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Resurrecting the Extinct Frog with a Stomach for a Womb

Resurrecting the Extinct Frog with a Stomach for a Womb
Two years ago, Mike Archer from the University of New South Wales looked down a microscope and saw that a single fertilised frog egg had divided in two. Then, it did it again. And again. Eventually, the egg produced an embryo containing hundreds of cells. “There were a lot of hi-fives going around the laboratory,” says Archer. This might seem like an over-reaction. The fact that it started to grow into an embryo was a big deal. Archer’s goal is simple: To bring the extinct gastric brooding frog back from oblivion and, in doing so, provide hope for the hundreds of other frogs that are heading that way. Frozen southern gastric brooding frog. Stomach for a womb The southern gastric brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus) was discovered in 1972 in the mountains of Queensland, Australia. Simply put, the mother frog converts her stomachs into a womb. When news broke about this weird strategy, other scientists were incredulous. They didn’t have long. Then, good news! Cloning Lazarus Is it worth it?

Peregrine Falcon The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, except extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This makes it the world's most widespread raptor[11] and one of the most widely found bird species. In fact, the only land-based bird species found over a larger geographic area is not always naturally occurring but one widely introduced by humans, the Rock Pigeon, which in turn now supports many Peregrine populations as a prey species. While its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, the Peregrine will occasionally hunt small mammals, small reptiles, or even insects. Description[edit] Taxonomy and systematics[edit] Subspecies[edit] Breeding ranges of the subspecies Adult of subspecies pealei or tundrius by its nest in Alaska F. p. macropus, Australia

Gyrfalcon The Gyrfalcon (/ˈdʒɜrfɔːlkən/ or /ˈdʒɜrfælkən/), also spelled gerfalcon—Falco rusticolus—is the largest of the falcon species. The Gyrfalcon breeds on Arctic coasts and the islands of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is mainly a resident there also, but some Gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter. Individual vagrancy can take birds for long distances. The Gyrfalcon is dispersed throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, with populations in Northern America, Greenland, and Northern Europe. Its plumage varies with location, with birds being coloured from all-white to dark brown. The bird's common name comes from French gerfaucon; in medieval Latin it is gyrofalco. Description[edit] The black color seems to be sex-linked and to occur mostly in females; it proved difficult for breeders to get males darker than the dark side of slate grey. Systematics and evolution[edit] Ecology[edit] Breeding[edit] The Gyrfalcon almost invariably nests on cliff faces.

Fennec fox The fennec fox or fennec (Vulpes zerda) is a small nocturnal fox found in the Sahara of North Africa. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which also serve to dissipate heat. Its name comes from the Arabic word فنك (fanak), which means fox, and the species name zerda comes from the Greek word xeros which means dry, referring to the fox's habitat.[2] The fennec is the smallest species of canid in the world. Its coat, ears, and kidney functions have adapted to high-temperature, low-water, desert environments. In addition, its hearing is sensitive enough to hear prey moving underground. It mainly eats insects, small mammals, and birds. The fennec has a life span of up to 14 years in captivity. Description Taxonomy Behavior Social behavior An 1876 sketch of a pack of fennec foxes Information on fennec fox social behavior is mainly based on captive animals. Diet and hunting The species is able to live without free water, as its kidneys are adapted to restrict water loss.

Euglossa bazinga Euglossa bazinga is a euglossine bee species found in Brazil. It is named after the catchphrase of the fictional character Dr. Sheldon Cooper from the television show The Big Bang Theory. Taxonomy and naming[edit] Euglossa bazinga is one of around 130 species currently identified within the orchid bee genus Euglossa.[2] E. bazinga had previously been misidentified as Euglossa ignita Smith, 1874. Distribution and habitat[edit] E. bazinga has been identified in the central and northern areas of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Morphology and identification[edit] E. bazinga is the smallest of the Euglossa species belonging to the subgenus Glossura, but has the longest tongue in proportion to its body size.[6] References[edit]

Catahoula Cur The Catahoula Cur is an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, in the state of Louisiana, in the United States. After becoming the state dog of Louisiana in 1979, its name was officially changed to Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. The Catahoula is believed to be the first dog breed developed in North America[citation needed]. The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Catahoula Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound", although it is not a true hound, but a cur. It is also called the "Catahoula Hog Dog", reflecting its traditional use in hunting wild boar. History[edit] The history of the Catahoula dog breed extends from prehistory through modern times, in the early 21st century. Origins[edit] The history of both the Catahoula lineage and the origins of the name "Catahoula" are both subject to uncertainty, however there are various theories (or hypotheses). There are two theories regarding the origin of the word 'Catahoula.' Bowie brothers[edit] Louisiana Governor Earl K. Recent[edit]

Carolina Dog The Carolina Dog, or American Dingo, was originally a landrace or naturally selected type of dog which was discovered living as a wild dog or free roaming dog by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin. Carolina Dogs are now bred and kept in captive collections or packs, and as pets. A breed standard has been developed by the United Kennel Club that now specifies the appearance of these dogs.[1] Discovery[edit] Dr. Horace, a stray white dog with brown markings, was wandering the site's boundary when he caught Brisbin’s attention. Evidence of ancient roots[edit] Physical[edit] Some ancient paintings and rock art of Native Americans depict dogs that have physical traits similar to those of Carolina Dogs. Height: 17-24 inches (45–61 cm.) Dixie Dingo Behavior[edit] In the 1980s, most Carolina Dogs were moved to captivity for study. After they gave birth or while pregnant, the dog would carefully push sand with her snout to cover her excrement. Carolina Dog / American Dingo Temperament[edit] DNA testing[edit]

New Guinea singing dog The New Guinea singing dog (also known as the New Guinea dingo, Hallstrom dog, bush dingo, New Guinea wild dog, and singer) is a wild dog once found throughout New Guinea. New Guinea singing dogs are named for their unique vocalization. Little is known about New Guinea singing dogs in their native habitat. Captive-bred New Guinea dingoes serve as companion dogs. History and classification[edit] A singing dog after a bone The first singing dog was taken from New Guinea in 1897. MacGregor sent both the skin and the skeleton, preserved in alcohol, to the Queensland Museum. In 1956, Albert Speer and J.P. There has been considerable controversy regarding the taxonomic classification of New Guinea dingoes. The NGSD is not genetically or ecologically exchangeable with any other canid population, and the NGSD is an evolutionarily significant unit.[7] Mammal Species of the World lists these dogs as part of Canis lupus dingo, provisionally separate from Canis lupus familiaris.[8] Dr. Build[edit]

Blue Lacy The Lacy Dog or Blue Lacy Dog[1] is a breed of working dog that originated in Texas in the mid-19th century.[2] The Lacy was first recognized in 2001 by the Texas Senate. In Senate Resolution No. 436, the 77th Legislature honored the Lacy as "a true Texas breed". In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation adopting the blue Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas".[2] As expected, the vast majority of Lacy dogs are found in Texas. However, as the breed becomes more well recognized, there are breeding populations being established across the United States, and in Canada. Description[edit] Appearance[edit] Lacy dogs are strong and fast, lightly built but proportional within the height-to-weight ratio. Color[edit] Though they are often called "blue" Lacys, there are three permissible color varieties of the Lacy. Coat[edit] The coat should be short, smooth and tight. Temperament[edit] Tricolor Lacy Dogs in general are intelligent, intense, active, and alert. Activities[edit]

Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus[a] /ˌhaɪdrɵˈsɛfələs/, also known as "water on the brain", is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. Although it does occur in older adults, it is more common in infants.[2] Classification[edit] Hydrocephalus can be caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, reabsorption, or excessive CSF production. Based on its underlying mechanisms, hydrocephalus can be classified into communicating and non-communicating (obstructive). Communicating[edit] Communicating hydrocephalus, also known as non-obstructive hydrocephalus, is caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid reabsorption in the absence of any CSF-flow obstruction between the ventricles and subarachnoid space. Non-communicating[edit]

Status epilepticus Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure. Definitions vary, but currently it is defined as one continuous, unremitting seizure lasting longer than five minutes,[1] or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness between seizures for greater than five minutes. Previous definitions used a 30-minute time limit.[2] Treatment is, however, generally started after the seizure has lasted five minutes. It is always considered a medical emergency. There is some evidence that five minutes is sufficient to damage neurons and that seizures are unlikely to self-terminate by that time. Signs and symptoms[edit] Status epilepticus can be divided into two categories—convulsive and nonconvulsive, the latter of which is underdiagnosed. Convulsive[edit] Epilepsia partialis continua is a variant involving hour-, day-, or even week-long jerking. Nonconvulsive[edit] Causes[edit] Treatments[edit] Benzodiazepines[edit] Barbiturates[edit]

Chilean rose tarantula The Rose Hair Tarantula (Grammostola rosea), also known in the United States as the Chilean rose tarantula, Chilean flame tarantula, Chilean fire tarantula or the Chilean red-haired tarantula (depending on the colormorph), is probably the most common species of tarantula available in American and European pet stores today, due to the large number of wild-caught specimens exported cheaply from their native Chile into the pet trade. The species is also known from Bolivia and Argentina.[1] G. rosea is a common pet of tarantula hobbyists. Females have been known to live as long as 15–20 years, but due to the limited time they have been available on the market (and hence for extensive study) it is possible that they may live considerably longer than 20 years. Habitat[edit] Food[edit] This tarantula has a diverse menu including grasshoppers, crickets, moths, beetles, cockroaches and mealworms. Reproduction[edit] Pets[edit] Gallery[edit] Notes[edit] References[edit] External links[edit]

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