Showing posts with label biology. Show all posts

13 brains


13 amazing brains


The diversity and mysteriousness of the amazing brain in these creatures range from,brains of spiders which split and spill into legs, to brains that are  tiny,complex and beyond our comprehension.

These animals may probably have the most strange and interesting brains in the world.

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2012/02/06/amazing-animal-brains-13-fascinating-neurological-facts/
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Beans that can summon other predators in self defence


Beans that can summon other predators in self defense







Lima beans (Fabaceae: Phaseolus lunatus L) has a very interesting way in which it responds to various predatory attacks. The mechanisms are fascinating. For instance when the beans are under attack from spider mites, they release chemicals to attract natural predators of the mites as well as warn nearby plants. Amazingly, if the plants are damaged by an agricultural tool or, say, a wayward cow, they emit different stress signals that are ignored by their neighbors.

An extensive study done on this particular species can be found by clicking the links below.


Whiteflies interfere with indirect plant defense against spider mites in Lima bean


Source Lima beans image
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The Brown Huntsman Spider

These spiders are pretty familiar fellows in Sri Lankan homes. I was terrified every time I saw this beast when I was small. I could remember that the only thing in mind when I used to see these arachnids was to kill them and get rid of them.
A few years later I started becoming curious about this spider and I started searching for articles about it, But I never quite found anything that would resemble them. And finally I found some information about this wonderful species.
This is called a "Brown Huntsman Spider" or aka "Cane spider". Scientific name is Heteropoda venatoria. These guys can become pretty large and can run really fast. The width of the spider could sometimes reach a leg span of about 13inches. They do not spin webs instead they lie still on the vertical surfaces and they rush forward at their pray when they come into closer range.
They are nocturnal.
Even though they have a very fearsome look they are easily alarmed by human presence and flee the area ASAP.
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