#2025MMM March 24, Round 2: Same/Different & Tuxedo style_Part 1 of 2

TONIGHT Round 2 with the Same & Different Division and the Tuxedo Style Division! GET READY FOR SOME ACTION-PACKED SCIENCE!!! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:00:50.335Z

First Up: 7-Seed RIBBON SEAL (Histriophoca fasciata) vs. 2-Seed NARWHAL (Monodon monoceros) #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:02:48.812Z

Ribbon seals have unique movement out of the water. While most seals galumph with forward undulations, Ribbon seals wiggle side-to-side like a snake. This is effective on their preferred icy haul outs, but not rocks or sand. youtu.be/QO8osHlLzh0?… #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:03:53.245Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamRibbonSeal Art by Valeria Pellicer @veppart.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:04:05.399Z

Ribbon seal chromosomes are almost identical to other 2n=32 seals. However, they have a particularly large X chromosome and a larger Y chromosome than other Phocids, or true seals #2025MMM doi.org/10.1111/j.16…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:04:15.363Z

Narwhal seasonally migrate >2,000km with changes to sea ice. Heide-Jørgensen (2002) found narwhal move together to the same locations year after year, & populations going to different areas have unique behaviors! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:05:01.147Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamNarwhal Art by Valeria Pellicer @veppart.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:05:13.691Z

Westbury et al. (2023) used genome data to look at post-divergence gene flow (i.e. hanky-panky) among toothed whales. They found lots! (including evidence of gene flow between Narwhal’s ancestor & that of all Delphinidae species)! #2025MMM doi.org/10.1111/mec….

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:05:24.252Z

While both marine mammals call the icy waters of the North Arctic home, they actually don’t share habitats! Narwhal are typically found in the Greenland sea and Baffin bay, while Ribbon Seals live in the Bering sea. #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:06:19.454Z

Narwhal has the higher seed, so tonight’s battle takes place in the Northwestern passages. The Narwhal is currently mid-dive. Diving depth for Narwhal depends differs by populations & season (Watt et al. 2015) and our male is currently 300m (or 882 stoats) below the surface! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:06:51.650Z

On the other side of North America, the Ribbon seal just initiated a foraging dive of its own when it is suddenly whisked down alongside the Narwhal. Ribbon seals typically forage at depths of 200m, and the seal’s lungs quickly collapse under the water pressure! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:07:50.656Z

Ribbon seals lungs evolved to squeeze down during deep dives, which have been recorded to go near 500m! Diving mammals rely on high amounts of iron-rich proteins in red blood cells & muscles to store oxygen during dives. Ribbon seals have more red blood cells than any other seals! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:08:54.550Z

While underwater the Narwhal spins around its axis & makes high frequency buzzing clicks. Tervo et al. (2021) hypothesized spinning widens the echolocation range to find prey. This comes with an energetic cost though, limiting dive durations. #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:09:35.050Z

Both mammals eventually need to find the surface to breathe. This can be dangerous because both species are incapable of breaking through sea ice! Instead they must find natural openings in the ice. #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:10:17.648Z

Narwhal tusks are very sensitive. Small pores filled with nerve endings allow Narwhal to sense changes in ocean salinity, which might allow them to find open channels of sea through melting ice floes. #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:10:55.247Z

Both animals are foraging on borrowed time! The balance of searching & capturing prey while conserving oxygen can be really hard, which is why only 8-14% of foraging dives for Narwhal are successful!! (Chambault 2023) But which mammal can hold out longer?!? #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:11:37.556Z

In this case being larger is better, as the greater body volumes gives more capacity for oxygen storage. Narwhal can ultimatly stay on foraging dives for well over 20min! The ribbon seal meanwhile makes its way to the surface to catch its' breath… beyond the field of battle!!! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:12:08.457Z

NARWHAL OUTLASTS Ribbon Seal! #2025MMM

Brian Tanis (@tanisbp.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:12:33.047Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamNarwhal Art by Valeria Pellicer @veppart.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:12:44.608Z

Seals can also be defeated by viruses! Genetic sequencing of viral DNA from ribbon seal kidney swabs suggests that Aquamavirus A might have spread between different seal species in the Northern Pacific and Arctic oceans. #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.3389/fvet…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:13:11.394Z

Next Up: Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) vs. 11th seed Paradise Flying Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:14:52.555Z

Female colugos glide to forage, but males travel greater distances to not only feed but to defend territories and search for mates. Moms carry their baby during gliding, and as the baby gets bigger, gliding distances get shorter (Byrnes et al. 2011) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:15:35.493Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamColugo Art by Valeria Pellicer @veppart.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:15:49.578Z

Why can that guy fly? Mason et al. (2016) generated genome data & ID-ed 8 genes associated w/ joint/digital deformities in humans showing signs of pos selection in colugos. These could account for anatomical changes in muscles & bones needed for gliding! #2025MMM http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:16:23.512Z

Among Paradise Flying Snakes, multiple males will slither in tandem with a receptive female during the courtship process, a tactic that may reduce risks of predation (Kaiser et al. 2016) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:16:49.000Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamSnake Art by Mary C Freisner @maryfreisner.bsky.social #herps #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:17:10.399Z

Ever wonder how snakes lost their legs?Scientists found a tiny DNA switch that controls limb growth. It works in fish, humans—even mice. But in snakes, it’s changed.Put the snake version in mice? Shorter legs. Big change from very small tweak #2025MMM http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltex…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:17:25.594Z

Tonight we return to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the last remnant of primary rainforest in Singapore, where Colugo camouflage clings to to a tree trunk near several branches. When a cacophony of long-tailed macaques climb into the tree canopy above her! #2025MMM#2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:18:26.720Z

#MMMagic translocates Paradise Flying Snake & coiled gecko prey to the wide branch below Colugo! The Paradise Flying Snake continues constricting the gecko for 2-3 minutes as the gecko's fighting flails grow weaker and weaker (López & Mora 2021) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:19:22.979Z

MEANWHILE in Bako National Park in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia Paradise Flying Snake has JUST captured a gecko and is curling his coils twice around the fighting lizard when… (López & Mora 2021) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:19:02.103Z

A pair of juvenile macaques are wrestle chasing in the canopy, leaping down and getting closer to Colugo… #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:19:58.820Z

Paradise Flying Snake releases the gecko, and slithers to begin eating the gecko HEAD first… (López & Mora 2021) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:20:20.528Z

The gecko springs up, escaping tonic immobility, and flees down the tree! (López & Mora 2021) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:20:39.237Z

A curious macaque has discovered Colugo, the monkey begins grabbing at the Colugo on the tree trunk… #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:21:19.570Z

Colugo makes a distressed call at the juvenile monkey and releases one grasping hand from the tree bark… (Dzulhelmi & Abdullah 2009) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:22:04.445Z

COLUGO PUNCHES THE MONKEY!!! (Dzulhelmi & Abdullah 2009) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:22:56.359Z

The other playing juvenile spots the Paradise Flying Snake and alarm calls as the other monkeys gather making alarm calls!!! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:23:27.919Z

Paradise Flying Snake, bereft of gecko prey & bothered by screaming monkeys, loops his back end stationary on the tree and propels his front end upward, releasing the tree branch in a jumping leap to launch his glide away from the tree and BEYOND the field of battle (Sorcha 2006) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:24:04.756Z

BACK in the tree, Colugo uses the monkeys' snake distraction to escape unnoticed around the back of the trunk and higher in the tree. After all… macaques can be a lethal danger to Colugos. (Tsuji et al. 2015; Dzulhelmi & Abdullah 2009) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:24:58.706Z

Sunda Colugo OUTLASTS Paradise Flying Snake… BARELY #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:25:19.748Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamColugo Art by Mary C Freisner @maryfreisner.bsky.social #mammals

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:25:34.417Z

New genome now available for relative of paradise flying snake, the Ornate Flying Snake. Also a glider! How did they get a DNA sample? Road kill. Poor snake. #RIP #2025MMM doi.org/10.56179/001…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:25:48.192Z

Next Up: 4th seed Coati (Nasua narica) vs. 5th seed Paca (Cuniculus paca) #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:28:02.055Z

Time to do the "frisky-hop"! During courtship, male paca jump and twist around the female, all while trying to spray her with urine. Once he succeeds, females will usually submit to mating (Perez 1992) #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:28:36.527Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamPaca Art by Mary C Freisner @maryfreisner.bsky.social #mammals

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:28:52.571Z

Pacas are not just fruit lovers. They're also key players in determining which plants grow in their habitat! They disperse the seeds of fruits they eat throughout the forest whether those plants are native or invasive. #2025MMM dx.doi.org/10.24189/ncr…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:29:26.674Z

Coatis are a social bunch, with females and juveniles less than 2 years old forming social "bands" with as many as 25 individuals. Males temporarily join these bands during mating season, before going back to the solitary life (Gompper 1995) #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:29:57.753Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamCoati Art by Olivia Pellicer @opellisms.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:30:18.584Z

New genetic analysis shows white-nosed coatis likely spread northward from South America ~3.8 million years ago. NOT the north-to-south story fossils told us. Maybe Nasua lineage diversification occured in S. America? #2025MMM http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:30:25.726Z

It's another balmy evening in Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. Coati has caught the sweet scent of ripe figs and is slowly winding its ways up through the branches looking for the perfect bite. #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:32:04.124Z

In the Brazilian Pantanal, Paca has left her burrow. Her nearly-independent pup trots behind her as she makes her way along a familiar trail. when she suddenly stops short! #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:32:32.396Z

Paca are creatures of habit and don't like it when their trails change. A new fork has emerged and she goes to move off trail when she finds herself alone among fallen figs in Costa Rica! #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:33:09.260Z

Paca are creatures of habit and don't like it when their trails change. A new fork has emerged and she goes to move off trail when she finds herself alone among fallen figs in Costa Rica! #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:33:09.260Z

Paca snorts with unease at the change in scenery. Above her head, the Coati continues his ambling climb along a thick, strong tree branch #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:33:31.034Z

Quiet footfalls and low panting fill the air. A dark, wet snout emerges through the brush as a dog scents its quarry – the Paca! #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:34:09.502Z

Behind the dog, light from a hunter's flashlight floods the base of the tree. Blinded, the Paca freezes (Emmons 2016). #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:34:43.610Z

The hunting dog lunges, siezing the Paca by her neck and giving a hard shake. CRACK! Poor Paca's neck breaks. #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:35:17.211Z

The hunter gives a short, sharp whistle. The dog retreats, carrying the limp Paca in its jaws and the two continue on their path, leaving the Coati tucked amongst the tree branches. #2025MMM

Alyson Brokaw, PhD (@alybatgirl.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:35:31.673Z

#2025MMM #DivisionSameandDifferent #TeamCoati Art by Valeria Pellicer @veppart.bsky.social #mammals

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:35:57.624Z

de Souza Scramignon-Costa used PCR to detect fungal Paracoccidioides infections in road kill mammals in Brazil for eco-epidemiological surveillance. They found paca had these infections! Oh No! #RIP #2025MMM journals.plos.org/plosone/arti…

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:36:18.292Z

Next Up: 1-Seed Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) vs. 8-seed Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:38:55.606Z

Female polar bears care for their cubs for over 2 years in the wild & routinely cuddle, hold, or support cubs with their bodies to help cubs stay warm. This reduces the energy cost of thermoregulation & allows cubs to use more milk energy for growth & development (Stirling et al. 2024) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:39:41.832Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamPolarBear Art by Olivia Pellicer @opellisms.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:39:59.102Z

Polar bears and their lower-latitude cousins—brown bears—have a complicated past! Genomes from a >115,000 year old polar bear and 65 modern bears reveal that although polar bears and brown bears began diverging >1 mya, they hybridized up until ~200 kya. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2200016119

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:40:05.744Z

"As is typical of most dasyurids, Tasmanian devil catches and holds small prey with its forepaws. Dead prey is examined tactilely with nose, lips, and the numerous whiskers (facial vibrissae)." (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:41:29.974Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamTasmanianDevil Art by Mary C Freisner @maryfreisner.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:42:18.440Z

An insurance population (IP) of captive Tasmanian devils was started in 2006 to help conserve the species which has declined due to an infectious tumor disease. Diversity across the genome and at immune genes suggest the IP is representative of wild pops. #2025MMM doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.104474

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:41:59.222Z

In Australia's largest southern island, it's Tasmanian Devil mating season! While hunting prey and scavenging carcasses, Tasmanian Devil is looking for that very special someone to get into an intense face-biting fight that is part of Tasmanian Devil courtship… (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:43:15.160Z

This courtship behavior makes the Tasmanian Devil vulnerable to an infectious cancer known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)… the behaviors of DTF set the stage for DFTD and have caused a 80%-95% crash of the Tasmanian Devil population in most of Tasmania (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:43:34.526Z

BUT A TINY NATURAL ISTHMUS & POPULATION QUARANTINE FENCING HAS THUS FAR PROTECTED THE TASMAN PENINSULA TASMANIAN DEVILS FROM FACIAL TUMOR DISEASE!!! Combatant Tasmanian Devil, from Tasman Peninsula, is thriving on his eating and mating mission!#2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:44:47.553Z

"A tireless runner" for up to 20km & 8 hours a night, Tasmanian Devil courses a predictable route based on recent food successes! Tonight he searches the cavities & creases of the coastal dunes for little penguin & short-tailed shearwater when… (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:45:18.845Z

#MMMagic translocates Tasmanian Devil to a DIFFERENT ROCKY SHORE… #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:45:33.051Z

The air is rendolent with the aromas of massive rotting flesh and Tasmanian Devil trots unerringly toward… A WHALE CARCASS and THE POLAR BEAR!! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:46:11.977Z

When last we saw, Polar Bear had been bitten by the iron-tipped teeth of the Eurasian Water Shrew with venomous saliva that can paralyze frogs from a special delivery BITE!(Kowalski et al. 2017; Pucek 1959)! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:47:26.956Z

But Water Shrew's tiny teeth had only plunged into Polar Bear's puffy fur, delivering venomous saliva only superficially and doing NO DAMAGE! (Even with punctured skin, the blubber layer & large size of the Polar Bear would have made the ursid impervious to Shrew's venom) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:47:59.426Z

Polar Bear has been gluttonously digging into the whale carcass, and is now nibbling when the wierdest squat little… black with white streaks…is that a ribbon seal? But it's TROTTING?! Up to the whale carcass!? #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:48:40.078Z

Through arctic sleet and snow, to the whale carcass Tasmanian Devil will go! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:49:53.440Z

Used to dominating at a carcass, Tasmanian Devil helps himself to this surf on the turf feast, but positions a bit away from the unfamiliar Polar Bear (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:50:23.263Z

The Polar Bear tolerates the fellow scavenger at the whale carcass too big to cache or defend. Indeed multiple polar bears converge to co-feed on large whale carcasses (Laidre et al. 2018) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:51:07.109Z

Tasmanian Devil ravenously digs into the whale carcass, gorge-feeding on 9lbs of meat, skin, & blubber (40% of his body mass!!) making his gustatory excitement noises as he plumps up with a rotund and full belly! (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:51:31.017Z

Now full of food, Tasmanian Devil lumbers- running is a bit much this full- to go digest in the peace and safety of his well-hidden den in an abandoned wombat burrow. (Rose et al. 2017) #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:52:01.235Z

Polar Bear OUTLASTS Tasmanian Devil! #2025MMM

Katie Hinde (@mammalssuck.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:52:51.756Z

#2025MMM #DivisionTuxedoStyle #TeamPolarBear Art by Charon Henning @oddangel.bsky.social #mammals #sciart

V Pellicer- art commissions open! (@veppart.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:53:13.183Z

Reconstruction of Tasmanian devil evolutionary history from whole genome data suggests they have undergone multiple episodes of decline in the last ~143,000 years due to separation/connection w/the Australian mainland, changing climate, and human presence #2025MMM #RIP doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msz191

Anne Stone (@acstone.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:53:30.859Z

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