Kurt

Counting down my days as a fellow at SI NMNH. Nothing but pure bliss to be here.

Workspace at NMNH MSC. #taxonomy #blackcorals

First day of fellowship begins today.

Back on land after a month of being at sea sampling in Earth's most remote ecosystem - the deep sea. Always just grateful for the experience and the kind people I have met during that time. @dsbsoc.bsky.social

I am Kurt Bryant Bacharo, currently a graduate student in the Molecular Invertebrate and Systematics Laboratory @miselab.bsky.social at the University of the Ryukyus. Prior to relocating to Japan, I finished my BS and MS degrees in Marine Biology at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines where I had the privilege to study the readily accessible shallow-water reefs in my country. Image: Kurt Bacharo smiling and wearing glasses, a white hard hat, flotation device and a DSBS17 shirt on the deck of the R/V Kaimei.

Coming from the developing world, the concept of deep-sea exploration has always been out of sight, out of mind. The opportunity only opened to me when I was selected as an OceanCensus participant to board JAMSTEC R/V Kaimei for the KM 24-03 (Leg 2) research cruise last year to explore the Kyushu-Palau Ridge and the Daito Islands. The latter is part of the Deep-Sea Archaic Refugia in Karst (D-ARK) project, whose main objective has been on the documentation of the deep-sea biodiversity found inside limestone caves. Now in its second year, I am lucky to be part of the project again to further explore the hidden biodiversity of the Daito Islands. This year's participation for the KM 25-06C research cruise was made possible by a Research Support Award granted by @DSBSoc. Image: Kurt gesturing towards the docked R/V Kaimei from the adjacent pier.

As my current project focuses on the taxonomy of black corals in southern Japan, the deep-sea offers significant research opportunities related to biodiversity, biogeography, and species discovery. Few of the specimens collected both in KM 24-03 (Leg 2) and KM 25-06C research cruises highlighted new records of black corals in the NW Pacific, and perhaps some are likely new to science. Image: Two pictures of Kurt smiling towards the camera on deck of the R/V Kaimei. He is wearing a dark blue JAMSTEC shirt.

Another exciting 2025 #DSBSoc support awardee!

Meet Kurt Bacharo (@kurtbb.bsky.social), a grad student in the @miselab.bsky.social at U. of the Ryukyus working with #BlackCorals and currently aboard the #JAMSTEC R/V Kaimei exploring the biodiversity off the Daito Islands.

Read more in alt-text!

I'm wondering if you got an idea where the A. sylospongia specimen went to? Probably with Jeremy? We have collected similar sponge-associated antipatharians here in the NW Pacific!

The D-ARK (Deep-Sea Archaic Refugia in Karst) voyage continues! Was able to join as an @oceancensus.bsky.social participant last year. And now, on its second year, I am lucky to be part of it again with the generous cruise support provided by @dsbsoc.bsky.social.

Are you inspired by the mysteries of the deep? We're launching a new initiative ArtSea Matchmaking that pairs artists and scientists for creative collaborations rooted in deep-sea science. Together, you'll co-create compelling work that bridges disciplines and reaches wider audiences through exhibitions and outreach.

🎨🔬 CALLING ALL ARTISTS & DEEP-SEA SCIENTISTS!

💡 Open to ALL artists & scientists

🗓 Deadline: August 31

📍 Apply via the short form in our bio / link below!

🔗 forms.gle/SftLbez3ML2j...

In case you missed it: SSB is hosting a breakout meeting Jan 9-11.

Thinking about hosting a workshop or tutorial? Email @jembrown.bsky.social for more information - or find him at the in-person #evol2025 in two weeks!

ssb2026.github.io

Physalia megalista, a cnidiran with a gas filled float, raised sail, and long blue tentacles hanging below. Image credit: Dalila Destanović

Excited to share our study on sailing siphonophores, AKA bluebottles or man-o'-war! 🌊 we received hundreds of samples from scientists around the world, part of a huge effort to sequence genomes and test for multiple species 🧬 out today in @currentbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.cu... 🦑🧪📌

Description of a new species of Stauropathes (Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Schizopathidae) from Puerto Rico A new species of black coral, Stauropathes monopinnata sp. nov., represented by two specimens collected 738 m and 1604 m deep off Puerto Rico and Hawaii, respectively, is recognized in the family Schi...

A new species of black coral, represented by two specimens collected 738 m and 1604 m deep off Puerto Rico and Hawaii, respectively, is recognized in the family Schizopathidae. See its description here: doi.org/10.3897/zook...

mushroom shaped organism with translucent base

Many may not remember the DENDROGRAMMA mystery! This weird mushroom-shaped thing was described in 2014 as a "new metazoan" of unknown affinities! They were hinting that it might be a new phylum-but THEN 2 years later @drtimohara.bsky.social sequenced it and BOING! BENTHIC
#SIPHONOPHORE!

The Ocean Census Expedition Awards are now open The Ocean Census Expedition Awards provide support to taxonomists, biodiversity and community scientists who wish to take part in an existing expedition onboard a research vessel.

Looking to join a marine expedition — but need funding support? 🚢 The Ocean Census Expedition Awards are now OPEN for applications.

Find out more and apply 👇
oceancensus.org/publications...

YouTube video by Inkfish Expeditions Antarctica - the Kingdom of the Echinoderm!

Interesting video showing off the Antarctic brittle star Ophionotus cleaning itself off! #echinoday youtube.com/shorts/9cBOk...

Biodiversity and biogeography of zooxanthellate soft corals across the Indo-Pacific - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Biodiversity and biogeography of zooxanthellate soft corals across the Indo-Pacific

New paper by MISE octocoral crazy collectors and friends!! @lauramacrina.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

yellow feather star with feathery arms and long tendrils attached to sponge

A feather star, sitting on this weird sponge/black coral cluster, 1445 m but with interestingly weird arm movements! Kure Atoll #okeanos #saveNOAA #echinoday

A curiousity! Glass sponge with a black coral inundated within it! 981 m #okeanos #saveNOAA #spongethursday

Visual depiction of the evolutionary trend of black coral skeletal networks and ridges. www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Unveiling the early evolution of black corals - Communications Biology The authors describe two transitional species of Sterictopathes from the Middle Ordovician of Shaanxi, China, bridging the fossil gaps and thereby elevating the genus Sterictopathes to a new family, S...

🚨 Fossilized Black Corals 🚨 Includes two transitional species too! Come learn about the evolutionary trend toward regularity in the axial skeleton from the Ordovician to modern day antipatharians (includes reduced ridges and a longitudinal fusion of networks). www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Calling all marine scientists involved in marine species discovery 📣 The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards are now open for applications. These are financial awards, generously provided by The Nippon Foundation, to help fund the discovery of new species.

Info here: oceancensus.org/awards/

multiple plush toy nudibranchs on a shelf

Was at #AWESOMECON here in DC and wow. Handmade PLUSHIE NUDIBRANCHS! Sometimes I think education about invertebrates is working! #molluscmonday

The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards support outstanding taxonomists, biodiversity and community scientists involved in marine species discovery.

Financial awards available to apply for now oceancensus.org/awards/

orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads

orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads

orange-brown center on a ball-like jelly like animal suspended by long mucous like threads

Benthic siphonophores! aka Sea Dandelions! GORGEOUS, weird & deadly! All those thin threads? stinging cells! but also holding the animal in place. It has created a curtain of death around it as food gets stung and eaten! #okeanos Lumpy Seamount North Atlantic #saveNOAA

spiral coral in multiple whorls

spiral coral in multiple whorls

IRIDIGORGIA! the fireworks coral-for #octocoralFriday #Okeanos #saveNOAA south of Hawaiian Islands, about 700m I think? from dive 4 of the shakedown cruise!

NEW PAPER ON CORAL RESTORATION PUBLISHED IN ONE EARTH!
🌏🌊🏝
Within we find a lack of knowledge on basic coral biology limits innovation.
🪸🪸🪸
Please enjoy! doi.org/10.1016/j.on...
Request on ResearchGate if you need access:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...

#wormwednesday! A #newspecies of an unusual polychaete genus Ctenophoricola (#Phyllodocida, Phyllodocidae, Alciopini) from the Indian Ocean how interesting! www.mapress.com/zt/article/v...

We are super happy and proud to celebrate our MISE graduates! Congratulations to Dr. Iori @mizukaming.bsky.social, Dr. Ifenna, Dr. Jue for their PhD, Ayaka and Kairi for their MSc, and Yuka, Nanami and Shion for their bachelor degree!🎉🎉🎉

Grabbing one of the "Kinoshita" coral treasures here at the University Museum, University of Tokyo. Collected back in 1894, described in 1910, and opening it for re-examination after decades.

Todai

Awards, Honors & Fellowships - International Coral Reef Society

Time to get applications in for ICRS awards! Exciting awards for all career stages incl. early and mid-career awards, Eminence in Research, and Honorary lifetime memberships. Deadline March 15th. More details on these and more exciting awards at: coralreefs.org/awards-and-h...