Tag Archives: kesscottsomme

Darwin Tree of Life was on the news! 📰

Rebecca Morelle, a science editor for the BBC, picked up on the fantastic work being conducted by the scientists as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project.  How fantastic is that! We are delighted that the project is being recognised for its ambition and the ground-breaking research that it is hoping to produce. This project, to sequence over 70,000 species (yes, you heard that right, 70,000!) is ambitious for many reasons.  Not least because the goal is to make history by 2030! 8 years from now. Do you think they can do it? What is the species you would like to see sequenced next? Let us know in the comments. Jamie McGowan, who is part of the Perfect Protists team, has been busy with some pond water.  He is set up in the lab, looking through a microscope at a single drop of water. In this single drop, there … Continue reading →

Posted on June 17, 2022 by modchryssa in DToL, Update. Tagged , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Discovery of a new bobtail squid 🦑

Did you know that cuttlefish have not just one but three hearts? That they move by pushing water at high speed through their gills and fins? That there are over 100 different species?  And they can change their colour and texture to match their environment?  No! Well, let Kesella Scott-Somme take you on a journey of discovery into the world of cephalopods. Kesella, along with Team Marine, have uncovered the secrets of a new species of squid: the bobtail squid. 🦑🌊 Read more about them here as well as a handful of other species that the scientists are excited to sequence.  

Posted on May 30, 2022 by modhannah in Update. Tagged , , . Leave a comment

🐌🌊 Snail hunting in the dark sea caves of Wales

Think the seaside is all about swimming and building sandcastles? Think again! Kesella Scott-Somme and Team Marine at the Marine Biological Association took to the sea caves of Wales, to discover the hidden secrets of Bas’s cave snail (Otina ovata), amongst other species!  These fascinating snails look like limpets but they are actually a type of snail that dwells in marine environments clinging to the smoother walls of caves and rockpools. In her post, Kesella explains the importance of these snails as well as starfish and seaweed that they stumbled upon and how their research is shedding light on these species’ important role in the marine ecosystem. 🐌🌊⭐🌱 Read more here 🐌🌊⭐🌱

Posted on March 30, 2022 by modchryssa in DToL, Update. Tagged . Leave a comment

🔬 Majestic marine worms under the microscope

What do you picture when someone asks you to think of a cute animal?  Chances are your first thought isn’t a marine worm… but think again!  Kesella Scott-Somme takes a light-hearted look into the world of marine worms and helps prove that even those that wiggle can still be awfully cute! 🔬 We love a good microscope image and you cannot beat one where a worm is smiling at you! Check out more of these selfies here 🐛

Posted on March 2, 2022 by modchryssa in DToL, Update. Tagged , . Leave a comment

Ask the scientists:

How to use the activity

Watch the video to see what you can do on the Darwin Tree of Life site.