Through Their Eyes: Awesome Photos Show How Animals See the World

by Elizabeth Palermo, Associate Editor

The winning photo in the first annual Royal Society Publishing Photography competition features the same tiny critters you might find in your own backyard. Entitled "Tadpoles Overhead," the winning image encourages viewers to take a look at the world from a frog baby's point of view. Other noteworthy images from the 350-year-old scientific society's inaugural competition evoke similar sentiments. From a baby gorilla's playful hug to a monkey's resourceful tactics, here are the award-winning moments that this year's winners captured on film.

Tadpoles overhead

Overall winner
Category winner: Ecology and Environmental Science

Tadpoles of many anuran species come in high numbers, but not many make it to adulthood. Here a group of common toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles is seen from below. (Credit: Bert Willaert, Belgium.)

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Ancestry. Dominance. Endangered.

Runner up: Ecology and Environmental Science

This photo shows the strength and power of gorillas, one of our closest living relatives, yet also shows their vulnerability due to the pressures put on their world by humans. Taken in Rwanda, I observed the gorillas walking to the eucalyptus trees outside of the Volcanoes National Park and watched them strip the bark with their teeth. Within a few minutes, the silverback of the group sat down to eat bark and faced out towards the farmland — almost as if he was contemplating the human society that lives next to the gorillas' habitat. (Credit: Martha M. Robbins, Germany.)

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Caribbean brain coral

Special commendation: Proceedings B Publisher’s choice

The deep and abundant mysteries of reef building corals — their systematics, genetics, and phenotypic plasticity (variability in form possible within a single genetic individual) are only just now yielding their secrets to modern science. This image of what appears to be a single colony of the giant Caribbean brain coral Colpophyllia natans hints at the virtuoso abilities of corals to assume a wide range of different forms and appearances. This photo raises many important questions regarding this species of coral. Are the four distinct zones in this photograph really genetically identical? What spurred the colony to grow in this strange and beautiful manner?  (Credit: Evan D'Alessandro, USA.)

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Going with the flow: schooling to avoid a predator 

Category winner: Behaviour

A school of tropical clupeid fish exhibit synchronized behaviour to keep a healthy distance from a teenage black-tip reef shark. Sharks would cruise placidly for hours without so much as looking at the smaller fish, until, all of a sudden, they would strike and gobble up a mouthful of clupeids. The picture was taken on a shallow reef flat on Kuramathi Island in the Rasdhoo Atoll, Republic of Maldives. (Credit: Claudia Pogoreutz, Germany.)

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Smashing 

Runner up: Behaviour

An adult wild bearded capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus) uses a stone tool to crack a very resistant palm nut in Fazenda Boa Vista (Piauì, Brazil). These monkeys habitually crack open very resistant palm nuts on hard surfaces using stones as percussive tools. This behaviour is considered one of the most complex forms of tool use by nonhuman species seen in nature. The alpha male, weighing 4.2 kg, picked up a big stone (3.5 kg) and lifted that above his head to crack a piassava nut. Capuchins’ actions are very fast so it is hard to capture the decisive moment. In a matter of milliseconds I shot and took the photo that I wanted: the representation of capuchin monkeys' strength and beauty. (Credit: Luca Antonio Marino, Italy.)

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Sand has scales

Runner up: Evolutionary Biology

Bitis peringueyi is an endemic adder from the Nabib desert. It's an ambush predator, highly equipped for the job. Many snakes are disguise masters but few completely burrow their entire body beneath the surface and fewer have their eyes located on the top of their head. Actually, if I hadn't blown off the sand to better show its scaly pattern, this adder would have been completely invisible. (Credit: Fabio Pupin, Italy.)

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Fish louse

Special commendation

Lice lineages began to split and diversify during the late Cretaceous era, when dinosaurs, birds and early mammals probably were on the resilient parasites' menus. Argulus is a species of fish lice that has been shown to be a well-adapted parasite, exhibiting unique hunting and breeding strategies that enable it to live in the harsh and variable climates of Europe, East Asia and Siberia, wreaking havoc on the profitability of any freshwater fishery it inhabits and infests. (Credit: Steve Gschmeissner, UK.)

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A baboon gets lost in his thoughts

Special commendation

This image was taken at Cape Point Reserve, South Africa. I was taking photos of a group of baboons trying to capture some interesting action shots. The baboons were not very active as the sun was up and most of them were just resting. I noted this baboon sitting and facing the sun with his eyes closed, once I got close enough, without distracting him, he put one hand under his face, posing as though he was lost in his thoughts. (Credit: Davide Gaglio, South Africa.)

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Fern with a drysuit

Category winner: Evolutionary Biology

Plants have evolved elaborate surface structures to modify the wettability of their leaves. The leaves of the water fern Salvinia molesta are covered with whisk-like hairs. The leaf surface and all but the very tip of the whisks is extremely water-repellent, keeping the leaf perfectly dry even when it is submerged for several weeks. The hydrophilic tips of the whisks 'pin' droplets in place. This further helps to prevent the water from entering the space in the between the whisks. In recent years, plant surfaces have repeatedly inspired the design of biomimetic ("nature-mimicking") applications for human use, most famously the self-cleaning paints based on the Lotus leaf. The photograph was taken in Bonn Botanic Garden (Germany). (Credit: Ulrike Bauer, UK.)

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Runs at Dawn

Special commendation: Biology Letters publisher’s choice

In the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, after every winter rains Canarian Houbarabustard (Chlamydotis undulata) males begin their impressive courtship displays. From dawn onwards these males display at their favourite places and from there scamper around showing their plumage in all its glory. (Credit: Jose Juan Hernandez Martinez, Spain.)

Ancient Board Game Found in Looted China Tomb

Pieces from a mysterious board game that hasn't been played for 1,500 years were discovered in a heavily looted 2,300-year-old tomb near Qingzhou City in China.

There, archaeologists found a 14-face die made of animal tooth, 21 rectangular game pieces with numbers painted on them and a broken tile which was once part of a game board. The tile when reconstructed was "decorated with two eyes, which are surrounded by cloud-and-thunder patterns," wrote the archaeologists in a report published recently in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.

The skeleton of possibly one of the grave robbers was also discovered in a shaft made within the tomb by looters.

Dead game?
Twelve faces of the die are numbered 1 through 6 in a form of ancient Chinese writing known as "seal script." Each number appears twice on the die while two faces were left blank, the researchers noted.
The artifacts seem to be part of a game called "bo," sometimes referred to as "liubo" the archaeologists said. Researchers who have studied the game of bo are uncertain exactly how it was played. People stopped playing it around 1,500 years ago and the rules may have changed during the time that it was played.
However, a poem written about 2,200 years ago by a man named Song Yu gives an idea as to what the game was like:
"Then, with bamboo dice and ivory pieces, the game of Liu Bo is begun; sides are taken; they advance together; keenly they threaten each other. Pieces are kinged, and the scoring doubled. Shouts of 'five white!' arise" (translation by David Hawkes).
Massive tomb
The tomb itself has two large ramps that lead to a staircase descending into the burial chamber. Five pits holding grave goods for the deceased are located beside the tomb. In ancient times, the tomb — which is about 330 feet (100 meters) long — was covered with a burial mound (now destroyed).

At the time the tomb was built, China was divided into several states that often fought against each other. Archaeologists believe that this tomb was built to bury aristocrats from the state of Qi.
"Despite the huge scale of the tomb, it has been thoroughly robbed," the archaeologists wrote. "The coffin chamber was almost completely dug out and robbed, suffering severe damage in the process."
Archaeologists found 26 shafts dug into the tomb by looters. One of the shafts "yielded a curled-up human skeleton, which might be the remains of one of the tomb robbers," wrote the archaeologists, who said they don't know when this person died, why he or she was buried in the looting shaft, or the person's age or sex.
Winner takes all
During the third century B.C., a state called Qin, ruled by a man named Qin Shi Huangdi, gradually conquered the other states, including the state of Qi.
Qi itself survived until 221 B.C., when Qin Shi Huangdi conquered it, unifying all of China and becoming the country's first emperor. Qin Shi Huangdi then began construction of his own tomb, which was guarded by a terracotta army.
The tomb near Qingzhou city was excavated in 2004 by archaeologists from the Qingzhou Municipal Museum and Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The finds were first reported in Chinese in 2014 in the journal Wenwu. Recently, the Wenwu article was translated into English and published in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.

Chhath Recipes you must not miss

Chhath, the biggest and the most pious festival of Bihar is a tribute to the sun God. It is perhaps the only festival where obeisance to both the rising and setting sun is paid.  Chhath is not known for pomp and show, expensive gifts or pocket burrowing rituals, it is the prayer of the pious, no matter belonging to what strata of the society. The most wonderful thing about Chhath is the absolute sense of sacredness associated with it. For the believers, it is a no nonsense festival which cannot be joked about or molded as per convenience.

There are certain things very typical of Chhath, that keep reminding you of it throughout the year. The food associated with Chhath is among those cherished memories. It is generally believed that the prasad made during Chhath should not be eaten unless those who perform Chhath have made their offerings the Sun God. But they can for sure be had soon after the festival gets over. Do try them out and you will discover a taste, which is really a treat to the palate!

THEKUA
Made with whole wheat and jaggery, it is an Indian (and a healthier) version of cookies.

Ingredients:
1 kg Coarsely ground wheat, ½ kg sugar/jaggery, 1 cup mixed dry fruits, 3 tsp saunf, 250 gms ghee, ½ kg oil for frying

Procedure:
-Melt the jaggery in boiling water.
-Mix in a large bowl all ingredients including 250 grams ghee. Add the jaggery water and knead like dough.
-Make round balls and flatten them into cakes. Deep-fry them in ghee.
-They can be stored for long and used snacks.

12 of the Strongest Armies in the World

Armies serve as general forms of protection in times of war and other forms of tension for their respective countries. However, some of them really stand out with their ultra-powerful abilities and distinct forms of discipline. Here are 12 of the strongest armies on earth:

The United States of America

The U.S. has a copious amount of investment going into their Air Force, Navy, and Army. According to many different studies, since 2014 the army of the United States of America has been considered one of the strongest armies in the world, if not the absolute strongest. More than $612 billion has been allotted for the military. That’s right, almost a trillion dollars has been given to America’s army. MURRRRICA!

 

Russia

Oh, Russia…one of the biggest superpowers in the world at this time. It used to be considered the most powerful army in the world, and is now changing the way that politics happen around it. I mean, it’s difficult to argue with a country that has over eight thousand nuclear weapons, which is the most any country in the world owns! Despite the war with Ukraine, almost everyone in the world is convinced that they have secretly been supplying global firepower to Ukrainian rebels, but who really knows?

China

Some have considered the Chinese military to be the strongest in the world. Why would that be? Simple. Don’t forget that China is the most heavily populated country in the world. Essentially, that means that they have far more people at their disposal to join their army. They’re not all talk either; apparently, they have been working on advanced aircraft carriers and stealth jet fighters. Soon enough, they’ll really make it to the number one strongest military!

 

India and Pakistan

If there are two countries in the world that are desperately trying to modernize their military, they are Pakistan and India. Because India is the second most populated country in the world, this idea has been proven over and over again. It also contains a large number of businesses that are committed to both technology and research. Due to this commitment, they have the resources to come up with newer weapon technology, plus the population number doesn’t hurt!

 

The United Kingdom

Soon the UK may not even been called as such! There is still talk about a vote on whether or not Scotland is going to separate from the rest of the United Kingdom or not. Regardless, Scotland is still a part of the United Kingdom. And while that may not seem to have actual relevance, actually a change in the country’s structure could have serious consequences on their firepower worldwide.

 

France

France decided to ‘freeze’ military spending in 2013. This means that it chose not to increase the spending in consistency with the rate of interest. In other words, one of the strongest armies in the world cut their military spending. One in ten people were thrown out of the military, as they were attempting to raise a little bit of extra cash to buy fancier equipment. I mean, firepower globally is way more important than people, right? These changes do not sound super extreme, meaning that France now only spends a mere 1.9% of its GDP on its military.

 

Turkey

Everyone knows about the advancement of ISIS. They have been using violence to genuinely scare those around them, locally, as well as around the globe. Bordering countries with IS that have a strong presence are in some serious danger. Instead of  provoking local panic, Turkey has decided to deal with the problem head on, and invest roughly 10% more in 2015 than they did previously for their army.

 

South Korea

Similar to many other countries that have been split into two or more parts due to conflict, South Korea’s foundational problems still exist. They definitely need their army because of their lovely neighbor- North Korea, which has one of the most powerful armies in the world. This means that South Korea has to take their military’s moves very seriously, and the South Korean Army is just about as serious as it gets.

 

Japan

Generally speaking, Japan isn’t a country that is particularly known for its military powers. There have got to be many more countries that are ahead of in terms of a strong military, right? However, after all of the passive aggressive conflicts with China, Japan has prepared itself to be able to withstand any movement that could possibly be made by any of the strongest militaries on the planet.

 

Israel

One of the most incredible things about Israel’s army is not their global firepower, and not even their strength in relation to how small the country is. Instead, what really sets it apart as probably the most powerful army in the world: their treatment of women. Ever since Israel was established in 1948, it was founded on a totally equal basis – and that meant that women had the same rights and responsibilities as any male in the country. So, women are also required to serve in the army. Only Norway and Eritrea have similar military laws.

 

Egypt

Because of Egypt’s geographical location, it is able to partake in both Arabic affairs, as well as African. Actually, the UN has used this idea many times in the past, and they continue to do so. The cost of being one of the strongest armies in the world is a large portion of responsibility to what goes on their region. In fact, the Egyptian Constitution states that the Armed Forces belong to the People. Cool, right?

Brazil

Brazil has the second largest army in all of Latin America, and has maintained this idea in order to keep everyone around them satisfied. This has been done in a stabilizing way, rather than with intention to conquer. With the help of the army, Brazil is now able to follow any deforestation that may occur, and try to prevent illegal poachers from taking anything dear and natural from the land. Brazil may not have the strongest military in the world, but they sure are compassionate to the earth and their people.

Islamic State May Join Hands With Lashkar for Attacks in India, Says Army

Jammu:  A top Army commander today said there was a "possibility" that global terror outfit Islamic State (IS) may join hands with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba to launch attacks in India.

"Yes, that (IS joining hands with LeT to launch attacks in India) can be a possibility as the motive of the terrorists is to spread their propaganda.

"They want their name and for that, they can do anything. And if  they get successful, they can take advantage of it by using any name. Yes it is a possibility," General Officer Commanding of the 16 corps of the Army Lt General RR Nimbhorkar told reporters in Jammu today.

He was replying to a question whether IS can join hands with other terrorists outfits like LeT to launch Paris-type attacks in India.

Lt General RR Nimbhorkar also said there are around 700 active terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

On a question about the number of terrorist training camps active across the Line of Control in the PoK, he said that from the inputs that the captured terrorist Navid has given there are around 37 active camps in that region.

"See, there are a number of launching pads and we are all aware of it as it is in the open domain. So, therefore, I will not exactly say as to how many are there," he said.

The army commander said, "There are sufficient number of launching pads and if you calculate that way... take the statement which is given by terrorist captured in Udhampur attack so you can easily co-relate what he said and calculate.

"So to my mind in the entire PoK there may be about 600-700 terrorists."

He said that out of the 700 terrorists present in the PoK, half of them are ready and waiting for a chance to infiltrate into the Indian side.

"Out of them, half are ready to be launched so they can come in the launch pad and get launched," he said.

The army commander said Navid had revealed that 35-37 terrorist camps were active in the PoK region.

"35 to 37 camps are there and if in every camp there are 20-30 (terrorists), then the total figure reaches to 600-700 and out of them half are ready to be launched," he said.

Lt General RR Nimbhorkar said the terrorists were looking for ways and means to infiltrate.

"We cannot say this with certainty whether the number has increased or decreased. In my opinion, it is their job to find ways and means to infiltrate and whenever they get a chance they do it and our job is to stop them and if one of them slips in and our job is to clear them. It is an ongoing game which keeps on going," he said.

Replying to a question about radicalisation of Kashmiri youth and their attraction towards IS ideology, he said that if any organisation wants to grow then it is bound to recruit people into its folds.

"See, right now, these are speculation and we cannot say anything about it. If any organisation wants to grow, they will definitely go for recruitment, it is their job and it is to be seen in how much area they get success. It depends on their propaganda," he added.

He said, "I cannot say this with any degree of certainty if they are present or not. IS flags which are being raised we have seen these are scattered incidents, in Srinagar we cannot say with certainty about their influence having increased."

He said that the need of the hour was to remain alert and be ready to face any eventuality.

"Right now, we have to do detailed analysis but at the end it is our job that we have to be ready all the time. We have to remain alert. Whatever the name be, be it the IS, the LeT, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen etc if they attack the final result would be the same. We have to guard against that final result and I want to assure you that we are always ready," he said.

On the question about the presence of IS in terrorist training camps in the PoK, Lt General Nimbhorkar said that nothing can be said with certainty about the presence of IS in PoK.

On reports about youth in Kashmir being radicalised by the use of Internet and that IS was trying to spread its ideology in the Valley through social media, the officer said that it has become a global problem.

"See management of the Internet is a worldwide problem. It is a power that can be used by anyone, who is not empowered by other means. They can use this media to their advantage. So how to fight it, is a different issue altogether and that has to be dealt and looked into its perspective," he said.

"This stance of yours that the IS is using the (social) media is correct and I have read it on the net that they are using it to their advantage. But I am quite certain people at the helm of affairs are aware of this and they will take necessary measures to counter it in a manner which is legal and firm," he said.

On another question about the threat of IS penetrating into the Kashmir Valley, he said, "I feel that and I have said it that IS is a worldwide problem and people are aware of this issue.

"As far as our area is concerned, whether it is IS whether it is LeT, they all are inimical to us and we have to be guarding against this. Our basic philosophy of not allowing them to intrude or infiltrate and we are geared up for the same. And so therefore any action on their part we are ready to counter them," he said.

He said that if terrorists would get a chance they would try to target the civilian areas as they have done in the past, but the methodology adopted by the army was helping prevent such attempts.

On the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Lt General Nimbhorkar said that the top brass of the force was aware of the issue and it was being discussed at the highest level in the government.

"They are aware about the issue of AFSPA and they will take up appropriate decision on it," he said.

Story First Published: November 19, 2015 22:46 IST

'Cow Killers Have No Right to Live in India', Says Uttarakhand Chief Minister

Haridwar:  Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat of the Congress is the latest to add to controversial comments on beef and cow slaughter. He has said that those who kill cows have "no right to live in the country."

"Anyone who kills cows, no matter which community he belongs to, is India's biggest enemy and has no right to live in the country," Mr Rawat said at a function in the holy city of Haridwar on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said the law would deal sternly with those who kill cows in Uttarakhand, and the state government would do everything to protect cows.

His government, he said, had passed a proposal against cow slaughter. He went on to say that Uttarakhand is the only state which gives not only land for cowsheds but also helps in arranging for their fodder.

The Chief Minister's statement runs contrary to the stand of his Congress party, which has strongly protested against recent incidents and pronouncements linked to cow slaughter amid a swirling debate on "intolerance" in the country.

Last month, ML Khattar, the Chief Minister of BJP-ruled Haryana, had backtracked after appearing to suggest that Muslims in the country must give up beef. "Muslims can stay, but in this country they will have to give up eating beef. The cow is an article of faith here," Mr Khattar was quoted by a newspaper as saying.

Mr Khattar later amended that all he meant was "we should show respect for each other's sentiment." 

 

Story First Published: November 20, 2015 07:15 IST

Largest Diamond in Over Century Found in Botswana

Johannesburg:  A 1,111 carat "high quality diamond" has been discovered at a mine in Botswana, said to be the biggest find in more than a century, according to the mine company.

The gem, only second in size to the Cullinan diamond which was unearthered in South Africa in 1905, was mined by Lucara Diamond Corp.

"The magnificent stone, which originated from the south lobe of Lucara's Karowe Mine, is the world second largest gem quality diamond ever recovered and largest ever to be recovered through a modern processing facility," the Stockholm listed company said a statement.

Shares in Lucara shot up 34 percent to 14.2 kronor in morning Thursday trading in Stockholm.

Botswana is the world's second biggest diamond producer, and Lucara said the gem was the largest ever to be recovered in the country.

"The significance of the recovery of a gem quality stone larger than 1,000 carats, the largest for more than a century cannot be overstated," said William Lamb, the President and chief executive of Lucara.

The stone is yet to be evaluated, but commodities and mining analyst Kieron Hodgson, said it has "the potential to be one very expensive diamond."

"Valuation will depend on potential inclusions, how it would behave in cutting, optimal shape as well as final colour," he told AFP.

"All these things will need to be evaluated prior to bidding."

The biggest diamond discovered is the 3,106-carat Cullinan, found near Pretoria in South Africa in 1905.

It was cut to form the Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa, which are set in the Crown Jewels of Britain.

Lucara indicated on its website that the Karowe Mine had also this week turned up further finds an 813 carat stone and a 374 carat stone, prompting Lamb to laud "an amazing week" for the company.

Story First Published: November 19, 2015 18:22 IST