The Flying Saucer At Sunset

Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) are stationary lens-shaped clouds with a smooth layered appearance that form in the troposphere, usually above mountain ranges. One was spotted in Singapore recently...

Eyes Of 30,000 Honeycombs

With 30,000 individual facets, dragonflies have the most number of facets among insects. Each facet, or ommatidia, creates its own image, and the dragonfly brain has eight pairs of descending visual neurons to compile those thousands of images into one picture...

A Kaleidoscope Of Colours, Shapes And Patterns

Spectacular and innovative in design, the Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy. Home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the world, it showcases the adaptations of plants to arid environments...

Lightning Strikes, Not Once, But Many Times

Unlike light, lightning does not travel in a straight line. Instead, it has many branches. These other branches flashed at the same time as the main strike. The branches are actually the step leaders that were connected to the leader that made it to its target...

Are You My Dinner Tonight?

A T-Rex has 24-26 teeth on its upper jaw and 24 more on its lower jaw. Juveniles have small, sharp blade-shaped teeth to cut flesh, whereas adults have huge, blunt, rounded teeth for crushing bones. Is the T-Rex a bone-crushing scavenger?

Thrown Away By The Kelongs

3:32 PM  , , , , ,  

Pasir Ris Park
East, Singapore
January 2013

Merlion Wayfarer was out exploring the shores again during the January low tides. This time round, she went eastwards to Pasir Ris Park.

She was surprised to see the condition of the beach. At the edges of the mud-sand composite beach, there was about a metre of foam at the incoming tide.

She recalled past news reports on the beach:
  
And in her exploration, in addition to the usual washed up debris, she found further evidence of the pollution rampant on the beach:
Soapsud-like foam at the edge of the beach...

 
In some places, the suds had turned into dirty-yellow curds. 
It was as if someone had just regurgitated his entire stomach contents into the water...

The sand unearthed by Fiddler and Sand Bubbler Crabs when digging their burrows were black or reddish-brown in colour - A sign of pollution which had penetrated below the surface...
  
Dead fish were littered over some parts of the beach (Too unsightly to include!) 
while a huge dying horseshoe crab lies in the sand...

There were several foreign workers collecting shells and fish. Yet they pointed out to Merlion Wayfarer this huge bag (size of a black garbage bag) of fish that they did not dare to touch. It was apparently disposed of by the kelongs nearby. Apparently the fish in the fisheries at the kelong were not spared too.

Merlion Wayfarer hopes that the necessary authorities will take action to warn people off the beach and facilitate a cleanup to prevent further agricultural and environmental damage...


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Low Tide Among The Rocks

8:22 PM  , , , , , ,  

North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013
  
This is low tide at a North-Eastern beach. The shore consists mainly of rocks and stones on a coarse sand bed.
  

And this is a common scene at many of our coastal shores during weekends, including this one - Children exploring the rocks, catching fish, and sometimes running about barefoot at low tide. 


However, sometimes dangers lurk within shores at low tides. All who step onto these waters should have proper footwear (i.e. no flipflops, no slippers) with thick soles.

Here is what Merlion Wayfarer spotted:

|  "A Fish Called Toad"  |  "Bristles That Sting"  |



There are of course other seemingly harmless creatures which are absolutely fascinating:

Amidst the sand and stones, there is a thriving eco-system. Besides the hundreds (or thousands!) of crabs scuttling about, worms burrow in and out of crevices within the stones. For those not used to the terrain, it can be quite freaky to see a worm head into a hole, and the head of the same worm appear in a second (and even third!) hole with its body still sliding through the first hole!


Surprisingly, starfish can be found among the rubble...
  

A well-camouflaged hermit crab stares back...


And behold the Snapping Shrimp and its ever-steady burrow guard!
  

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Symbiosis Of A Snapping Kind

9:36 PM  , ,  

North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013

Alpheidae is a family of Snapping Shrimp characterized by having asymmetrical claws, the larger of which is typically capable of producing a loud snapping sound. Other common names of these species include Pistol Shrimp or Alpheid Shrimp. The shrimp are considered to be a major source of noise in the ocean, and can  interfere with sonar and underwater communication when in colonies. (Wow!)
    
A closer look at the Snapping Shrimp. 
Some of the crevices are barely big enough for it to slide out of...

They can be kinda hard to spot as they are often well-hidden with burrows in rocks and on the seabed itself...

Note the little triangular portion on its big claw that appears to be a "fixed back" broken piece? Don't play play, that is the part that snaps shut to cause a loud "Tiak!" sound audible from several metres away. The blast stuns prey like tiny fish and cracks the shells of small clams. It is also used to warn off predators and intimidate rival snapping shrimps.

Merlion Wayfarer spotted two really big ones in a rock pool nearby...

They were of a drab grey colour with one being visibly darker than the other. Were they courting?
    
A small fish was spotted darting around these burrows. Merlion Wayfarer did wonder if these were friends or food...
  
Some Snapping Shrimp species share burrows with Goby fishes in a symbiotic relationship. The burrow is built and tended by the Snapping Shrimp, and the Goby provides protection by watching out for danger. When both are out of the burrow, the Shrimp maintains contact with the Goby using its antenna. The Goby, having the better vision, alerts the Shrimp of danger using a characteristic tail movement, and then both retreat into the safety of the shared burrow.

The symbiotic relationship between the Snapping Shrimp and the Goby (Cryptocentrus Leptocephalus, Slender-Lined Shrimp-Goby) is seen here... 

The Goby hides in the Shrimp's burrow and keeps a look out... 

It exits the burrow and surveys the surroundings with its tail still in the burrow...

A claw is spotted. An unwary observer may think that the poor Goby will soon be the Shrimp's next meal...

When given the go-ahead, the Shrimp slowly comes out of its hiding place... 

It heads straight from some debris outside its doorstep, with its antenna in close contact with the Goby...

Effortlessly it moves a twig half its size with its smaller pincer claw...

That out of the way, it retreats back into its burrow. 
At the same time, its antenna is still in contact with the Goby...
 
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A Fish Called Toad

7:15 PM  , ,  

North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013
 
Toadfish (Batrachoididae) are really scary. The first you see of them in murky waters are their two red eyes gleaming back at you. But then, sometimes, you may not even see the two eyes. Maybe only one. Like a tiny red ruby.

Toadfishes are usually scaleless, with eyes set high on large heads. Their mouths are also large, and often decorated with barbels and skin flaps. They are generally drab in colour, and range in length from 7.5 cm to 57 cm. The ones found at our reefs are generally smaller, with a size of 5-15 cm for the ones spotted here in the sightings today...
Spot the Toadfish...

Because they exist in murky water and are often hidden under stones and rocks, there is a tendency to mistake them for other dangerous fish like Scorpionfish and Stonefish. A good guide to tell them apart can be found on Wild Singapore.

Toadfish are not venomous. However the spines on its back and its bite can be painful if inflicted.
A clearer look at the nasty spines on its back...

Males make nests, and then attract females by "singing", that is, by releasing air by contracting muscles on their swim bladder. The sound has been called a 'hum' or 'whistle', and can be loud enough to be clearly audible from the surface. This behaviour, and its look is probably how it got its name.

The Toadfish is an ambush predator. They tend to be omnivorous, eating sea worms, crustaceans, mollusks and other fish. It waits motionless for its prey to wander by. Prey that comes near enough is sucked into its expandable wide jaws and usually swallowed whole.

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Bristles That Sting

3:03 AM  ,  

North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013
  
Bristle Worms (Polychaete) are segmented worms belonging to the phylum Annelida (segmented worms). They are found in all oceans from shallow intertidal reefs to deep depths. They live on or burrow into sand, mud, shell debris, rocks and coral rubble. Some eat their way through muddy sediments, some eat algae and others are accomplished predators. Their common predators are small fish, crabs and predatory snails.

Found commonly in beaches with stones at low tide... 

"Worm" is a common name which applies to a "shape" rather than a particular phylum or class of animals, much as "slug" applies to much more than opisthorbanch molluscs. Bristle Worms have bodies that are divided into segments. Except for the head and last segment, all the segments are generally similar. Each segment has a pair of flattened extensions called parapodia. These appendages are usually branched at the ends and covered with bristles, called setae. These bristly appendages are sometimes used to move (much like a centipede does) and to burrow.

Although Bristle Worms are not aggressive, they bite when handled, and the bristles can penetrate skin. These bristles contain poison and drop off easily, even in the water around them. The Bristle Worm bite or sting may cause inflammation, burning, swelling, numbness, redness or pain.

A magnified view which shows the fineness and fluroscence of the bristles...

More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa at :

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Brittles Under Stones

2:24 AM  ,  

North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013

Brittle Stars belong to the phylum Echinodermata and and sub-class Ophiuroidea which has about 2,100 known species, of which 300 brittle star species can be found in shallow tropical waters. They get their name from their ability to drop off their arms, for example, when grabbed by a fish. A new arm will regrow. Although often found on Singapore shores, Brittle Stars are seldom seen as they are active at night and shelter under rocks, beneath the sand and in even on other animals such as sponges.

Two Brittle Stars were spotted within close proximity of each other 
under some stones by the beach at low tide...
  

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The Rainbow That Ants Drop Off From

5:27 PM  , , , ,  

East, Singapore
July & August 2012

Merlion Wayfarer found the only Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus Deglupta, Mindanao Gum / Rainbow Eucalyptus / Rainbow Gum) in Singapore!

Located in a small cosy wood, it was tucked away in a little corner of the park with just a worn out sign denoting its "Heritage Tree" status.

The Heritage Tree signboard which was first spotted in July and
replaced with a brand new plate in August 2012...

What's so special about this tree?
  • This is the sole species of Eucalyptus that is native to an area above the Equator. (Well, Singapore is one degree north of the Equator.)
  • Found mainly in New Guinea, Sulawesi and Mindanao, there is only ONE Rainbow Eucalyptus tree in the whole of Singapore!
  • The spectacular bark shows off a wide variety of colors all at once.
  • Unlike most other trees, its bark flakes off by layered strips as it matures. 

Instances of its flaking bark with the active eco-system that it fosters -
Hasarius Adansoni (Adanson's House Jumper) Female Spider, Oecophylla Smaragdina (Weaver Red Ant, Kerengga Ant) Ants, Hasarius Adansoni (Adanson's House Jumper) Male Spider,
Menemerus Bivittatus (Common House Jumper)...

More about the rainbow colouring in this description:

"The tree gets its common name from the striking stripes of color on its trunks and limbs. While they look as though they were painted on, these  ever-changing colors are an entirely natural feature. Unlike trees such as oaks, rainbow eucalyptus does not have a thick, corky layer of bark on the trunk.

Instead, the bark is smooth and vibrantly alive, and as it grows, it exfoliates thin layers of spent tissue. This process occurs in irregular zones at different times. Once the layers come off, they reveal new and fresh green bark. As the newly exposed bark slowly ages, it changes from bright green to a darker green, then bluish to purplish, and then pink-orange. Finally, the color becomes a brownish maroon right before exfoliation occurs.

Since this process is happening in different zones of the trunk and in different stages, simultaneously, the colors are varied and almost constantly changing. As a result, the tree will never have the same color pattern twice, making it like a work of living art."

Merlion Wayfarer made one fascinating discovery about the Rainbow Gum tree today. Like the bevy of spiders and other insects that throng up and down the tree, the ants most visibly had the most difficulty climbing up the tree. Once they reach about the two-metre mark (from ground level), most of the ants started falling off the tree!

Possible reasons why could be the lubricating effect of the oil secreted by the leaves or the newness of the constantly-flaking bark. The real reason remains to be discovered. Merlion Wayfarer awaits to be enlightened by a learned scholar out there...

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