Computed tomography (CT) scans of an African pangolin or scaly anteater. Pangolins are a unique family of mammal insectivores which are found in forests and desert in Africa and South-East Asia. They are covered in unique keratin scales, which make up 20% of their total weight. The largest species, the giant ground pangolin, can grow up to…
Scaly-foot gastropod produces iron ‘chainmail’ coat
Chrysomallon squamiferum is a gastropod (snail) recently described from deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. The characteristic plates on the soft body have earned it the name ‘scaly-foot’, but the most unusual thing about this creature is that the scales are coated in iron sulphide. This is likely produced by endosymbiotic bacteria living in the gut which…
Flamboyant cuttlefish Metasepia pfefferi can see polarised light and may use it as a secret language
No prizes for guessing how the flamboyant cuttlefish got its name, then! This delightful species actually has surprisingly poor colour vision – but they have got another brilliant visual trick up their many sleeves. Cuttlefish are able to see polarisation; the plane of incoming light. It is even possible that they use this ability, together with their…
Skull of a python: can snakes hear through their jaws?
The vertebrate ear tends to have three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. Snakes have greatly reduced outer and middle ears, yet with just the inner ear and one remaining part of the middle ear they are able to hear. The middle ear ossicle has become connected to the jaw, suggesting that vibrations of…
Butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) out of water?
These fabulous fish are found living happily along the sea shore and can be found among the rocks at low tides in north-west Europe. They are highly unusual in that when caught in low water they are still able to breathe using their gills! The characteristic spots along their back may act as ‘false eyes’ to…
Shark denticles, scanning electron microscope
Shark skin is covered in thousands of tiny, tooth-like scales called denticles. The shape of the denticles varies between different species, and can not only be used to identify modern animals, but can be adapted to provide greater protection, minimise drag or even allow the passage of bioluminescence (light-up sharks!). Image courtesy of Erin Dillon
Chiton radula (Chaetopleura articulata) capped with magnetite
Most molluscs (slugs, snails and many shellfish) use a radula to scrape algae and other food from the surface of rocks and shells. It’s a large, complex structure which resembles a giant alien tongue with many rows of teeth, and can be more than half the length of the whole animal! But chitons have an even more…
Developing lobster egg
Developing lobster egg, with eye and legs visible at the bottom left and right, respectively. Image courtesy of Tora Bardal and the Nikon Small World competition.
Branchial basket of the dogfish Squalus acanthias
The branchial basket is a cartilagenous structure which supports the gills (around the fine branches at either side). Image courtesy of RVC
Shell of the oyster Ostrea edulis, embedded in resin and sectioned to show growth lines.
As molluscs like the oyster grow, so too must their protective shell. Like tree rings, we can use the rings produced by seasonal growth to age these animals. This information is vital to monitoring and sustaining natural and harvested populations. Image courtesy of Dr Lawrence Eagling.
In focus: Chelonians (turtles and tortoises)
This week, we were lucky enough to examine two turtles which had been donated to the RVC. Turtles, tortoises and terrapins belong to a group of reptiles called Testudines or chelonians, which is thought to be one of the very oldest groups of reptiles. They have (slowly) walked the Earth for more than 220 million…
No bones about it! What are skeletons?
Skeletons aren’t just bony figures with a skull, ribs and bandy legs that jump out of closets and ask for sweets at Hallowe’en. In fact, many skeletons have no bones at all! Let’s take a far and wide look at skeletons… Skeletons fulfil at least four basic functions – they support the body’s structure against gravity or other…
Anatomy To You 