Kenny Kim

and by comparing ecdysis patterns across other taxa, we observe that ecdysis in L. polyphemus shares features with other chelicerates despite differences in behavioural execution, and that broader comparisons across Arthropoda reveal both phylogenetic and convergent signals in ecdysis patterns.

Figure 1. Overview of morphological markers used in this study on the (A) ventral and (B) dorsal side of the horseshoe crab (HC). Microscope images of the morphological markers of L. polyphemus during intermoult: (C) aAnterior margin of the prosoma, (D) dorsal spinous process, and (E) lateral spines. Individual identifiers (HC-n) are shown at the bottom left of each photo.

Figure 3. Microscope images of the morphological markers of L. polyphemus during late pre-moult. (A,D) Anterior margin of the prosoma, (B,E) dorsal spinous process and (C,F) lateral spines. Top panel A–C: HC-5 (length = 6 cm), bottom panel D–F: HC-12 (length = 3.8 cm). Red arrows indicate the ecdysial gap. Individual identifiers (HC-n) are shown at the bottom left of each photo.

By tracking the morphological changes in the anterior margin of the prosoma, lateral spines and dorsal spinous process we were able to identify individuals in the early and late pre-moult stage, predict the onset of ecdysis, and distinguish post-moult and intermoult stages.

New preprint!! 🌟📝

Can we tell if a horseshoe crab will moult ?
Will it moult tomorrow or maybe in a week? 🤔👀

In this study, we developed a simple and non-invasive approach in determining the moult stage of the Atlantic #horseshoe crab by looking at key structures. #inverts #science

🎮 pokemon tree of life

for pokémon's 30th anniversary, explore a visualization and field guide to 1,000+ pokémon. what inspired them, where they came from, and how they connect.

포켓몬 30주년, 1,000개 이상의 포켓몬을 시각화했습니다!

➡️ str.sg/viz-poke30

happy 30th anniversary pokemon
#ポケモン30周年

From our project on arthropod moulting, see also this great paper

Moulting combines deeply conserved metabolic and developmental pathways with lineage-specific gene modules related to exoskeleton formation, potentially facilitating adaptation of the exoskeleton to lineage-specific ecological contexts.
6/6

This lineage specific signatures are highly expressed in the middle of the moulting process exhibiting an inverse hourglass pattern. Mid-moult stages recruit younger genes related to:
•Cuticle development
•Pigmentation
•Sensory structure formation
•Chitin-based extracellular matrix components
(5/6)

Despite recovering a conserved set of genes majority of the DEGs during ecdysis are lineage specific.
(4/6)

In addition various genes involved in energy metabolism, tissue morphogenesis and immune/and melanization related genes are also co-expressed during ecdysis.
(3/6)

Classification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their corresponding orthology distribution. Top: non metamorphic moults; bottom: metamorphic moults. "Class specific" are DEGs restricted to Malacostraca or to insects.

We identified various DEGs that are shared across lineages, including genes involved in:
• Ecdysteroid metabolism and transporters
• Chitin synthesis & cuticle organization
• Post-ecdysial processes
(2/6)

New Preprint!! 🦐🪰🦀

In this study we compared moulting gene expression across insects and crustaceans. #insects #crustaceans

Thread ⬇️ (1/6) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Molting nauplius

Just saw a video of a molting nauplius posted on reddit. 🤩🦀 #crustmas

www.reddit.com/r/microscopy...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!🎄✨

Christmas miracle, anyone?

Triops and their moults. #crustmas 🧪🎄

Majority of local insect biomass decline linked to species loss A new study shows that over 90% of insect biomass declines are driven by shrinking species numbers, posing a risk to ecosystem function.

A new study shows that over 90% of insect biomass declines are driven by shrinking species numbers, posing a risk to ecosystem function. www.idiv.de/majority-of-... #biodiversity

😯 🦀 🦀

RegEvol: detection of directional selection in regulatory sequences through phenotypic predictions and phenotype-to-fitness functions www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 🧬🖥️🧪 github.com/mrrlab/RegEvol

The diversity of lepidopteran spatial orientation strategies – neuronal mechanisms and emerging challenges in a changing world - Journal of Comparative Physiology A The Lepidoptera, butterflies and moths, display an astonishing diversity of spatial orientation strategies essential for survival, reproduction, and ecological success. These spatial orientation strat...

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

@ebablab.bsky.social and I helped a bit in this really informative article by Robin Grob in the el Jundi lab on spatial orientation strategies in Lepidoptera. Have a read :-)

👏👏

Parallel shifts in differential gene expression reveal convergent miniaturization in fishes | PNAS Body size variation in vertebrates is a complex polygenic trait, tightly correlated with numerous aspects of a species’ biology, ecology, and physi...

Why are some species smaller than a paperclip while others grow longer than a school bus? How is body size evolution governed in animals? Out now in @pnas.org we tackle these longstanding questions through a genetic lens using my favorite group of fishes as our model!! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Our lab has published a couple of major papers in the past few months, which I would like to highlight in this thread! 🧵

A lot of pressure on the different grant schemes, and pretty much independent of career stage.

Revised evolutionary relationships within Brachycera and the early origin of bicoid in flies Mulhair et al. uncover a functional bicoid in non-cyclorrhaphan flies, pushing the gene's origin back by ∼20 million years. Reassessing the Diptera phylogeny using the largest dataset to date permits ...

Latest work out today in @currentbiology.bsky.social

We find the fly development gene bicoid is much older than previously thought (~20 million yrs older!) 🪰🧬

To pinpoint its origins we tackled the Diptera phylogeny, providing some resolution (many open questions remain).

🔗 tinyurl.com/2vyuevpy

A very nice paper! @naturalselection.bsky.social Congrats!!!👍💪

Reference genome bias in light of species-specific chromosomal reorganization and translocations

And that's how you integrate digital elements into an exhibition. Part of the temporary "China's Dinosaur World" at the Shanghai Natural History Museum, China. Closing this November.

Video source: Shanghai Let's Meet

An array of 9 purple discs on a blue background. Figure from Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt.

A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue.

The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.

From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...

The buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) has mastered a very particular kind of camouflage.

When they close their wings up, they resemble a broken twig.

Native to large parts of Europe, there's regional pattern variation that reflects the local tree species. This one best resembles birch twigs?

Predictors of protein evolution in the drosophilid immune system The evolutionary dynamics of immune genes are shaped by diverse selective pressures, yet the relative roles of gene-level traits, functional specialization, and pathway context remain poorly understoo...

Another preprint from @pankajd.bsky.social !
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...