A Metric of Invertebrate Coolness

Just when you thought the Invertebrate Wars were over.  A new measure of their coolness has been put forth.  Of course Jim L. and I think that is the presence/absence of Aristotle’s Lantern or radula is more than enough to evaluate coolness. However, neither of organisms have deserts name after them. Amanda lays it out at the newest marine blog to join the ocean web ranks.

This organism lives in all places where there is water: bays, harbors,
freshwater lakes, coastal environments, and the deep ocean.  It eats
microscopic particles out of the water, yet can grow so large, a person
could fit inside of it!  To find its microscopic food, it sifts through
microscopic particles one by one, to find the edible bits with up to
95% efficiency!  As if that’s not cool enough, this organism is the
star of a popular cartoon, is present in many people’s homes, and has a
delicious dessert named after it.

You think the trinity here will blow your mind for our varied expertise then head over to Drop In where the entire graduate student body at Moss Landing Marine Labs is blogging.

4 Replies to “A Metric of Invertebrate Coolness”

  1. I’m pretty sure that Mr. Squarepants is the epitome of uncool – the Steve Urkel of the sea if you will. And don’t give me any of that “he’s so uncool he’s actually cool” logic – I’m not buying it.

    We all know that Patrick is the coolest invert on that show. Squidward? Not so much.

  2. I still say that nudibranchs are the coolest creatures in the sea, but what do I know I started with bay scallops as the career opener. So I guess I’m moving up the evolutionary ladder!

  3. Everyone loves a nudi! Scallops are pretty cool too, a jet-propelled ‘clam’. They have the added benefit of being delicious as well. Not too many recipes for nudibranchs.

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