A slab of sandstone at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center contains over 70 preserved tracks of mammals and dinosaurs, including small theropods and pterosaurs, providing a rare glimpse of their interaction. The discovery sheds light on ancient times on Earth and offers insights into prehistoric life.
Researchers analyzed over 270 million years of data to find that mammals and birds are better equipped to evolve and adapt to a changing climate. They have the ability to regulate their body temperature, allowing them to thrive in colder temperatures.
A global study finds human alterations to natural habitats reduce mammal travel distances by at least half, with some species relying on humans for resources. This disruption can impact ecosystems and food webs.
A study found that human footprint reduces mammalian movement by two to three times, with no geographic or size-based exceptions. This affects ecosystem functions like nutrient transport and food web interactions, highlighting the need for further research on critical thresholds in human land use.
A global study by researchers at Senckenberg Nature Research Society and Goethe University Frankfurt found that mammals cover half to one-third of their usual distances in human-modified areas. This reduction affects ecosystem functions, including nutrient transport and species interactions.
Research found that dingo removal decreased abundance of small mammals, while fox removal increased ground-dwelling and arboreal mammal populations. The study also revealed interactions between predators and their effects on cat populations.
A review article reveals that thyroid hormones and biochemical pathways drive seasonal reproduction in some mammals. The study suggests that increased triiodothyronine (T3) levels regulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in a seasonal fashion.
The study reveals that the Sumatran rhinoceros population declined significantly around the middle of the Pleistocene, approximately one million years ago, due to climate change and habitat loss. The effective population size was reduced from an estimated 57,800 individuals to just 700 by 9,000 years ago.
East Greenland narwhals display paradoxical reactions when escaping from threats, including a downregulated heartbeat and increased swimming speed. This joint response puts extreme stress on the cardiovascular system, highlighting why deep-diving marine mammals are vulnerable to manmade disturbances.
Researchers have identified 6,000 families of genes exclusive to mammals, which play a crucial role in defining their unique characteristics. These genes are involved in the structure of skin, mammary glands, and defense against pathogens.
Biologists document changes in teeth and skull structure in two mouse species over the past 50 years, with the white-footed mouse showing more pronounced changes. The findings suggest a reversal in population proportions and highlight the consequences of climate change for small mammals.
A new underwater acoustic localization system has been developed to estimate the trajectory of sound sources in the ocean without multiple receivers or anchor nodes. The system uses bathymetry information to discriminate the location of the source of the signal.
The recovery of killer whales, sea lions, and harbor seals on the West Coast has led to a significant increase in their consumption of chinook salmon. This shift may now exceed the combined harvest by commercial and recreational fisheries, creating complex tradeoffs for conservation efforts.
Research found that large mammals are 146% more likely to use wildlife crossing structures than pass at random in surrounding habitat. White-tailed deer and mule deer were particularly frequent users of underpasses, while carnivorous species moved similarly through passages as they would naturally.
Three non-photosynthetic plant species use camel crickets as their main seed disperser. The seeds are preserved unharmed in the excrement, allowing the plants to occupy a unique biological niche. This discovery highlights the dramatic changes that occur when photosynthesis is lost.
Fossils of the oldest mammals related to mankind have been discovered on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, dating back 145 million years. The two teeth belong to small, rat-like creatures that lived during the time of the dinosaurs and are the earliest undisputed fossils of mammals belonging to the line that led to human beings.
A new study reveals that mammals began living in the daytime approximately 66 million years ago, shortly after the dinosaurs' disappearance. The ancestors of simian primates were among the first to abandon nocturnal activity, with their visual adaptations comparable to diurnal reptiles and birds.
New research has found that protecting high carbon stock forests can benefit mammal diversity and support biodiversity conservation. The study used camera-trap images and satellite imagery to show a clear correlation between high carbon areas and endangered mammals in Borneo.
A new molecular pathway controlling lifespan and healthspan has been identified in worms and mammals. Excess levels of proteins called Kruppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) can extend lifespan and improve blood vessel function, highlighting a potential target for age-related diseases.
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the PNLDC1 gene as a key player in regulating sperm production, providing a genetic foundation for male birth control. The study's findings suggest that silencing this gene can lead to infertility in mice, making it a promising approach for human male contraception.
An international team has produced a catalogue and atlas of the world's reptiles, linking it with existing maps for birds, mammals, and amphibians. The new data reveals urgent conservation concerns, including drylands and deserts, where conservation action is vital.
Researchers have found that ovarian stem cells in mammals play a crucial role in egg production, with potential applications for fertility treatments. The study's findings also suggest that these stem cells may be able to delay the onset of menopause by repairing their 'house' rather than increasing their numbers.
Researchers discovered that ciliated tissues in mammals selectively recruit beneficial microbes called symbionts and clear out toxic molecules. This mechanism provides insight into the basic function of cilia surfaces and may aid development of ways to foster beneficial bacterial partners.
A new study found that Solenodon, a venomous shrew-like mammal, has survived human arrival in the Caribbean by adapting to a flexible diet. The research suggests that this flexibility allowed Solenodon to thrive despite human-induced climate change and invasive species on the islands.
Researchers at Midwestern University discovered that the muscles controlling mammalian perineal structures follow a simple ancient pattern, dating back over 360 million years. This finding defines placental mammals as a group and reveals the evolutionary innovation of cloacal separation into distinct structures.
A Johns Hopkins paleontologist and her team report that human arrival and activity led to the extinction of native mammal species in the Caribbean. The study found that 60% of endemic mammals went extinct after humans arrived, with current conservation efforts focusing on protecting bats and insectivores.
A newly discovered fossil from Turkey suggests that a 40-million-year-old metatherian carnivore, Anatoliadelphys maasae, may have dominated the region without competition from placental mammals. The animal's agile body and strong jaws indicate it was well-adapted for a carnivorous lifestyle.
A genome-scale analysis of 82 mammalian species reveals continuous placental mammal diversification despite the KPg extinction. The findings support the fossil record and challenge the notion that the event hindered their diversification.
Researchers create complete map of fruit fly larva brain's learning center, a crucial step towards understanding animal brains. The project could guide scientists in charting connections among neurons in mammals' brains.
Fossil discoveries of Maiopatagium furculiferum and Vilevolodon diplomylos reveal ancient gliding behavior among extinct mammalian ancestors. These Jurassic mammals lived 100 million years before modern mammal fliers, with adaptations allowing them to thrive in a dinosaur-dominated landscape.
Researchers identified a genetic variation underlying heart muscle regeneration in adult mammals. The study found that some individuals can naturally recover from a wounded heart due to higher percentages of regenerative cells, and that modulating the activity of a specific gene may enhance regeneration.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used carrion flies to survey tropical forest mammals, detecting 20 species that were not found by traditional methods. The method was more effective than camera traps and transect counts, but had limitations, such as failing to detect certain species that produce small droppings.
Biologists found that disrupting the gut and skin bacterial communities of tadpoles later affects adult frogs' ability to fight parasitic gut worms. Preventing early-life disruptions might confer protection against diseases in adulthood, with potential applicability to understanding immune systems in mammals and humans.
Researchers found that disrupting gut microbes in tadpoles affects adult frogs' ability to fight parasitic infections. A healthy bacterial community may confer protection against diseases later in life. The study's findings have implications for understanding the immune systems of mammals and humans.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism for silencing imprinted genes in cells, which could shed light on developmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome. The discovery also raises questions about the difficulty of cloning mammals, with potential implications for treating developmental failures.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the first biological map of priority areas that capture multiple dimensions of mammalian biodiversity. This approach can help safeguard vulnerable mammals and ensure their evolutionary potential to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
A new study challenges the long-debated 'late equals large' hypothesis, which proposes that brain proportions are shaped by a universal rule related to size. The research found that this hypothesis does not work when considering brain growth in different mammals, including marsupials.
Researchers measured habitat fragmentation for over 4,000 species of land-dwelling mammals and found that species with more fragmentation are at greater risk of extinction. The study has implications for global mammal conservation, suggesting urgent action is needed to protect remnant habitats and restore connectivity.
Researchers linked mechanical properties of titin to animal size, revealing that larger animals had less stable proteins. By comparing ancestral protein sequences with fossil records, they estimated the weight of ancient mammals, birds, and tetrapods, finding them to be relatively small.
Researchers computationally recreated ancient chromosomes of the first eutherian mammal, revealing chromosomal changes that occurred over 105 million years. The study provides a detailed picture of evolutionary breakpoints and their role in forming new species and contributing to human diseases like cancer.
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that mouse eyes can constrict in response to light without involving the brain. Melanopsin, a light-sensitive pigment, is found in the iris sphincter muscle and causes it to contract.
Fossil evidence reveals a previously unknown east-west migration route for some mammals across North America, challenging previous hypotheses. Researchers propose that sea otters and potentially other animals traversed the northern edge of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to reach California from Florida.
Researchers found high numbers of invasive species in island and coastal regions, particularly in the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand's North Island, and Indonesia. The study highlights the need for effective measures to prevent further introductions of alien plants and animals into vulnerable ecosystems.
A census of medium and large mammals found in 22 forest remnants surrounded by sugarcane plantations in São Paulo State, Brazil revealed that 90% of expected species were recorded. The study found rare animals such as the giant armadillo not present, but generalist species like white-eared opossums adapted to disturbed environments.
Researchers from the Universities of Cape Town and Bonn suggest that warm-bloodedness may have originated 20-30 million years ago in land animals. This is based on analysis of long-extinct animal fossils, which show signs of fibrolamellar bone structure indicative of warm-bloodedness.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky discovered that macrophages play a crucial role in complex tissue regeneration in mammals. The team found that specific subtypes of macrophages are required for regeneration, which could lead to novel clinical approaches to restore damaged tissue in humans.
Researchers used underwater microphones to detect and map harbor porpoise habits in the Maryland Wind Energy Area. They found that porpoises occur significantly more frequently during January to May and forage for food in the evenings.
Researchers found that early mammalian ancestors enhanced their night vision genes, allowing them to thrive in the dark. This study supports existing fossil evidence and sheds light on the evolution of vision in mammals.
Early mammals developed side-to-side jaw motion, enabling them to grind food and eat a more diversified diet. This adaptation contributed to their survival during mass extinctions.
A study published in the Journal of Human Evolution confirms that human skull evolution is linked to two-legged walking. Researchers found a forward-shifted foramen magnum in 77 mammal species, including humans, kangaroos, and springhares, indicating a common trait among bipedal mammals.
Researchers discovered that ancient dinosaurs inherited bipedalism from smaller proto-dinosaurs, who developed strong tail muscles. This adaptation allowed early dinosaurs to run faster and for longer distances. However, mammals lost this trait due to the need for burrowing adaptations, which required strong front limbs and short tails.
Harbor porpoise newborns exhibit the earliest hearing development in any mammal studied, with full capabilities achieved within a day of birth. This finding contradicts other studies on newborn mammals, which show limited or absent hearing at birth.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.
A new analysis found that climate change is having a massive impact on threatened species, with nearly 700 species affected. The study suggests that negative responses to climate change have been vastly underreported, with only 7% of mammals and 4% of birds previously estimated to be impacted.
Researchers have found that drone noise does not travel far into the water, posing little threat to marine mammals. The study suggests that UAVs can be used safely in marine environments with proper permits and guidelines.
Researchers found that cooperatively breeding mammals better cope with droughts and food scarcity due to helping behavior. These species are more likely to occupy human-modified habitats and colonize new environments.
A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that humans, not climate change, led to the extinction of Australian megafauna around 45,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed ancient poop and sediment cores, finding a significant decline in megafaunal populations during this period.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brumation, the winter dormancy of cold-blooded animals, does not affect memory retention in salamanders. Researchers trained salamanders to navigate a maze and tested their ability to recall the path after a period of brumation.
A new $100,000 grant will support research training and educational outreach in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in fieldwork in Wyoming and Turkey to study early mammal evolution and migration.