎨: TheEndofGrey, DeviantArt)
(🧑🎨: TheEndofGrey, DeviantArt)
June 23, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Carcinization remains true, even in Norse mythology.
(🧑🎨: TheEndofGrey, DeviantArt)
(🧑🎨: TheEndofGrey, DeviantArt)
'Initial-stress-derived' nouns typically contain Latin prepositions (pro-, pre-, con-, re-) but entered English from French.
Creating nouns in English from French verbs was a matter of moving stress to the preposition:
"I obJECT to the OBject"
"He proDUCEs the PROduce"
"We reCORDed the REcord."
Creating nouns in English from French verbs was a matter of moving stress to the preposition:
"I obJECT to the OBject"
"He proDUCEs the PROduce"
"We reCORDed the REcord."
Something interesting you might not have realized: a number of words in English are NOUNS when you stress the FIRST syllable, but VERBS when you stress the SECOND syllable.
"Your CONduct is better when you conDUCT yourself appropriately.”
🧵⬇️
"Your CONduct is better when you conDUCT yourself appropriately.”
🧵⬇️
January 7, 2026 at 2:55 PM
'Initial-stress-derived' nouns typically contain Latin prepositions (pro-, pre-, con-, re-) but entered English from French.
Creating nouns in English from French verbs was a matter of moving stress to the preposition:
"I obJECT to the OBject"
"He proDUCEs the PROduce"
"We reCORDed the REcord."
Creating nouns in English from French verbs was a matter of moving stress to the preposition:
"I obJECT to the OBject"
"He proDUCEs the PROduce"
"We reCORDed the REcord."
Why is this flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) moving erratically across a South African road & what does it have to do with pigeons bobbing their heads?
The chameleon's disguise isn't complete without this herky-jerky motion.
Let's learn about saccadic movement!
(📷: nickkleer)
The chameleon's disguise isn't complete without this herky-jerky motion.
Let's learn about saccadic movement!
(📷: nickkleer)
January 7, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Why is this flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) moving erratically across a South African road & what does it have to do with pigeons bobbing their heads?
The chameleon's disguise isn't complete without this herky-jerky motion.
Let's learn about saccadic movement!
(📷: nickkleer)
The chameleon's disguise isn't complete without this herky-jerky motion.
Let's learn about saccadic movement!
(📷: nickkleer)
Antpoptosis.
Young, infected Lasius neglectus ants will send out an altruistic "kill me" signal to worker ants, a new study finds, as part of a strategy to keep deadly pathogens from spreading through the colony. n.pr/4prEPpm
Sick young ants send out a 'kill me' scent to prevent deadly epidemics
Young, infected Lasius neglectus ants will send out an altruistic "kill me" signal to worker ants, a new study finds, as part of a strategy to keep deadly pathogens from spreading through the colony.
n.pr
January 7, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Antpoptosis.
I PROMISE this bird is completely uninjured.
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
I PROMISE this bird is completely uninjured.
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
I need a mood booster, let's talk about capybaras.
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
January 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I need a mood booster, let's talk about capybaras.
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
"In the prevaccine era, an estimated 2.7 million rotavirus infections occurred every year in the US & 95% of children experienced at least one infection by age 5."
"[vaccines prevented annually]
280,000 clinic visits
62,000 ER visits &
45,000 hospitalizations
in children younger than 5"
- CDC
"[vaccines prevented annually]
280,000 clinic visits
62,000 ER visits &
45,000 hospitalizations
in children younger than 5"
- CDC
The CDC changed the universal vaccine schedule & no longer recommends
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
January 6, 2026 at 12:33 PM
"In the prevaccine era, an estimated 2.7 million rotavirus infections occurred every year in the US & 95% of children experienced at least one infection by age 5."
"[vaccines prevented annually]
280,000 clinic visits
62,000 ER visits &
45,000 hospitalizations
in children younger than 5"
- CDC
"[vaccines prevented annually]
280,000 clinic visits
62,000 ER visits &
45,000 hospitalizations
in children younger than 5"
- CDC
Greenland sharks can live to 400+ yrs.
Retaining the ability to SEE that long is remarkable, but they also deal with high pressures, low temps & almost universal eye parasites, a type of copepod crustacean.
The remarkable finding here for me is that they can see IN SPITE OF THE PARASITES.
Retaining the ability to SEE that long is remarkable, but they also deal with high pressures, low temps & almost universal eye parasites, a type of copepod crustacean.
The remarkable finding here for me is that they can see IN SPITE OF THE PARASITES.
Finally out! We studied the retinas of the longest-living vertebrate, the Greenland shark, and found that the retinas remain remarkably healthy in animals around 150 years old. What is the mechanism? It may be a highly efficient DNA repair system. Enjoy!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 6, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Greenland sharks can live to 400+ yrs.
Retaining the ability to SEE that long is remarkable, but they also deal with high pressures, low temps & almost universal eye parasites, a type of copepod crustacean.
The remarkable finding here for me is that they can see IN SPITE OF THE PARASITES.
Retaining the ability to SEE that long is remarkable, but they also deal with high pressures, low temps & almost universal eye parasites, a type of copepod crustacean.
The remarkable finding here for me is that they can see IN SPITE OF THE PARASITES.
The JWST has SIX TIMES the light-collecting surface area of the Hubble, but at HALF THE MASS.
One critical advance was structural use of BERYLLIUM, which is ultra-light, stiff & resistant to temperature extremes.
The aluminum-coated glass mirror in the Hubble weighs 828 kg or 1,825 lbs (~1 ton).
One critical advance was structural use of BERYLLIUM, which is ultra-light, stiff & resistant to temperature extremes.
The aluminum-coated glass mirror in the Hubble weighs 828 kg or 1,825 lbs (~1 ton).
Hubble vs. Webb - NASA Science
Hubble and Webb work together to explore the cosmos. Their observations complement each other, providing us with a broad view of the universe.
science.nasa.gov
January 5, 2026 at 11:09 PM
The JWST has SIX TIMES the light-collecting surface area of the Hubble, but at HALF THE MASS.
One critical advance was structural use of BERYLLIUM, which is ultra-light, stiff & resistant to temperature extremes.
The aluminum-coated glass mirror in the Hubble weighs 828 kg or 1,825 lbs (~1 ton).
One critical advance was structural use of BERYLLIUM, which is ultra-light, stiff & resistant to temperature extremes.
The aluminum-coated glass mirror in the Hubble weighs 828 kg or 1,825 lbs (~1 ton).
The British invented great phrases, but I'm very partial to GOBSMACKED.
It derives from Gaulish: 'gobbo-' meaning "mouth," through Irish/Scottish Gaelic 'gob'. As in "shut yer gob."
"Smack" comes from Low German 'smacken', probably imitative of the sound of slapping a face.
So, gobsmacked = 🫢
It derives from Gaulish: 'gobbo-' meaning "mouth," through Irish/Scottish Gaelic 'gob'. As in "shut yer gob."
"Smack" comes from Low German 'smacken', probably imitative of the sound of slapping a face.
So, gobsmacked = 🫢
January 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The British invented great phrases, but I'm very partial to GOBSMACKED.
It derives from Gaulish: 'gobbo-' meaning "mouth," through Irish/Scottish Gaelic 'gob'. As in "shut yer gob."
"Smack" comes from Low German 'smacken', probably imitative of the sound of slapping a face.
So, gobsmacked = 🫢
It derives from Gaulish: 'gobbo-' meaning "mouth," through Irish/Scottish Gaelic 'gob'. As in "shut yer gob."
"Smack" comes from Low German 'smacken', probably imitative of the sound of slapping a face.
So, gobsmacked = 🫢
You're watching an Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand "trap-feeding" or "tread-water feeding."
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
You're watching an Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand "trap-feeding" or "tread-water feeding."
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The neat thing about eating pineapple or papaya is that it's eating you back. As you digest it, IT'S DIGESTING YOU.
These fruits contain proteases, enzymes that break down proteins & eating enough can actually cause tingling, bleeding & soreness.
Let's talk about papain and bromelain.
These fruits contain proteases, enzymes that break down proteins & eating enough can actually cause tingling, bleeding & soreness.
Let's talk about papain and bromelain.
September 28, 2024 at 6:26 PM
The neat thing about eating pineapple or papaya is that it's eating you back. As you digest it, IT'S DIGESTING YOU.
These fruits contain proteases, enzymes that break down proteins & eating enough can actually cause tingling, bleeding & soreness.
Let's talk about papain and bromelain.
These fruits contain proteases, enzymes that break down proteins & eating enough can actually cause tingling, bleeding & soreness.
Let's talk about papain and bromelain.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
I'm here to banish the darkness, if only for a moment.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
First koala chlamydia vaccine approved
The disease has been plaguing the endangered marsupials since the 1990s.
www.popsci.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I'm here to banish the darkness, if only for a moment.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
*Scientists are nerds*, entry eleventybillion.
There are at least two prehistoric turtles named after the comic-book kaiju: Gamera the flying, fire-breathing prehistoric turtle, shown here at the height of his *dizzying* power.
There are at least two prehistoric turtles named after the comic-book kaiju: Gamera the flying, fire-breathing prehistoric turtle, shown here at the height of his *dizzying* power.
a turtle is walking across a metal beam
Alt: Gamera the kaiju, from Godzilla movies and comic books, a prehistoric turtle the size of a skyscraper. He's shown biting a metal or wooden stick and rotating along his long axis in an endless loop. It's making me dizzy.
media.tenor.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
*Scientists are nerds*, entry eleventybillion.
There are at least two prehistoric turtles named after the comic-book kaiju: Gamera the flying, fire-breathing prehistoric turtle, shown here at the height of his *dizzying* power.
There are at least two prehistoric turtles named after the comic-book kaiju: Gamera the flying, fire-breathing prehistoric turtle, shown here at the height of his *dizzying* power.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Timothy C. Roth, a member of Maryland's 'Task Force Turtle' (TFT) snapped this photo of a female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) emerging from brumation in a dry lake mudhole with 18 lbs of dirt & grass on her back.
TFT tag these animals with radio transmitters to track movements.
TFT tag these animals with radio transmitters to track movements.
January 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Timothy C. Roth, a member of Maryland's 'Task Force Turtle' (TFT) snapped this photo of a female common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) emerging from brumation in a dry lake mudhole with 18 lbs of dirt & grass on her back.
TFT tag these animals with radio transmitters to track movements.
TFT tag these animals with radio transmitters to track movements.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
There are 250 species of turtle in Order Testudines. They are among the most ancient lines of reptiles.
"Turtles" as a group includes terrapins/tortoises, sea turtles, & freshwater turtles.
Early in their evolution. a split occurred around what to with their neck.
"Turtles" as a group includes terrapins/tortoises, sea turtles, & freshwater turtles.
Early in their evolution. a split occurred around what to with their neck.
March 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
There are 250 species of turtle in Order Testudines. They are among the most ancient lines of reptiles.
"Turtles" as a group includes terrapins/tortoises, sea turtles, & freshwater turtles.
Early in their evolution. a split occurred around what to with their neck.
"Turtles" as a group includes terrapins/tortoises, sea turtles, & freshwater turtles.
Early in their evolution. a split occurred around what to with their neck.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Turtles are unique in body-design. Although other animals try to replicate the "exoskeletal armor" (armadillo, pangolin), only the turtle fuses its spinal column & ribs directly to the armor (carapace).
So how did the turtle become the Iron Man of the animal world?
Let's start with "Eunotosaurus":
So how did the turtle become the Iron Man of the animal world?
Let's start with "Eunotosaurus":
April 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Turtles are unique in body-design. Although other animals try to replicate the "exoskeletal armor" (armadillo, pangolin), only the turtle fuses its spinal column & ribs directly to the armor (carapace).
So how did the turtle become the Iron Man of the animal world?
Let's start with "Eunotosaurus":
So how did the turtle become the Iron Man of the animal world?
Let's start with "Eunotosaurus":
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is native to Queensland, Australia where it also known as the GREEN-HAIRED or PUNK turtle & you can see why below.
Algae grows on the shell & exposed head, possibly encouraged by the animal's physiology as a form of camouflage.
(📷: Chris Van Wyck)
Algae grows on the shell & exposed head, possibly encouraged by the animal's physiology as a form of camouflage.
(📷: Chris Van Wyck)
May 9, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is native to Queensland, Australia where it also known as the GREEN-HAIRED or PUNK turtle & you can see why below.
Algae grows on the shell & exposed head, possibly encouraged by the animal's physiology as a form of camouflage.
(📷: Chris Van Wyck)
Algae grows on the shell & exposed head, possibly encouraged by the animal's physiology as a form of camouflage.
(📷: Chris Van Wyck)
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
A detailed investigation into these strange creatures is finally giving scientists and fishermen valuable clues about when and where they strike.
gizmodo.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Um, cookie cutter shark teeth are a single, intact unit!? And when it needs to be replaced, they swallow it whole?! What! 🧪
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles gizmodo.com/scientists-f...
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
A detailed investigation into these strange creatures is finally giving scientists and fishermen valuable clues about when and where they strike.
gizmodo.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Um, cookie cutter shark teeth are a single, intact unit!? And when it needs to be replaced, they swallow it whole?! What! 🧪
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Whenever I see this photo of harvester ants working on their nest, I think how it looks like they planted a decorative tree by their door like they have an HOA or something.
(Pogonomyrmex desertorum, west Texas)
(Pogonomyrmex desertorum, west Texas)
January 2, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Whenever I see this photo of harvester ants working on their nest, I think how it looks like they planted a decorative tree by their door like they have an HOA or something.
(Pogonomyrmex desertorum, west Texas)
(Pogonomyrmex desertorum, west Texas)
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The Black Death may have killed as much as half the population of England. The "cures" often contributed to the death toll: bleeding & sweating were the two primary treatments, administered by often 'self-taught' medical staff.
But none of that prepares you for the wonders of the PIGEON SLIPPER.
But none of that prepares you for the wonders of the PIGEON SLIPPER.
July 19, 2024 at 2:43 PM
The Black Death may have killed as much as half the population of England. The "cures" often contributed to the death toll: bleeding & sweating were the two primary treatments, administered by often 'self-taught' medical staff.
But none of that prepares you for the wonders of the PIGEON SLIPPER.
But none of that prepares you for the wonders of the PIGEON SLIPPER.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The pigeons that fill every city square are the feral offspring of our process of domesticating the wild rock dove (Columba livia) 5-10,000 years ago.
These doves were messengers, livestock, sport and hobby.
Pigeons are doves, and we bred them to depend on us for food and safety.
These doves were messengers, livestock, sport and hobby.
Pigeons are doves, and we bred them to depend on us for food and safety.
April 17, 2024 at 12:02 PM
The pigeons that fill every city square are the feral offspring of our process of domesticating the wild rock dove (Columba livia) 5-10,000 years ago.
These doves were messengers, livestock, sport and hobby.
Pigeons are doves, and we bred them to depend on us for food and safety.
These doves were messengers, livestock, sport and hobby.
Pigeons are doves, and we bred them to depend on us for food and safety.