The Calabash International Literary Festival 2014 has been over for going on four days now, and I am not yet quite recovered. From the welcome dinner for authors and press last Thursday night; to the Friday morning boat trip to Pelican Bar; to the opening of the Festival proper that evening with an emotional reading of … Continue reading Post Calabash post by Stephanie Saulter
Category: General Articles
A Literary Festival in Paradise – Jamaica Calabash 2014
via Happenings | A Literary Festival in Paradise. Jamaica’s rocky, arid south coast is refreshingly low on tourist traffic compared with the bustling north — which is just how fans of the beloved bohemian hideaway Jake’s Hotel like it. This weekend, 27 modern literary legends will descend upon the rural seaside town of Treasure Beach … Continue reading A Literary Festival in Paradise – Jamaica Calabash 2014
Death of a Literary Giant – Maya Angelou – at 86
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; this is the fate promised to all men and Maya Angelou has certainly, now preceded us to partake in this rite of the dead. She died at the age of 86 and the world awoke on May 28, 2014 to a very sad news indeed. Maya Angelou was probably … Continue reading Death of a Literary Giant – Maya Angelou – at 86
Jamaica Epicurean Escape
A week long culinary festival that offers several different type of activities. It takes place May 22 to May 29, 2014. The main festival takes place on Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, Richmond, St.Ann, which is ideally placed in the centre of Jamaica’s north coast. You can attend one or all the events and in each case you will enjoy a truly unique culinary experience plus first class musical entertainment.
A week long culinary festival that offers several different type of activities. It takes place May 22 to May 29, 2014. The main festival takes place on Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, Richmond, St.Ann, which is ideally placed in the centre of Jamaica’s north coast. You can attend one or all the events and in each case you will enjoy a truly unique culinary experience plus first class musical entertainment.
Jamaica Epicurean Escape
The festival is a versatile family event targeting an extensive profile of patrons including food and wine enthusiasts, culinary specialists, music and art lovers, trendsetters and just those persons seeking a relaxing and entertaining day with friends and family.
Our patrons will be able to taste from over 32 food stations, participate in seminars, chef demonstrations, and a lot more. Another important component of the festival is culinary education aimed at expanding the knowledge base of our patrons around…
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Painful and rapid spread of new virus in Caribbean – Chikungunya mosquito virus
via Painful and rapid spread of new virus in Caribbean - Yahoo News. SAN CRISTOBAL, Dominican Republic (AP) — They suffer searing headaches, a burning fever and so much pain in their joints they can barely walk or use their hands. It's like having a terrible flu combined with an abrupt case of arthritis. Hospitals … Continue reading Painful and rapid spread of new virus in Caribbean – Chikungunya mosquito virus
The Taino Indians, Native Americans of the Caribbean
The Taino Indians: Native Americans of the Caribbean “Who are the Tainos? The U.S. Government says they are extinct, but they are not. Most likely you might know them as Latinos, a Spanish speaking person of Latin American (the Spanish speaking part of the Americas, south of the U.S.) descent. Not all, but many modern … Continue reading The Taino Indians, Native Americans of the Caribbean
Commonwealth Writers Announces 2014 Short Story Prize Shortlist
The writers shortlisted for the 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize are revealed today. The Prize provides a platform for writers from the 53 countries of the Commonwealth to inspire others by bringing compelling short stories to a wider audience. Full list of shortlisted stories and authors: Pacific Janine Mikosza, Monkey Boy, Australia Michael Hunt, Playing … Continue reading Commonwealth Writers Announces 2014 Short Story Prize Shortlist
Pentagon: Army to review controversial ban on twists, other natural black hairstyles
When there is an issue that millions of people can relate to, it is worth fighting for; for the right to be done. The Pentagon said Tuesday that the military would review controversial grooming policies that led some to accuse the Army of racial bias. Grooming guidelines released in late March, known as Army Regulation 670-1, … Continue reading Pentagon: Army to review controversial ban on twists, other natural black hairstyles
Jamaican Poetry: Who is Professor Mervyn Morris? Poet Laureate of Jamaica
His name may not cut a dash with the dancehall crowd, but on the local arts scene, poet/author Mervyn Morris enjoys as much adulation as deejays Beenie Man or Bounty Killer. Without the bling and controversy, of course. Morris, 72, was recently awarded the Order of Merit for 'distinguished contribution to the field of West … Continue reading Jamaican Poetry: Who is Professor Mervyn Morris? Poet Laureate of Jamaica
Are Lionfish Invisible to Prey?
Lionfish have been called the “Pirates of the Caribbean,” but “Ninjas of the Caribbean” might be a better nickname.
Lionfish are predatory fish, native to the Indian and Pacific regions, that have invaded the Atlantic and Caribbean. One of the main problems with invasive lionfish is that they are eating so many native reef fish.
Are lionfish such successful predators because they are invisible to prey?
A recent study published in PlosOne by O.M. Lonnstedt and M. I. McCormick (2013) investigated this very question.
Set-Up
Fish use both chemical and visual cues to sense their surroundings, similar to the way we use sight and smell. An important way fish use these cues is to identify a threat (like a predator) so that they can respond appropriately (hide, swim away, etc). Researchers wanted to see if prey fish responded differently to the chemical and visual cues of two common predators, compared to their responses to lionfish. They also tested if fish could “learn” to identify threats.
The prey fish were juveniles of a type of damselfish called the blue green chromis (Chromis viridis). When a damselfish is injured, a chemical is released that signals to other damselfish to display “anti-predator behaviors” such as reducing their activity or finding shelter. In this study, there were four groups of prey. Three groups were “taught” that each of the three predators (one group per predator) are threats by being exposed to the cues from the predators (visual and chemical) combined with the alarm-signaling chemical. These groups are referred to as the “experienced” prey. The remaining group was “inexperienced” and was not taught to identify any of the three predators as a threat.
The three predators used in the study were :
- the freckled hind, a common predator in the Indo-Pacific
- the zebra lionfish, a relative of the lionfish
- the lionfish, specifically P. volitans that has invaded the Caribbean.
Researchers observed how the prey (both experienced and inexperienced) behaved towards these three different predators, and also if the prey survived the encounter.
Or in other words, do lionfish have ninja skills?
Lionfish have been called the “Pirates of the Caribbean,” but “Ninjas of the Caribbean” might be a better nickname.
Lionfish are predatory fish, native to the Indian and Pacific regions, that have invaded the Atlantic and Caribbean. See our previous posts about lionfish (Photo Friday, Marine Monster Mash, The Great Debate: Predators vs Lionfish, and Who’s ‘Lyin” about Lionfish?) for more information about the invasion and the negative impacts of lionfish. One of the main problems with invasive lionfish is that they are eating so many native reef fish.
Are lionfish such successful predators because they are invisible to prey?
A recent study published in PlosOne by O.M. Lonnstedt and M. I. McCormick (2013) investigated this very question.
Set-Up
Fish use both chemical and visual cues to sense their surroundings, similar to the way we use…
View original post 691 more words
Jamaica Pen Publishers 