Latest news with #Bolstad
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Elusive ocean creature filmed alive in the wild for first time off Antarctica
The magic of Christmas includes a parade of legendary creatures. From Santa Claus to his flying reindeer, believing in magic without ever seeing its source is part of what makes the holiday special for kids around the world. But for a group of researchers spending Christmas on a research vessel in the troubled waters around Antarctica, a different creature of legend helped make their day magical. The remote-operated vehicle SuBastian, part of the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel R/V Falkor (too), dropped to a depth of about 7,000 feet when a colorful creature came into focus on the vehicle's camera, according to a June 10 article and news release from National Geographic. The colorful animal was about 3 feet long and covered in 'fresh-looking sucker marks' and 'scratches,' researchers said. It was identified as Gonatus antarcticus, a species that had never been seen before alive in the wild, according to National Geographic. 'Prior to the astonishing discovery, the species was only known from carcasses in fishing nets or when the squids' beaks were found in the stomach of fished marine animals,' National Geographic said in the news release. '... Spotted at a depth of approximately (7,000 feet) in the Weddell Sea, researchers have not been able to confirm the squid's sex from the footage, nor age, but the discovery is a reminder of how much more there is to learn about the relatively unexplored polar regions of our world's (oceans).' Kathrin Bolstad, a squid expert, told National Geographic the squid could be identified by a 'large single central hook observed on each tentacle club,' according to the release. Experts believe the hooks are used to hold prey while hunting, according to National Geographic, but because of the animal's elusive lifestyle, very little is known about their ecology and day-to-day lives. If the squid is a female, she's particularly large for her sex when females typically start to deteriorate near the end of their life cycle, Bolstad told National Geographic. If the squid is a male, it might mean males don't break down near the end of their lives like the females. Another possibility is that there is more than one species of squid being classified as Gonatus antarcticus that keeps its color throughout its life because the animals are so understudied, the squid expert said. 'In the deep sea, there's always a good chance you're seeing something for the first time,' Bolstad told National Geographic. 'The potential for discoveries and exploration is pretty much limitless.' During the expedition, researchers also collected sediment samples, water and biota samples throughout the Southern Ocean at depths of up to 13,000 feet and across abyssal plains, hydrothermal vents, troughs, canyon walls and sea ice, according to the release. The Weddell Sea is 'one of the few near-pristine ecosystems on the planet,' according to the outlet, exciting researchers about its study. The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean off the coast of Antarctica, south of the Atlantic Ocean and South America.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Colossal squid filmed for the first time
Schmidt Ocean Institute's remotely operated vehicle SuBastian provided live recording of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni for the first time. PHOTO: SCHMIDT OCEAN INSTITUTE The first confirmed sighting of giant squid recently thrilled scientists worldwide. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on Schmidt Ocean Institute's vessel Falkor (too) filmed a 30cm-long juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) on March 9 at 600m near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic. The same international team had earlier, in January, captured the first footage of Galiteuthis glacialis, a glass squid, in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica. New Zealand scientists were part of the discovery and identification of these deep-sea creatures. Auckland University of Technology Associate Prof Kat Bolstad verified the species identification of both squid. The small juvenile Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was sighted by the ROV SuBastian on March 9 at a depth of 600m. "I have been researching deep-sea squids, including the colossal since the early 2000s. "And I can say that this is honestly one of the most exciting observations that we have had across the time that I have been working on deep-sea cephalopods." She was struck by the "beauty and delicacy" of the creature seen in the footage. As the heaviest invertebrate on the planet they can reach 500kg and about 7m in length. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa curator of fishes Dr Thom Linley was in the control room when the ROV filmed Galiteuthis glacialis at 687m. "I was milling around the control room trying to get my notes together. "As we were descending, this squid sort of comes into view." Dr Linley snapped a screen photo and sent it to Assoc Prof Bolstad for confirmation. "That was just me taking a photo of the screen with my with my phone ... she was climbing the walls like, 'give me the high res, give me the high res'." Once she had the high-resolution file, Assoc Prof Bolstad confirmed the identity. "You know, it is incredible to be able to share this," Dr Linley said.
Observer
12-05-2025
- Science
- Observer
It Took a Century to Find This Colossal Squid
In March, Kat Bolstad returned from an Antarctic expedition where she had used a new camera system specially built to search for the elusive colossal squid. No one had captured footage of one of these animals swimming in the deep sea. She didn't spot one on this voyage either. On the day she left the ship, though, Bolstad, a deep sea cephalopod biologist, learned about a recent video taken March 9 from the South Sandwich Islands. A team searching for new marine life and remotely using a Schmidt Ocean Institute submersible, had happened upon a young cephalopod, and people wanted Bolstad's help identifying it. The juvenile was about 30 centimeters long (a little less than a foot), with a transparent body, delicate arms and brown spots. It was a colossal squid. 'Pretty much as soon as I saw the footage, I knew there was a good chance,' said Bolstad, a cephalopod biologist at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. She consults remotely for Schmidt's Antarctic work. It's been 100 years since the colossal squid was formally described in a scientific paper. In its adult form, the animal is larger than the giant squid, or any other invertebrate on Earth, and can grow to 6 or 7 meters long, or up to 23 feet. Scientists' first good look at the species in 1925 was incomplete — just arm fragments from two squid in the belly of a sperm whale. Adults are thought to spend most of their time in the deep ocean. A full-grown colossal squid occasionally appears at the ocean's surface, drawn up to a fishing boat while it's 'chewing on' a hooked fish, Bolstad said. Younger specimens have turned up in trawl nets. Yet until now, humans had not witnessed a colossal squid at home, swimming in the deep Antarctic sea. One reason they're so elusive is the sheer size of that home. Additionally, the squid are probably avoiding us, Bolstad said. 'They're very aware of their surroundings, because any disturbance in the water column around them might mean a predator.' Sperm whales, the squid's main predator, can dive up to 2 kilometers (1.25 miles). Perhaps to help them avoid the whales, colossal squid have evolved the world's largest eyes — bigger than a basketball. They also have 'a unique combination of suckers and hooks on the arms and the tentacles,' Bolstad said, which is how she was able to confirm that the young sea creature in the new footage was a colossal squid. The footage was taken by a remotely operated submersible called SuBastian, which the Schmidt Ocean Institute uses to explore the deep sea. This particular dive was a partnership with Ocean Census, an initiative to discover unknown species. The submersible stopped for a few minutes on descent to film the small, transparent cephalopod. 'I think it's very exciting,' said Christine Huffard, a biologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California who wasn't involved in the expedition. Huffard has used other remotely operated submersibles in her research. She said these exploratory missions have 'tremendous value.' For example, her observations of octopuses walking bipedally on the ocean floor — using two arms to stroll, and the other six to possibly camouflage themselves as a clump of algae or a coconut — happened by chance. The findings have been useful to researchers in soft robotics, she said. Capturing footage of rarely seen marine animals like the colossal squid, Huffard said, can also inform decisions about human activities like deep-sea mining. She said it would help to know where these animals spend their time, where they travel to mate or spawn, or how long they live. The young colossal squid in the video was swimming around 600 meters down, Bolstad said, not in the deeper waters where adults likely dwell. Other deep-sea squids spend their early lives in shallower waters, she said. Having a transparent body may help the baby swim undetected by predators before it descends as an opaque, reddish adult to the darker ocean. A submersible's camera can detect the squid — and transmit images instantaneously. Unlike the scientists of a century ago, who had to dig through partly digested carnage in a whale's belly, anyone could watch the Schmidt 'dive-stream' from home to be part of the moment of finding the colossal squid, Bolstad said. 'To be able to participate in these explorations and discoveries, essentially in real time, from anywhere on the planet — that's an amazing thing that humans can do.' She'll continue looking for a full-grown animal. 'I can't wait to see what a live adult colossal squid looks like, at home in the deep sea where it belongs,' she said. But she said she was also glad that the first sighting of the species in the wild was not of the adult version — an enormous, hook-wielding leviathan, but 'this beautiful early life stage that looks like a little glass sculpture.' 'I actually love that this is our first glimpse of what will become a true giant,' Bolstad said. —NYT
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Area educators to perform free concert May 12 in Staunton as part of the Valley Wind Ensemble
Celebrating its 10th year, the Valley Wind Ensemble is planning a free concert May 12 at 7 p.m. at Staunton High School's John Lewis Auditorium. Stephen Bolstad, professor emeritus at James Madison University and the school's director of bands from 2007 until 2024, is the conductor of the Valley Wind Ensemble. Formed in 2015, the ensemble provides an outlet for music educators in the Shenandoah Valley as well as other invited musicians. "Our program is a very demanding and challenging program for the players," Bolstad said, "but it is also very audience friendly." More: A week of giving in the Shenandoah Valley: The Digest A list of music for this year's program along with comments from Bolstad: "Masque" (2001) - Kenneth Hesketh (British composer) "Technically very challenging for the players, but lots of fun to listen to." "With Heart and Voice" (2001) - David Gillingham"The piece is based on the familiar hymn tune 'Come, Christians, Join and Sing,' and Gillingham presents the melody in a wide variety of musical settings." "Lux Perpetua" (2020) - Frank Tichel"For anyone familiar with band music, Frank Ticheli is a well known name. The title of this piece translates to perpetual light. The piece was commissioned by the Baylor University Wind Ensemble in memory of two of their students who tragically died in an automobile accident. The piece has three sections with the outer sections being lyrical and reflective, and the middle section being triumphant and celebratory." "Carmina Burana" (1937) - Carl Orff (German composer)"Carmina Burana is Orff's most famous work, and this multi-movement piece is the biggest piece on our concert. Everyone will recognize several of its melodies because they have been borrowed in pop culture and TV commercials." Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County educators performing in the ensemble: Jonathan Wilson, Staunton High Charlie Nesmith, Shelburne Middle Matt Baraclaugh, Wilson Memorial High Tim DeSimone, Wilson Middle Austin Gilbert, Wilson Memorial High Sarah Maslock, Waynesboro High Justus Butler, Riverheads High Marshelle Moore, Riverheads Middle Sarah Zotian, Hugh K. Cassell Elementary Micthell Evans, Buffalo Gap Middle Jadelyn Talley, Buffalo Gap High Hunter Alen, Stuarts Draft Middle Alan Shull, Principal, Fort Defiance High Doug Lane, retired Staunton High More: Man headed to prison after striking up online relationship with Waynesboro teen — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Valley Wind Ensemble performing May 12 at Staunton High School
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Live colossal squid, super-heavyweight of the deep sea, caught on video for the first time
The colossal squid, the world's largest squid species, was caught on video for the first time swimming in its natural habitat, according to a California ocean research organization. This squid, as its name suggests, can grow to as much as 23 feet in length and 1,100 pounds — the heaviest invertebrate in the world — according to the Schmidt Ocean Institute. But the creature the institute caught on video was a footlong juvenile. It was recorded March 9 near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean at a depth of nearly 2,000 feet, according to a news release from the nonprofit. The squid was formally named and identified in 1925 but hadn't been recorded alive until this instance. The squid, officially named Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, was recorded during a 35-day expedition that was aimed at finding new marine life, the release states. Scientists aboard the institute's Falkor research vessel captured video of the squid with its remotely operated vehicle called SuBastian. The squids lose their transparent bodies as they get older, and dying adults have been recorded before by fishermen, but a colossal squid hadn't before been seen alive at such a depth. "It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," said Kat Bolstad of the Auckland University of Technology in the release. Bolstad was consulted to verify the video, according to the institute. 'For 100 years, we have mainly encountered them as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs and as predators of harvested toothfish.' Read more: Trump administration seeks to narrow Endangered Species Act by redefining 'harm' During a January expedition, the team also captured first-time video of the glacial glass squid (called Galiteuthis glacialis), according to the institute. That creature also has never been seen alive before in its natural environment. 'The first sighting of two different squids on back-to-back expeditions is remarkable and shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the Southern Ocean,' Jyotika Virmani, the Schmidt Ocean Institute's executive director, said in the release. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
