Summary:
Thousands of Humboldt squids, also known as giant squids, have been throwing themselves upon the shores of Central California.
William Gilly, a marine biologist from Stanford University claims that it is possible the beaching of the squid are due to the red tide of
algae bloom, that carry and release extremely potent brain toxins. The evidence put forth is that there has been red tides every three weeks,
around the same time the squids are beaching themselves. The red algae release a toxic chemical called domoic acid that imitates glutamate;
which binds to receptors in the brain, causing calcium to enter, and poison the brain cells; eventually causing them to fill with calcium and explode.
Because the deaths were happening in three week cycles, rather than following tidal cycles or lunar cycles, Gilly and his colleagues were able to link
it to red algae patterns; but this conclusion can still not be claimed as correct. But they have found the reason why the squid migrated; due to the
El Niño, their prey have moved, and the squid moved with it.
Thousands of Humboldt squids, also known as giant squids, have been throwing themselves upon the shores of Central California.
William Gilly, a marine biologist from Stanford University claims that it is possible the beaching of the squid are due to the red tide of
algae bloom, that carry and release extremely potent brain toxins. The evidence put forth is that there has been red tides every three weeks,
around the same time the squids are beaching themselves. The red algae release a toxic chemical called domoic acid that imitates glutamate;
which binds to receptors in the brain, causing calcium to enter, and poison the brain cells; eventually causing them to fill with calcium and explode.
Because the deaths were happening in three week cycles, rather than following tidal cycles or lunar cycles, Gilly and his colleagues were able to link
it to red algae patterns; but this conclusion can still not be claimed as correct. But they have found the reason why the squid migrated; due to the
El Niño, their prey have moved, and the squid moved with it.
Reflection:
I think the squids mindlessly beaching themselves is a very strange issue that occurred. The article, written in 2012, I remember hearing about it,
but not being much interested in it. But after reading about the reasons why they think the squids are "killing themselves" is really creative, yet
strongly put together. The toxic chemical seems really scary, especially when the article explained how humans eating the seafood that can contain
these chemicals can also harm people as well, killing their brain cells is very scary to me. I think it is astonishing how simple molecules can do so much, and even such a small change as in structure to a molecule can create large outcomes and often times death.
I think the squids mindlessly beaching themselves is a very strange issue that occurred. The article, written in 2012, I remember hearing about it,
but not being much interested in it. But after reading about the reasons why they think the squids are "killing themselves" is really creative, yet
strongly put together. The toxic chemical seems really scary, especially when the article explained how humans eating the seafood that can contain
these chemicals can also harm people as well, killing their brain cells is very scary to me. I think it is astonishing how simple molecules can do so much, and even such a small change as in structure to a molecule can create large outcomes and often times death.