Molluscs

For the most part, most research have focussed on the impact of oceanic temperature changes on adult animals, but few looked at the animals' early life stages. A study by researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara gives a useful insight into this specific area. 

Focussing on the larvae of the Kellet's whelk, a common sea snail in Southern California, it showed that rising temperatures will adversely impact the larvae. 

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, are using ultrasound to find out whether abalone are ready to reproduce.

This non-invasive, no-contact method is kinder than the normal method of getting the info, which involves having to pry them off the surface they are suctioned upon.

Research jointly conducted by The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) emphasises the importance of oyster reefs in mitigating some problems associated with coastal development, like storm-surge damage and biodiversity loss.

Based on a recent study, researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory have found that the flamboyant cuttlefish doesn't spend the day flashing its vibrant colours for our cameras.

Rather, it spends almost all its time camouflaged, in dull, subdued (safe!) colouration.

Seashells come in various shapes and sizes. And it appears that the seashells from the tropics tend to be larger than those found in the temperate regions.

Far from being just a coincidence, it seems that there is a rational explanation for it. Simply put, this is because the sea snails in the tropics have to devote relatively less energy to shell growth, compared to those in the cold-water regions.

A giant sea snail may turn out to be another line of defense against the destructive crown-of-thorn starfish that is currently plaguing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Called the Pacific triton sea snail (Charonia tritonis), it can grow up to about 50 to 60cm and is indigenous to Australian waters. More importantly, the crown-of-thorn starfish happens to be part of its natural diet. However, the sea snail is currently endangered due to the consumer demand for their shells.

Researchers from Jerusalem’s Hebrew University have filmed crawling octopuses to learn how the animals utilized their flexible arms when they move. Until now, scientists have struggled to understand how their elaborate crawling movements are coordinated. The answer proved remarkably simple: they just choose which arm to use to push themselves along without a trace of rhythm.