Strange Organism Has Unique Roots in the Tree of Life

Talk about extended family: A single-celled organism in Norway has been called "mankind's furthest relative." It is so far removed from the organisms we know that researchers claim it belongs to a new base group, called a kingdom, on the tree of life.

"We have found an unknown branch of the tree of life that lives in this lake. It is unique! So far we know of no other group of organisms that descend from closer to the roots of the tree of life than this species," study researcher Kamran Shalchian-Tabrizi, of the University of Oslo, in Norway, said in a statement.

The organism, a type of protozoan, was found by researchers in a lake near Oslo. Protozoans have been known to science since 1865, but because they are difficult to culture in the lab, researchers haven't been able to get a grip on their genetic makeup. They were placed in the protist kingdom on the tree of life mostly based on observations of their size and shape.

Read on:  http://www.livescience.com/19955-ancient-protist-kingdom.html

Bigfoot conferees cite track record

Well, no — of course, a Bigfoot didn’t show. They don’t want to be found, you know.

But the annual Ohio Bigfoot Conference in Cambridge went on yesterday without one of the creatures, often described as 9 feet tall, covered in hair, with thin lips and deep-set eyes that sometimes glow red in the dark.

There were, however, plaster molds of Bigfoot tracks, discussion about Ohio sightings and scientists lecturing about evidence. Folding tables displayed camouflage-painted Sasquatch-recording devices and Bigfoot-shaped cookies. Lila Slatzer had a cookie cutter custom-made.

“Every year, I bake a couple hundred cookies, come here and sell my wares,” said Slatzer, who, along with her husband, has been hunting a Bigfoot for about 30 years.

Continued:  http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/04/30/bigfoot-conference-attendees-cite-track-record.html

Rare bird, snake rescued in city

BANGALORE: BBMP’s forest officials and paramedical staff have rescued rare species of Albino Rat Snake and Night Heron from two different parts of the city.

A paramedical centre was set up by the BBMP’s forest department last year to educate citizens to cooperate and inform officials if animals and birds were found in precarious condition or any other state which needs attention of the experts.

On Saturday, an employee of the centre received two different calls.

One was from Kalisipalayam scrap market. Idris Pasha, a scrap shop owner, found a yellow snake moving when he was clearing debris in his shop and immediately, he informed the BBMP officials.

“We normally get calls from this area, when snakes are found, but before our arrival people kill it out of fear. But Idris Pasha was intelligent enough. He did not inform others, thinking public attention may harm the reptile,” BBMP’s wild life warden Sharat Babu said.

He further said, “We have rescued a rare specious of Rat Snake. In my fifteen years’ career, this is the first time I have come across an Albino Rat Snake in Bangalore. We also rescued a rare bird ‘Night Heron’ from K P Agrahara on Magadi Road.”

He added, “Both creatures are doing well. We will keep them in rehabilitation centre and they will be released in conducive habitats. We are happy that people are getting our message and helping us protect the species before it is too late.”

The Heron rescuer Sriram, a wildlife activist and a BBMP volunteer, picked up the adult bird from a road in K P Agrahara. The bird has become rare in places like Bangalore and mostly found in Ranganathittu near Srirangapatna.

Wildlife activist Sriram spoke about the bird he rescued and said, “The bird will be released in Lalbagh lake once it is properly rehabilitated. These types of birds and snakes were commonly found in Bangalore few years ago, but they migrated and became rare due to rapid construction activities and shrinking of urban forest and lakes.”


http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/rare-bird-snake-rescued-in-city/387138.html

Nature lover leaves wildlife haven to RSPCA – who sell it to be bulldozed and built on Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2136714/Nature-lover-leaves-wildlife-haven-RSPCA--sell-bulldozed-built-on.html#ixzz1tWUf3wRf

The greatest joy in the life of animal enthusiast David Brown was the wild habitat he owned opposite his cottage that was home to foxes, badgers, hedgehogs and squirrels. 

So when he wrote his will, Mr Brown chose to leave his property to the RSPCA – a charity he trusted.

But the RSPCA repaid his trust by selling the land to property developers, and last week, to the horror of his former neighbours, the habitat was flattened – in just 12 hours.

At least six trees, including two large oaks, were sawn down and the site reduced to muddy patch. 

For Mr Brown had made one crucial mistake in drawing up his will – he expressed the ‘wish’ that the area be maintained as an animal sanctuary rather than making it a legal condition of the will.

This technicality allowed the RSPCA to ignore his wishes and instead cash in by selling both the cottage and the land for £295,000.

Neighbours suspected something might be happening when, a week before the diggers moved in, a plaque screwed to a tree in David’s honour was removed and attached to the side of his former cottage. 

It read: ‘In loving memory, David, a good friend to us all. Not forgotten.’

Continued:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2136714/Nature-lover-leaves-wildlife-haven-RSPCA--sell-bulldozed-built-on.html

In Everglades, tracking pythons may provide clues to vanishing wildlife

By Darryl Fears, Published: April 28

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. — Kristen Hart’s search for a cold-blooded killer came to an end at a perfect hideout — thick scrub brush, dense trees and shade. She crouched with three scouts and whispered.

“Do you see her?” asked Hart, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey. “Yeah, she’s in there,” answered Thomas Selby, a wildlife biologist. “I think she knows we’re here,” said Brian Smith, another biologist.

Within seconds, the 16 ¹ / ₂-foot Burmese python uncoiled and made a run for it. What happened next is a drama that plays out every week or so, as state and federal biologists try to prove — or disprove — that the giant invasive snakes are the reason for the near disappearance of rabbits, opossums, raccoons, foxes and even bobcats in the southernmost section of the 1.5 million-acre Everglades.

Smith and Selby charged into the trees. “I’ve got the head!” Smith shouted. “Grab the tail!” They stumbled out with the writhing snake in a chokehold, huge mouth agape, ready to bite.

It was actually the second time biologists got their hands on Python 51 — the 51st caught. Two months ago, they surgically fitted her with a radio transmitter, motion detector and global positioning system to study her diet and movements.

Continued:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/in-everglades-tracking-pythons-may-provide-clues-to-vanishing-wildlife/2012/04/28/gIQAWRvenT_story.html?wprss=rss_national