Do you know Family Tree Mandala ?

Do you know Family Tree Mandala? The latest piece 'Chondrichthyes' has been completed as a result of inspiring collaboration with Takashi Oda @studiocorvo and more talents. 

 

I contributed my expertise of molecular evolution to this amazing joint project. Want one for yourself?

 

I really thank people who supported this project through crowdfunding or providing scientific information that my own expertise could not cover. It has not yet widely on sale, but I hope that interested people can get one from anywhere in the world.

Recent addition to my collection

After I moved to Japan in early Spring, I visited aquarium parks in Japan several times. The most impressive one was that in Okinawa, Churaumi Aquarium.

The newest one I visited was that in Tokyo, Sumida Aquarium. This one was just opened in May 2012, beside the Tokyo Skytree also just opened at the same time.

The below are the miniature figures I bought in the souvenir shop in the Sumida Aquarium. On the left you see the zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum), and on the right, the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata).

The one on the right is my favorite. I didn't expect that I can find figures for these species at all. I got very excited and ended up with spending two thousand yen for them.

Special Issue about Elasmobranchs Biology

Here is the table of contents of the special issue of the Journal of Fish Biology, titled 'The Current Status of Elasmobranchs: Biology, Fisheries and Conservation'.

A photo from Japan

This photo has been sent from Japan.

Sure, this is a hammerhead shark, probably displayed in front of some shop. Below the species name in Japanese (しゅもくざめ, pronounced 'shumoku zame'）, the sign says 'I don't eat humans'.

I don't know why, but I like this photo very much.

Many sharky stuffs in Germany

Yesterday, I received a request of a pdf file for one of my recent articles. The request was sent from the administrator (in Germany) of the private database of literature about cartilaginous fishes. This database is called 'shark-reference.com', and is very organized for a private database.

Apart from this literature database, there are many shark-related activity, especially in Germany. My knowledge is limited, but it is probably mainly because of the campaign for shark protection. We can easily find shark books, calendars, and products for kids in shops in town. Personally, I am collecting books for kids about sharks, irrespective of where they are published.

Top 10 Weird Sharks

Shark Week 2011 at Discovery Channel