LMAC #40: Ambush! Stealth Predators of the Deep

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This week @shaka offered a stunning photo to the LMAC community.
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Underwater Photo, by @shaka

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Life. Immobile and at the same time dynamic. The scene in @shaka's photo suggested to me primitive forces. An eternal battle between predators and prey, winners and losers. All the while, the sea bears witness, with stark indifference.

And so my collage took shape.
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Stealth Predators of the Deep

In preparing to create my collage, I did a little reading about marine predation, and came across a class of predators called ambush hunters. These predators may be found on land and in water environments. For me, they embody both action and passivity, qualities I tried to convey in my collage.

Stealth Predators

At the end of this blog I offer links to videos that show each of these ambush hunters in action. I didn't watch the videos to the end...the more squeamish of my readers may not want to, either.

The Bobbit Worm (Eunice aphroditois)

bobbit owrm Eunice_aphroditois2 author Jenny uploaded onto flikr Dream of Shadows 2.0.jpg

Image credit: 'Jenny' uploaded to Flikr and Dream of Shadows published the picture on Wikimedia Commons under a CC 2.0 license

The Bobbit worm may be one of the most gruesome-looking predators in the marine environment. This creature (it's not technically classified as a worm) hides its long body below the surface. The Bobbit may be as long as ten feet. Only the top of the head is visible as the worm lies in wait for prey. The creature has no brain, and is blind. Antennae and perhaps a shadow alert the killer to the presence of prey. The Bobbit's lurch has such power that it can subdue an octopus.

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Orange Coral (Astroides calycularis)

Astroides2 calycularis_2008a Manfred Werner  Tsui.jpg

Image credit: Manfred Werner/Tsui. Used under CC 3.0 license.

Most of us think of coral as immobile--a passive, opportunistic consumer of plankton and minute forms of life. Recently it was discovered that the Orange Coral, found in the Mediterranean, actively hunts prey, and does so in cooperation with a community. The Mauve Stinger Jellyfish is the target of these coordinated attacks. When the jellyfish is carried by currents past the coral, a few corals grab the head of the prey. Nearby corals latch onto the victim's arms and begin to feed. Sometimes a jellyfish can escape this trap, but a great many perish, as numerous jellyfish bodies below the coral suggest.

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Mantis Shrimp (Stomatopoda)

Mantis_Shrimp_Barry Peters from Greer, SC 2.0.jpg

Image credit: Barry Peters from Greer, SC. Used under CC 2.0 license

Ordinarily, shrimp are bottom dwellers that feed on detritus. The Mantis Shrimp defies the ordinary. This is not a true shrimp. It is classified as a stomatopod, and may be 1 1/2 feet long. When it hunts, the Mantis hides most of its body below the surface and leaves only eyes and antennae visible. As prey pass by, the shrimp thrusts it body forward and, using praying-mantis-like forearms, captures and holds its victim. The species is about 400 million years old, lives for about 20 years, and mates for life.

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My Collage

Almost everything I added to @shaka's picture came from Paint3D.
One eyeball eyeball pixabay.jpg came from Pixabay.

It took many attempts to get all the pieces working together in a way I imagined. I wanted the scene to be both beautiful and cruel, as I often find nature to be.

Thank you @shaka for once again offering the Hive community an opportunity to create. Colorful, imaginative collages are already appearing on @shaka's blog. Readers should go over there and take a look.

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Videos (Beware: Gruesome Scenes of Predators at
Work)

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Bobbit Worm



Orange Coral
National Geographic



Mantis Shrimp


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Thank you for reading my blog


Hive on!



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30 comments
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Hello @agmoore. I was waiting for your participation to read the extraordinary information that helps us grow as readers.

I confess: I am a marine biologist. Besides, I also practiced scuba diving when I was younger.

For a human being life in the ocean is like Jacques Cousteau once wrote "The silent world". We are the ones who cannot talk when we are underwater.

I think I remember that when I was diving I swallowed water because I marveled at the beauty of the marine animals I saw and opened my mouth (gesture of admiration!), hahahaha. I have several memories of that time.

Your collage makes a lot of sense. The sea is full of invisible or camouflaged predators but there is a lot of balance in this dynamic.

The coral with "eyes" now looks like a sea sponge. Nice trick!

Cheers!

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Hi,
I know nothing about marine life. I can't even swim, although I do splash about for a few strokes (of course, with enthusiasm--as is my nature).
The beautiful picture took me to sober thought. Usually I like a light touch for this contest, but this is what I felt, and saw.
Thank you for stopping by!

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I would love to read about your experience as a marine biologist! And I am sure I can speak for the entire STEMsocial community ^^

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I must admit that I am always surprised by the constantly increasing diversity of topic this collage activity brings. Now it is (submarine) biology :)

PS: weird eyes are in the place ;)

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Thank you @lemouth! There are so many ways that I lack talent and skill, but I never run out of ideas :) I appreciate your support and your 'visit'. You should check out the LMAC blog this week. The colors alone will amaze you!

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I am not sure I will check many blogs this week, but I will try. This week is an interview week, together with the next ones. I will attend about 50 presentations (we have 5 positions to provide). This will keep me busy until July 2nd... Then I will breathe again! ^^

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Thanks for your contribution to the STEMsocial community. Feel free to join us on discord to get to know the rest of us!

Please consider supporting our funding proposal, approving our witness (@stem.witness) or delegating to the @stemsocial account (for some ROI).

Please consider using the STEMsocial app app and including @stemsocial as a beneficiary to get a stronger support. 
 

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Thank you @STEMsocial! That is really really kind of you. Your support and endorsement are very much appreciated!

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Wow, your skills become better and better! In fact I was waiting for someone to reveal the snail from the stone/coral in the background.

Great how the resting fish attentively follows the scenery with his eye. Wonderful conception!

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😇
I am so happy you like my collage! And I'm very, very happy that you noticed the eye movement of the resting fish. Coordinating all the eyes was one of my goals :) You gave us such a fantastic photo this week. Very many fantastic entries coming in. Thanks for all the fun!

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The work on all the eye movements is fantastic. This is what turns collage elements into protagonists, if you know what I mean by that. I really like it a lot.

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I do not like deep waters, I always think that a strange animal can come out, now with this information less I enter ha ha ha I am very cowardly.

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Hello @tormenta,
Cowardly :)) I don't think going in deep water is a measure of courage :) Yes, these creatures are quite scary. I thought of you when I wrote this, because I know you prefer gentle images. Forgive me for taking you to these unpleasant thoughts. It's just where my mind went when I saw the photo. Maybe I find the deep water a little scary also 🙂

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Da miedo pero podemos encontrar alimentos muy bueno, me gusta mas la comida del mar que estar dentro de el mismo. un fuerte abrazo para ti.

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Yeesssss, ... great and fantastico!
I love it.
😎

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Great underwater action ! Complex animation with a lot going on ... great.

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Such a beautiful work .. I think you have revealed a great talent :)))

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😅
Thanks for coming by! I think I may be the Grandma Moses of collages 😁
I choose fun over pride, anytime.
Hope you and your family are well in your beautiful Greek countryside.

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Hi @agmoore, thank you for your gift, you are so kind, even though you don't know me, thank you again to you.

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Thank you very much. Creating these collages makes me happy, and I like to share that feeling. I wish everyone could have a prize. Your collage is really wonderful. Good luck in the next round :)

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(Edited)

I'm learning.
The Bobbit is a horror movie character . hehe
Cheers my friend.

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Oh my heavens! I had no idea.
RadioTimes

Cheers, my young friend :)

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Hehe. I was just joking. I didn't know it was in the movies.
My father read me the post.
Thanks

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