Some links

[urbpan]

I could do something productive while I wait for Alexis to come home, but I think I'll share some links (and clear the tab-clutter away) instead.

Everyone likes multi-species interactions in zoos. That's why this photo of a zebra eating stuff out of a hippo's teeth made the BBC's website.

Speaking of animal photos, a camera trap in a small chunk of Southeast Asian forest caught a record 7 cat species. Kind of amazing biodiversity of predators, considering there are also other in the same forest, including dogs and civets.

Another photo essay from that part of the world shows a biodiversity of living animals in the local market, including dogs (but no civets).

Contrast that with this Portland farmers' market, which includes at least three species of mushroom.

Mushrooms are big business in Tibet, where they apparently make up 8.5% of the GDP. I haven't seen any comparisons, but this must be some kind of record. More interesting than that, is Tibet's second biggest mushroom crop is the insect parasite Ophiocordyceps sinensis (referred to as Cordyceps in most sources). The fungus infects adult moths, who pass the infection to their offspring. The insect lives a normal life (3 or 4 years, according to this article) until it's a full grown caterpillar, then the fungus consumes its body, and changes its behavior. Instead of avoiding dessication by burrowing deep into the soil, the caterpillar stays just under the top layer. When the infection is complete, the caterpillar dies, and the fungus sends an antenna-like mushroom to the surface to release more spores. Tibetan harvesters look for these tiny mushrooms and dig out the caterpillar-shaped fungal mycelium, which is used for medicinal purposes.

Comments

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

That tour in the Mekong Delta looks facinating. I doubt there'd be much to eat for the likes of me though. Technically I wouldn't be adverse to eating meat if I was travelling someplace where vegetarianism (nevermind veganism) isn't well known or catered for, but I know for a fact I wouldn't be physically able to eat dog or snake, or a rat that I saw alive in front of me. Maybe rat would be ok, pre-butchered and chopped up in a curry.

As well as my learned aversion, I'm a born wuss to that sort of thing as well. Organs and stuff are still eaten by a lot of the older generation in Ireland, including my parents, and I've never been able to eat it, even back when I did eat "normal" meat. Uuughh, just thinking about the crap my dad eats, uuugghhh. Pigs toes... tripe.... the rats and dogs are starting to sound tasty! Bleeegh.

Asian vegetarians

[(Anonymous)]

@ kryptyd :
Asia INVENTED vegetarianism, and Vietnam has MANY vegetarians, and vegans.

Re: Asian vegetarians

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Of course. I just meant if I was out and about in someplace rough and ready like how that tour the guy was on seemed, I wouldn't turn my nose up if someone offered me something with meat in it. Unless it was inedible due to my wussy queasiness.

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Ophiocordyceps in TCM? No good can come of this. When a bunch of Tibetan Lamas in strangely fibrous brown robes go on a pilgrimage to Beijing to "bring eternal unity to everyone", I'll be in my basement with a dehumidifier and a shotgun...

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

That dog photo shook me rather badly.

I've often wondered why I never see mushrooms at the farmer's markets around Boston.

[weofodthignen]

Lots and lots of mushrooms at the farmer's markets here, too. The one in Mountain View especially I reckon could give most places a run for their money on veggies, fungi, and other stuff (Portland is likely just as good for preserves). Sadly my digital camera expired so I can't easily give you photos for comparison.

Poor doggies. And poor rats and poor snake. But then again I would be dying of asthma around one tenth that many rats, let alone the risk of being fed it.

The parasited caterpillar story is probably going to be my nightmare tonight so I am about to share it :-Þ

M