AN UNFOREGETABLE CEPHALOPOD: “THE VAMPIRE SQUID”

The name "Vampire Squid" name is a misnomer because the animal is certainly NOT a vampire, nor a squid. This unique cephalopod is more closely related to octopuses than to squids. It is about the size of a football and has eight arms (like an octopus), but lacks the feeding tentacles/suckers (as present on squids). It might be an octopus, but even that is very doubtful. Most likely it is a different type of cephalopod (albeit a deep-water one), and a new name would be fitting for this unique cephalopod.

Unlike other cephalopods, the “vampire squid” is not a carnivore; instead it is a generalist that feeds on “falling” debris in the ocean depths. The “vampire squid” also lacks an ink sack. The “vampire squid” is the only cephalopod that does not actively track its prey. Also, unlike other cephalopods, the “vampire squid” does not die after laying its eggs.

“Vampire squids” can also emit bioluminescent, sticky mucus that glows for up to 10 minutes, thereby allowing the animal it to escape a predator. Usually, “vampire squids” float peacefully in their deep, oxygen-deprived environment-awaiting for food to float to them as floating debris. The “vampire squid” can swim away (it uses jet propulsion to avoid predators, but its speed is short lived. 

This unique cephalopod lives as a floater and a generally weak swimmers (although when under attack, they can move as fast as two body lengths/second). It lives in deep, dark frigid ocean waters, at bathyal depths between 2,000 and 3,000 feet (609-914 m) deep, “where the sun doesn’t shine,” and the water temperature is 4-6 degrees Celcius.

Figure 1. A typical red-colored adult of the so-called “vampire squid.” These animals drift with the deep-ocean currents and eats food that has fallen from the overlying shallow tropical and temperate waters above.

Adult “vampire squids” are about 30 cm (1 foot) long and have eight long “arms” (without sucker disks) and with a pair of large eyes for optimal vision in dim waters. They essentially have permanent night vision. Relative to the size of the adult animal, “vampire squids” have some of the largest (if not the largest) eyes in the animal kingdom. Also, the eyes of “vampire squids” are blue. 

The “vampire squids” live up to 10 years = much longer than other cephalopods. [Note: most octopus live for 1-5 years, and the Nautilus cephalopod can live for 20+ years. They lack an ink sac. They don’t hunt for food; it comes to them.

Figure 2. The individual shown is this figure has its “cape” turned inside out, like an umbrella. This happens most likely when the animal is disturbed and wants to confuse predators. If necessary, “vampire squids” can reshape their bodies into spiny (spiky) balls.

Juvenile “vampire squids” are black or blackish and have a second pair of fins closer to the arms. As these juveniles grow bigger, their additional fins are absorbed back into the body. Also, the “vampire squid” can regrow the tips of their arms. Furthermore, they also have a “little glow stick”on their arms in order to confuse predators in the dark, inky depths. The “vampire squid” can glow in the dark for up to 10 minutes. 

Figure 3. A juvenile “vampire squid.”

FOSSIL RECORD

The earliest record is of early middle Jurassic age (201-174 million years old). Their anatomy has hardly changed since then (i.e., there has been no reason to change). 

CLASSIFICATION

Phylum Mollusca

Class Cephalopoda 

Order Vampyromorphia = probably ancestral for both octopuses and squids.

Family Vampyroteuthidae

Genus Vanpyroteuthis [literally means “vampire squid from hell = an undeserved name!]

Type Species V. infernails [this is the only known species of this genus]

REFERENCES

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) = excellent videos of these so-called “squids.”

National Geographic website

Wikipedia

SOME EXAMPLES OF MIGMATITE ROCKS

Migmatites represent transitions in the rock cycle from medium and high-grade metamorphic rocks to igneous rocks. Furthermore, migmatites are the result of partial melting that occurred in extreme conditions deep inside the earth’s crust. They can be intricately folded (e.g., having zigzag patterns) because they are the result of thermal softening. Migmatites can also be swirled or twisted in some way because some minerals had started to melt. 

Migmatites are commonly of Precambrian age.

Figure 1. Migmatite rock (10 inches from lower left corner to upper right corner): showing rotation of its main components and flow banding.

Figure 2. Migmatite rock (9 inches from lower left corner to upper right corner): showing flow banding of some its component parts.

Figure 3. Migmatite rock (6.5 inches from left to right).

Figure 4. Sketch of ptygmatic (“intestine-like) folding (in pink color) found in a migmatite. Sketch modified from: https://www.britannica.com/science. Scale: unknown.

 

A LANDSLIDE: THERE ONE DAY AND GONE SOON AFTERWARD

HERE ONE DAY, GONE SOON AFTERWARD

Southern California has its share of mountains and hills with sedimentary beds that have been tilted to considerable steepness by ancient and on-going tectonic uplifts and earthquakes. Under the right conditions, namely, already strongly tilted layers and soft sedimentary layers (e.g., muddy siltstone), slopes will fail and landslides are inevitable.  

In late November, 2015, one of the local county roads (Vasquez Canyon Road) was suddenly and strongly warped by a landslide (about 150 feet across) that was relatively small, but,  nevertheless, very destructive. Tons of tilted sedimentary beds of poorly cemented mudstone abruptly shifted downhill. Numerous crevasses formed on the hillside. Some of these cracks were up to 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide. The adjacent was highway was tilted every which way!

The pictures below show various views, in temporal sequence, of the landslide block. The road had to be closed for many months while construction crews removed tons of highly damaged road and, in so doing, eventually stabilized the slope next to it. Notice on the left side of the first image below, the steep, over-turned (concave/bending) fold. The sedimentary layers were already at a steep angle, and were eventually primed to fail. The first images show how the slope and the adjacent highway "took a beating." The last two images show what the area looked like, many months later.

Before the area was cordoned off to the public, people came to skate- board down the irregular slope that was once a relatively smooth, non-undulating highway.

Several months later, after the slide area was deemed to be stabilized.

This last image was taken after the road crews were finally done with the removal of a large portion of the remaining slide. It took many months!

HOME-GROWN GARDEN PLANTS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

I include these type of plants in my blog because they are commonly overlooked by many people, yet each one of these plants has “it own story.” Also, they are edible and their home-grown taste "can't be beat."

                                                                                      BLUE BERRY

                          

                                                                                                        Fruit

Classification:

Order Ericale

Family Ericaceae

Genus Vaccinium

  Species V. sect. cyanococcus

Mode of Life:

Ground plant /shrub up to 4 m high.

Comments: Today, they have circum-polar distribution.

                                                                                    BOYSENBERRY

                                                                                        flower and fruit 

                               

                                                                                                      blossom

                                                                                                              fruit

Classification:

   Order Rosales

   Family Rosaceae

   Genus Rubus

     Species R. ursinus x R. idaeus

Mode of Life:

Ground plant that does best when on a trellis.

Comments:

Cultived in California in the 1920s, not wild! = a hybrid between a loganberry, red raspberries, American dewberry, and European backberry.

                                            PEACHES

                                                 

                                              peach shrub

 

peach blossoms

                                                                           peach fruit

Classification:

Order Rosales

Family Rosaceae

Genus Prunus 

  Species P. persica [note: Persia = modern-day Iran].

Mode of Life:

On shrubs or trees (up to 10 m, 33 feet height).

Comments:

Originated in China about 6,000 BC. Today, there are about 700 varieties of peaches. Note: nectarines are peaches with smooth skin (caused by a single gene mutation). Today, 65% of the world’s peaches are grown in China.

Peaches were introduced to America by Spanish explorers.

Prefer temperate climates.

Their oblong (lanceolate shape) leaves are droopy around the peaches, thus protecting vunerable the fruit from direct sunlight.

                                         STRAWBERRIES

                                      Pixs of blooms and fruit

Classification:

Order Rosales

Familly Rosaceae

Genus Fragaria [x annassa]

   Species

Mode of Life:

Ground plant

Comments:

Originated in Western Europe [France] in the 1750s.

                                              TOMATOS

                  

                                             ZUCCHINI

Classification

Order

Family

Genus

 Species

                                  NO LONGER BEING GROWN IN OUR GARDEN FOR LACK OF SPACE

                                                             (even though they readily grew there)

           BRUSSEL SPROUTS

           CUCUMBERS

           CARROTS 

           POTATOES

           PUMPKINS

           RADISHES

          TURNUPS

          WATER MELON

A SENSATIONAL FLOWER

The red and orange flowers of Casalpinia pulcherrima are spectacular. They also have oval fernlike leaves with a light-and-dark green coloration, and they have clusters of moderately large, red-colored, berry-like fruit on rather long stems. Additionally, they have long, red tendrils. When I saw this vibrant, showy flower for the first time in a neighbor’s yard, I was really impressed, and I still am. It is an unforgettable flower, known in general conversation as the “peacock” flower. There are 10 native species native to the tropics and subtropics in southeastern Mexico, through Central America to Ecuador, Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. Of course, it is now planted in throughout the world in mild climates.

Shown below are four images, from the same "peacock" plant. It is  about 6 feet tall and about 15 feet wide.

The "pea cock plant" is generally speaking not an invasive one, although in Australia, locally in the South Pacific, Cuba, Florida, and Ecuador it is a borderline invasive species known to compete with and replace native plants.

They are fast-growing shrubs and small trees. This plant does well in northern Los Angeles County, southern California, yet one seldom sees it around homes. Perhaps the reason is that their seeds and pods are poisonous. These distinctive flowers thrive in hot, sunny climates. It is a summer blooming perennial (returns year after year) plant.

Additional common names for this plant are the “red bird of paradise,” the “Mexican bird of paradise,” the dwarf Poinciana, “pride of Barbados,” and  the “flamboyant-de-jardin.” 

These are not easy plants to care for because they can require specific conditions in order to grow properly (ask your plant- nursery experts). 

Classification:

Kingdom Plantae

4 clades

Order Fabales

Family Fabaceae

Subfamily Casealpinioideae

Genus Caesalpina

Type Species: C. brasiliensis Linneaus

 ZINNIA FLOWERS

[Pronounced Zen-nee-a], with the accent on the first part. There are approximately 22 species. No known geologic history.              

                           Some Interesting Facts:

Solitary long-stemmed flowers with numerous petals. Colors range from white, yellow, orange, red, purple, to pink.

Annuals (= last only one growing season), easy to grow, prefer full sunlight and adequate water, can withstand hot summer temperatures.

Dislike being transplanted and dislike frost.

They bloom all summer long and are a "flower for all gardens." They are closely related to daisies.

Hummingbirds and butterflies like these flowers.

These flowers were native to scrub and dry grasslands in SW USA, Mexico, and South America. They were discovered in Mexico and brought to Europe in the 1700s. 

Also, the type of inflorescence in the center of the flower is noticeably variable (ranging from flattish to conical shape) in morphology among the examples shown below. Their flowers consist of ray florets that surround disk florets, which may be different color than the ray florets (as very evident in the images shown here). 

                                               IMAGES  

Tallest flower (first image shown below) was grown in our garden and is 55 inches high above ground level:

The following images show the variation in the color of the petals and also the considerable range in inflorescence at the centers of the flowers.

Useful Reference:

The Zinnia-a flower for all gardens. https://www.harvesting.com

Addendum: Zinnia should be in every flower garden.