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Wild Diving in the Komati Springs of South Africa

Words
Andrea Murdock Alpini
Images
Andrea Murdock Alpini
Exploring a side tunnel on the third level of the mine
Exploring a side tunnel on the third level of the mine at Komati Springs
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If you have ever wondered how dark the earth was before humans discovered fire, then spend some time in the forest. The night arrives shortly after 6 p.m. and the sun rises around 5 a.m. In this period of time, you may feel enveloped by the darkness in this part of South Africa. Andrea Murdock Alpini shares his adventure diving the Komati Springs.

Great hammerhead shark off Bimini
Great hammerhead shark off Bimini

Great hammerhead has low genetic variation

1 year ago By Main minion

Genomic data reveals historical population declines and high levels of inbreeding in great hammerhead.

In a recent report by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 31 percent of all shark species are threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable).  In 1980, only 9 species of oceanic sharks and rays were listed as threatened.

Common Seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina)
The harbor (or harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere

Bird flu is killing marine mammals

1 year ago By Main minion

 

Last summer, the highly contagious strain of avian influenza, that was first detected in early winter 2021, had been spreading through North American birds made its way into marine mammals, causing a spike in seal strandings along the coast of Maine.

In June and July 2022, more than 150 dead or ailing seals washed ashore, a number that was approximately three times the normal rate for this time of the year. Of the 41 stranded seals tested for the virus, nearly half tested positive.

Coral reef patches surrounded by halos of sand produced by herbivore members of a patch assemblage (fish, mollusks, and sea urchins) who remove sea grass and algae
Coral reef patches surrounded by halos of sand produced by herbivore members of a patch assemblage (fish, mollusks, and sea urchins) who remove sea grass and algae

Reef halos and soundscapes may provide a window into reef health

1 year ago By Main minion

Coral reef halos, also known as grazing halos or sand halos, are bands of bare, sandy seafloor that surround coral patch reefs. Fish and invertebrates hide in a patch of coral and venture out to eat algae and seagrass that cover the seabed.

DPReview.com to close

1 year ago By Rico Besserdich

Dear readers,

After nearly 25 years of operation, DPReview will be closing in the near future. This difficult decision is part of the annual operating plan review that our parent company shared earlier this year.

The site will remain active until April 10, and the editorial team is still working on reviews and looking forward to delivering some of our best-ever content.

Everyone on our staff was a reader and fan of DPReview before working here, and we’re grateful for the communities that formed around the site.

Visit the Forgotten Islands, Alor and Komodo on the Arenui in April & May, 2023

1 year ago By Matthew Meier

April 11-19, 2023: There is one remaining cabin available for this 8 night cruise through the Forgotten Island, beginning and ending in Saumlaki.

April 21-May 2, 2023: There is one remaining cabin available for this 11 night cruise through the Forgotten Islands and Alor, beginning in Saumlaki and ending in Maumere.

May 4-15, 2023: There is one remaining cabin and a single female shared cabin available on this 11 night cruise through Alor and Komodo, beginning in Maumere and ending in Labuanbajo.

Reef ID Books Releases Guide to Marine Worms

1 year ago By Rico Besserdich

This book is full of creatures that are weird and wonderful - marine worms! Some of them look like nightmares or aliens from outer space, others look like beautiful flowers. You have never seen most of them. Many are not yet known to science. The author and his friends - underwater photographers and marine biologists were lucky to find many fantastic beasts - a variety of marine worms.