Paedocypris.com is dedicated to bringing public awareness of our environment. With the intent and expectation that educating the world, we will improve our quality of life. Thus enabling scientists and researchers to discover the mysteries of our earth. We, the staff of Paedocypris.com, would like to congratulate Ichthyologists Maurice Kottelat and Tan Heok Hui who are researchers at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research at the National University of Singapore along with their team of Ralf Britz of Britain's National Museum of Natural History and Kai-Erik Witte at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tuebingen, Germany. Their tiny discovery is an enormous contribution to the science community and our society. We encourage you to visit us often as we work hard to continue updating and expanding our web site.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist or an ichthyologist to save our environment. Please scroll down this page for some simple ideas on how you can help us keep mother nature cleaner and greener!
Important dates to remember:
Earth Day April 22, 2007 Arbor Day April 28, 2007
Arbor Day is observed and celebrated on the last friday on April.
"Other holidays repose upon the past, Arbor Day proposes for the future."
- J. Sterling Morton quote by one of the founder of Arbor Day.
Conservationist Steve Irwin
His dedication towards helping preserve the environment and educating his audiences was enormous with a great personality
that shined thru the TV screen inspired many adults and kids accross the world including members of our staff
and the creation of this website!
News Update
If you own a Playstation 3 or a computer, consider joining the Folding@home project sponsored by the Stanford University's Chemistry department. It is free and easy to do! They are conducting research for various diseases such as Cancer, Huntington's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease. It uses your ps3 or computer unused CPU power to perform complex formulations. There are many factors such a genetics, geographical environmental conditions and cultural diet that can pre-deposed anyone to any number of diseases. Hopefully in the future, Stanford University will consider researching plants like Aloe Vera and wheat grass as well as newly discovered plants which can be very beneficial in preventing or curing many diseases. Since we were small, our parents, teachers and doctors have constantly told us to eat our vegetables for its nutritional purposes. Do we really know how powerful is eating vegetables against preventing or curing diseases? We believe a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can help prevent many diseases and can serve as a natural source of medicine for people who are sick. We also recommend that you consult your doctor or physician before implementing any major changes in your diet.
News quotes:
"This is one of the strangest fish that I've seen in my whole career," said Raif Britz, a zoologist at the Natural History Museum in London. Chicago Tribune January 26, 2006
"The species of fish belongs to the carp family and is called Paedocypris progenetica. It is the world's smallest vertebrate or backboned animal." UK Natural History Museum January 26, 2006
"Scientists have discovered the world's smallest fish on record, with a see-through body and a head that is unprotected by a skeleton, in an acidic peat swamp in Indonesia, researchers said Wednesday."
LA Times January 28, 2006
Just the facts for Paedocypris:
Name: Paedocypris
Species scientific name: The are two species which consist of Paedocypris progenetica and Paedocypris micromegethes
Size: A mature Paedocypris progenetica female measured 7.9mm or .31 of an inch with a stereoscopic microscope. That is less than 1/3 of an inch. Also considered the smallest known vertebrate. Can be compared to the size of a mosquito.
Discovery date: January of 2006
Discovery by: Maurice Kottelat and Tan Heok Hui
Discovery palace: Southeast Asia in the Indonesian island of Sumatra( the sixth largest island in the world). They have also been spotted in the Malaysian part of Borneo.
Living environment: In a tropical acidic peat swamp water where the pH balance can reach as low as 3.
Description: They lack a bony frame. The adult Paedocypris are clear and resembles a little like a fish larva. After eating, their bellies turns to a reddish color.
Fish Family: A distinct relative (cousin) to the much bigger carp.
Food of choice: It eats larves and much smaller spineless animals called zoo plankton.
Uniqueness: The paedocypris genus is considered one of the most weirdest and strangest fish ever encounter by experts and scientists. The Paedocypris fish has a see-through body, a boneless head, a belly that turns red after eating and grows to the size of a grain of rice.
Guinness world record for smallest fish: Currently is Indo Pacific goby (Trimmatom nanus) fish from
the Western Pacific.
Future world record for smallest fish: Pending hopeful it will be the Paedocypris prognetica.
Future forecast: Unfortunately, it is not a good one. Scientists and experts forecast the Paedocypris genus may soon become extinct because Indonesian peat swamps are disappearing at an alarming rate due to forest fires, logging and farming. According to one of the founders, Maurice Kottelat, peat bogs in Southeast Asia which are the living environment of the Paedocypris fish are being transformed into palm oil and pineapple plantations as well as shrimp farms. They also fear that Paedocypris small relatives may be already extinct.
Vulnerability: Their lack of bones especially around their head and the destruction of their natural habitat.
The mission of Paedocypris.com is not only to educate people about these species of fish, but to create an environmental awareness and prevent extinction of all animals. Paedocypris, being newly discovered, we are not sure of the current living survival rate of the Paedocypris fish. One thing for sure, as an old saying goes, "One once of prevention is worth a pound of cure". We, the staff of Paedocypris, believe educating people about our environment and endanger species will help prevent many animals from extinction. What I really mean is "We should try to do what we can (NOW) to save these animals before its too late".
Deforestation and our environment
Deforestation is the destruction of forests and in some cases wetlands. There are many reasons as to what causes deforestation.
1 Urbanization (To develop cities, towns, and highways)
2 Logging and illegal logging ( To produce furniture from various woods like teak, ramin, redwood, mahogany, lauan, meranti, western red cedar, ebony, and rosewood.
3 Planting crops ( Farmers use a slash and burn method to clear the forest in order to plant their crops.)
4 Forest fires (Fires caused from lighting)
Many creatures and plants are now extinct due to deforestation. These organism could have been very useful in helping eradicate diseases and therefore improving our lives. Without some kind of worldwide wildlife conservation, our own health may be in jeopardy.
The Paedocypris fish, recently discovered this year, may hold the key to curing many illnesses. Scientist have to race against time to find out. This is another reason to create more wildlife preservation across the world.
Detrimental and devastating effects of deforestation
1 Less oxygen producing trees and plants.
2 An increase of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere which are linked to global warming.
3 Prevents scientists and researchers from discovering new species of animals or plants and inhibits the current research of places in the world due to the fact that the forest environment are gone.
4 Deforestion causes the displacement of many organisms and are more likely to suffer extinction.
5 Inhabited areas along shorelines will be more vulnerable to a tsunami wave. Deep forestry along costal lines can minimize the impact of a tsunami wave and also prevent the water to reach further inland. The trees and slopes act as a barrier and absorbs some of the force of any giant wave.
6 The rapid rate of deforestation not only creates an imbalance on the earth's landscape (soil erosion) but also increases greenhouse gas emissions which results in adnormal climate changes.
How you can help our environment?
Watch a public broadcasting station such as PBS 13 or WLIW 21 can also educate you about mother nature. They offer a wide assortment of environmental programs including educational, cultural and performing art shows. Check your local listing as Public broadcasting channels varies depending where you live. As far as for cable and satellite subscribers, we recommend The Animal Planet Channel, The Discovery Channel and The National Geographic Channel.
When shopping in the supermarket, consider buying organic produce and products. Pesticides and artificial fertilizers used on vegetables and fruits may be harmful to our health as well as the soil in the farms used to cultivate and harvest these produce. If you do purchase non-organic food, make sure you wash then thoroughly before cooking or eating.
Create a garden or plant a tree in your backyard.
Ensure the products you buy are made from recycled materials.
Go to your local zoo, park or Natural History Museum. Find out if they have any projects available that you may be interested.
Write to your local representatives: Let them know your concerns and see if they are doing anything to help support your cause.
Join an organization that have similar interest as you. Like the World Wildlife Fund
or National Wildlife Federation.
Support a local or join a national wildlife preservation organization.
Find out about any park restoration or reconstruction projects in your neighborhood.
Join a local or national historical landmark preservation group.
See if you can enroll in an environmental studies course or horticulture class at your nearest college or university. They may also have a community outreach program. You can learn and help out your neighborhood at the same time.
Convert all incandescent light bulbs and halogen lamps to florescent bulbs. Florescent light bulbs last longer and are more energy efficient compared to incandescent light bulbs. If you are used to the appearance and lighting of a incandescent light bulb, you can buy a colored light bulb cover at your local home depot store that can give the same effect of an incandescent light bulb. Florescent bulbs also comes in different wattage for your convenience.
Contact your electricity supplier and ask them on ways you can conserve energy or do some research online or at the library.
You will not only be saving energy, but money too!
Discard worn or old batteries, cell phones, TVs, computer monitors and any electrical gadgets properly. They may contain toxic chemicals harmful to our environment. Contact an authorized service center or the manufacturer to properly dispose of these items.
Whenever possible buy electronic gadgets with the Energy Star label. These products are design to use its power efficiently while conserving energy.
Save water by taking showers instead of baths and inspecting all faucets and pipes for any water leakage. Water leaks does not only waste H2O,
but may also cause rust to pipes and floor damage if left unattended. Try to fix these leaks as soon as possible or call a plumber.
Consider purchasing solar powered items such as calculators and flashlights.
They harness the power of the sun and therefore are environmentally friendly.
Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector. Every year change the batteries and inspect and ensure they are working properly.These items helps indicate air pollution in your home, can keep your family safe and can prevent a fire in your house.
Use your car less often. Walking, biking or using mass transit to your destination are great alternatives.
If you still are not sure of what to do, we suggest go to your local library. The librarian will be happy to help you by providing you with tons of information to help you decide.
We suggest you bookmark the site (CTRL+D) to reference this list and share with your family and friends.
You are welcome to share your comments and suggestions. Contact us at: info@paedocypris.com We hope you enjoyed your visit. Please come again, there are more articles to come.
DragHere are some very useful and important enviromentally conscience magazines we suggest:
American Forests Magazine -"Stories are written to entice a general audience to care about tree planing and include profiles, indepth looks at current controversies, practical stories on current research, and how-to's."
National Geographic Magazine -This is a great enviromental magazine we all grew up reading! They also have three other magazines:
National Geographic Explore -Classroom Magazine for Teachers
National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Little Kids-this magazine is designed especially for young children
Environmental Magazine -"The Environmental Magazine is a bimonthly clearinghouse of information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know What can I do? to make a difference."
Discover Magazine -"DISCOVER is the leading popular science magazine in the country." Dealing with science, Technology and the Future. Discover magazine also contains articles about our ecosystem.
Science Magazine -"The world's leading journal of original scientific research, global news, and commentary."
Hopefully, these magazines can educate you and inspire you towards contributing in our environment. You may find some or all of these magazines at you local library.
Last but not least our featured article:
Nature by itself can work with us or against us. Example: Providing rain through the harvest season can lead to a fruitful season. Too little or no rain at all will cause a drought causing most of the crops to die. Even in our technology age, it can be very devastating like Hurricane Katrina. Nature can be very unpredictable and destructive. We, as a society have helped nature and also destroyed it. By planting crops and by cutting forests by way of logging. The difference between us and nature is that we can control what we do. We are capable of preserving nature if we really wanted.
For all those who make these very important decisions, there may be a great abundance of natural resources but as a whole these natural resources and limited to a certain amount and may become depleted if we are not careful. Please consider alternative ways of using our natural resources. A great idea is to move away from the need of oil and gasoline to a more solar power based world. More research and development should be made in this area. Solar power is one of the few natural resources that we have an unlimited supply compared to oil. It can be observed by solar panel, charged like a battery, stored and used when needed.
So what does this issue has to do with paedocypris.com. Well, the paedocypris genus is a member of the fish family. There has been thousands of fish and other animals that have died by inadvertent oil spills from ships. Please support the transition and use of solar power as an alternative source of energy.
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