Octopus Death Frenzy, Wildlife Tracking, Fungi to the Rescue

Today, you’ll learn about a new discovery that explains what causes octopuses to go into a death frenzy when they have kids, how air pollution sensors could help track invasive species, and how fungi could save entire ecosystems. 

Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/octopus-death-frenzy-wildlife-tracking-fungi-to-the-rescue

Octopus Torture 

• “Octopuses Torture and Eat Themselves After Mating, Science Finally Knows Why.” by Stephanie Pappas. 2022.
  • https://www.livescience.com/why-octopus-moms-self-destruct
• “Octopus Moms Enter Death Spiral Before Eight-Armed Bundles Are Born.” by Jeanna Bryner. 2018.
  • https://www.livescience.com/63911-octopus-moms-death-spiral.html

Wildlife Tracking 

• “Accidental DNA collection by air sensors could revolutionize wildlife tracking.” by Natasha Gilbert. 2023.
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01850-z
• “Air Pollution Monitors Have Been Accidentally Harvesting Wildlife DNA.” by Matthew Sparkes. 2023.
  • https://www.newscientist.com/article/2375624-air-pollution-monitors-have-been-accidentally-harvesting-wildlife-dna/?_ptid=%7Bkpdx%7DAAAAwWljNkrzhAoKcmJhNGYxWmNwZRIQbGswNnQ1a2FlZzJ2ZXQyaBoMRVhXUVJKOURFTUVQIiUxODIzcTgwMDdnLTAwMDAzMmFicXM0N2pjMzlmb240a2prMDVnKhtzaG93VGVtcGxhdGU1TERCMVJFTVU0NEQxMzcwAToMT1RZNkM3MjZBN1EyQg1PVFZDVkEwU1BUSTROUhJ2LYUA8BhkM3hhOTQxZXBaDTk4LjE1LjE0MS4xNDZiA2RtY2iiw8GlBnAKeAQ

Fungi to the Rescue

• “Invasive Palms and WWII Damaged an Island Paradise. Could Fungi Help to Restore It?” by Virginia Gewin. 2023.
  • https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01932-y/index.html
• “Rewilding the Planet.” by Aisling Irwin. 2023.
  • https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01370-w/index.html

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