Discovery Science 🧬

Zebras' stripes are not for protection from predators. And not from overheating. It turned out to be even more brilliant! Imagine the situation. You are a pilot and your plane is coming in to land - a normal work day. And then the landing strip suddenly turns into a huge abyss with infinite depth. A second and she's normal again. And then again a giant failure instead of a smooth road. What are your actions? Congratulations, you've just seen a zebra through the eyes of a horsefly. At school we were taught that black and white relatives of horses dye themselves striped for protection from predators. They say that meat-eaters have dazzle in their eyes and they don’t understand where one zebra ends and another begins. Lions and hyenas have to fly into the herd almost blindly and hope that a familiar and attractive ham will appear in front of their faces. Only a team of Canadian and American zoologists refuted this theory back in 2016. And 2 years later, biologists from Hungary refuted another popular theory about striped skins. It was assumed that this color helps in cooling the hoofed organism. As it turns out, it doesn't help. Only one version has been confirmed experimentally: the striped skin reliably protects against blood-sucking parasites. It was proven by American and Japanese researchers, and in parallel. The first ones painted horses like zebras, the second ones painted cows like zebras. And the result was the same. It turned out that contrasting striped coloring attracts insects even more than the natural color of a cow or horse hide. But insects land on painted livestock half as often. Most of the parasites only circle around them or even crash into their bodies. The stripes confuse the insects' altimeters and prevent them from aiming properly at the cow. After flying over the animal for a little while, the flies and mosquitoes fly away hungry. This is potentially a very promising study. Striped cattle will get sick and suffer less, which means the quality of the product will be higher. Farmers will be able to save on insecticides and midge traps. No matter which way you look at it, there are advantages all around! Who knows, maybe you and I will be lucky enough to see striped cow herds? Единственное лицензированное Telegram-казино 🏆 ⭐️ Ежедневные раздачи до $5000 ⭐️ Всегда здесь: https://t.me/tonplay?start=hUWcgK2Mxueree

on which it was parasitizing. It was then that they discovered the incredible: 1342 genes of the parasitic worm turned out to be absolutely identical to the genes of its host. And these genes are mainly responsible for the development and control of the insect’s nervous system. That is why scientists could not detect foreign hormones - the worm produced neurotransmitters that were indistinguishable from the host’s neurotransmitters. We have witnessed gene theft that was previously thought impossible. Humanity is relatively well aware of the mechanism of horizontal gene transfer - the exchange of hereditary material between two organisms of different species. But previously we were sure that such transfer was possible either among primitive single-celled organisms, or with the help of viruses that accidentally “capture” the genes of host cells. But both the worm and the insect are much more complex than primitive prokaryotes and are too far apart to have common viruses. It seems that there is some kind of mechanism here that is still unknown to humanity. This mechanism is also unknown to the worm itself, because its job is simple - to force the owner to jump into the water in order to crawl out of it and go to reproduce - to complete the cycle. All that remains of the owner is an agonizing shell that still thinks that it is alive. Author: Yaroslav Ilyin Единственное лицензированное Telegram-казино 🏆 ⭐️ Ежедневные раздачи до $5000 ⭐️ Всегда здесь: https://t.me/tonplay?start=hUWcgK2Mxueree

Horsehair: A worm parasite of our water bodies. What is worth knowing about it? In the stereotypically dark fantasy universe of Warhammer 40,000, there is a group of creatures that people call Genestealers. These creatures penetrate human society, mimicking its members and spreading further and further until they can destroy it in the flames of a senseless and merciless uprising. But this is all, of course, fiction. Real genestealers look just like the previews. The creature in the photograph is a horsehair, also known as a hairworm, also known as a nematomorpha - a relative of roundworms that lives wherever there are permanent standing bodies of water. He is also a deadly parasite. However, when you see one in the lake, you wouldn’t think that it could be dangerous for anyone. Well, a worm 5-10 centimeters long swims about its business - well, let it swim. Adult hairworms are not dangerous to anyone. Don't be alarmed if you see them in the summer, they can't do any harm. And even vice versa, hairworms themselves are prey for hundreds of animal species. Their biggest oddity is their method of reproduction. Each horsehair releases pheromones that attract other worms. And they also release pheromones, which attract even more hairworms. Therefore, after some time, somewhere on the shore, a gigantic and terrible lump is formed, in which many males mate with many females. Soon after mating, the females lay long chains of eggs and die - their role is completed. And from the eggs hatch parasitic larvae, greedily looking for a host. In most cases, they find the larvae of aquatic insects (for example, mosquitoes), gnaw a tiny hole in them and penetrate into the abdominal cavity, where they turn into cysts - almost impenetrable capsules. And then they simply wait until their real owner - a larger predatory insect - swallows them along with food. And that's when the fun begins. From the intestine, horsehair penetrates into the abdominal cavity of the host, where it feeds on the hemolymph and surrounding tissues. And at the same time, it slowly and systematically subjugates the victim’s consciousness. First, he forces the insect to jump randomly from side to side. Then - strive towards the light, moving towards the brightest spot within visibility. It could be a polished metal surface, a sunbeam or a reflection of the sun on the surface of the water - this is where the parasite directs its owner. The hairworm needs water to move on to the next stage. And for a very long time we could not understand: how does the worm manage to control its owner so delicately? Biochemical studies of the tissues of infected insects showed that the hairworms secreted specific proteins into its hemolymph, which help it deceive the host’s immunity - but nothing more. Everything else was normal! And only 3 years ago, scientists from the Japanese Center for Research in the Dynamics of Biosystems decided to compare the genome of horsehair and the praying mantis

ot impose themselves and do not require constant attention, but at the same time they subtly sense the mood of the owner and appear nearby exactly when needed. They approach quietly, carefully, they can simply snuggle sideways or lie next to them without disturbing the harmony around them. Japanese people are not prone to rough play or fussing. Their movements are neat, almost silent, they can spend hours watching the birds sing outside the window or how you try to complete another deadline. And many chins wash themselves with their paws and like to climb onto high places - just like cats. Yes, these dogs can be stubborn when learning commands - this is due to their palace past. Chins understand perfectly well that they are needed for beauty and adoration; fetching slippers is beneath their dignity. But on the other hand, they don’t need long walks, because it’s not the royal business to get their paws dirty. So watchdogs are ideal for people with a measured pace of life or very busy ones. Chins will be grateful if you don’t drag them on hikes or into the forest; a leisurely hour in the park is ideal for them. On the other hand, it is very good that Japanese Chins have not become a super popular breed. After all, this means that they were not touched by the hand of unscrupulous breeders: most dogs today are distinguished by good health and a stable psyche. Yes, finding a puppy may not be so easy, but believe me, you won’t regret taking this miracle into your home! After all, a bonus to a wonderful character is quite simple care. The Chin's coat is light and silky; it does not require complex cutting and five-step bathing. Just wash it when it gets dirty or 1-2 times a month, then dry it thoroughly and comb it a couple more times a week. So be aware of the existence of this wonderful breed. Maybe someday someone will want to own this miracle. Japanese quality! Author: Arina Taran Единственное лицензированное Telegram-казино 🏆 ⭐️ Ежедневные раздачи до $5000 ⭐️ Всегда здесь: https://t.me/spinclubprime_bot?start=ceFJNzuX1W5

Japanese Chin: Unknown but ideal breed. Happiness for the lazy owner Imagine a dog that doesn’t chew slippers, doesn’t require long walks, doesn’t play with endless games, and yet somehow manages to be there exactly when you need it. Sounds like a lazy owner's fantasy? But the Japanese decided not to fantasize - they just took it and bred such a breed. And the funny thing is that they did it not yesterday, but many centuries ago. These tiny fluffies were adored by emperors and kept at court as an expensive treasure. Meet the Japanese Chin. And yes, he really has every chance of being that “ideal dog.” Surprisingly, the history of Japanese Chins begins in China. Yes, it was from there that the ancestors of the modern breed - Pekingese and Tibetan spaniels - came to Japan. This happened, according to different versions, in the 5th-7th century AD. In those days there were no samurai, geishas and anime people; Japan at that time was an emerging state. Everything was vague and very stern. And the dogs were a match - big and rough, strong, independent. They were used for guarding and hunting various game, from squirrels to wild boars and bears. No fussing, just a working relationship. And just imagine, in such a difficult time, tiny charming dogs appear in Japan. The Chinese brought them with them without any special intent, but against the backdrop of the entire local toothy-evil pack, the fluffy snub-noses seemed to the emperors as divine messengers. And of course, the ruling dynasty immediately took this wonder to their palace. Further selection of miracle babies was kept in the strictest confidence. The palace dog handlers worked tirelessly on her, trying to make the dog as small and cute as possible. It was considered ideal if it could be hidden in the sleeve of a kimono and contained without any hassle. Actually, the size criterion still works to this day: adult watchdogs grow smaller than a cat. Maximum - 25 centimeters at the withers and 3 kilograms of weight, minimum - easily fits in a pocket. Chins were simply required to be beautiful, follow their owner everywhere, cheer him up and not disturb him if he was busy. For this, the imperial dogs were entitled to personal servants and security - the wool ones lived like cheese in butter. Animals were not even considered dogs at all; they were something like little living decorations and consolations. When Japan began to communicate with other countries, foreign ministers and presidents paid attention to the imperial fluffies. However, there was no “popularity boom” with the Chins, as usually happens when this or that breed appears among top officials. Although dogs have spread throughout the world, they have remained niche, exclusive pets, which very few people keep today. On the one hand - very in vain! After all, from time immemorial, animals have been sectioned as companions. They are literally created to give love, tenderness and not create unnecessary problems. Chins do n

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Pestun: Cycle failure. Why does a teenage bear stay with his mother for another year? Since ancient times, foresters and hunters have said that sometimes a bear cannot cope with her role as a single mother. And then she calls for help from the nurse - a young bear from the previous brood, who is not yet ready to have his own children, but is already experienced enough to help his mother. But scientists did not believe in their existence for a very long time. Back in the 50-60s of the last century, Soviet zoologists wrote that they could not find a single strong evidence of the existence of pestuns, that this is another hunting myth that the earth is full of. So which one was right in the end? Oddly enough, both sides are right in their own way. Today, thanks to camera traps and GPS trackers, we know that nesting bears really do exist, it’s just a very rare phenomenon - less than 0.5% of female bears acquire helpers. Therefore, it is not surprising that not a single scientific expedition recorded them - the chances were too small. The hunters, however, were also not completely right. They believed that the female deliberately leaves the bear cub with her in order to ease the hardship of motherhood. But in fact, strong maternal instincts, coupled with a happy accident, are to blame for everything. The same chain of unlikely events leads to the appearance of a pestling bear. First, a mother bear must lose her baby over one year of age. And it doesn’t matter whether he fell behind during the campaign or was driven away by an overly aggressive male. It is important that the female decided that her baby was dead. Then, she must mate with the male a few days after the loss. And finally - after a few days or even weeks - a happy reunion of mother and child should occur. Usually, the female drives away her cubs when they are 1.5-2 years old, but in this case, powerful hormonal changes associated with pregnancy cause an increase in maternal instinct, and therefore yesterday’s baby still remains close to its mother. They even lie down in the den together! And in the spring, a whole family is selected from it: a mother, 1-3 bear cubs and a teenager, who is close in size to the mother. But here’s what’s interesting: the nurse actually helps the mother in caring for the children. A childishly active and spontaneous teenager happily plays with the kids, spending a lot of time with them and relieving the mother of the heavy burden of entertaining the offspring. And, at the same time, he is old enough to limit his strength and not cause injury to them. In addition, the pestun is already strong enough to protect them from a lone wolf or wolverine. But all good things come to an end: at the age of three or four years, the parent still leaves his mother. Not because she drives him away, as usually happens, but because he becomes an adult and feels close to his mother. Their paths diverge forever. Единственное лицензированное Telegram-казино 🏆

s are getting healthier! Research by oceanologists shows that fish that regularly swim to cleaners live longer than specimens that ignore their well-being. There's a lot to learn, isn't there? - - - - - We have a huge group, which is 11 years old and there are many zoologists who write tons of text every day from the field in which they are specialists. Due to VK’s failed policy towards authors, all this, unfortunately, rests only on rare advertising and your support. You can support the stability of our nervous system with a minimum subscription of 100 rubles per month. You can request support directly through the button in this post. Thank you! Единственное лицензированное Telegram-казино 🏆 ⭐️ Ежедневные раздачи до $5000 ⭐️ Всегда здесь: https://t.me/spinclubprime_bot?start=ceFJNzuX1W5

Truce place in the ocean. Here the most dangerous predators do not harm anyone. All fish undergo spa treatments together! “If you don’t pass the Unified State Exam, you’ll have to go work as a janitor” - this is how every first parent motivates their child on the eve of exams. What a pity that we don’t live at sea, where cleaners are held in high esteem! The cleaner wrasse, for example, being a tiny fry, is not even afraid of sharks. And all because he works in a cleaning station - the safest place in the World Ocean! It doesn’t matter who you are - predator or prey, meat-eater or herbivore. The sea creatures that come here briefly forget their place in the food chain in order to get rid of those who suck blood and turn life into a personal hell - parasites. At cleaning stations they are greeted with joyful dancing by the cleaner wrasses, who are also called doctors. These fish live in the tropical waters of the World Ocean. From the Red Sea to the shores of Fiji, from New Zealand to the Great Barrier Reef, doctor fish set up stations and accept clients for a modest fee in the form of ectoparasites and scraps of dead skin. The leader male runs the “business”; he rules a group of several females, and together they control their section of the reef. Wrasses are small fish, no more than 10 centimeters in length. Their bright blue body is crossed by a black unmasking stripe. But the doctor does not try to hide; on the contrary, the wrasse wants to be as noticeable as possible. Seeing a potential client on the horizon, the cleaners break into a dance, but not with joy in anticipation of payment. This is how they signal the fish about their species and offer services. Predators, herbivores, scavengers - all those who need help stop, open their mouths, allowing the cleaner to hunt for parasites that dig into their skin, throats and gills. Among the clients there are also special people - sharks. They have to be serviced on the move - the gas exchange of toothy predators is directly related to the flow of water through the gill slits. The procedure that the wrasse undergoes is unpleasant, but useful. The fish scrapes off all sorts of nasty things from the most inaccessible places of its patient. To calm the ward while removing the parasite, the wrasse gently “strokes” it with its fins. When the client wants to finish the procedure, he gives a signal: he closes his mouth for a few seconds. Then he opens it, releasing the small assistant into the wild. A cleaning station is a real business. Clients remember the places where they got thoroughly fucked and return there again and again. And the wrasses themselves remember regular guests and clean them especially carefully. Does anyone eat wrasse? Most likely, they are swallowed periodically, if only because fish are reflex creatures. But by the standards of other inhabitants of the sea, cleaners live in conditions of total security. Thanks to the work of little doctors, all sea creature