Grid view List view
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid

$19.00 – $400.00

The Nyholm lab studies beneficial host-microbe interactions between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Hawaiian bobtail squid are nocturnal predators, remaining buried under the sand during the day and coming out to hunt for shrimp at night neat coral reefs. The squid have a light organ on their underside that houses a colony of glowing bacteria (V. fischeri). The squid uses this bacterial bioluminescence in a form of camouflage called counter-illumination, masking it’s silhouette by matching moonlight and starlight; thus hiding from predators swimming below. The light organ is attached to the ink sac and it can use this ink like a type of shutter to control the amount of light. This likely helps the squid adjust to variable light conditions, for example cloudy nights or a full vs. new moon. In this image of a juvenile squid, you can clearly see the bi-lobed light organ and ink sac in the center of the squid’s mantle cavity. 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid lay their eggs in clutches on the sea floor, where they take approximately three weeks to develop. This series of macropod images allows us to see the developing squid and monitor embryogenesis. Once the squid hatch, V. fischeri from seawater colonize the light organ within hours. This macropod image allows us to see a close-up view of the ciliated appendage-like structure found on the surface of the juvenile squid’s light organ. Once the squid hatches, the cilia assist in bringing V. fischeri in the seawater to pores at the base of the light organ. These pores lead to inner crypts, where only V. fischeri can enter and colonize. V. fischeri is a relatively rare member of the seawater bacterial community, making up less than 0.1%. The Nyholm lab is trying to understand how the squid’s immune system can differentiate between the symbiont and all the other different kinds of bacteria in seawater.

While the light organ of the squid exemplifies a highly specific beneficial relationship between bacteria and host to provide camouflage at night, this organ is only found in some squid species. All squid, however, are capable of another type of camouflage, cryptic coloration. Squid skin contains special pigmented cells called chromatophores that can change the overall color of the squid in seconds. Each chromatophore contains pigment granules surrounded by nerve and muscle fibers. When these muscles are contracted, the pigment sac expands, creating a larger surface area of color. When the muscles relax, the pigment sac can shrink to a small dot, 15 times smaller than their expanded size, hiding the color. In these macropod images you can see relaxed chromatophores on the mantle and contracted chromatophores around the eyes. The macropod images allow us to see these pigment cells in great detail.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Theme (Juvenile): Light Organ

$19.00 – $400.00

The Nyholm lab studies beneficial host-microbe interactions between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Hawaiian bobtail squid are nocturnal predators, remaining buried under the sand during the day and coming out to hunt for shrimp at night neat coral reefs. The squid have a light organ on their underside that houses a colony of glowing bacteria (V. fischeri). The squid uses this bacterial bioluminescence in a form of camouflage called counter-illumination, masking it’s silhouette by matching moonlight and starlight; thus hiding from predators swimming below. The light organ is attached to the ink sac and it can use this ink like a type of shutter to control the amount of light. This likely helps the squid adjust to variable light conditions, for example cloudy nights or a full vs. new moon. In this image of a juvenile squid, you can clearly see the bi-lobed light organ and ink sac in the center of the squid’s mantle cavity. 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid lay their eggs in clutches on the sea floor, where they take approximately three weeks to develop. This series of macropod images allows us to see the developing squid and monitor embryogenesis. Once the squid hatch, V. fischeri from seawater colonize the light organ within hours. This macropod image allows us to see a close-up view of the ciliated appendage-like structure found on the surface of the juvenile squid’s light organ. Once the squid hatches, the cilia assist in bringing V. fischeri in the seawater to pores at the base of the light organ. These pores lead to inner crypts, where only V. fischeri can enter and colonize. V. fischeri is a relatively rare member of the seawater bacterial community, making up less than 0.1%. The Nyholm lab is trying to understand how the squid’s immune system can differentiate between the symbiont and all the other different kinds of bacteria in seawater.

While the light organ of the squid exemplifies a highly specific beneficial relationship between bacteria and host to provide camouflage at night, this organ is only found in some squid species. All squid, however, are capable of another type of camouflage, cryptic coloration. Squid skin contains special pigmented cells called chromatophores that can change the overall color of the squid in seconds. Each chromatophore contains pigment granules surrounded by nerve and muscle fibers. When these muscles are contracted, the pigment sac expands, creating a larger surface area of color. When the muscles relax, the pigment sac can shrink to a small dot, 15 times smaller than their expanded size, hiding the color. In these macropod images you can see relaxed chromatophores on the mantle and contracted chromatophores around the eyes. The macropod images allow us to see these pigment cells in great detail.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Theme (Juvenile): Chromatophores

$19.00 – $400.00

The Nyholm lab studies beneficial host-microbe interactions between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Hawaiian bobtail squid are nocturnal predators, remaining buried under the sand during the day and coming out to hunt for shrimp at night neat coral reefs. The squid have a light organ on their underside that houses a colony of glowing bacteria (V. fischeri). The squid uses this bacterial bioluminescence in a form of camouflage called counter-illumination, masking it’s silhouette by matching moonlight and starlight; thus hiding from predators swimming below. The light organ is attached to the ink sac and it can use this ink like a type of shutter to control the amount of light. This likely helps the squid adjust to variable light conditions, for example cloudy nights or a full vs. new moon. In this image of a juvenile squid, you can clearly see the bi-lobed light organ and ink sac in the center of the squid’s mantle cavity. 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid lay their eggs in clutches on the sea floor, where they take approximately three weeks to develop. This series of macropod images allows us to see the developing squid and monitor embryogenesis. Once the squid hatch, V. fischeri from seawater colonize the light organ within hours. This macropod image allows us to see a close-up view of the ciliated appendage-like structure found on the surface of the juvenile squid’s light organ. Once the squid hatches, the cilia assist in bringing V. fischeri in the seawater to pores at the base of the light organ. These pores lead to inner crypts, where only V. fischeri can enter and colonize. V. fischeri is a relatively rare member of the seawater bacterial community, making up less than 0.1%. The Nyholm lab is trying to understand how the squid’s immune system can differentiate between the symbiont and all the other different kinds of bacteria in seawater.

While the light organ of the squid exemplifies a highly specific beneficial relationship between bacteria and host to provide camouflage at night, this organ is only found in some squid species. All squid, however, are capable of another type of camouflage, cryptic coloration. Squid skin contains special pigmented cells called chromatophores that can change the overall color of the squid in seconds. Each chromatophore contains pigment granules surrounded by nerve and muscle fibers. When these muscles are contracted, the pigment sac expands, creating a larger surface area of color. When the muscles relax, the pigment sac can shrink to a small dot, 15 times smaller than their expanded size, hiding the color. In these macropod images you can see relaxed chromatophores on the mantle and contracted chromatophores around the eyes. The macropod images allow us to see these pigment cells in great detail.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Theme (Juvenile): Chromatophores

$19.00 – $400.00

The Nyholm lab studies beneficial host-microbe interactions between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Hawaiian bobtail squid are nocturnal predators, remaining buried under the sand during the day and coming out to hunt for shrimp at night neat coral reefs. The squid have a light organ on their underside that houses a colony of glowing bacteria (V. fischeri). The squid uses this bacterial bioluminescence in a form of camouflage called counter-illumination, masking it’s silhouette by matching moonlight and starlight; thus hiding from predators swimming below. The light organ is attached to the ink sac and it can use this ink like a type of shutter to control the amount of light. This likely helps the squid adjust to variable light conditions, for example cloudy nights or a full vs. new moon. In this image of a juvenile squid, you can clearly see the bi-lobed light organ and ink sac in the center of the squid’s mantle cavity. 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid lay their eggs in clutches on the sea floor, where they take approximately three weeks to develop. This series of macropod images allows us to see the developing squid and monitor embryogenesis. Once the squid hatch, V. fischeri from seawater colonize the light organ within hours. This macropod image allows us to see a close-up view of the ciliated appendage-like structure found on the surface of the juvenile squid’s light organ. Once the squid hatches, the cilia assist in bringing V. fischeri in the seawater to pores at the base of the light organ. These pores lead to inner crypts, where only V. fischeri can enter and colonize. V. fischeri is a relatively rare member of the seawater bacterial community, making up less than 0.1%. The Nyholm lab is trying to understand how the squid’s immune system can differentiate between the symbiont and all the other different kinds of bacteria in seawater.

While the light organ of the squid exemplifies a highly specific beneficial relationship between bacteria and host to provide camouflage at night, this organ is only found in some squid species. All squid, however, are capable of another type of camouflage, cryptic coloration. Squid skin contains special pigmented cells called chromatophores that can change the overall color of the squid in seconds. Each chromatophore contains pigment granules surrounded by nerve and muscle fibers. When these muscles are contracted, the pigment sac expands, creating a larger surface area of color. When the muscles relax, the pigment sac can shrink to a small dot, 15 times smaller than their expanded size, hiding the color. In these macropod images you can see relaxed chromatophores on the mantle and contracted chromatophores around the eyes. The macropod images allow us to see these pigment cells in great detail.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Theme (Juvenile): Research by Dr. Spencer Nyholm

$19.00 – $400.00

The Nyholm lab studies beneficial host-microbe interactions between the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Hawaiian bobtail squid are nocturnal predators, remaining buried under the sand during the day and coming out to hunt for shrimp at night neat coral reefs. The squid have a light organ on their underside that houses a colony of glowing bacteria (V. fischeri). The squid uses this bacterial bioluminescence in a form of camouflage called counter-illumination, masking it’s silhouette by matching moonlight and starlight; thus hiding from predators swimming below. The light organ is attached to the ink sac and it can use this ink like a type of shutter to control the amount of light. This likely helps the squid adjust to variable light conditions, for example cloudy nights or a full vs. new moon. In this image of a juvenile squid, you can clearly see the bi-lobed light organ and ink sac in the center of the squid’s mantle cavity. 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid lay their eggs in clutches on the sea floor, where they take approximately three weeks to develop. This series of macropod images allows us to see the developing squid and monitor embryogenesis. Once the squid hatch, V. fischeri from seawater colonize the light organ within hours. This macropod image allows us to see a close-up view of the ciliated appendage-like structure found on the surface of the juvenile squid’s light organ. Once the squid hatches, the cilia assist in bringing V. fischeri in the seawater to pores at the base of the light organ. These pores lead to inner crypts, where only V. fischeri can enter and colonize. V. fischeri is a relatively rare member of the seawater bacterial community, making up less than 0.1%. The Nyholm lab is trying to understand how the squid’s immune system can differentiate between the symbiont and all the other different kinds of bacteria in seawater.

While the light organ of the squid exemplifies a highly specific beneficial relationship between bacteria and host to provide camouflage at night, this organ is only found in some squid species. All squid, however, are capable of another type of camouflage, cryptic coloration. Squid skin contains special pigmented cells called chromatophores that can change the overall color of the squid in seconds. Each chromatophore contains pigment granules surrounded by nerve and muscle fibers. When these muscles are contracted, the pigment sac expands, creating a larger surface area of color. When the muscles relax, the pigment sac can shrink to a small dot, 15 times smaller than their expanded size, hiding the color. In these macropod images you can see relaxed chromatophores on the mantle and contracted chromatophores around the eyes. The macropod images allow us to see these pigment cells in great detail.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Fluorescent Imaging of Tapeworm, Calliobothrium

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Fluorescent Imaging of Tapeworm, Calliobothrium

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Fluorescent Imaging of Tapeworm, Calliobothrium

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Fluorescent Imaging of Tapeworm, Calliobothrium

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Tapeworm Parasite in Mustelus canis

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Tapeworm Theme: Research by Jimmy Bernot and Dr. Janine Caira

Researchers in Dr. Janine Caira’s lab at UConn study tapeworms: the ribbon-like parasites found in the intestine of all major groups of vertebrates. The Caira lab primarily studies tapeworms from sharks, skates, and stingrays, which host a diverse assortment of tapeworms. We are interested in how these tapeworms are related, how they evolve, and the dynamic interactions they have with their hosts over time.
It may seem rare or even shocking to discover a new species, but in the Caira lab numerous new species of tapeworms are discovered and described just about every year! In fact, the tapeworms photographed here by Mark Smith were discovered by the Caira lab in our very own back yard — Long Island Sound. This species is found in the intestine of a common shark, Mustelus canis, often called the smoothdog fish, which may be familiar to recreational fisherman in the Northeastern U.S. In fact, if you have ever caught a smoothdog fish, it is likely that the tapeworm species pictured here was inside the shark you caught, just waiting to be discovered!

One of the main goals of my Master’s thesis was to understand how this species remains attached to the intestine of its shark host. This is of the utmost importance to these worms because they cannot survive outside of the their host’s intestine. These photographs where taken to better understand the way these tapeworms maintain this intimate relationship.

In these close-up images of its scolex (think of it as the tapeworm equivalent of a head, yet strangely lacking eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth) you can see many of the specialized structures like hooks, muscular flaps, and suckers that enable this worm to remain securely anchored to its host. If you look along its ribbon-like body, you can see serrated edges characteristic of this tapeworm and its relatives.

In these photographs you can see tapeworms attached to the intestine of a shark. These photographs have helped us understand that the serrated margins of these worms help secure the worm to its host by locking into small surface features of the intestine like dovetail joints — something never before shown — demonstrating the functionality of these previously mysterious structures.

Together, these photographs help us better understand the way these worms live their bizarre lives in the dark, complex, and shifting environment of a shark intestine.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Tapeworm Parasite in Mustelus canis

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Tapeworm Theme: Research by Jimmy Bernot and Dr. Janine Caira

Researchers in Dr. Janine Caira’s lab at UConn study tapeworms: the ribbon-like parasites found in the intestine of all major groups of vertebrates. The Caira lab primarily studies tapeworms from sharks, skates, and stingrays, which host a diverse assortment of tapeworms. We are interested in how these tapeworms are related, how they evolve, and the dynamic interactions they have with their hosts over time.
It may seem rare or even shocking to discover a new species, but in the Caira lab numerous new species of tapeworms are discovered and described just about every year! In fact, the tapeworms photographed here by Mark Smith were discovered by the Caira lab in our very own back yard — Long Island Sound. This species is found in the intestine of a common shark, Mustelus canis, often called the smoothdog fish, which may be familiar to recreational fisherman in the Northeastern U.S. In fact, if you have ever caught a smoothdog fish, it is likely that the tapeworm species pictured here was inside the shark you caught, just waiting to be discovered!

One of the main goals of my Master’s thesis was to understand how this species remains attached to the intestine of its shark host. This is of the utmost importance to these worms because they cannot survive outside of the their host’s intestine. These photographs where taken to better understand the way these tapeworms maintain this intimate relationship.

In these close-up images of its scolex (think of it as the tapeworm equivalent of a head, yet strangely lacking eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth) you can see many of the specialized structures like hooks, muscular flaps, and suckers that enable this worm to remain securely anchored to its host. If you look along its ribbon-like body, you can see serrated edges characteristic of this tapeworm and its relatives.

In these photographs you can see tapeworms attached to the intestine of a shark. These photographs have helped us understand that the serrated margins of these worms help secure the worm to its host by locking into small surface features of the intestine like dovetail joints — something never before shown — demonstrating the functionality of these previously mysterious structures.

Together, these photographs help us better understand the way these worms live their bizarre lives in the dark, complex, and shifting environment of a shark intestine.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Tapeworm Parasite in Mustelus canis panorama attached to intestine

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Tapeworm Theme: Research by Jimmy Bernot and Dr. Janine Caira

Researchers in Dr. Janine Caira’s lab at UConn study tapeworms: the ribbon-like parasites found in the intestine of all major groups of vertebrates. The Caira lab primarily studies tapeworms from sharks, skates, and stingrays, which host a diverse assortment of tapeworms. We are interested in how these tapeworms are related, how they evolve, and the dynamic interactions they have with their hosts over time.
It may seem rare or even shocking to discover a new species, but in the Caira lab numerous new species of tapeworms are discovered and described just about every year! In fact, the tapeworms photographed here by Mark Smith were discovered by the Caira lab in our very own back yard — Long Island Sound. This species is found in the intestine of a common shark, Mustelus canis, often called the smoothdog fish, which may be familiar to recreational fisherman in the Northeastern U.S. In fact, if you have ever caught a smoothdog fish, it is likely that the tapeworm species pictured here was inside the shark you caught, just waiting to be discovered!

One of the main goals of my Master’s thesis was to understand how this species remains attached to the intestine of its shark host. This is of the utmost importance to these worms because they cannot survive outside of the their host’s intestine. These photographs where taken to better understand the way these tapeworms maintain this intimate relationship.

In these close-up images of its scolex (think of it as the tapeworm equivalent of a head, yet strangely lacking eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth) you can see many of the specialized structures like hooks, muscular flaps, and suckers that enable this worm to remain securely anchored to its host. If you look along its ribbon-like body, you can see serrated edges characteristic of this tapeworm and its relatives.

In these photographs you can see tapeworms attached to the intestine of a shark. These photographs have helped us understand that the serrated margins of these worms help secure the worm to its host by locking into small surface features of the intestine like dovetail joints — something never before shown — demonstrating the functionality of these previously mysterious structures.

Together, these photographs help us better understand the way these worms live their bizarre lives in the dark, complex, and shifting environment of a shark intestine.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Tapeworm Parasite in Mustelus canis panorama attached to intestine

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Tapeworm Theme: Research by Jimmy Bernot and Dr. Janine Caira

Researchers in Dr. Janine Caira’s lab at UConn study tapeworms: the ribbon-like parasites found in the intestine of all major groups of vertebrates. The Caira lab primarily studies tapeworms from sharks, skates, and stingrays, which host a diverse assortment of tapeworms. We are interested in how these tapeworms are related, how they evolve, and the dynamic interactions they have with their hosts over time.
It may seem rare or even shocking to discover a new species, but in the Caira lab numerous new species of tapeworms are discovered and described just about every year! In fact, the tapeworms photographed here by Mark Smith were discovered by the Caira lab in our very own back yard — Long Island Sound. This species is found in the intestine of a common shark, Mustelus canis, often called the smoothdog fish, which may be familiar to recreational fisherman in the Northeastern U.S. In fact, if you have ever caught a smoothdog fish, it is likely that the tapeworm species pictured here was inside the shark you caught, just waiting to be discovered!

One of the main goals of my Master’s thesis was to understand how this species remains attached to the intestine of its shark host. This is of the utmost importance to these worms because they cannot survive outside of the their host’s intestine. These photographs where taken to better understand the way these tapeworms maintain this intimate relationship.

In these close-up images of its scolex (think of it as the tapeworm equivalent of a head, yet strangely lacking eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth) you can see many of the specialized structures like hooks, muscular flaps, and suckers that enable this worm to remain securely anchored to its host. If you look along its ribbon-like body, you can see serrated edges characteristic of this tapeworm and its relatives.

In these photographs you can see tapeworms attached to the intestine of a shark. These photographs have helped us understand that the serrated margins of these worms help secure the worm to its host by locking into small surface features of the intestine like dovetail joints — something never before shown — demonstrating the functionality of these previously mysterious structures.

Together, these photographs help us better understand the way these worms live their bizarre lives in the dark, complex, and shifting environment of a shark intestine.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Tapeworm Parasite in Mustelus canis

$19.00 – $400.00

Cestoda (Cestoidea) is a class of parasitic worms of the flatworm(Platyhelminthes) phylum. They are informally referred to as cestodes. The best-known species are commonly called tapeworms. All cestodes are parasitic and their life histories vary, but typically they live in the digestive tracts of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies of other species of animals as juveniles. Over a thousand species have been described, and all vertebrate species may be parasitised by at least one species of tapeworm.

Tapeworm Theme: Research by Jimmy Bernot and Dr. Janine Caira

Researchers in Dr. Janine Caira’s lab at UConn study tapeworms: the ribbon-like parasites found in the intestine of all major groups of vertebrates. The Caira lab primarily studies tapeworms from sharks, skates, and stingrays, which host a diverse assortment of tapeworms. We are interested in how these tapeworms are related, how they evolve, and the dynamic interactions they have with their hosts over time.
It may seem rare or even shocking to discover a new species, but in the Caira lab numerous new species of tapeworms are discovered and described just about every year! In fact, the tapeworms photographed here by Mark Smith were discovered by the Caira lab in our very own back yard — Long Island Sound. This species is found in the intestine of a common shark, Mustelus canis, often called the smoothdog fish, which may be familiar to recreational fisherman in the Northeastern U.S. In fact, if you have ever caught a smoothdog fish, it is likely that the tapeworm species pictured here was inside the shark you caught, just waiting to be discovered!

One of the main goals of my Master’s thesis was to understand how this species remains attached to the intestine of its shark host. This is of the utmost importance to these worms because they cannot survive outside of the their host’s intestine. These photographs where taken to better understand the way these tapeworms maintain this intimate relationship.

In these close-up images of its scolex (think of it as the tapeworm equivalent of a head, yet strangely lacking eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth) you can see many of the specialized structures like hooks, muscular flaps, and suckers that enable this worm to remain securely anchored to its host. If you look along its ribbon-like body, you can see serrated edges characteristic of this tapeworm and its relatives.

In these photographs you can see tapeworms attached to the intestine of a shark. These photographs have helped us understand that the serrated margins of these worms help secure the worm to its host by locking into small surface features of the intestine like dovetail joints — something never before shown — demonstrating the functionality of these previously mysterious structures.

Together, these photographs help us better understand the way these worms live their bizarre lives in the dark, complex, and shifting environment of a shark intestine.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Daphnia

$19.00 – $400.00

Daphnia, a genus of small planktonic crustaceans, are 0.2–5 millimetres (0.01–0.20 in) in length. Daphniaare members of the orderCladocera, and are one of the several small aquatic crustaceans commonly called water fleas because their saltatory (Wiktionary) swimming style resembles the movements of fleas. Daphnia live in various aquatic environments ranging from acidic swampsto freshwater lakes, ponds, streams and rivers.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Erineum galls on a maple leaf, produced by Eriophyidae mites

$19.00 – $400.00

Galls or cecidia are a kind of swelling growth on the external tissues of plants or animals. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths[1] of plant tissues, similar to benign tumors or warts in animals. They can be caused by various parasites, from fungi and bacteria, to insects and mites. Plant galls are often highly organized structures and because of this the cause of the gall can often be determined without the actual agent being identified. This applies particularly to some insect and mite plant galls. The study of plant galls is known as cecidology.