
For these dolphins, using sponges to dig up fish is a family tradition
But unlike orcas wearing salmon on their heads or chimps putting grass in their ears and anuses, "sponging" isn't a fashion statement or a cultural trend.
Rather, it's a sophisticated foraging technique passed down through generations to drudge up tasty snacks from the seafloor.
"It's likely that sponging arose from a single dolphin having this creative event where they had a sponge on their face and they realized it was really effective for scaring up fish," Ellen Jacobs, a marine biologist at Denmark's University of Aarhus, told As it Happens host Nil Kӧksal.
"Then maybe this dolphin had an offspring who saw this was how mom was foraging, so that's how she's going to forage, too. And then it kind of snowballs."
Jacobs is the lead author of a new study, published in Royal Society Open Science this week, that examines the pros and cons of sponging to figure out why the technique is limited to a small population of genetically related dolphins in the marine-protected environment of Shark Bay.
Oddly exclusive
Here's how sponging works: A dolphin puts a sea sponge on its nose like a glove, then cruises along the sea floor using it rustle up fish hiding among the rocks and shells in the sediment.
"Then the dolphin drops the sponge, grabs the fish, and then picks up the sponge and keeps going," Jacobs said.
First reported in the 1984, the behaviour has continued through the decades. But only five per cent of the dolphin population studied by the researchers in Shark Bay do it, or roughly 30 dolphins in total.
And it's strictly a family affair, with calves learning it from their mothers.
"All of the dolphins that we see ... sponging are all related matrilineally," Jacobs said.
The researchers were curious why sponging had not taken off more widely among dolphins. It appears to only spread vertically, from adults to juveniles, and never laterally, from peer to peer or group to group.
Sponging, it turns out, comes with some trade-offs.
First of all, it's time-consuming. Dolphins who sponge spend more time looking for food than dolphins who use other hunting and foraging techniques, Jacobs said.
What's more, it's a complicated skill that takes years to master.
"Sometimes you'll see juvenile spongers who get frustrated, throw their sponge away and pick up a new one," Jacobs said. "But as they age, they get more efficient with their sponge use."
Why is it so hard to learn? The researchers discovered the sponges distort the echolocation that dolphins use to navigate their environments.
Jacobs used an underwater microphone to confirm the dolphins still use echolocation clicks to guide them while sponging. She then modelled the extent of the sound wave distortion from the sponges.
"It's similar to if you were wearing a pair of glasses with the wrong prescription," she said. "You're going to be kind of uncomfortable and everything is going to look a little bit weird, but you can kind of make it through your day, just maybe with a headache."
Mauricio Cantor, a marine biologist at Oregon State University, who was not involved in the study, likened it to "hunting when you're blindfolded."
"You've got to be very good, very well-trained to pull it off," Cantor said.
And not everyone has what it takes to wield the sponge, or the patience to perfect it.
"It takes them many years to learn this special hunting skill [and] not everybody sticks with it," said Boris Worm, a marine biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, who was not involved in the study.
Why bother?
But those who do master the art of sponging reap the benefits of their hard work.
"They can get a lot of fish all year round because the fish that they're primarily hunting for are not migratory," Jacobs said. " And there's not a lot of dolphins that do it so they don't have a lot of competition for those fish."
Earlier research also suggested the fish in the sediment may even be more nutritious than other kinds of fish.
Sponging isn't the only example of tool use documented among bottleneck dolphins.
In 2020, researchers published a study documenting dolphins teaching each other how to use sea shells to scoop fish into their mouths, a technique they dubbed "shelling" or "conching."
And just like the spongers, the shellers reside in Shark Bay, a marine protected area off Western Australia.
"Sponging is such a complex interaction between a lot of different parts of the ecosystem, and that's only possible because it is a very pristine ecosystem," Jacobs said.
What's more, she says dolphins in Shark Bay don't suffer stresses related to pollution and overfishing like many other dolphins around the world.
"That really gives them the opportunity to be dolphins the way that dolphins should be without anthropogenic impacts," she said. "It's a really great opportunity for us to understand: What is a dolphin supposed to be?"
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CBC
7 days ago
- CBC
For these dolphins, using sponges to dig up fish is a family tradition
In a marine-protected area off the coast of Australia, there are bottleneck dolphins swimming around with sponges on their noses. But unlike orcas wearing salmon on their heads or chimps putting grass in their ears and anuses, "sponging" isn't a fashion statement or a cultural trend. Rather, it's a sophisticated foraging technique passed down through generations to drudge up tasty snacks from the seafloor. "It's likely that sponging arose from a single dolphin having this creative event where they had a sponge on their face and they realized it was really effective for scaring up fish," Ellen Jacobs, a marine biologist at Denmark's University of Aarhus, told As it Happens host Nil Kӧksal. "Then maybe this dolphin had an offspring who saw this was how mom was foraging, so that's how she's going to forage, too. And then it kind of snowballs." Jacobs is the lead author of a new study, published in Royal Society Open Science this week, that examines the pros and cons of sponging to figure out why the technique is limited to a small population of genetically related dolphins in the marine-protected environment of Shark Bay. Oddly exclusive Here's how sponging works: A dolphin puts a sea sponge on its nose like a glove, then cruises along the sea floor using it rustle up fish hiding among the rocks and shells in the sediment. "Then the dolphin drops the sponge, grabs the fish, and then picks up the sponge and keeps going," Jacobs said. First reported in the 1984, the behaviour has continued through the decades. But only five per cent of the dolphin population studied by the researchers in Shark Bay do it, or roughly 30 dolphins in total. And it's strictly a family affair, with calves learning it from their mothers. "All of the dolphins that we see ... sponging are all related matrilineally," Jacobs said. The researchers were curious why sponging had not taken off more widely among dolphins. It appears to only spread vertically, from adults to juveniles, and never laterally, from peer to peer or group to group. Sponging, it turns out, comes with some trade-offs. First of all, it's time-consuming. Dolphins who sponge spend more time looking for food than dolphins who use other hunting and foraging techniques, Jacobs said. What's more, it's a complicated skill that takes years to master. "Sometimes you'll see juvenile spongers who get frustrated, throw their sponge away and pick up a new one," Jacobs said. "But as they age, they get more efficient with their sponge use." Why is it so hard to learn? The researchers discovered the sponges distort the echolocation that dolphins use to navigate their environments. Jacobs used an underwater microphone to confirm the dolphins still use echolocation clicks to guide them while sponging. She then modelled the extent of the sound wave distortion from the sponges. "It's similar to if you were wearing a pair of glasses with the wrong prescription," she said. "You're going to be kind of uncomfortable and everything is going to look a little bit weird, but you can kind of make it through your day, just maybe with a headache." Mauricio Cantor, a marine biologist at Oregon State University, who was not involved in the study, likened it to "hunting when you're blindfolded." "You've got to be very good, very well-trained to pull it off," Cantor said. And not everyone has what it takes to wield the sponge, or the patience to perfect it. "It takes them many years to learn this special hunting skill [and] not everybody sticks with it," said Boris Worm, a marine biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, who was not involved in the study. Why bother? But those who do master the art of sponging reap the benefits of their hard work. "They can get a lot of fish all year round because the fish that they're primarily hunting for are not migratory," Jacobs said. " And there's not a lot of dolphins that do it so they don't have a lot of competition for those fish." Earlier research also suggested the fish in the sediment may even be more nutritious than other kinds of fish. Sponging isn't the only example of tool use documented among bottleneck dolphins. In 2020, researchers published a study documenting dolphins teaching each other how to use sea shells to scoop fish into their mouths, a technique they dubbed "shelling" or "conching." And just like the spongers, the shellers reside in Shark Bay, a marine protected area off Western Australia. "Sponging is such a complex interaction between a lot of different parts of the ecosystem, and that's only possible because it is a very pristine ecosystem," Jacobs said. What's more, she says dolphins in Shark Bay don't suffer stresses related to pollution and overfishing like many other dolphins around the world. "That really gives them the opportunity to be dolphins the way that dolphins should be without anthropogenic impacts," she said. "It's a really great opportunity for us to understand: What is a dolphin supposed to be?"


National Post
17-07-2025
- National Post
Cybin Receives UK MHRA Approval to Commence EMBRACE, A Multinational Pivotal Study Evaluating CYB003 for the Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Article content Article content the United States, Europe and Australia and will commence imminently – Article content – PARADIGM TM comprises two 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (APPROACH® and EMBRACE®) and a long-term extension study (EXTEND), with anticipated combined enrollment of approximately 550 participants – Article content – Dosing is currently underway in the first pivotal study, APPROACH, and patient rollover has begun into EXTEND – Article content TORONTO — Cybin Inc. (NYSE American:CYBN) (Cboe CA:CYBN) (' Cybin ' or the ' Company '), a clinical-stage breakthrough neuropsychiatry company committed to advancing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative next-generation treatment options, today announced that it has received approval from the UK Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ('MHRA') to commence EMBRACE, the second pivotal study in PARADIGM, the Company's Phase 3 multinational program evaluating CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocin analog. The Company previously received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ('FDA') for CYB003 for the adjunctive treatment of Major Depressive Disorder ('MDD'). Article content 'MHRA approval to initiate the EMBRACE component of our PARADIGM program in the UK marks an important step forward as we advance our lead program, CYB003, through the regulatory process,' said Doug Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Cybin. 'The Agency's decision serves as strong validation of both the quality of our data and the urgent need to develop new and effective therapeutics to treat depression. With expected enrollment of 330 participants suffering from moderate to severe MDD, the EMBRACE study aims to generate critical late-stage data that, ultimately, may lead to transforming the standard of care for patients in need.' Article content 'There are encouraging signs of clinical and commercial success across this sector, along with increasing political and regulatory support. Health expert Dr. Martin Makary, Commissioner of the U.S Food and Drug Administration, has publicly recognized the potential value of these innovative therapeutics and has stated his intention to prioritize and expedite the review process. The commercial success of esketamine is also a positive signal for the entire sector. In the second quarter of 2025, esketamine sales totaled $366 million in the U.S. and $414 million worldwide, representing 61.1% growth year over year in the U.S., and an annual run rate of roughly $1.7 billion. 1 These positive factors contribute to the credibility and opportunity of the work we are doing at Cybin,' concluded Drysdale. Article content Study Design: Article content EMBRACE will enroll 330 patients suffering from moderate to severe MDD (MADRS≥24) who are on a stable dose of antidepressant medication but are responding inadequately. Study participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive either CYB003 16 mg, CYB003 8 mg, or inactive placebo. Each study arm will evaluate two doses, administered three weeks apart. The primary endpoint will be change in depressive symptoms as measured by change in MADRS from baseline at six weeks after the first dose. Article content EMBRACE is the second Phase 3 randomized, double-blind clinical trial in the PARADIGM program, and is expected to enroll participants at approximately 60 clinical sites across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The first Phase 3 trial, APPROACH, is taking place at approximately 45 clinical sites across the U.S. Participants from APPROACH and EMBRACE will have the opportunity to roll over into EXTEND after completing the 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment periods. Sources Article content Cybin is a late-stage breakthrough neuropsychiatry company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative next-generation treatment options to address the large unmet need for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Article content With promising proof-of-concept data, Cybin is working to change the mental health treatment landscape through the introduction of intermittent treatments that provide long lasting results. The Company is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocin analog, in Phase 3 studies for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated N, N-dimethyltryptamine molecule in a Phase 2 study for generalized anxiety disorder. The Company also has a research pipeline of investigational, 5-HT-receptor focused compounds. Founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. For Company updates and to learn more about Cybin, visit or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. Article content Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements Article content Certain statements in this news release relating to the Company are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, 'forward-looking statements') and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as 'may', 'should', 'could', 'potential', 'possible', 'intend', 'estimate', 'plan', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'believe' or 'continue', or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's plans to enroll participants and add additional clinical sites for the PARADIGM program; the timing of commencement of EMBRACE; the Company's plan to enroll 330 participants at 60 clinical sites across the United States, Europe and Australia for the EMBRACE study; and the Company's plans to engineer proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens for mental health conditions. APPROACH and EMBRACE are registered trademarks of Cybin IRL Limited, a subsidiary of Cybin. Article content These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the psychedelics market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; implications of disease outbreaks on the Company's operations; and the risk factors set out in each of the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2025 and the Company's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2025, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Article content Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybin's proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Cybin's performance and operations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Investor & Media Contact: Article content Article content Gabriel Fahel Article content Article content Chief Legal Officer Article content Article content Cybin Inc. Article content Article content Article content Article content


National Observer
16-07-2025
- National Observer
Some Australian dolphins use sponges to hunt fish, a practice harder than it looks
Some dolphins in Australia have a special technique to flush fish from the seafloor. They hunt with a sponge on their beak, like a clown nose. Using the sponge to protect from sharp rocks, the dolphins swim with their beaks covered, shoveling through rubble at the bottom of sandy channels and stirring up barred sandperch for a meal. But this behavior — passed down through generations — is trickier than it looks, according to new research published Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Hunting with a sponge on their face interferes with bottlenose dolphins' finely tuned sense of echolocation, of emitting sounds and listening for echoes to navigate. 'It has a muffling effect in the way that a mask might,' said co-author Ellen Rose Jacobs, a marine biologist at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. 'Everything looks a little bit weird, but you can still learn how to compensate." Jacobs used an underwater microphone to confirm that the 'sponging' dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, were still using echolocation clicks to guide them. Then she modeled the extent of the sound wave distortion from the sponges. For those wild dolphins that have mastered foraging with nose sponges, scientists say it's a very efficient way to catch fish. The wild marine sponges vary from the size of a softball to a cantaloupe. Some Australian dolphins use sponges to hunt fish, but it's harder than it looks. Sponge hunting is 'like hunting when you're blindfolded — you've got to be very good, very well-trained to pull it off," said Mauricio Cantor, a marine biologist at Oregon State University, who was not involved in the study. That difficulty may explain why it's rare — with only about 5% of the dolphin population studied by the researchers in Shark Bay doing it. That's about 30 dolphins total, said Jacobs. 'It takes them many years to learn this special hunting skill — not everybody sticks with it,' said marine ecologist Boris Worm at Dalhousie University in Canada, who was not involved in the study. Dolphin calves usually spend around three or four years with their mothers, observing and learning crucial life skills. The delicate art of sponge hunting is 'only ever passed down from mother to offspring,' said co-author and Georgetown marine biologist Janet Mann.