A meta-analysis of 50 studies reveals that selective logging halves mammal and amphibian species numbers at specific intensity levels. Logging companies are urged to respect biodiversity thresholds.
Researchers found that greater mouse-eared bats can calibrate their inner compass using the polarized light of the evening sky. The bats deviated from the control group when exposed to a 90-degree shifted polarization pattern, indicating they used this visual cue for orientation.
Scientists have discovered that greater mouse-eared bats use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate, calibrating their internal magnetic compass. The bats' ability to detect polarised light remains a mystery, but researchers hope this breakthrough will aid in protecting declining bat populations.
Researchers discovered that Alaska wood frogs can survive colder temperatures for longer periods than previously thought due to higher glucose levels in their tissues. The frogs accumulate glucose through repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which helps protect them against cell damage.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that frogs can develop immunity against a deadly chytrid fungus by learning to avoid it after just one exposure. This acquired resistance could aid in conservation efforts and even offer protection for other animals threatened by fungal pathogens.
Research found that frog larvae coexisting with the invasive species for 30 years have deeper tails and larger bodies to evade predators. This rapid evolutionary change helps increase their survival chances.
Researchers warn that invasive watersnakes in California pose a threat to native and endangered species, including the giant gartersnake, California tiger salamander, and foothill yellow-legged frog. The snakes' spread could disrupt ecosystems and lead to further declines of already imperiled native fish and amphibians.
A new study reveals that existing protected areas are insufficient in safeguarding the world's most threatened species, with 85% of endangered mammals, birds, and amphibians unprotected. The authors recommend expanding protected areas to target high-threat species currently lacking protection.
A study by NUS researchers found that the Chiromantis hansenae treefrog exhibits unusual parental care behavior to increase offspring survival. This behavior is crucial for preventing egg desiccation and buffering environmental pressures.
A new treatment option has been discovered that could protect frogs in zoos from a deadly fungal infection, reducing the reliance on often-toxic itraconazole. Amphotericin B is shown to be less toxic than itraconazole and can be combined with itraconazole for effective treatment.
Scientists discovered a surge of heart muscle cell division in young mice, increasing cardiac muscle cells by 40% and suggesting thyroid hormone could aid in children's treatment, offering an alternative to focusing on stem cells.
Researchers develop tools to help land managers and biologists identify areas where fish removal can protect amphibians from climate-induced habitat loss and predation. New hydrologic models and remote-sensing techniques can be used to map wetlands and evaluate the effects of projected climate change.
Scientists propose new climate adaptation tools to reduce threats to amphibians, prioritizing habitat restoration in Western North America's mountainous regions. Removing non-native fish is a key strategy to restore resilience to landscapes.
A new method allows scientists to determine a frog's susceptibility to disease by analyzing its protective mucus layer. The technique can help reduce the risk of disease in endangered amphibians, enabling successful reintroduction into the wild.
Researchers suggest using non-lethal techniques such as high-resolution photography and DNA sampling to identify species, avoiding harm to small populations. The goal is to balance scientific understanding with conservation concerns and minimize the impact of field collections.
A new family tree of hummingbirds reveals a rapid diversification rate, with over 140 new species emerging in the Andes and more than 338 recognized species worldwide. The study shows that hummingbirds continue to evolve and generate new species today, driven by coevolution with plants.
A study found that wild salamanders living in the Appalachian Mountains are getting smaller due to warmer and drier conditions. The changes were most marked at low elevations and in the Southern Appalachians, where climate records showed significant warming and drying.
After a 90% extinction event, large aquatic predators like crocodile-like amphibians emerged soon, followed by plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Researchers found that apex predators recovered rapidly in the Early Triassic.
A new study by UBC researchers found that cold-blooded animals worldwide have similar heat tolerance limits, with tropical species relying on behavioral thermoregulation. The authors recommend protecting migration corridors and habitats that provide shade, especially in the tropics.
A study of 36 species found that climate change increases extinction risk by 28% by 2100, but existing conservation methods can identify vulnerable species. The research identifies key factors such as small range and population size that predispose species to high extinction risk.
Peru's Manu National Park has been recorded with 287 species of reptiles and amphibians, surpassing the previous record in Yasuní National Park. The park's high species diversity is attributed to its large area and steep topographic variation, despite being only 0.01 percent of the planet's land area.
A new study reveals that micropredators naturally occurring in freshwater bodies can efficiently consume the infectious stages of the deadly chytrid skin fungus, reducing infection pressure on amphibian hosts. This natural behavior may provide a realistic method for preserving amphibians in Bd-infected areas.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that salamander populations reflect forest habitat quality and can predict ecosystem recovery from logging. This study suggests a balance between timber harvest and conservation biology to maintain biodiversity.
A new study found that micropredators can efficiently consume zoospores of the deadly chytrid skin fungus, reducing infection pressure on potential hosts and potentially alleviating the impact of chytridiomycosis. This natural behavior may offer a realistic method for preservation of amphibians in Bd-infected areas.
The study found that cartilaginous fish, including the elephant shark, have slower rates of intron evolution than invertebrates. This suggests a general characteristic of vertebrates and helps clarify relationships between different jawed vertebrate groups. The findings provide unique insights into gnathostome evolution.
Research published in Ecology Letters reveals the ancestor of snakes and lizards likely gave birth to live young, contrary to long-held assumptions. The findings support the idea that live birth has a more ancient past than previously thought, dating back 175 million years ago.
Researchers have identified Sca1 stem cells as the key players in the regeneration of heart muscle cells in mammals. These stem cells increase their activity in response to heart damage, leading to the formation of new heart muscle cells.
Researchers create hybrid materials with nanorods to replicate biological tissue regeneration processes, sensing damage and regrowing components. The team aims to develop complex materials with multiple functions through future optimizations.
Scientists confirm the extinction of Darwin's frogs caused by chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease affecting amphibians. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the remaining species, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Researchers have made a significant discovery in adult heart repair by identifying the Hippo pathway as a key regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation. This breakthrough has the potential to improve heart function after a heart attack and reduce the severity of heart disease.
A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that herbivores have a greater number of Tas2r bitter taste receptor genes than omnivores and carnivores. The researchers correlated the Tas2r gene repertoire with dietary compositions, revealing a significant relationship between plant diet fraction and Tas2r gene number.
A new study identifies 78 exceptional protected areas as 'irreplaceable' for conserving global biodiversity. These sites harbor majority of threatened species' populations, including Critically Endangered Laysan Duck and unique amphibian species.
A study found that green poison-dart frogs vary their mating calls according to the availability of potential mates, adjusting their behavior to balance the risk of predation and securing a mate. In certain contexts, green males appear more conspicuous to females than red males, but less visible to predators.
Researchers discovered that the Lin28a protein enhances tissue repair in adult mice, promoting hair regrowth and repairing damaged ears and digits. This finding opens up potential treatments for adults using drugs to boost wound healing and cellular metabolism.
The study found that the EPA accepted only 23% of OSRI submissions, leading to the use of thousands of animals in unnecessary testing. The authors urge the EPA to standardize its evaluation procedures and support the use of existing data to reduce animal use.
Researchers at UCI found that cells from a transplanted limb acquire the molecular 'fingerprint' of their new location, allowing them to transform into cells with the signature of the region they're grafted onto. This ability, called positional plasticity, has implications for regenerative therapies and cancer biology.
New research finds that early-life exposure to atrazine increases frog mortality when challenged with a chytrid fungus, a pathogen implicated in worldwide amphibian declines. This study suggests that reducing early-life exposure to atrazine could reduce the risk of mortality from fungal disease in frogs.
Researchers found that a fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, blocks the adaptive immune response in amphibians, allowing it to survive. The study suggests that the fungus targets a conserved vulnerability shared by both amphibian and mammalian lymphocytes.
A toxic factor released by a deadly frog-killing fungus disables the amphibian immune response, preventing conventional lymphocyte activation. The fungus's ability to inhibit cell growth in cancerous cells suggests potential new treatments.
Research in Missouri ponds suggests that chytrid fungus may also infect invertebrates like insects, providing a new clue to its ecology and transmission. The study found that ponds with chytrid were more similar in certain measures, indicating alternative hosts or reservoirs for the fungus.
This study uses ecological niche factor analysis to predict amphibian richness hotspots in Southern and Central China, providing insights into potential conservation strategies. The research estimates diversity over spatial quadrates incorporating climatic and geophysical information.
A team of UT Arlington biologists discovered that watershed wetlands can improve stream health by binding toxic aluminum and reducing inorganic acids. This process, known as brownification, may also aid in recovering biological communities from industrial acidification.
A new species of fungus has ravaged fire salamander populations in the Netherlands, killing over 90% of the original population. The fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, can rapidly kill fire salamanders and is thought to have originated from elsewhere in the world.
Researchers discovered that the giant Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus had a two-seasonal climate and needed water for its lifestyle. The species used broad, flat head and forearms to burrow under the ground during dry season, while its growth pattern revealed unique adaptations.
Researchers found that woodland salamander populations closely track forest stand growth and development, making them a viable indicator of ecosystem recovery. The study's findings suggest that healthy forests support a wide range of species, including rare and native wildlife, and are crucial carbon sinks.
A new journal issue introduces guidelines for GMP monitoring using faunal species data. The VDI guidelines aim to detect environmental effects of GM plants in agricultural landscapes.
The giant water bug Lethocerus patruelis is the largest European true bug, reaching lengths of up to 8cm. It has a powerful hunting tool that involves injecting strong digestive saliva into its prey.
A Pitt-led study found that early exposure to insecticides increases amphibian tolerance to those same insecticides later in life. The researchers also discovered that low-level carbaryl exposure stimulates the production of a key enzyme, making tadpoles more tolerant to lethal doses.
Researchers have found pesticides commonly used in California's agricultural regions contaminating Pacific Tree Frogs in remote mountain areas, including national parks. The detection of pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and simazine highlights the potential long-term impact on biodiversity.
Researchers have found that supporting cells in the inner ear can actively help repair damaged sensory hair cells, potentially offering a pathway to prevent hearing loss. The study suggests that these cells produce heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which protects neighboring hair cells from death.
A study led by a University of Arizona ecologist found that many species evolve too slowly to adapt to the rapid climate change expected in the next 100 years. Terrestrial vertebrate species appear to evolve too slowly to be able to adapt to the dramatically warmer climate expected by 2100.
Scientists from the Zoological Society of London reveal that Galapagos sea lion exposure to humans and pets impairs their immunity, making them more prone to starvation. The research suggests a link between human activity and the emergence of diseases in the Galapagos sea lion population.
Researchers pinpoint high conservation priority areas worldwide, revealing stark differences with existing protected zones. The study's findings highlight the need to reassess global knowledge of conservation resources to effectively protect vertebrate species.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that up to 83% of birds, 66% of amphibians, and 70% of corals are highly vulnerable to climate change but not currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This means they may not be receiving focused conservation attention, putting their survival at risk.
A new study reveals that a Pangean desert supported a unique fauna, including the giant pareiasaur Bunostegos, which sported large, bulbous skulls resembling modern giraffe horns. The discovery supports the theory of central Pangea being climatically isolated, allowing this relict fauna to evolve distinct anatomical features.
Researchers found that the southeastern US region could experience heavier animal movements in response to a warming climate, with estimates up to 2.5 times higher than average species movement across North and South America. The study identified natural corridors and human-made barriers that will affect animal migration patterns.
A two-year study by Oregon State University and the University of Pittsburgh found that bullfrogs can both carry and die from a deadly chytrid fungus. The research suggests that bullfrogs may not be the primary hosts for this pathogen, contrary to previous assumptions.
Malaysia's oil palm plantations are causing threatened forest frogs to disappear, paving the way for common species to move in. The study highlights the devastating impact of habitat loss on biodiversity, with amphibians being the most threatened vertebrates globally.
Climate change is stressing amphibian populations worldwide, with USGS research revealing that extreme rainfall events and droughts can decrease their numbers. Scientists examined the impact of changes in rainfall patterns on amphibian life cycles, finding that a balance between deluges and droughts is crucial for survival.
The study identifies key regions for conservation efforts, highlighting Southeast Asia, southern Africa, and Central America as top priorities. Conservationists must allocate limited resources effectively to protect the world's most unique and threatened species.