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Brittany Sutherland

@sutherlandbl

Assistant Professor, George Mason University Polyploidy, Evolution, Plants, Mating Systems Plants and Cats and Plants and Cats and

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Latest posts by Brittany Sutherland @sutherlandbl

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Since 1994, immigrants have paid more in taxes than they receive in benefits every year.

Do not believe the lies you hear about immigrants.

They are good for society and the economy.

12.03.2026 20:45 πŸ‘ 7426 πŸ” 2873 πŸ’¬ 184 πŸ“Œ 101
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#AcademicSky

We could all do with a reminder about what can happen when we allow politics to steamroller over science.

academic.oup.com/genetics/art...

theconversation.com/the-tragic-s...

12.03.2026 00:16 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Stem of a pink-striped white Claytonia flower, multiple flowers have more than five petals, and five cauline leaves are present instead of the usual two.

Stem of a pink-striped white Claytonia flower, multiple flowers have more than five petals, and five cauline leaves are present instead of the usual two.

A mostly white Claytonia plant with four flowersβ€”one with five petals, two with six, and one with seven.

A mostly white Claytonia plant with four flowersβ€”one with five petals, two with six, and one with seven.

Weirdos are not just a Louisiana thing!

Some unusual Claytonia in eastern Oklahoma. First time I’ve found one with extra leaves, though!

11.03.2026 17:52 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

What a BREATHTAKING combination of arrogance, condescension, and absolute ignorance.

10.03.2026 20:59 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

A few years ago, I made a throwaway crack while talking about codons that they have three nucleotides, not four, and β€œfive was right out!”

*crickets*

That bit was 25 years old when I was in school, but the nerdy kids still knew it! Does Gen-Z not have nerds?

10.03.2026 01:52 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The ones I potted I'll take home and let seed out, and I'll keep them for overwintering (which I tried this past year--works better than I expected!). So we'll see if any babies continue to make oddballs or if these corms do when repotted in clean soil.

10.03.2026 00:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Plants in that one corner were the weirdest, but even 200 meters away I was regularly finding 4 and 6 petals, and the occasional 3 and 7. It's not consistent within a plant--one indvidual may have some normal, some weird, and the weird ones may vary in number.

10.03.2026 00:17 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

They are! I found them first last year but only had time for a quick look-see. Did further sampling this year (have about 30 both weirdos and not preserved to take home, including six whole plants), including farther away from the small corner I checked last time.

10.03.2026 00:17 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Bizarre spring beauty flower with all petals fused into a semicircular corolla.

Bizarre spring beauty flower with all petals fused into a semicircular corolla.

Found everything from one giant monstrous petal to ten, except for nine. It’s common to find the occasional four or sixer all over the place, but this is…odd.

The Louisiana ones are an unusual cytotype, but that’s very old and sparse data no one was followed up on (yet).

Forgot to post this one!

09.03.2026 20:35 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Close up of small white flowers in grass. Two of the flowers have five petals, one has six. No pink striping visible.

Close up of small white flowers in grass. Two of the flowers have five petals, one has six. No pink striping visible.

Close up of single white flower with intense pink striping held up by two fingers. Three apparent petals are seen, although two look like possible fusions.

Close up of single white flower with intense pink striping held up by two fingers. Three apparent petals are seen, although two look like possible fusions.

A ridiculous Claytonia virginica flower with strong pink striping and TEN! petals. What are you even doing?

A ridiculous Claytonia virginica flower with strong pink striping and TEN! petals. What are you even doing?

Three small white flowers with lighter pink striping and obvious petal deformities in two of them. One has what appears to be four large petals and one tiny petals, and one looks like it only has two large round petals.

Three small white flowers with lighter pink striping and obvious petal deformities in two of them. One has what appears to be four large petals and one tiny petals, and one looks like it only has two large round petals.

Once again visiting the Population of Misfit Claytonia!

Are they weirdos because of chromosomal shenanigans, or because they’re Louisiana plants exposed to toxins that would’ve killed lesser angiosperms?

09.03.2026 18:46 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A Muscovy duck, with dark body with subtle iridescent green, a white head and neck, and bright red caruncles on his face, is side-eyeing, sizing me up as a potential mark.

A Muscovy duck, with dark body with subtle iridescent green, a white head and neck, and bright red caruncles on his face, is side-eyeing, sizing me up as a potential mark.

A Muscovy duck, with dark body with subtle iridescent green, a white head and neck, and bright red caruncles on his face, has decided I might have food and is approaching me hopefully.

A Muscovy duck, with dark body with subtle iridescent green, a white head and neck, and bright red caruncles on his face, has decided I might have food and is approaching me hopefully.

Visited Sweetwater Duck Park today while out collecting plants.

It is accurately named. This fine Moscovy, who sadly was disappointed I had no food for him, was one of about 50 waterfowl of about eight different kinds I saw!

09.03.2026 02:21 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1

Continuing my streak of exceptional timing, the week of gas price spikes coincides with the week I’m driving all over hell’s half acre collecting plants. πŸ˜„πŸ™ƒ

Never happier I chose to buy a hybrid last time, though!

08.03.2026 01:25 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Honestly given Dubai’s love of big ridiculous projects, it wouldn’t surprise me if someone has at least done a feasibility study.

Think of how many fake islands you could make from the spoil!

07.03.2026 03:45 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Come to Virginia! They're fairly common up here.

06.03.2026 14:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

She asked for my help, and we spent weeks feeding those guys, and 50 made it to adulthood and flew off! So much fun.

06.03.2026 03:51 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

In grad school one of my friends was an undergrad who drove for the bus system. One night at a time stop, she found a nearly dead looking Luna in the road, scooped it up, and put it in the only container she had on hand-a Big Mac box.

At the end of her shift, she had a dead Luna-and around 80 eggs!

06.03.2026 03:51 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Science Aquarium!

05.03.2026 22:43 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

WWII vet who came back and worked at the button factory where he met my grandmother, then farmed the rest of his life.

Korea sigint vet who did a bit of everything including small-time (but professional) racecar driver.

05.03.2026 03:39 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Well, DID you want it?

05.03.2026 03:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Researchers in the US might be having feelings about writing grants atm-I know I am!

We still need to write them. In this Evolution Exchange, I again chat with Sam Scheiner, who summarizes how to write a competitive proposal.

His advice is gold, and helpful regardless of funder. Pls RT!

02.03.2026 15:32 πŸ‘ 58 πŸ” 42 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

My parents bought two cars in 1994: A Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Pickup.

In 2000, the Corolla became mine when I started driving. It stayed mine until 2006, when my dad urged me to buy something "newer and more reliable".

Dad started driving it again and did until 2022.

It still sees some use.

02.03.2026 14:51 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Nice try. I know the Grateful Dead when I see them!

01.03.2026 10:07 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Just amazing the number of people who can’t seem to simultaneously keep two thoughts in their head at the same time:

(1) the Iranian theocratic regime is bad and would not be missed

(2) there is a real problem in a world where the President of the US can attack random countries on a whim.

01.03.2026 05:51 πŸ‘ 539 πŸ” 103 πŸ’¬ 12 πŸ“Œ 3

Read it again. We killed 85 schoolgirls this morning.

28.02.2026 16:00 πŸ‘ 4311 πŸ” 1579 πŸ’¬ 120 πŸ“Œ 63
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The 1939 dictionary laying down some data truth …. β€œData. As a Latin word it should be pronounced day'ta-first a long. Many do not seem to know that this word is the the plural of datum-a word seldom seen or heard.” #DataAre

27.02.2026 01:38 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Excellent choice, madam!

25.02.2026 00:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Pale woman in dark fancy dress wearing black opera gloves and a black headdress that is vaguely heart-shaped.

Pale woman in dark fancy dress wearing black opera gloves and a black headdress that is vaguely heart-shaped.

Late to the party, but I appreciate the Closing Ceremonies had a tribute to fern gametophytes!

24.02.2026 23:19 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations! And yes, trying to contact scientific old farts can be amusing. I once tried to contact a retired professor at Université Laval by emailing their department in terrible French to see if they had a contact for him. He emailed back the next day saying, "Yes, I'm still alive." 🫣😬

24.02.2026 00:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

It's almost like a show where every episode is an hour-long slice of ONE shift might need time to cook before assuming you've sussed out all the themes...

23.02.2026 20:01 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I'm sure she has several from perusing the front AND back covers of books in her local B&N!

23.02.2026 19:57 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0