Dr. Zackary Graham, Postdoctoral Associate, West Liberty University
Once thought to be the magical horns of unicorns, narwhal tusks are one of the most charismatic structures in biology. Despite years of speculation, little is known about the tusk’s function, because narwhals spend most of their lives hidden underneath the Arctic ice. Some people propose that the tusk has sexual functions as a weapon for fighting or as a signal for mate attraction. Other hypotheses propose that the tusk functions as an environmental sensor. Zack Graham will discuss his research on the narwhal tusk and his use of a unique method to try to understand the purpose of the tusk. Join us to learn about the wild history and biology of one of the most bizarre traits in all of biology!
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Live Virtual Presentation hosted by NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ SECU Daily Planet Curator Chris Smith and the NC Department of Environmental Quality Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs staff.
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