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Most bioluminescent insect

The insect considered to be the most bioluminescent is the firefly (Pyrophorus noctilucus) which has been documented as having a surface brightness of 45 millilamberts. The light emitted by fireflies (which are actually beetles, not flies) is unique as almost 100% of the energy is given off as light. In a lightbulb only 10% of the energy is light with the other 90% given off as heat. A lambert is a unit of luminescence and equals 3,183 candelas/m² A millilambert equals 3.183 candelas/m² A candela Continue reading →

Most bioluminescent octopus

Unlike squids, which include many bioluminescent species, the only significantly bioluminescent species of octopus is a red deepwater species from the eastern USA called Stauroteuthis syrtensis. Its bioluminescent ability remained unknown to science until 1997, when Edith Widder (USA) of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce, Florida, USA studied a live specimen captured in the Gulf of Maine; when dark, the specimen presented a row of sucker-like structures running the length of each of its tentacles glowing blue-green and emitting most light at 470 Continue reading →

Most bird boxes at an Olympic Park

The Olympic Park in Stratford, London, UK, constructed to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in the city has 525 bird boxes installed as part of the Games organizers’ commitment to stage a environmentally sustainable event. There are also 150 bat boxes plus a number of artificial otter holts.

Most blood donated – whole blood

The most blood donated was 315 whole blood units by John W. Sheppard (USA) who made the latest donation in Florida, USA, in May 2011. John W. Sheppard hopes that his experience might be an incentive to promote the positive aspects of blood donations by healthy individuals without any adverse affects to their health and meeting the standards of the government, national, state and international Blood associations.

Most blood donated – apheresis

Richard Burke (USA) donated his 1,411th unit of blood on his 1,193rd blood donation visit made on 4 June 2004. This is equivalent of 634.95 litres (139.6 gal/167.73 US gal). He has been donating blood since 14 January 1975. Apheresis – A procedure in which blood is collected, part of the blood such as platelets or white blood cells is taken out, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor. Also called pheresis. the components which are separated and withdrawn include: Plasma Continue reading →

Most birds mimicked by a bird

The marsh warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) is capable of imitating the songs of up to 80 other species of birds, most of them African birds heard in the warbler’s winter home. Song is necessary for mate attraction and selection as well as being an important means of marking territory.