u/JFCudennec

Limpet biomechanics: composite material, adhesion, and the homescar as niche construction

Limpet biomechanics: composite material, adhesion, and the homescar as niche construction

Marine biologist here, working on limpet shell sclerochronology. I wrote a piece on limpet biomechanics for the newsletter I run, some here may find it useful.

It covers the usual biomechanics (adhesion, hydrodynamics, composite shell structure), plus the stuff that tends to get less attention: Raup's morphospace and why the limpet cone sits where it does, intertidal drag/lift , and the homescar as a case study in niche construction.

It's the ep. 2 of a series of writings on limpets, but it reads as a standalone. Happy to discuss, especially on the sclerochronology and/or intertidal ecology (which I'm more familiar with)

substack.com
u/JFCudennec — 2 days ago

A Roman trilobite necklace sent me down a rabbit hole about pre-scientific responses to fossil

I came across a paper about a trilobite mounted as a Roman-period pendant in Galicia, and couldn't stop pulling the thread. As I suspected, humans have been noticing, collecting, and mythologising fossils for at least 300,000 years.

I wrote it up (link in comments). Anyone know of examples of ancient people interacting with fossils? Happy to discuss !

reddit.com
u/JFCudennec — 7 days ago