Orcas are known to be smart and ruthless hunters. They've been observed hunting a variety of prey, with some species, such as whales, larger than themselves. They use a wide range of strategies to hunt and kill prey, but now, in the Gulf of California, researchers have observed one that hasn't been described before.
  • Evilsandwichman [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    32·
    2 months ago

    The gelatinous layer that covers sunfish, known as the capsule, and their skin host a distinct microbiome. If this tissue is shattered, the microbial taxa inhabiting it are dispersed into the water, where they alter the nutrient composition. Tissue fragmentation could therefore facilitate contact between sunfish and orca microbiomes, which could provide nutritional or other benefits, such as immune regulation.

    This was actually discovered by an Orca about five years back; Dr. Free Williamson PhD of marine biology noted that when some seals had been battering a nearby sunfish until it exploded, that the parts that were left behind had an interesting effect on his assistant, Dr. Free Williamson 2. Their advancements in marine biology have led to a form of reverse taxidermy exercises; they discovered if you apply sunfish once weekly that your gastrointestinal health improves markedly.