Work and Play

Sorry it has been a while since I have written, I have been busy working during the weekdays and exploring during the weekends!

 I realized I haven't gone into much detail about the research I have been helping out with, so I wanted to give you a little insight into what I have been up to while I am working:

I have recently started conducting the research myself with the oldest octopus named Tintoretto. We are testing symmetry detection in these very wise invertebrates by presenting two different stimuli, one symmetrical and the other not, and seeing which one the octopus decides to choose. They are rewarded with a small piece of a shrimp when they choose the symmetrical stimulus. She usually gets between 70% and 80% correct.

Tintoretto

Last week, Megan and I were working with Tintoretto when a newspaper journalist came to do a story on the research. Long story short, we ended up getting in the Rostock newspaper!

The text in the article roughly translates to this:

"Tintoretto, Tizian, and Giambellino aren't only names of Italian painters, but also the names of three Octopods at the Marine Science Center on the eastern pier. In behavioral experiments, the Octopods, among other things, respond to visual stimuli. The goal of the work is to close the gaps in the scientific area of sensory system biology. Under the supervision of Frederike Hanke, American exchange students Vanessa Delnavaz and Megan McElligot conduct experiments to investigate the performance and learning abilities of these animals."

Megan and me in the Newspaper!

With the seals, I have mostly been helping with two different experiments happening here at the lab. 

One of them involves testing wether or not harbor seals can detect breathing currents of flounders, one of their primary prey. There are 8 different nozzles on the bottom of one of the enclosures, with one turned on with a soft current comparable to the pressure of the breathing current of a flounder. The seals have been trained to swim around the enclosure so that they can detect which nozzle is turned on. 

The second experiment with the seals I have recently been working with is testing haptic matching. Henry, the seal that is doing this experiment, is masked and is allowed to touch a stimulus with his vibrissae. He is then provided two other stimuli, and must choose which one of these two match the first one he felt. Here is a video of the experiment.

Henry with the stimuli - plastic sea stars and fish. In this trial, the "correct" stimulus would be the fish (green)

During the summer months, the lab usually gets some visitors from the baltic sea that like to stay just outside of our enclosure, as they find it is a nice place to haul out and lie in the sun.

Gonzo is a grey seal that has returned to the outside of the lab enclosure for the 3rd summer in the row. He is quite funny looking for a seal, but I think he has some charm to him :)

Gonzo! (stole this pic from Megan!)

This year, the lab got a new visitor - a teeny tiny grey seal pup that has been given the name Mini. She is SO adorable! 

Mini on the other side of the fence.

 Outside of our work at the lab, Megan and I had quite a lovely weekend. We went into town to see the town's yearly festival. There were an abundance of street vendors, people, and pretty boats.

Harbor inlet in Warnemunde

The weather was so beautiful on Saturday so we decided to end our day at the beach!

Dipping my feet in the Baltic Sea!

On Sunday, Megan and I went on our first dive trip in the Baltic Sea! There is not that much to see, but we went to an airplane wreck and saw tons of moon jellies, a halibut, and a rather large cod. Even if there is not much down there, I love feeling like a mermaid for a little while :)

After the dive!

Once a month during the summer, when three cruise ships leave from the harbor on the same night, the town has what is called a "port party." There are lots of stands that sell beer and bratwurst, and everybody comes to watch the ships and a fireworks show. Megan and I got beer, bratwurst and ice cream (what could be better?!). We decided that the best place to watch the fireworks would be right from our very home - the research boat! We went back to the boat, bundled up, and went up to the sundeck and watched the fireworks as the ship drove off into the dark horizon. 

Cruise ship and fireworks

I love how much the people here find anything to celebrate, such as a cruise ship leaving a harbor - something that happens everyday, all day, all over the world. It is such a wonderful way to live :)

Love, Vanessa