Jelle Atema

Global Warming’s Toll on Coral Reefs: As if They’re ‘Ravaged by War’

January 4, 2018

The New York Times Jelle Atema Before we call rockfish, shrimp and crab “dinner,” some of these species call coral reefs “home”… Expert quote: “The effects of more frequent bleaching events were very difficult to predict because of the complex networks of dependencies within reefs. They could be devastating.” View full article

View full article

TSA’s claws encounter

June 27, 2017

Boston Herald quoting Jelle Atema, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences “TSA agents clawing through luggage at Logan International Airport discovered a live 20-plus-pound lobster in what one marine biologist said is an amazing catch, because crustaceans that big don’t fit into traps…” Expert quote: “It’s totally crazy to take a lobster out […]

View full article

A giant lobster is caught in Bermuda. How common is that?

October 20, 2016

Christian Science Monitor Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences Hurricane Nicole brought a gigantic surprise for two fishermen as it swept through Bermuda: A 14-pound lobster with two-feet long claws. Expert quote: “They keep on growing. You can end up with very, very large lobsters.” View full article

View full article

What scientists could learn from more than 25,000 ‘digitized’ fish species

August 2, 2016

Christian Science Monitor Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences Adam Summers strives toward an unusual goal: to run every fish in the world through a scanner… Expert quote: “If you get a 3-D reconstruction, you can actually look through the animal and see the different components of varying tissue density.” View full article

View full article

‘Kidnapped’ Leopard Sharks sniff their way back to shore

January 9, 2016

America Herald Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences Leopard Sharks may navigate the ocean using their sharp sense of smell, according to a new study… View full article referencing expert Jelle Atema

View full article

Holes in a Bone: Flute or Fluke?

August 30, 2015

Discover Magazine Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences Many experts believe an approximately 45,000-year-old bear femur could be a flute — the oldest known musical instrument… Expert quote: “One cannot dismiss this intriguing bone as a flute. But we can never be sure it was used as such. We were not there.” View full […]

View full article

Fish Smell Like the Coral They Eat—Disguise Is New to Science

December 9, 2014

National Geographic Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences Now this is one fish that would beat you in a game of hide-and-seek. New research shows coral-dwelling filefish camouflage themselves by not only looking, but alsosmelling like their prey… Expert quote: “It’s a clever study design and a nice contribution to the literature on chemical camouflage. They showed […]

View full article

Baby corals and fish smell their way to the best home

August 21, 2014

Science Magazine Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences You know the story: Kids leave home to explore the world, eventually settling down in the greenest pastures they can find. But when these restless youngsters are baby fish and coral larvae, how do they choose the best place to make their new home?… Expert quote: […]

View full article

Scientists say sharks have much to teach us

August 15, 2014

Florida Today Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences They rarely get cancer. Their wounds heal much faster than humans’. Their unique skin makes for a low-drag glide through the water that engineers envy. Scientists say sharks have much to teach us: from how we treat illnesses to how to make better ships, undersea robots […]

View full article

Study Shows Sharks Combine All Their Senses to Hunt

April 3, 2014

Latin Post Jelle Atema, College of Arts & Sciences A first-of-its-kind study of how sharks hunt has found the long-feared fish are truly complete predators, using all of their senses in an array of different combinations and ways… Expert quote: “This is landmark work. Back in 1985, world experts in underwater animal senses met at Mote, […]

View full article