are also brown and sticky....
I'm a big fan of Phasmids, and stumbled upon this article the other day. It is a paper analyzing the gut microbiota in Phasmids, in specific Ramulus artemis and Peruphasma schultei.
From what I read, it seems they could not characterize some of the gut bacteria but general consensus is that Phasmids seem to not require help of gut microbiota, or are unable to because of their body morphology. However, the paper mentions that they need more investigation because there still could be a probability of endosymbionts... Another paper by the same author analyzes the endogenous cellulases that stick insects produce.
So my question is - is this something new with insects? I always thought most, if not all animals, required gut microbes for at least some sort of digestion. I know that analysis done on caterpillars revealed no gut microbiota, but how come this analysis of stick insects seems to have flown under the radar? Any thoughts?
If so, can you briefly explain the process?
The funeral director was asking us what we think Mum should wear in her casket.
Mum always loved to wear sarongs (fabric wraps that go around the torso and drape downward a bit like a long skirt would), so my uncle suggested that she wear a sarong in there.
The funeral director looked a bit confused, as did some of our family members, to which my uncle added:
"What's sarong with that?"
I started laughing like an idiot. He was proud of it too. The funeral director was rather shocked. We assured her, and our more proper relatives, that Mum would've absolutely loved the joke (which is very true).
His delivery was perfect. I'll never forget the risk he took. We sometimes recall the moment as a way help cushion the blows of the grieving process.
--Edit-- I appreciate the condolences. I'm doing well and the worst is behind me and my family. But thanks :)
--Edit-- Massive thanks for all the awards and kind words. And the puns! Love 'em.
I would have a daughter
But Bill kept the Windows
True story; it even happened last night. My 5-year-old son walks up behind me and out of the blue says, "hey."
I turn to him and say, "yeah, kiddo? What's up?"
He responds, "it's dead grass."
I'm really confused and trying to figure out what's wrong and what he wants from me. "What? There's dead grass? What's wrong with that?"
.
.
.
He says, totally straight-faced, "hay is dead grass," and runs off.
And then you will all be sorry.
