Entertainment

It's a nudibranch, but so distantly related that it gets its own phylogenetic family.

Researchers finally identify the ocean’s “mystery mollusk”

December 3, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

It’s a nudibranch, but so distantly related that it gets its own phylogenetic family.

Credit: MBARI

Some of the most bizarre lifeforms on Earth lurk in the deeper realms of the ocean. There was so little known about one of these creatures that it took 20 years just to figure out what exactly it was. Things only got weirder from there.

The organism’s distinctive, glowing presence was observed by multiple deep-sea missions between 2000 and 2021 but was simply referred to as “mystery mollusk.” A team of Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) researchers has now reviewed extensive footage of past mystery mollusk sightings and used MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to observe it and collect samples. They’ve given it a name and have finally confirmed that it is a nudibranch—the first and only nudibranch known to live at such depths.

Bathydevius caudactylus, as this nudibranch is now called, lives 1,000–4,000 meters (3,300–13,100 feet) deep in the ocean’s bathypelagic or midnight zone. It moves like a jellyfish, eats like a Venus flytrap, and is bioluminescent, and its genes are distinct enough for it to be classified as the first member of a new phylogenetic family.

“Anatomy, diet, behavior, bioluminescence, and habitat distinguish this surprising nudibranch from all previously described species, and genetic evidence supports its placement in a new family,” the MBARI research team said in a study recently published in Deep Sea Research.

Is that…

Nudibranchs are gastropods, which literally translates to “stomach foot,” since the “foot” they crawl around on when not swimming is right below their guts. They are part of a larger group that includes terrestrial and aquatic snails and slugs. B. caudactylus, however, seems to get around more like a jellyfish than a sea slug. It mostly swims using an oral hood that opens and closes to propel itself backward through the water in a manner similar to many jellyfish.

The hood of B. caudactylus can also act something like a Venus flytrap. While it is not a hinged structure like the leaves of the plant, it is used to trap prey. Typically small crustaceans, the prey are then pushed to the mouth at the back of the hood.

The mystery mollusk.

The nudibranch also seems to have a unique way of avoiding becoming food itself. Projections at the end of its tail, known as dactyls, can detach if needed, much like the tails of some lizard species. The MBARI team thinks that these dactyls are possibly a lure meant to trick predators while the nudibranch swims away. They later regenerate.

B. caudactylus is gelatinous and transparent, with a smooth heart, textured digestive gland, and whitish brain that can easily be seen from the outside. On its head are two antenna-like chemosensory organs known as rhinophores, which probably help it sense prey. A cylindrical foot helps with locomotion on the ocean floor. Like many other bioluminescent organisms in the deep sea, it glows blue since red light does not transmit far at those depths.

Almost alien

So how is B. caudactylus related to other nudibranchs? The researchers sequenced three of its genes and compared them to sequences from two prominent groups of nudibranchs (the dorids and cladobranchs) to find out. While the sequences of each B. caudactylus version of the gene had differences with those of the other groups, they still had enough in common for the mystery mollusk to be classified as a nudibranch.

“The three genes… supported that Bathydevius is a divergent genus of Nudibranchia,” the MBARI team said in the same study. “[It is a] sister to the rest of cladobranch and dorid nudibranchs [and a] sister to [the genus] Bathydoris.”

Even with its genetic relationship to other nudibranchs, there are many areas where B. caudactylus deviates. It is not the only nudibranch with a hood that traps prey and also not the only species to prey on crustaceans, which is rare for nudibranchs, which usually feed on cnidarians like jellyfish. It also lacks a radula, the tongue-like structure most nudibranchs eat with. Melibae leonina shares all these characteristics, but it is genetically distant. The researchers think that the similarities between the two species are a result of convergent evolution, when genetically unrelated organisms develop similar characteristics.

Bioluminescence is also uncommon in nudibranchs. B. caudactylus is only the third known bioluminescent nudibranch and seventh known bioluminescent gastropod. Again, it’s only distantly related to the other species.

The deep ocean is the closest thing to an alien environment, yet it’s right on our own planet. Much of it either remains unexplored or is still not well understood. This could mean that there are still many undiscovered species hiding in the darkness. Protecting their ecosystems could give us a chance to find more forms of life just as strange and fascinating as a glowing sea slug.

Entertainment / News

Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: December 2

December 3, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Seafood roll flight at Luke’s Lobster in Santa Monica.

Jakob N. Layman

The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we’re always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here’s the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.

Tallow cornbread at Smokey Chance BBQ in Culver City

Tallow cornbread served in an aluminum tin with a dollop of melted butter at Smokey Chance BBQ in Culver City. — Tallow cornbread at Smokey Chance BBQ in Culver City.

I grew up eating plush and sweet Yankee-style cornbread. However, after two decades of regular travel to Alabama to visit my in-laws, I can appreciate the Southern savory version just as much. I was taken aback in the best way when I took a bite of Derrell Smith’s adorably portioned cornbread at the weekends-only Smokey Chance barbecue stall inside Citizen Public Market. Prepared with beef tallow from brisket drippings and just a touch of brown sugar, the simple-seeming side dish blew me away with its rich, smoky, salty depth of flavor. When a side dish gives the main dish energy, it’s hard to focus on anything else. 9355 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232. Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

Seafood roll flight at Luke’s Lobster in Santa Monica

Though I never had the chance to try Luke’s Lobster in my numerous visits to New York City, I’m glad the East Coast chain finally made its way to the West Coast with a handy location just steps from the beach in Santa Monica. While chilly, windy Southern California winter weather doesn’t exactly make one crave lobster rolls, I mustered the courage to come for a lunch meeting to try the limited-time offering of snow crab. While the snow crab meat was sweet and tender, I also loved the seafood roll trio, priced similarly to a full lobster roll at $33 but served in three half-rolls full of Jonah crab, lobster, and shrimp. The seafood lover in me couldn’t resist taking bites of each roll one after the other to get the breadth of fresh East Coast shellfish wrapped in plush, buttery buns. 200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Matthew Kang, lead editor

Bone-in chicken tamal at Auntie’s Kitchen in Jefferson Park

I stumbled upon a new Belizean spot called Auntie’s Kitchen while updating Eater’s tamal guide. The small menu served at this Saturday-only food trailer changes each week and even offers Garifuna dishes from time to time. A highlight was the bone-in chicken tamal consisting of a seasoned masa with a stewy filling overflowing with lots of spice. Auntie’s onion sauce added a layer of heat and wasn’t watered down as it is at other Belizean restaurants. This deft touch showed the trailer’s gourmet approach and commitment to delivering full-on flavors. Also memorable was the extra-thick gravy on the oxtails, and tender pigtail served over rice with garlicky beans, sweet plantains, and tangy coleslaw. This kind of Belizean home cooking has been missing since Ella’s Belizean closed some years ago. It’s the best Kriol cooking in town. 3566 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90018. — Bill Esparza, contributor

Upside Down Mamba at LaSorted’s in Silver Lake

A slice of pizza on a paper plate on top of a yellow surface at LaSorted’s in Silver Lake. — Upside Down Mamba at LaSorted’s in Silver Lake.

Ordering by the slice is the true test of a great pizzeria. While puffy Neopolitan pies have their place in my heart right alongside crisp-edged Detroit-style pies, most of the time I’m looking for a quick slice that’ll make for an affordable lunch or snack. Luckily, LaSorted’s, one of LA’s best pizzerias, has added a second location in Chinatown to its repertoire, making it easier than ever to grab a slice or two. My go-to is the Upside Down Mamba, a cheese slice flipped on its head so the sauce is on top, while the melty cheese forms a salty layer between the tomato and the bread. It’s a don’t-knock-it-until-you-try-it situation — I like it more than the classic cheese. If not near Chinatown, check out the original slice shop in Silver Lake. 2847 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Cast iron cornbread at Norman at the Skyview Los Alamos

Take time to explore the Skyview motel in Los Alamos before stationing yourself in Norman’s charming dining room, where a crooner is performing on the grand piano if you’re lucky. It’s a stunning Central California experience that begins at the parking lot. Either walk or buzz the front office for a brief golf cart ride up the hill and admire the grounds, especially the fire pit, the “motel” sign glimmering in the pool, and the winding paths. Once you’ve made it to dinner, ask the host or server to put in an order for the cast iron cornbread immediately. Chef Dustin Badenell’s menu is unexpected and one of the region’s standouts served in a relaxed room. The seasonal harvest salads are fresh, while the cavatelli is flavorful and saucy. The cornbread must be enjoyed while hot; its creaminess might be mistaken for being uncooked, but its fresh cream and corn that drive the consistency. The fermented hot honey has a slow spiced build with every bite, and smoked Maldon salt is why the sweet, salty, and savory flavors blend so beautifully. Ask your server to recommend a glass of minerally white wine to go with this appetizer, and the meal is off to an excellent start. 9150 US-101 Los Alamos, CA, 93440. — Mona Holmes, reporter

Raja tells EW why she remixed her season 3 Futurama Glamorama look on the AS7 runway and her future on the franchise: "I might change my mind, but today I'd say it's not a possibility."

Entertainment / News

Raja explains her All Stars 7 season 3 tribute and why this might be her last time on Drag Race

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Raja tells EW why she remixed her season 3 Futurama Glamorama look on the AS7 runway and her future on the franchise: “I might change my mind, but today I’d say it’s not a possibility.”

Raja is officially a season 3-peat contender on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 —which, as the drag superstar exclusively tells EW, could mark her final appearance ever on the Main Stage.

“There were several moments I wanted to repeat, just as a reminder of what happened 11 years ago,” Raja tells EW’s BINGE podcast (listen below) of hitting the latest, knitting-themed AS7 runway clad in a gilded recreation of her Futurama Glamorama (otherwise known as “She3PO”) look that first rocked the fandom back in 2011. “This is an elevated version of it, which is how I think life should be lived: You can take concepts from your past and do better versions of it, or do something a little more elevated… I did want to make some revisits, just as a reminder. I slayed it once before, and I’m going to slay it again.”

Raja adds that she and her drag daughter worked on the revamped version by knitting together gold ropes and threads with several large needles—a method that reminds Raja of passing time on New York City subways by knitting, years before she became the season 3 winner. The popular music group Deee-Lite (particularly its leader, Lady Miss Kier) also provided inspiration for the garment, which collides two of Raja’s favorite elements as a Gemini: “the past and the future,” she says.

RuPaul's Drag Race — Raja recreates her Futurama Glamorama look from season 3 on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7’. World of Wonder (2)

The hard work paid off: Raja won her second overall challenge on the latest episode of All Stars 7, after triumphing in a Scrooge-inspired role in the holiday-themed Mean Girls satire/murder mystery acting challenge titled Santa’s School for Girls. She later beat The Vivienne in a two-woman lip-sync, earning her second Legendary Legend Star of the season.

When asked if she’s had recent conversations with fellow Drag Race alums Violet Chachki and Gottmik—who took over for her as the hosts of the recap show Fashion Photo RuView and subsequently “booted” some of her looks at the start of the season—Raja said that, while she has nothing but love for both queens, she’s enjoying being “booked and blessed” in her career. Noting that as much as she’s enjoying her reintroduction to the Drag Race fandom, this might be the last fans see of her on the Emmy-winning show.

“This is the last time I’m ever going to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race ever in my life, so I’m just focused on the positive, and, no, I haven’t had a conversation with [Violet and Gottmik] at all. I’ve just been surrounding myself with other things. There’s so much! They’re busy; they’re booked and blessed as well; I’ve been watching them; I follow both of them on Instagram,” Raja explains.

When pressed on whether her comments were a declaration or speculation, she clarifies: “Right now, at this point I’m saying it’s a declaration. It’s such a hard thing to do and I live a life of leisure and I hate being inconvenienced,” she jokes. “It’s so hard to do Drag Race. It’s stressful, but I can’t see myself doing that ever again right now. I’m saying that today. You never know, I might get a call from Randy [Barbato] and Fenton [Bailey] of World and Wonder like, ‘We’re going to do another one!’ You never know, I might change my mind, but today I’d say it’s not a possibility.”

RuPaul's Drag Race digital cover — Raja for EW. Vijat M for EW

Listen to Raja’s full breakdown of the latest All Stars 7 episode in the podcast above, and tune in to EW’s Quick Drag Twitter Spaces chats with the cast every Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. Hear more of EW’s BINGE interviews with Drag Race personalities in the feed below.

Entertainment / News

Kacey Musgraves curses at fan who ‘kind of ruined’ concert after grabbing her during Tampa show

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 - by USA Facts News - Leave a Comment

Kacey Musgraves curses at fan who ‘kind of ruined’ concert after grabbing her during Tampa show

Generate Key Takeaways

Kacey Musgraves had some choice words for a handsy fan at her recent performance.

Video on TikTok went viral of the singer’s Tampa, Florida, concert on Friday, where she walked through the crowd at the Amalie Arena while singing.

Someone can be seen grabbing at her arm, causing the singer to stop in her tracks and swear, “What the f—k?”

Musgraves continued walking to the stage after the incident, adding an additional curse into the microphone as she moved.

Close up of smiling Kacey Musgraves — Kacey Musgraves told off a fan who grabbed her during a recent concert in Tampa, Florida.

In another video shared from her Hollywood, Florida, show the following night, the “Follow Your Arrow” singer addressed the incident.

“Last night, this Tampa b—h,” she said, generating laughter at her joke and boos at the person who grabbed her. “Ya’ll, I know. She kind of ruined it. She kind of ruined it for everybody.”

Kacey Musgraves walking through crowd during concert — At her next show the following night, Musgraves addressed the grabbing incident, saying the fan “kind of ruined it for everybody.”

“I thought I was going to have to get real East Texas on her. Take off my earrings,” she continued. “Um, well, Florida goes hard,” she added.

Representatives for Musgraves, who is currently on her Deeper Well World Tour, did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fans came out in support of Musgraves expletive-filled comeback to the person who grabbed her.

Kacey Musgraves looking serious on stage — Fans supported Musgraves comeback to the fan, disappointed that the grabby fan ruined the vibe of the show.

“I hate seeing how quick they stole the smile off her face; who does that?” one person wrote.

“Normalize these artists/celebrities defending themselves and watch it stop,” another wrote. “Because when they actually react, the one in the wrong in the eyes of the public is the celebrity.”

“She’s better than me because I’d have them kicked out by security,” added a third.

Close up of Kacey Musgraves — “I hate seeing how quick they stole the smile off her face; who does that?” one person wrote after seeing the video of a fan grabbing Musgraves.

Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen Latest Stars To Fall Victim To Concert Fans Throwing Objects

Musgraves is just the latest star who had to tell off fans for getting too aggressive during a concert.

Last month, Zach Bryan stopped his concert at the Tacoma Dome in Washington after someone threw an object on stage, hitting a member of his band.

Zach Bryan in a black cutoff shirt strums the guitar on stage — Zach Bryan recently had to pause his concert after a fan threw something on stage that hit a member of his band.

“Don’t throw s— at concerts, huh?” he told the crowd before walking off to join his bandmate, before adding, “And if you guys do know who threw it, we can get ’em out of here,” he said. “If we ever find out who did.”