Nostr notes by rsp

Juniper hairstreaks love milkweed blooms. #nature ...

2026-04-15T01:06:17Z

Juniper hairstreaks love milkweed blooms.
#nature #wildlifephotography #butterflies

if not too late, check out ...

2026-03-18T17:18:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…yghh
_________________________

if not too late, check out https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/427306

#Landscape #nature #sky #clouds ...

2026-03-16T22:57:28Z

#Landscape #nature #sky #clouds

It appears that this is doeable currently using keyd: ...

2026-03-12T21:54:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…vmvl
_________________________

It appears that this is doeable currently using keyd:
https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd/issues/711

Cofounder of #iNaturalist says... "...I do not advise ...

2026-01-08T03:09:25Z

Cofounder of #iNaturalist says...

"...I do not advise stopping your use of iNat, and I definitely don’t advise deleting your account. I’m certainly not doing either. I was appalled at the number of people who went nuclear and deleted their accounts during the gen AI debacle.....destroying existing data that can’t be retrieved hurts everyone."

I concur. Please do not take important data away from those of us who value it.

https://kueda.net/blog/2026/01/06/why-i-left-inat

I've been a practicing scientist since 1990, and it never ...

2026-01-04T23:11:58Z

I've been a practicing scientist since 1990, and it never ceases to amaze me just how much time it takes to pull together a journal manuscript. These two figures alone took about 16 hours (it's how I spent this weekend)--and that doesn't count the time spent practicing to get to the point that I could get this quality of images. Whew! Done!

These are the palps and epigyne of wolf spiders, documenting a new species.

#spiders #nature #science #biology

Some might argue that AIS persons are genetically male (they have ...

2025-12-19T18:18:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…7fjn
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Some might argue that AIS persons are genetically male (they have a Y chromosome), but it takes more than one gene on the Y chromosome to produce male sex traits--it takes multiple nuclear genes also (including the androgen receptor gene). The challenge of sexual identity of these individuals cannot be ignored. But also cannot be taught.

The challenge is not to give the impression that we're ...

2025-12-19T18:14:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…pr82
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The challenge is not to give the impression that we're discussing gender/sexual identity. With things like Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), the person has XY chromosomes, testes, and is producing testosterone as would a male, but they have female primary and secondary sex characteristics. Are they male or female? That appears to be something one can't talk about--the sexual identity aspect. The boundaries of what is permissible or not is unclear.

Meanwhile, here in Texas, discussions are occurring as to what ...

2025-12-19T16:11:01Z

Meanwhile, here in Texas, discussions are occurring as to what can be taught in a university genetics class related to sex chromosomes and sex determination. Primary and secondary sexual characteristics are influenced by variation in many genes, one on the Y chromosome and several others on autosomes. This is too close for comfort given new university policies and state laws related to the teaching of sexual identity.
#AcademicChatter #Academia #ScienceEduction #ScienceEd

Black vutures. #wildlife #nature ...

2025-12-13T20:23:22Z

Black vutures.

#wildlife #nature

IMO, no landscape is more beautiful than the region you're ...

2025-11-07T17:20:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…h3jy
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IMO, no landscape is more beautiful than the region you're documenting.

It worked as it's supposed to on distrosea. One last ...

2025-10-14T11:46:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…nzvx
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It worked as it's supposed to on distrosea. One last thing...did you run all the updates after installing?

Try it on distrosea for comparison.

2025-10-14T00:33:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…77q7
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Try it on distrosea for comparison.

My apologies, I wasnt familiar enough with Ubuntu. In your screen ...

2025-10-13T23:41:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…hzqw
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My apologies, I wasnt familiar enough with Ubuntu. In your screen capture, if you click on File, it should open that window tiled next to the first one. Something must indeed be wrong.

If you don't get an answer here, seek help in the community support: https://ubuntu.com/support/community-support

Sadly, this is normal behavior. Window snap actions don't ...

2025-10-13T22:01:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…25uf
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Sadly, this is normal behavior. Window snap actions don't work the way they do in Windows (I'm assuming that's what you're expecting--apologies if I'm misunderstanding).

Any semblance of shared governance has been abolished at Texas ...

2025-09-03T21:40:01Z

Any semblance of shared governance has been abolished at Texas universities. Not like we really had much to begin with. Faculty senates are dissolved and forbidden to meet. They will be replaced by Faculty Advisory Councils which "will provide direct input to leadership in a manner that is transparent, forward-looking and aligned with our priorities". Not sure yet if this results in any meaningful difference or not as we've always just been advisory.

#academia #AcademicChatter #HighedEd

It's evidently doable, ...

2025-08-15T22:29:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…97qt
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It's evidently doable, [@erikvanschaaik](https://mastoart.social/@erikvanschaaik ) just did it: https://mastoart.social/@erikvanschaaik/115033426350699607

Bedrock #metate at Black Mesa State Park in far, far, far western ...

2025-07-18T02:14:46Z

Bedrock #metate at Black Mesa State Park in far, far, far western #Oklahoma. Combined with a grinding stone, these depressions were used by Native Americans for grinding grains and other food products.
#Archaeology

The agave weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) is big, relative to ...

2025-07-16T23:59:42Z

The agave weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) is big, relative to most weevils. The larvae--called nixtamal worms--are evidently big enough to eat. What better way to get rid of your agave crop's pests than to eat them! There's a fascinating story about nixtamal worms here:
https://www.eater.com/23806002/agave-worms-chinicuil-mexico-maguey-farming

I found this one crossing the hiking trail at Black Mesa State Park in far, far western Oklahoma. The #biodiversity at this park was stunning.

#WeevilWednesday #insects #MacroPhotography #nature

The larvae of the Eggplant Tortoise Beetle (Gratiana pallidula) ...

2025-06-29T15:59:51Z

The larvae of the Eggplant Tortoise Beetle (Gratiana pallidula) has spiny appendages and keeps its poop and exuviae (skins from previous molts) attached at the rear. It can hold this hot mess over its body or elevate it--like the convertible roof of a car. The three round structures are head capsules from previous molts. You can see where it pooped, molted, pooped, molted, pooped, molted (its life history displayed on its back).

#nature #insects #macrophotography #MacroMonday

I'm not doubting what you saw, but since I've used Etsy ...

2025-06-12T12:24:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…ty4m
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I'm not doubting what you saw, but since I've used Etsy some to find art for gifts, I was sad to hear this...so I went and looked. I didn't find what I recognized as lots of AI-generated slop.
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=children%27s+room+wall+art&ref=search_bar&dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2F

I did find the Etsy AI policy: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1275449912004

I do predict that the internet will soon become useless b/c of AI. I'm actually surprised it's not worse than it is already.

Things I found under a polypore. A single shelf fungus can ...

2025-06-08T19:14:12Z

Things I found under a polypore.

A single shelf fungus can support a community of organisms--living in and on it. Here I found three beetles and a pseudoscorpion. The very tiny rove beetle (genus Gyrophaena) and shining fungus beetle (genus Scaphisoma) are dependent on fungi. The larger beetle is a clown beetle (genus Platysoma)--they live under bark and feed on fly and beetle larvae.

#biodiversity #beetles #insects #macrophotography #fungi #polypore #pseudoscorpion #ecology #nature

Fortunately, it's been very stable for me on Linux Mint. I ...

2025-06-08T16:05:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…xysm
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Fortunately, it's been very stable for me on Linux Mint. I use it several hours daily and it's never failed to work.

My first use of the internet was in an ecology class. Prof said ...

2025-05-22T15:01:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…yx9j
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My first use of the internet was in an ecology class. Prof said we'd be using gopher...I was confused at first!

From what I can tell, no one has posted a photo of a #gopher yet ...

2025-05-22T01:43:55Z

From what I can tell, no one has posted a photo of a #gopher yet on the Fediverse (correct me if I'm wrong). So here's two.

These two gophers are in the genus Geomys, family Geomyidae. Often seen as just a destructive pest, they serve important ecological roles as fossorial mammals. And because they occur in isolated populations, they make for an interesting study organism for evolution.

No Caddyshack jokes please!

#nature #mammals #wildlife

I found this weevil during an #iNaturalist bioblitz at the ...

2025-05-14T23:23:36Z

I found this weevil during an #iNaturalist bioblitz at the Timberlake Biological Field Station. 30 participants documented 1,200+ species over the weekend!

I think this is Genus Odontocorynus,
a member of Flower Weevils Subfamily Baridinae.

#WeevilWednesday #Macrophotography #Insects #NaturePhotograhpy

My favorite flower is that of Krameria lanceolata (Trailing ...

2025-05-02T01:20:17Z

My favorite flower is that of Krameria lanceolata (Trailing Ratany). It has many unique features and intricate details--the typical flower parts are all there but are not what you see in a typical flower. But I do not like its fruit--a bur with dozens of sharp, stout spines that wreaked havoc on my childhood bicycle tires--and sometimes feet.

#Macrophotography #Macro #Nature #Wildflowers #botany

Big #tornado wrapped in rain 4 mi N of my hometown. Mom's ...

2025-04-30T00:10:11Z

Big #tornado wrapped in rain 4 mi N of my hometown. Mom's safe.

Megischus bicolor (Bicolored Crown-of-thorns Wasp). Notable ...

2025-04-28T00:25:02Z

Megischus bicolor (Bicolored Crown-of-thorns Wasp). Notable features of this parasitoid wasp are the long "neck," enlarged and toothed hind femora, and teeth on the head (from where its name is derived). Although it appears wingless, they're there--just held tightly against the body. Females have an ovipositor that exceeds their body length--used to lay eggs in larvae of wood-boring beetles.

#insects #wasps #nature #hymenoptera #nature #NaturalHistory

Four flies for #FridayFlyDay which I photographed in the back ...

2025-04-25T12:06:12Z

Four flies for #FridayFlyDay which I photographed in the back yard yesterday.

Genus Zacompsia (I think)--a picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiida. Neotephritis finalis
(Sunflower Seed Maggot fly)--a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae. Genus Elachiptera--genus of frit flies in the family Chloropidae (larvae feed on grasses). Cylindromyia intermedia--a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae.

#Flies #Biodiversity #NaturalHistory #Nature #MacroPhotography #Insects

Meet Rhinocyllus conicus (the Nodding Thistle Receptacle Weevil). ...

2025-04-22T22:02:56Z

Meet Rhinocyllus conicus (the Nodding Thistle Receptacle Weevil). Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it was introduced to the United States in 1969 as a biocontrol for invasive thistle. However, it began attacking native thistles also. The larvae feed on the flower receptacle, reducing seed production.

#WeevilWednesday #biocontrol #insects #beetles #biodiversity #NaturalHistory

Our university's webpage management system won't allow us ...

2025-04-22T18:48:00Z

Our university's webpage management system won't allow us to add or update a webpage (including our faculty pages) which include the banned words (such as "inclusive" and "diversity"). If we have a journal title with those words, even if it's about bacteria, we have to use an alternative symbol in the banned word that eludes the surveillance algorithm.
#HigherEd #Academia #AcademicChatter

Setting sun illuminating tops of #clouds. ...

2025-04-18T02:57:06Z

Setting sun illuminating tops of #clouds.

That only works if the apps one needs work on Linux and are ...

2025-04-16T17:34:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…hjk2
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That only works if the apps one needs work on Linux and are pre-installed on the distro. Two big IFs for people working in science disciplines.

On north-facing slopes on the Rolling Plains eco region of the ...

2025-03-31T21:49:44Z

On north-facing slopes on the Rolling Plains eco region of the North American Great Plains, there grows a wildflower which has remained overlooked...until I stumbled across it. Thus began my journey of becoming a botanist so I can describe it as a new species...a work still in progress.
#WildFlower #GreatPlains #nature #BioDiversity

If anyone knows of good news somewhere in the world, please ...

2025-03-31T21:38:01Z

If anyone knows of good news somewhere in the world, please share.

I ran across this fantastic scientific illustration on Wikimedia: ...

2025-03-11T01:33:59Z

I ran across this fantastic scientific illustration on Wikimedia: dissection of the European garden spider Araneus diadematus (=Epeira diadema), circa 1902.

The artist, Paul Pfurtscheller (1855-1927), taught biology classes until his retirement in 1911. His artwork was done in the form of wall charts to support his teaching lessons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pfurtscheller

#NaturalHistory #Nature #Spiders

I really liked OnlyOffice's UI on the desktop (haven't ...

2025-03-07T17:22:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…793p
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I really liked OnlyOffice's UI on the desktop (haven't used it online). But as I used it, I encountered little issues now and then (copy/paste issues etc.). I would attempt the same thing in LibreOffice with no issues.

Does anyone know if this browser privacy audit is a good source ...

2025-03-03T21:06:26Z

Does anyone know if this browser privacy audit is a good source upon which to base one's choice of #browser?
https://privacytests.org/

#FridayFlyDay Robber fly (Family Asilidae) of the genus ...

2025-02-21T18:27:25Z

#FridayFlyDay
Robber fly (Family Asilidae) of the genus Ospriocerus. Robber flies are powerfully built predators of arthropods. They are the big cats of the insect world.

#Nature #NaturalHistory #Diptera #Flies #Insects

I downloaded NASA's climate change website today in case it ...

2025-02-04T20:24:26Z

I downloaded NASA's climate change website today in case it gets the chopping block. I use it as a resource in teaching my university Ecology & Evolution class.
https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/

Right now, it appears they're focusing on removing dangerous DEI words from NASA's webpages.

Used HTTrack Website Copier software--seems to have worked well.
https://www.httrack.com/

Nostr event nevent1qqsplrdqqzy5xrftav0enar7c47x50rz8h29sl7kxprqtnd3jmmpv4qzyz2pj3hne7fm8gqwfkhx8tzy8vrpg2k6zldv2eyhs9u07ujxe7p7yv6w5ud

2025-02-02T17:52:14Z

#SilentSunday

Not everything in Texas sucks. Just the politicians and 75% of ...

2025-02-02T00:41:03Z

Not everything in Texas sucks. Just the politicians and 75% of the people. Sun Radio is one shining beacon.
"Our mission, in part, is to preserve the culture of Texas music with a minimal impact on the environment. Sun Radio creates and distributes solar-powered radio programming to non-commercial member stations with a focus on Texas artists’ and the best music under the sun."

https://www.sunradio.com

#radio #music

3/3 Security Concerns: Given these extensive data collection ...

2025-01-29T21:13:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…utwr
_________________________

3/3
Security Concerns: Given these extensive data collection practices, we strongly recommend against using DeepSeek for both you and your family. Instead, consider ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or other LLMs. However, always remain mindful that any information shared with AI chat systems may be used in ways you may not anticipate or agree with.

Me: I'm pretty sure the risks of using ChaGPT, Copilot, and other LLMs is identical. Am I wrong?

#LLMs #AI

2/3 Privacy Risks: The collection of keystrokes, voice, and video ...

2025-01-29T21:12:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…mqdv
_________________________

2/3
Privacy Risks: The collection of keystrokes, voice, and video poses serious privacy threats, as this data could be used beyond your control, potentially leading to unauthorized access to personal information.

Me: DUH! If you share private stuff with others, you lose some privacy. DUH!

Our university IT dept sent an email warning not to use DeepSeek. ...

2025-01-29T21:12:38Z

Our university IT dept sent an email warning not to use DeepSeek. Saying:

Extensive Data Collection: DeepSeek explicitly states that it gathers user input, including text, audio, uploaded files, feedback, and chat history. Any data you enter—including sensitive information like passwords—can be captured and shared with external entities.

Me: DUH! don't tell *any* LLM what your password or bank account number is! DUH!
1/3

The Mima Mounds or Pimple Mounds scattered about North America ...

2025-01-26T16:46:10Z

The Mima Mounds or Pimple Mounds scattered about North America have fascinated me for some time. My Master's degree mentor had a theory as to their formation (burrowing rodents). Here's a preprint with some really nice Lidar imagery and an intriguing explanation as to their origin based on the author's interpretation of the Lidar data. Natural? Or man-made?
http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23667.50728

#archaeology #lidar #PimpleMounds #MimaMounds

The world's oldest living trees. ...

2025-01-26T03:27:43Z

The world's oldest living trees.

https://www.leaflimb.com/the-worlds-oldest-trees/
#trees #nature

#WeevilWednesday Two species of Clown Weevils, genus Eudiagogus, ...

2025-01-22T23:39:23Z

#WeevilWednesday

Two species of Clown Weevils, genus Eudiagogus, members of the short-nosed weevil clan. This group is very diverse and often brilliantly colored and patterned. These two are dull compared to other short-nosed weevils. Many species are flightless. Adults eat leaves and larvae roots.

#bugstodon #insects #macro #macrophotography #nature #biodiversity

An unusually dense and diverse patch of lichen on Pennsylvanian ...

2025-01-21T02:22:05Z

An unusually dense and diverse patch of lichen on Pennsylvanian age sandstone. Lichen, symbionts between a fungus and either an algae or photosynthetic bacteria, play an outsized role in our ecosystem despite being just a thin crust of cells.

#lichen #NaturalHistory #nature

I was fortunate to see whooping cranes for the first time ...

2025-01-19T22:59:03Z

I was fortunate to see whooping cranes for the first time recently. As the sun was setting, three took to the air, circled, passed right overhead, and honked--close enough to hear their wing beats.

In the 1980s, my biology professor used them as an example of a species about to go extinct--he wasn't optimistic as to their fate. By 1860, their numbers had dropped to 1400. By 1942, there were 16--all in one Texas population. Today, there are ~536 in Texas and ~800 total.
#NaturalHistory #Nature

Sometimes I think I need to take a class in how to engage on ...

2025-01-19T21:55:33Z

Sometimes I think I need to take a class in how to engage on social media. I do it like I would in face-to-face conversation, but it doesn't seem to transfer well. People often assume I have ill intent. But from my perspective, they seem to assume that their intents and desired responses are obvious.

I'm so glad I dont have to worry over the tiktok nonsense. ...

2025-01-19T03:39:05Z

I'm so glad I dont have to worry over the tiktok nonsense. I've got plenty of other nonsense to worry over.

24 hours from now you can watch the full moon pass in front of ...

2025-01-13T01:39:53Z

24 hours from now you can watch the full moon pass in front of Mars...if you're in North America and if you have binoculars or a telescope.

https://www.astronomy.com/observing/watch-the-full-moon-cover-mars/

#moon #mars #astronomy

It's tremendously unfortunate that social media platforms ...

2025-01-12T13:46:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…a2yf
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It's tremendously unfortunate that social media platforms have become so political...in terms of how they're operated and how their owners suck up to certain political parties.

#FridayFlyDay A very tiny woodpecker fly eating a very, very tiny ...

2025-01-11T00:59:23Z

#FridayFlyDay
A very tiny woodpecker fly eating a very, very tiny springtail. Woodpecker flies (genus Medetera) get their name because of their upright, woodpecker-like stance. They are predators of soft-bodied arthropods such as this springtail (#collembola).

#NaturalHistory #Diptera #Insects

The title is "The spider, the plant, and the bees: how ...

2025-01-09T17:55:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…6ryj
_________________________

The title is "The spider, the plant, and the bees: how citizen science data has enhanced our knowledge of biodiversity"

It's about how #iNaturalist contributed to me discovering a new species of wildflower, an amateur naturalist discovering a new species of spider, and whether or not two bumble bees are valid species or just color morphs.

I'm preparing slides for my first conference talk that ...

2025-01-09T17:50:55Z

I'm preparing slides for my first conference talk that I've given in...25 years. Yes, I'm an academic biologist and I've not given a conference talk in a quarter of a century. After I gave my last talk as a PhD student, I vowed never to give another. I hated giving talks b/c I got so nervous. Am I nervous now? A bit. I've taught hundreds of classes. But those are students not peers. Why do it after 25 years? Dunno really. Time to get back on the horse. #AcademicChatter

That's a rockin' computer today. Almost a supercomputer 7 ...

2025-01-05T14:17:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…q6y2
_________________________

That's a rockin' computer today. Almost a supercomputer 7 years ago, LOL.

You've got guts for saying that here, LOL

2025-01-05T01:29:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…juz6
_________________________

You've got guts for saying that here, LOL

First weevil for 2025. Meet the Barely Hairy Baridine (Eisonyx ...

2025-01-01T22:34:24Z

First weevil for 2025. Meet the Barely Hairy Baridine (Eisonyx crassipes), playing "possum". It was feeding on a plant when I disturbed it and, as many weevils will do, it dropped to the ground and played dead.

I think someone may have recently invented the name Barely Hairy Baridine for BugGuide as I don't see it in widespread use. This weevil is a member of the subfamily Baridinae, of which there may be 30,000 species globally.

#WeevilWednesday
#Beetles #NaturalHistory

If you auto-renew stuff using your credit card, your kids (or ...

2024-12-09T18:33:10Z

If you auto-renew stuff using your credit card, your kids (or your parents, or whoever is left to clean up the mess when you die) will have a nightmare trying to cancel all the subscriptions. If you love them, don't auto-renew or at least provide them with a single document with all the information they need to cancel everything.

Here, trees are dropping their leaves for the winter as part of ...

2024-12-07T21:01:55Z

Here, trees are dropping their leaves for the winter as part of the process of senescence. First, chlorophyll production stops. Existing chlorophyll is broken down and taken up by the tree to use elsewhere. With the chlorophyll gone, we can see the other pigments that were there all along (yellow, red). Waterproof cells grow between the leaf and stem--the abscission zone--this is where the leaf will break off.

For more details of this fascinating transition: https://fwbg.org/newsletter-2/so-why-do-trees-lose-their-leaves-theres-more-going-on-than-you-might-expect/
#autumn

I'm contemplating my AI policy statement in my university ...

2024-12-05T20:20:31Z

I'm contemplating my AI policy statement in my university class syllabi for next semester. It will include information about the environmental and social costs, primarily. Drawing from this article:
https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/08/22/gen-ai-discussions-must-prioritize-sustainability-opinion

(If you don't have access, let me know and I'll send it to you)

#Academia #AcademicChatter #GenerativeAI

#Gingerbread men? No, its #Thanksgiving. Gingerbread turkeys! ...

2024-11-28T13:54:03Z

#Gingerbread men? No, its #Thanksgiving. Gingerbread turkeys!

While cleaning out my office I ran across my class notes from ...

2024-11-20T21:30:19Z

While cleaning out my office I ran across my class notes from Field Zoology that I took as an undergraduate in 1989. This class set the stage for my career as a field biologist. I was hooked. In these notes, I have written that Dr. Walter Dalquest invented the use of mist nets for capturing bats. Three years later, Dr. Dalquest (Doc) would become my Master's thesis advisor. I had forgotten all about this little historical fact. So I did some research and confirmed it!

#bats #FieldBiology

I'm helping an amateur naturalist describe a new species of ...

2024-11-08T01:14:55Z

I'm helping an amateur naturalist describe a new species of wolf spider, and the Texas Co-op Power magazine has a feature story describing how he made the discovery. Read about it here in the November issue!
https://texascooppower.com/first-name-basis/

My profile picture is the new species' face.

#spiders #NaturalHistory #CitizenScientist

I found this Common Lagoon Fly (Eristalinus aeneus) on one of my ...

2024-11-08T01:08:34Z

I found this Common Lagoon Fly (Eristalinus aeneus) on one of my favorite flowers--False Foxgloves. The white eyes with brown spots are what draw me to these flies. It's a type of hover fly (flower fly, syrphid) and is an efficient pollinator of food plants. The larvae are reared to increase the numbers of adult pollinators in agricultural systems. The larvae live in semi-aquatic environments (including sewage lagoons) and feed on bacteria and organic debris.

#FridayFlyDay #insects #pollinators

I can't walk into my university biology classroom today and ...

2024-11-06T11:45:38Z

I can't walk into my university biology classroom today and teach like nothing has happened. I want to run away from the horror...and never stop running. I can't get far enough away. There's no place to go that is far enough. How do I respond? What do I do?

Does anyone know of a resource that helps people be a good ...

2024-10-24T22:51:54Z

Does anyone know of a resource that helps people be a good associate editor for a journal? I volunteered to be one, and was surprised to not be offered any guidance.
#academia #AcademicChatter

Oh, absolutely! Some of our pets certainly know when we're ...

2024-10-24T20:50:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…qpx4
_________________________

Oh, absolutely! Some of our pets certainly know when we're sick. But cats will also lay on a warm laptop. Which was it for you? Can't say for certain, right?

You said the cat was warming you...but when you have a fever, you don't need to be warmed. So the cat wasn't giving you what you needed. If your fever was really high, it could have caused you to get worse because they have a much higher body temperature (102) and could have caused your body temperature to get even higher.

With a fever, you needed to be cooled not warmed. Cats seek out ...

2024-10-23T22:21:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…m4p8
_________________________

With a fever, you needed to be cooled not warmed. Cats seek out warm spots because it's more comfortable for them. You were just a warm spot. Sorry!

As far back as 1888, people have been skeptical as to whether the ...

2024-10-17T22:48:16Z

As far back as 1888, people have been skeptical as to whether the bumble bee Bombus sonorus should be recognized as a separate species or a subspecies or variety of Bombus pensylvanicus. We attempt to put that to rest using genetic data of bees from a broad area of sympatry. Spoiler alert...they are genetically distinct and there's no evidence that they're hybridizing.
https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/132937/
#Bombus #BumbleBees #Bees #NaturalHistory

#linux I'm having an odd problem on my university Linux ...

2024-10-17T18:59:32Z

#linux
I'm having an odd problem on my university Linux machine running Ubuntu. We use our university usernames to login. A few days ago, the login stopped working for everyone (it says Invalid password please try again). Even the university IT staff are unable to login and haven't figured it out--but we don't have a "real" Linux IT person. Does anyone know what the problem might be?

#WeevilWednesday Megacerus cubiculus aren't true ...

2024-10-16T03:14:07Z

#WeevilWednesday

Megacerus cubiculus aren't true weevils--they're in the family Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) or in a family of their own (Bruchidae). They're called weevils because the larvae feed on and develop inside seeds of morning glories. They don't have a common name, but cubiculus means "little cube" (because of their body shape) and Megacerus means "large horned". So we could call them large-horned little cube beetles. Adults are about 2.5 mm long.

#Insects #Beetles #MacroPhotography

One of my favorite flies is Stictomyia longicornis. They hang out ...

2024-10-11T02:15:21Z

One of my favorite flies is Stictomyia longicornis. They hang out on prickly pear cactus pads. It's a species of ulidiid or picture-winged fly--the larvae feed on rotting cacti. They're just a few mm long, and every time I pass by a prickly pear cactus, I scan the pads hoping to see one.
#FlyDay #insects

Could this be a new (undescribed) species of #spider? No one ...

2024-10-04T11:50:29Z

Could this be a new (undescribed) species of #spider? No one seems to be able to tie it to a described species. Found in western Texas/eastern New Mexico where it is very common. One notable feature is their oversized anterior medial eyes.
#arachnology #arachnid #NaturalHistory

Here's how...but I don't really like how it functions. ...

2024-10-02T21:52:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…9zwq
_________________________

Here's how...but I don't really like how it functions. Doesn't seem to respond well...or at least not the way I would like it to.

Create a file in /home/yourusername/.config/gtk-3.0/gtk.css containing the following:

*{
-GtkScrollbar-has-backward-stepper: 1;
-GtkScrollbar-has-forward-stepper: 1;
-GtkRange-slider-width: 13;
-GtkRange-stepper-size: 13;
}

Note: replace yourusername by your user name.

When you say not consistently, what do you mean? I did figure out ...

2024-10-02T21:40:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…5y0p
_________________________

When you say not consistently, what do you mean?

I did figure out how to add up/down buttons to file manager windows and some other apps (LibreOffice). But they do not appear on Firefox (which has separate controls for the scroll bar). It's easy to do....but....

Just to make sure, you're not satisfied with using page up ...

2024-10-02T21:13:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…8hwr
_________________________

Just to make sure, you're not satisfied with using page up and page down (or arrow up/arrow down) to scroll?

This forum post is old, so I have no idea if it will help....but ...

2024-10-02T20:16:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…4dlx
_________________________

This forum post is old, so I have no idea if it will help....but if no one else offers an obvious solution, you might check it out: https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=222496

For the mousedown question, might this be the solution?
https://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-2191233.html

Dumb question...sorry! This looks retro--like from the 1970s. How ...

2024-09-27T18:07:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…gl0z
_________________________

Dumb question...sorry! This looks retro--like from the 1970s. How is this better than a tablet?

Arent those ribbons? Not hair?

2024-09-27T15:39:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…9e4n
_________________________

Arent those ribbons? Not hair?

Female velvet ants are wingless. Males of some species are ...

2024-09-14T23:47:12Z

Female velvet ants are wingless. Males of some species are wingless also, but most are winged. This one is Myrmilloides grandiceps, and is the first one of this species that I've seen.
#VelvetAnts #Insects #MacroPhotography

There are few alternatives. But one very good one. Is your ...

2024-09-11T11:35:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…vk57
_________________________

There are few alternatives. But one very good one. Is your friendship not worth their effort in setting up an account? Must not be much of a friendship. I know the reality is more complex than that....but it is what it boils down to.

I've noticed here in Texas the end of August usually brings ...

2024-09-02T12:19:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…cpcr
_________________________

I've noticed here in Texas the end of August usually brings pleasant, crisper mornings compared to earlier....even though afternoon temps are about the same. Do you know the cause of this?

There's no way to pull off anything like that. Just as well ...

2024-08-19T15:38:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…dfnv
_________________________

There's no way to pull off anything like that. Just as well dream for something even grander.

Where would the money come from? And someone would have to be ...

2024-08-19T12:28:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…l6du
_________________________

Where would the money come from? And someone would have to be paid to monitor billions of citations. Over the career of every scientist. Wouldn't this add a huge expense and management nightmare?

Curious how that would work financially.

2024-08-18T22:38:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…yzjj
_________________________

Curious how that would work financially.

#gardening If you can, avoid waterhoses with aluminum fittings at ...

2024-08-05T00:26:45Z

#gardening
If you can, avoid waterhoses with aluminum fittings at all costs. They will quickly weld to any other fitting, including the brass fitting at your house, causing great expense to have them replaced.

I've been unable to find hoses with brass fittings for several years, but noticed this brand at Walmart.

It says female fitting is brass, but I took a file to the male fitting and it appears to be solid brass also.

https://garden.org/ideas/view/silvercbx/2655/A-Warning-about-Hoses-with-Aluminum-Fittings/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Flexon-5-8-in-x-50-ft-Flextreme-Heavy-Duty-Watering-Hose/2065346522?athbdg=L1600&from=/search

Xyleborinus is a genus in the true weevil family Curculionidae, ...

2024-08-01T00:58:08Z

Xyleborinus is a genus in the true weevil family Curculionidae, but it lacks a long snout that most people associate with weevils.

This little fellow is about 2 mm long.

#WeevilWednesday

#Intro Biologist currently studying #WolfSpiders, #PocketGophers, ...

2022-11-18T23:37:41Z

#Intro

Biologist currently studying #WolfSpiders, #PocketGophers, #BumbleBees #Shrews, the wildflower genus Anemone, and #CrawfishFrogs--mostly using population genetic techniques.

#Biodiversity
#PopulationGenetics
#Hybridization
#ConservationGenetics
#TarletonState
#EcoEvo
#Evolution
#iNaturalist
#Genetics
#NaturalHistory
#Nature
#MacroPhotography #Macro
#AcademicChatter
#Academia
#HigherEd
#ScienceEducation
#Linux
#linuxmint