Hi everyone, 

Welcome back! I hope you are excited for the weekend. Before you say hello to Saturday you have to get through Friday and hopefully, today’s blog will make time fly a little faster. This week we are turning our eye to alternative foods, of the insect variety! 

It is thought that the world's population will be reaching a shocking and claustrophobic feeling, 9 billion by 2050! This means more demand for housing, more demand on energy and most importantly an increased demand on the world’s food systems. This poses a few problems for the world's biodiversity due to the additional land, energy and water that will be needed to meet this increased food demand. 

So where does that leave us? Well, there are a few alternatives floating around but the one that is catching my eye is one that was valued at $3.2 million US Dollars in 2021 and is set to reach $17.6 billion US Dollars (according to Statista), insect farming! Why insects? Well, they have a high nutritional value, they require minimal space and have a low environmental impact overall. The consumption of insects, or entomophagy could be the solution to a lot of the world's food production problems in future. In fact, there are many areas of the world where insects are commonly consumed, so we may be missing out on something great. So the aim for this post is to get you all a little more familiar with entomophagy.

Insects for human food:

The most commonly eaten insects are beetles, caterpillars, bees, ants, crickets, grasshoppers and locusts. For hundreds of years, regions of the world including Asia, South America and parts of Europe have consumed various species of insects. In fact, approximately, 2,000 insect species are consumed in 113 countries. For those of you planning on visiting Mexico, Laos or Cambodia you might want to keep an eye out for a delicate gourmet dish known as Escamoles, otherwise known as ant eggs. 

As you can imagine one of the main reasons why insect cafes are not as popular as wine bars or coffee shops on the high streets of the UK or USA  is because they look like the image above. Yep, not the most appetising-looking snack/meal. If you are wondering how typical insects weigh up against more conventional foods check out my partner in crimes video where he goes into the nutritional comparisons, well worth a watch! To provide a quick summary, it is generally agreed that the nutritional value of insects tends to be rich in proteins, fat and vitamins and actually weigh up relatively well to conventional protein sources… yummy! 

Something to ponder with... a research paper proposed a possible way of getting people used to an insect-based diet by developing insect-based ingredients, rather than whole insect products.

Insects and livestock feed: 

Currently, farmland occupies 30% of the global land area, 70% of this is used to produce feed for livestock animals. Insects with their high nutritional value and low space requirements make them an appealing alternative to standard feed which is around 70% of livestock-production expenses. Insect farming is thought to be a great environmentally-friendly alternative, especially as it requires significantly less water consumption because insects get their water from fruits and vegetables. 

Well, this is all well and good in theory… but how does it measure up to actual animal feed. The most promising and well-studied potential insect sources for feed production came in the form of black soldier flies, larvae, yellow mealworms, silkworms, grasshoppers and even termites! When broiler chickens were fed diets enriched with housefly larvae in comparison to more conventional ones such as soybean meal, it was found that their growth performance and carcass quality were improved. In addition to an increase in growth performance and carcass quality, there was found to be a marginal increase in egg production. In fact, in the Philippines, consumers preferred the taste of pasture-grown chickens fed with grasshoppers to those fed on commercial feed.

According to a research paper, the global feed market heavily relies on Genetically Modified soybean as the main source of protein for livestock diets. This poses an issue for food security for countries in the EU and the UK. Due to a slightly unfavourable climate this crop doesn't prosper there, which makes the insect-based feed a good potential for farmers. Interestingly, insect protein is already used in the production of fish feed in the EU.

So we have reached the end of this week's blog! To summarise, in general, insects have the potential to be a great protein source for human and livestock consumption. Let's cut to the point, we are barrelling towards a massive biodiversity and ecological crisis which impart if caused by significant changes in land use, which is in part due to a growing demand for food. Insects could ease this pressure, however! Are you willing to have an insect-based diet? Is the real problem food distribution rather than production? Or is the real answer to let livestock eat what they are actually meant to eat, grass! rather than corn and so on? This is some real food for thought and we want to hear from you on what you have read and what you think.

Have a fab weekend!

Lndnscientistx Team

References and acknowledgements:

Farmland landscape: Photo by Tom Fisk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bird-s-eye-view-of-river-in-middle-of-green-fields-1483880/

Honey bee image - Photo by David Hablützel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-and-black-bee-in-macro-photography-1036269/

Insect food bowl: Image by <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/top-view-insects-sliced-lemons_5007046.htm#query=edible%20insects&position=2&from_view=keyword&track=robertav1_2_sidr">Freepik</a>

Cow  - Photo by Matthias Zomer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-black-and-white-cows-422218/

Speckled  Hen - Photo by The masked Guy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-hen-beside-chicken-chicks-754308/

Insect bowl - Image by <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/earthworms-bowl-chopsticks-close-up_5007087.htm#query=edible%20insects&position=3&from_view=keyword&track=robertav1_2_sidr">Freepik</a>

Edible insects as a protein source: A review of Public Perception, Processing Technology, and Research Trends.

Potential utilisation of edible insects as an alternative source of protein in animal diets in Poland

The future is crawling: Evaluating the potential of insects for food and feed security

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Topaz

Hi everyone! 

Wishing you all a happy Friday. It has been a very long time since my last post, but I am super excited to say that I am back with my partner in crime! Together we will aim to post something new every Friday. So let’s get into it! 

Today we are revisiting David Attenbrough’s Wild Isles documentary, for those who missed it David used this series to cast a spotlight on wildlife and habitats closer to home. Over the course of just five episodes, he visited some of the furthest reaches of the British Isles showcasing some of the best that Britsh Wildlife has to offer all the while communicating the perils that they are facing and stories of hope for their future. 

As a self-confessed wildlife enthusiast and admirer, I found my knowledge fell short on the diversity of British wildlife and the habitats which they occupy. In fact, the result was a sudden urge for my partner and me to go and explore our own backyard, and by backyard… I mean Britain. Spring has arrived (finally) which means a road trip might be in order. But where to start? How do you begin to plan a road trip of such epic proportions?

We started by rewatching every episode, noting down every time an animal was mentioned or featured and the general location of where they were spotted. It resulted in a list of about 28 locations! After a heated debate between my partner and me on which of these locations should make the final list we finally narrowed it down to just 9 stops. Resulting in our very own ‘Wild Isles Road Trip’. This road trip has been made on two big assumptions… 1) you have unlimited money for fuel 2) you love driving for hours… and hours.

 Somerset

Our Wild Isles road trip starts in Southwestern England, Somerset. Situating yourself at reedbeds you are awaiting for a seasonal visitor to arrive. Their arrival is timed for when dragonflies erupt into life around rivers and a small specialist aerial hunter is ready to have a protein snack, the Hobby. Hobby’s are small falcons that travel from Africa for our wonderfully tasty (according to them!) dragonflies. Whilst they can be spotted in various places in Somerset, according to the Wildlife Trust you have a chance of glimpsing them at Westhay Moor National Reserve. 

 Forest of Dean

After soaking up the beautiful natural scenery of Somerset, it is time to load the car for a short 1hr 18min drive to the Forest of Dean. As a reminder, the species that featured as the icon for this stop was the wild boar. It might seem a bit bizarre to travel this far to go and see a pig, but it is what they represent! A movement amongst wildlife activists all across Britain to rewild our nature reserves and green spaces. Rewilding and reintroduction of species are the next big things for UK Wildlife  Conservation making this a must-see stop for any nature enthusiast! Remember to keep an eye out for robins following these pigs closely as they unearth tasty and yummy worms for them to snack on. You have to love a symbiotic relationship!

 Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire 

Stock up on the snacks and load the Spotify playlist because you have a 3hr 38min drive ahead of you!  Once you have arrived get yourself up and out and give yourself a good stretch because now it is time to go and spot a herd of wild horses. According to David, you have to give it some time as these herds are constantly on the move in search of fresh young trees. But what a sight! A herd of wild horses, specifically Konik ponies. However, this area is an amazing spot on its own. It was the National Trust’s first-ever nature reserve and one of Europe's most important wetlands which has earned it the classification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. So get out there and explore, as Wicken Fen is pretty wicked! (I am not sorry for the terrible joke). As a teaser here is a link to the National Trust page.

 

 River Wensum

Once you have soaked up all the incredible nature and admired the beauty of its landscapes, it is time to hop back in the car for a quick 1hr 20min drive to the River Wensum, in Norfolk. Here you will find what many refer to as ‘England’s rainforests’, our chalk rivers. There are just over 200 in the whole world and here in the UK we are lucky to have 160 of them! They are filled to the brim with biodiversity from tiny insects, to the elusive vole and what David Attenborough described as the most charming bird species, the Kingfisher. But why have we been drawn to the River Wensum in particular? Not only is it of course a chalk river, it is one of the most protected rivers in the entirety of Europe. It is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation status for its whole length.  For more information on what you can get up to whilst out there check out this website.

Houghton Hall

Once you have taken in the sites and even been lucky enough to spot a Kingfisher your next stop will take you to a truly incredible-looking estate only 36 minutes away, Houghton Hall. Now this stop is a little tricky, as the Hall and its gardens are only open at certain times of the year (between April and October) and even then it is only open on select days of the week so be sure to check to avoid disappointment, here. Houghton Hall was built for Britain’s first Prime Minister and is now home to a rather unique Model Soldier Museum and an award-winning Garden home to a wonderful herd of Fallow deer, as seen on Wild Isles. You might remember them as the deer that like to decorate their antlers during the rutting season with dense foliage. A great day out where you can kick back and enjoy some commercial tourism.

Seahouses Harbour for Farne and Staple Island

Your next stop is a very exciting wildlife treat! After a 5hr road trip, you will land at Seahouses Harbour. Once there, you will have to decide which tour company to take you out to the Farne Islands, where you will be greeted with an incredible collection of birds, including the puffin! You can spot 23 different species of bird in this one spot! No wonder David Attenborough stated it was one of his favourite places for UK wildlife. I thoroughly enjoyed the Puffin episode and I am now obsessed with seeing them in the wild. In my opinion, they sound a bit like old men chattering. TripAdvisor released a page on the 5 Best Boat Trips to go and see these wonderful birds, so do your research before you go… here .

Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve  

Now for those of you who were great, great lovers of ‘Wild Isles’ then this is your hotspot. This stop is where you want to carve out some time to explore and soak up everything it has to offer. Some of the show's most spectacular and dramatic wildlife call this area home; the Capercaillie, Golden Eagles, White-tipped eagles, Red Deer and Grouse to name a few. Most definitely worth the 4-hour drive. As mentioned this is one the best hotspots of wildlife so you will want to make the most of this spot. Whilst, I was googling how best to get to this Nature Reserve I came across the most amazing 4-day  itinerary of how to see as much nature and wildlife as you can. I am sure there are loads but I wanted to share the one I found with you, here.

Aberdeen Harbour, Shetland and Orkney Islands

The team who worked on the Wild Isles knew how to start the series with a bang! Watching their black and white silhouettes glide just below the surface of the water, stuck both fear and awe into my heart. I am of course referring to the Killer Whales. They make their way to Shetland and Orkney for the abundance of seals, especially around Spring (it is whispered that there is a resident pod always found in these waters). Now to get to these islands you must make your way to the Northern Pier in Aberdeen just over an hour's drive away. From here you can take a boat out to the islands and with any luck, you might spot these apex predators in their element, hunting some poor unfortunate seals. Warning, these guys are a bit psychotic when it comes to hunting so sensitive viewers may wish to turn away! Even if you don’t get to see a Killer Whale don’t fret as it is a marine mammal hotspot so you will be bound to see something wonderful.

River Ness

After a refreshing boat trip and some wildlife spotting you will make your way to the very last stop on this road trip. I know sad times!! My partner an I loved this stop in the series as it was like our own version of the famous American salmon run! There were a few differences such as instead of bears hunting the salmon, it was pods of bottlenose dolphins. There are spots along the River Ness where you can watch this seasonal phenomenon and choose who you are rooting for. The beautiful dolphins snapping them up, or the salmon desperately trying to make their way upriver, to lay their eggs and die. What a brilliant way to end your road trip in such high spirits.

This is now the end of our Wild Isles Road Trip! And you now have to find your way back home or continue your journey onwards. If you do this road trip you would have driven for a collective 20 hours and travelled 955 miles according to Google Maps. It might seem like a lot of miles, but this road trip is just the tip of the iceberg of what you can find in the Wild Isles. We hope this has inspired you to take on a British adventure whether a smaller portion or the whole thing!

P.S. This route was plotted out on Google Maps and so might not be the most accurate i.e. it might involve travelling down restricted/private roads so always be sure to check before you embark on your adventure. Also a quick reminder, all the major events listed, typically take place in Spring/Early Summer.

See you again this time next week!

LndnScientist team.

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Topaz

Hello to all my lovely readers

It is officially the Easter Weekend everybody, and I have a quick message to all my student readers. Use your easter holidays wisely. Most of your notes should be now completed so revise from these, and sit as many past papers as you possibly can!  Now onto today’s post. Thanks to Donald Trump and his stand on Climate Change this topic has once again been catapulted to the front of all our attention. Climate Change is a fact, but it is not the biggest threat to our planet's biodiversity.  

Over-exploitation and large-scale land use change (e.g. forest to farmland) are two of the largest threats to our biodiversity. Overexploitation is an umbrella time that covers overfishing as well as illegal wildlife trade. Sadly, there has been an increasing demand for rare animal meat and body parts, which have pushed many species closer to extinction including the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Western Gorilla and Pangolins.

Pangolins have been practically wiped out in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR caused by relentless illegal trade. World Pangolin Day which was on February 20th succeeded in raising awareness for these scaled mammals. In fact, the King of Natural History himself, David Attenborough, deemed the Pangolin worthy of being one of ten animals he would choose to put on his own personal ark. But what is a pangolin?

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Sir David Attenborough, did not disappoint when he gifted Pangolins a ticket to board his personal Ark. Pangolins are the only mammals in the world that are covered in scales from head to toe. As a group, they are fairly small only comprising of 8 species, all of which, are found on two continents:  Africa (Black-bellied Pangolin, White-bellied Pangolin, Giant ground pangolin and the Temmicks ground Pangolin) and Asia (Indian Pangolin, Philippine Pangolin, Sundra Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin. Image below).

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Pangolins are solitary and nocturnal animals. These scaly mammals share a dietary preference with anteaters, in that they dine exclusively on ants and termites. To help them out with their dietary choice Pangolins have extraordinarily long tongues, some of which can grow to over 40cm long. If you were lucky enough to stand in front of a Pangolin mid yawn then you would be able to see this long tongue for yourself, and that's it, as these guys are toothless! What they lack for in teeth they make up for with their stomachs. A Pangolins stomach is lined with keratinous spines to help grind up the ants and termites, they have even been spotted ingesting stones to further help this process along.

A Pangolins number one defence strategy, when faced with danger, is to roll into a ball, and if necessary lash their tails at the threat inflicting damage with those spines. Once in the safety of the ball, there is little that a predator can do to get to it as not even a big cat's canines can penetrate a Pangolins outer scales.

Sadly all eight species of Pangolins have been listed by the IUCN as either Vulnerable or Critically Endangered, and their population is constantly decreasing. 2016 was a good year for Pangolins everywhere, as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) successfully campaigned to transfer all 8 species of Pangolin to Appendix 1. This move has given them full protection against all international trade.

Each year, 100,000 Pangolins are captured across Africa and Asia. Despite the Pangolin becoming a protected species, they are still in demand for their scales and meat.  Cultural beliefs claim that their scales can reduce swelling and improve blood circulation. Even though it has been banned, China is still a key market for using Pangolin scales for traditional medicines (image below).

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Why are Pangolins still victims of illegal wildlife trade? Firstly Wildlife Trade is one of the most profitable businesses to be in, and the profits of pulling it off far outweigh the small consequences of getting caught. It all comes down to demand. If Pangolins have a chance we need to reduce the demand for their meat and scales. Campaigns are aiming to make it socially unacceptable to buy any products involving Pangolin sourced ingredients. A perfect example of how these campaigns can work is Tigers in Tibet,  by showing the Tigers dire situation the demand fell dramatically.

That brings us to the end of today’s post on these cute animals. I would like to think that we have all become Pangolin fans, this poor animal has suffered years of illicit trading with little awareness. The Zoological Society of London have actively engaged with the Pangolin's plight and fighting for them for more info click here. You can do this also by picking at least one fact from today's post and spreading the word.

Alright, guys, this is just a quick message before we head into the Easter Holidays. As I am a full-time tutor and this is fast becoming my busiest season I am not going to be able to keep to the usual blog schedule of every Friday! I am so super sorry for this but please be aware that during this time I am going to be stockpiling some incredible posts lined up for you, so that it is a summer you will not forget! Good luck to all student out there and I will be back here after the exam season.

Science in the City

xoxo

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Topaz

Hello, again my loyal and lovely readers!

Friday has come around which can only mean one thing - post day. In the great anticipation of Mothers Day 2017, I thought we could take a look at some mothers in Nature that will make all of ours look like angels! 

Burying Beetles:

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The story begins when a mother beetle lays her larvae in the carcas of a mouse that they have buried underground. Larvae are unable to feed themselves, thereby, making them reliant on their mother to eat the meat and then regurgitate it. At feeding time, it is first come, first served as the larvae compete to get to the front of the line. Mother burying beetles only regurgitate a certain amount of food each time making the stakes high for the larvae who want to get fed. When the food runs out the last remaining starving larvae become the mother's meal!

Cruel as this sounds, mother burying beetles are making the best of a situation they, cannibalise on their own offspring as a way of ensuring that there is enough food to supply the rest. The saying Cruel to be Kind is coming to mind here.

Pandas:

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I know what you're thinking. Pandas 'bad mothers'? No way, they are the symbol for the World Wildlife Fund - well stick with me guys. Pandas have two babies on average, but like in many scenarios, the mother always has a favourite. This 'chosen' individual will benefit from all of the mother's resources and her time, leaving their small, weak and helpless sibling to fend for itself. The outcome of this will almost always be the death of the baby. 


In nature, this may be a mother's way of carrying out her own version of quality control. Instead of having two average offspring, the mother put all her resources into one to increase the chances of their survival.

Black Eagle:

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For everyone out there with younger or older siblings, then you know that sibling 'squabbles' are an inevitability. However, I think the majority of us can agree that they rarely end too violently...The chicks of Black Eagle's are locked in a battle of death from the moment they hatch, with older siblings murdering their younger siblings, all under the watchful eye of their mummy. 

This behaviour is common in large predatory birds as it helps the mother to allocate resources to those who survive the mini version of the hunger games. Strangely enough, these mothers are looking out for the continuity of the species by choosing the strongest offspring. 

Komodo Dragons:

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Surprise Surprise right? I know reptiles are not known for their amazing parental skills just look at the episode of Planet Earth where baby marine iguanas were left to face the garter snakes all on their own! 
It was an emotionally gripping episode, but let's turn our focus to dragons. Komodo's are the apex predators on a group of small islands in South Indonesia meaning that there isn't much on the island that is off the menu for a full sized Komodo Dragon - even other dragons. You know it's bad when your on mother looks at you as a potential food source from the moment you hatched!  Due to the threat of parental cannibalism young dragons will spend the first few years of their life up in the trees.  

There you have it, my lovely people, a mother's day post with a twist! Just in the nick of time to help you appreciate your mother even more now, so go forth and go that little bit extra this Mothers Day. To all the mothers and maternal figures whether they still be with us or not... I wish you a Happy Mothers Day. 
And to my special Mum who is my best friend 
Love you loads and a massive thank you for not being like any of the mothers mentioned in this post!

Have an awesome weekend everybody

Science in the City

xoxo

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Topaz

Hello again everyone

I hope you have had an amazing week filled with productivity and hard work... No? Well you know that my blog is always here to alleviate some of the boredom and keep you on top on all your science need to know (by the way in case you didn't see they found a luminescent frog the other day!) Well I have a treat for you guys today! We have grown up with them in our fairytales and listened as parents told us that they never excited. I am of course talking about Dragons - and your parents lied! Meet the Komodo Dragon!

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Latin name: Varanus Komodoensis

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Komodo Dragons are the largest extant lizards alive. Male Dragons can reach a length of 10ft with females measuring a length of 7.5ft. These giants are only found on a small set of remote islands in South Indonesia. Komodo’s are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN as there are only 4,000 individuals left in the wild, due to the increasing demand for Palm Oil.

It was recently discovered that dragon blood may provide a novel way of fighting against superbugs. Blood samples were taken from Komodos and analysed, there were 8 proteins of great interest that showed an ability to fight off drug-resistant strains common in hospital infections. Such amazing discoveries could lead to people hunting these Dragons to get access to their blood, further driving this species to extinction. However, I have faith in each and every one of my readers to realise that this would be irresponsible and stupid. Why? Because we have this beautiful thing known as technology. Proteins are more than able to be replicated under lab conditions without killing any more of these amazing lizards.

What does a female Komodo Dragon have in common with Virgin Mary?

Both are able to produce offspring in the absence of a male! In nature, we call this Parthenogenesis, a process that is rare in vertebrates. This was first discovered in two female Komodo Dragons: Flora from the Chester Zoo and Sungai at London Zoo (now deceased). Sungai to the surprise of her keepers produced four eggs despite her last male encounter being 2.5 years ago. This lead the zookeepers to two possible explanations, either Sungai had stored the sperm from that male or she had just shown the keepers that Komodos are able to do parthenogenesis. DNA samples were taken from each of the offspring, to find that they were exact clones of their mother. It was obvious, parthenogenesis was the only explanation. This was further validated by Flora who produced 8 eggs and had never come in contact with a male dragon.

This ability to switch between sexual and asexual reproduction appears to be beneficial, initially. This trait highlights a female's adaptability in situations where mate availability is limited.  There is, however, a dark side to this also. Parthenogenesis carries the same implications as inbreeding, where the offspring suffer from reduced fitness and increase the risk of extinction.

A Venomous Giant

One observation made back in the 1970’s by Walter Auffenburg led to the development of a myth that plagued the image of this carnivore in the eyes of the public. It was long believed that the Komodo Dragon, with pieces of rotting flesh left in his its mouth, harboured such a deadly cocktail of bacteria and viruses that one bite would lead to the death of its victim.  For years we have seen these dragons as bacteria laden villains that kill their prey in the dirtiest and most unhygienic way… literally. However, thanks to the work of Bryan Fry this myth has lifted, and it turns out the dragons actual hunting method is a work of evolutionary genius.

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Bryan Fry began debunking this myth by identifying the bacteria strains found in the Dragon's saliva. What he found confirmed his initial thoughts - there was a lot of bacteria, but no more than your average carnivore. Upon the realisation that there was no bacterial strain present that could cause the onset of symptoms observed when an animal is bitten, Fry began answering the question of how a Dragon actually kills.  

It turned out that Komodo Dragons were one of few lizards that went down an evolutionary path similar to advanced snakes - the development of an extremely sophisticated venom delivery system. Komodo Dragons are similar to other predators in that they take their prey by surprise and deliver a really nasty bite to the hind of the animal using their 60 razor sharp serrated teeth. At this point, the Komodo Dragon hangs back and waits for its venom to do its job.

Unlike a snake the Komodos venom glands are located at two points along their mandible, these lead onto a series of ducts in between each of their teeth. Using a bite-and-pull approach the venom oozes into the wounds of their prey while the dragon delivers a frenzied attack. Once delivered the dragon's venom gets to work. It begins by hindering the animals ability to clot their blood leading to continual blood loss, paralysis of the animals smooth muscle then sets in and finally, it causes a drop in the animal's blood pressure. The chemical present in the Dragon’s venom that is responsible for the drop in blood pressure was found to be as potent as that found in the world’s most dangerous venomous snake! The Taipan.

Well, that completes today's blog post on our planet’s very own Dragon that may not kill with its fire, but instead, uses a dual combination of venom and a serious bite! One last fact at top speed these Komodo Dragons can reach a speed of 12 miles per hour - that is pretty fast. My golden piece of advice if you happen to visit Komodo Island make sure you go with someone who is slower than you!!

Have an amazing weekend,

Science in the City xoxo

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Topaz