Since I started using iNat, not only have I learned more about organisms that I’ve personally encountered, but I’ve discovered all sorts of things through research that I had no idea existed. Fortunately or unfortunately though, we don’t know everything about nature yet. Sometimes I come across some…

No, it’s not necessary but it is certainly useful for completeness. The vast majority of moths are described only as adults. I don’t think there is a Lepidoptera species described only based on a larvae, but I guess that’s because if you have a larvae in your possession you will just wait until it…

and then the other way round would work too, if only the adult is known then potential larvae can be raised to confirm the identity of the larvae themselves based on the adult form.

[image] rayray: if you have a larvae in your possession you will just wait until it pupates and emerges to see what the undescribed adult looks like. Or more likely, you discover an undescribed species of parasitoid.

This paper answers a number of your questions. Obligate asexuality is also present in a number of angiosperms, including many weedy dandelions.

On a more personal note: I took a blurry cell phone photo of what appears to be Lepidocyrtus fimicolus because I didn’t feel like getting out my macro cam. L. fimicolus has no verifiable iNat/Bugguide records for California (though it is known to occur there). I regret not taking out my macro cam. …

Do note that two other whalefish families (Rondeletiidae and Barbourisiidae) have unspecialized larvae which apparently metamorphose without much fanfare. See this paper, which doesn’t call them mirapinnids but also fails to realize mirapinnids aren’t cetomimids. [I could not find any references m…

[image] rayray: They have only bones of some of the large Mascarine parrots but there are vague references to “large green parrots” from visitors in 1500’s. https://www.parrots.org/photo-gallery/mascarene-parrot There is a photo of the one of the 2 taxidermy specimens with plumage, this one …

Those transparent fish and other see-thru marine species. How? How did they evolve transparent skin and muscles? To me, It does not seem like there is much evolutionary advantage in the interim stages. Barreleye Fish https://youtu.be/Zoygy-8PTtU https://www.mbari.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/b…

[image] teellbee: To me, It does not seem like there is much evolutionary advantage in the interim stages. I have thought the same thing about flounders.

Sad to see a beautiful bird reduced to just this, but at the same time I am glad the specimen exists! The one I was talking about is an older parrot (Broad-billed Parrot?) with a giant head. There are only bones known from caves but artists reconstruct it as green because the visitors in 1500’s sa…

Mysterious organisms that keep you up at night

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Mysterious organisms that keep you up at night

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