One less tiger in the world.

Rokan

Sad news yesterday from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Rokan, the almost 20 year old Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), was euthanized after several years of worsening health conditions. He was an amazing big cat who sired 10 cubs during his lifetime. He should be remembered and celebrated for the contributions he made to tiger conservation efforts. You can read more about the story at the Zoo's Tiger Diary.

(New) soft bodied cephalopods from the Cambrian.

Is it Cephalopodmas already?!?! No, but it sure feels like it. Today the journal Nature published an article describing a previously known species, Nectocaris pteryx, in an entirely new light. In their new paper, Martin R. Smith and Jean-Bernard Caron reinterpret Nectocaris based on the holotype and 91 additional (brand spanking new) specimens that help show where this peculiar Middle Cambrian critter belongs on the "Tree of Life".

Restoration of Nectocaris based on old evidence, by Ghedoghedo, from Wikimedia Commons.

Dana Carvey is "DARWIN".

I'm a huge fan of Funny or Die, and as you all probably know, of Charles Darwin as well. So naturally, I got a good laugh out of this. I just hope that people appreciate it for its humor, and not for its inaccurate portrayal of a remarkably humble and non-violent man.

Dana Carvey is "DARWIN" - watch more funny videos

By Dana Carvey & Spike Feresten, via Funny or Die.

For more accurate portrayals of Mr. Darwin, check out "Creation", "Darwin's Darkest Hour", and "Darwin's Dangerous Idea".