Researchers analyzed U.S. flu cases from 2003-2013 and found correlations between genetic distance of flu subtypes and geographic distance using transportation data. The study suggests that mobility patterns, rather than geographic proximity, play a key role in predicting the spread of influenza epidemics.
Scientists discovered that acquiring a group of bacterial symbionts enabled firebugs to feed on plant seeds, previously inaccessible to them. This adaptation led to the diversification of firebug species within a new ecological niche.
The Ecological Society of America has received an NSF grant to support a three-pronged approach to increase diversity within the ecological field. The grant will fund activities that guide students to identify ecology as a viable career option and develop a sense of personal connection with science.
A study published in Functional Ecology found that late-rising songbirds are more susceptible to being cuckolded, meaning they raise offspring fathered by other males. This suggests a potential role for sexual selection in shaping circadian traits in wild vertebrates.
New research on gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park reveals that social group living can offset mange's effects, increasing survival rates. Living in packs also provides a net survival benefit, even when infected individuals are present.
The Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology explores how integrating complexity science can improve sustainability studies. Researchers apply complexity science to various topics, including urban systems, energy efficiency, and eco-industrial parks.
Biologists from KU Leuven found that water flea populations can rapidly adapt to rising temperatures and increased heat wave frequencies. The study, using 'resurrected' eggs, showed a 3.6°C increase in critical temperature for activity.
A team of scientists from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna developed a method to analyze horse tail hair to determine its ecological significance. By aligning hair segments to time using satellite information, they found that tail hair growth rates vary greatly between species and even within individuals.
A study of 25 snake species in South America found that their diets were more influenced by phylogeny than ecology. The research suggests that the snakes' ancestry plays a significant role in determining their diet, with some species relying on soft-bodied invertebrates.
A new study finds that photovoltaic panels outperform green roofs and white roofs in cold Canadian climate. Green roofs are the only option to reduce both heating and cooling energy use, while photovoltaic panels demonstrate high environmental performance across all impact categories.
A study by University of Georgia ecologists found that supplemental feeding can affect the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, with some pathogens increasing transmission and others reducing it. The study provides practical suggestions for wildlife disease management and a roadmap for future research.
Bai-Lian Li, a professor of ecology at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2015 Prigogine Gold Medal for his work on mathematical and statistical modeling applications in ecological studies. His research focuses on self-organization, emergence, and non-equilibrium biological systems.
Researchers at University of Waterloo developed a new statistical tool, nicheROVER, to analyze multiple ecological niche parameters and identify overlap between species. This allows for more informed predictions about the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology identified a leaf odor, beta-cyclocitral, that specifically attracts Drosophila suzukii, a devastating fruit crop pest. This specialization allows the fly to pinpoint ripe fruits by tracking the distinct leaf odor.
Historians re-examined the concept of ecological succession and found that forensic examiners recognized its predictability in carrion-arthropod succession by the late 1800s. This discovery predates plant ecology's widely cited examples from the early 1900s, highlighting multiple independent discovery.
A study published in Journal of Applied Ecology found that fully protected 'no-take zones' would have greater benefits for wildlife and fisheries than limited-take zones. Researchers propose a compromise between no-take and limited-take zones to balance ecological and economic objectives.
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased disproportionately over the past two centuries, with greatest growth since 1945, posing a serious threat to drinking water sources. Human activities such as land-use intensification, sewage discharge, and climate change contribute to this trend.
Scientists discovered that bacteria use direct connections to exchange nutrients, rather than releasing them into the environment. The study found that gut microbe E. coli forms unique nanotubes to connect with other bacteria.
Research reveals that reduced oxygen availability in water causes aquatic animals to reduce their body size more with warming than those on land. This study provides a closer match between lab experiments and natural patterns, suggesting the same factors at play.
Researchers investigate plant molecular structures for climate adaptation, discovering novel pathways subject to natural selection. The project sheds light on convergent evolution and potential applications in ecology and agriculture.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that fruit flies can detect antioxidants using olfactory cues, increasing feeding behavior and triggering oviposition. This form of detection is not unique to insects, as humans also perceive pleasant odors from healthy nutrients.
Researchers have discovered that hoophoe birds cover their eggs with a secretion containing beneficial bacteria that increase successful hatching rates. The bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds that protect the embryo from pathogens and facilitate its development.
A study from Purdue University reveals that invasive species can transform landscapes in various ways, including altering sedimentation rates and changing stream channels. The review highlights the importance of identifying high-risk areas and understanding the impacts of invasive microbial organisms.
A new study by UCLA scientists found that plants have limited wiggle room to survive drought due to their plasticity. Most plant species accumulate salts in their cell sap to fine-tune their tolerance, but this adjustment only provides a relatively narrow degree of additional drought tolerance.
Researchers found that different bat species form separate social groups in adjacent woodland areas, with mixed-sex and male-female groups differing in structure. This study has significant implications for bat conservation as it shows bats may not be able to move to another area if a section of woodland is felled.
Researchers use tiny pieces of fossilized tree resin to study ancient environments, plant life, and dinosaur habitats. The findings shed light on the ecosystems in which dinosaurs lived, including the interactions between dinosaurs and insects.
A new special feature of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology explores how industrial ecology can lead to cost savings and higher profits for businesses. The research highlights the economic and environmental benefits of using life cycle assessment, design for environment, and material flow analysis in supply chains.
A new study reveals that harlequin ladybird, an invasive alien species, prefers urban areas and sunnier habitats. The invasive species has outcompeted native ladybirds due to habitat deterioration and competition.
A new study reveals that marine viruses are more important to microbial ecology below sunlit surface waters than previously suspected. The research focused on a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium called SUP05, which is dominant in oxygen minimum zones and has not been successfully cultivated in a lab setting.
Researchers uncover new insights into viral infections influencing SUP05 ecology and metabolic potential in oxygen-minimum zones. The study reveals viruses play a crucial role in marine microbial ecology below sunlit surface waters, with implications for ocean carbon cycling.
A new study explores how biodiversity is developed and maintained, challenging a long-held theory on ecological niches. Researchers found that species can co-exist by reacting differently to resource fluctuations, but this mechanism may not be evolutionarily stable.
A study published in Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology found that Blu-ray Discs delivered via retail stores caused lower carbon emissions than game files downloaded over broadband Internet. The majority of emissions resulted from gameplay, production, and distribution.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition showcases intimate moments of animals and plants, revealing their private lives. The competition captured stunning images of ecological interactions, including a Namaqua Rock Mouse pollinating the Pagoda Lily and an albatross feeding her chick.
A global study reveals that current marine protected areas are insufficient to safeguard key ecological functions performed by fish species, which provide vital services for coastal habitats. The research identifies vulnerable fish populations outside existing protected areas, emphasizing the importance of expanding these networks.
A Yale School of Environment special issue examines life cycle engineering for a more sustainable manufacturing sector. The study finds that product design and maintenance can significantly reduce environmental impact.
A comprehensive review examines potential influences on recent UK winter floods, including the role of global oceans and wind patterns. The study suggests that natural fluctuations may be responsible for extreme weather events, but also notes the importance of understanding the impact of climate change.
Research reveals Ebola's profound effects on gorilla populations, including changes in reproduction, immigration, and social dynamics. Long-term monitoring is necessary to understand disease impacts on wildlife.
Research shows that warmer temperatures have led to narrower diets among butterflies moving north in response to climate change, potentially compromising their ability to adapt. In contrast, butterflies with more diverse diets may struggle to evolve new eating habits to cope with changing conditions.
A UC Riverside PhD student's study on how species interact with each other has been selected as this year's recipient of the Thomas M. Frost Award for Excellence in Graduate Research. The study found patterns that have never been seen before, including changes in the network structure of interacting plants and animals within ecosystems.
Research suggests two distinct whale shark populations exist in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean with minimal mixing. Genetic diversity at Ningaloo Reef in Australia has declined over five consecutive years, potentially indicating a recent bottleneck.
Researchers used geolocators to track songbirds' migration patterns, finding that hybrid species exhibited increased variability in their routes. This study supports the hypothesis that differences in migratory behavior can act as postmating reproductive isolating barriers.
Jocelyn Millar, a professor of entomology at UC Riverside, has been awarded the Silver Medal by the International Society of Chemical Ecology. His research primarily focuses on how insects use odors and tastes for communication, with practical applications for detecting and managing insect populations.
Using lab-cultured bacteria as 'bait,' researchers sequenced complete and partial genomes of 10 million viruses from an ocean water sample, revealing distinct categories and enabling recognition of actual virus populations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the ecology and evolution of viruses in nature.
Researchers used novel tools to examine how manta rays use Palmyra's lagoons as breeding grounds and feeding areas, finding that food is a key driver of their presence. The study highlights the importance of protecting lagoons from human disturbance and habitat degradation to conserve this vulnerable species.
A study in southern England found that queen bumblebee queens often disperse widely, sometimes several kilometers away, before founding their own nests. This suggests that genetic diversity is maintained through queen dispersal, highlighting the importance of preserving flower-rich habitats for bumblebee conservation.
A new study found that migratory birds are responsible for spreading plant species across the Americas, with seeds trapped in their feathers offering clues to plant distribution between hemispheres. The research provides critical insight into the ecology and evolution of plants represented across both continents.
Flea beetles sequester glucosinolates without triggering the plant's defense mechanism. They utilize the compounds for their own communication and defense against predators.
Jiang and DeAngelis' theoretical paper explores how species modify their environment to gain benefits, affecting community diversity. Their work is likely to foster further research and generate hypotheses for experimental studies.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology reveals that beewolves control transmission of their bacterial symbionts to mother-to-offspring, stabilizing the alliance over millions of years. The symbiosis originated in the late Cretaceous and has persisted through 170 species of wasps.
The Telecoupling paper, published in Ecology and Society, presents a new framework for studying interconnected human and natural systems across scales and distances. This approach holds promise for understanding complex challenges like water sustainability, climate change, and food security.
A review of nearly 200 research articles highlights the underplay of population growth's impact on modern crises. The study emphasizes the need to address natality rates in both developed and developing nations to fix these issues.
A team of scientists has identified the key player in plant nectar production, revealing that plants rely on SWEET9 to transport sugars into extracellular areas where nectar is secreted. The discovery suggests that this process evolved early in the formation of flowering plants and may have increased genetic diversity.
Researchers found that two Chilean barnacle species, Jehlius cirratus and Notochthalamus scabrosus, coexist without strong competition, even in different temperatures. The study's surprising non-finding may have implications for understanding the biological future of major coastlines.
The new field of macrosystems ecology is being touted as a solution to tackle environmental problems such as climate change and invasive species. By integrating biology with other fields and using vast amounts of data, ecologists can study complex systems at broad scales.
A study reveals a shift in competitive dynamics among crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification, altering biodiversity. The researchers found that the dominant species, Pseudolithophyllum muricatum, no longer enjoys its competitive advantage, likely due to lower pH levels recorded over the last 12 years.
Researchers discovered that bacteria that complement each other's nutritional needs grow faster and are more fit than solo individuals. This finding supports the widespread model of cooperation in nature.
The new journal will cover a range of topics in ecology and evolution, including agroecology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics. It will be an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to share their findings, with open access publishing and fast publication.
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that domesticated silkmoths (Bombyx mori) have reduced perception of environmental odors due to centuries of captivity. However, their sensitivity to female pheromones remains intact.
A new study reveals that carbon storage in re-growing tropical forests recovers faster than plant biodiversity following major disturbances. Despite this, even after 80 years, these forests tend to have less carbon than old-growth forests due to the dominance of small, fast-growing trees.
Researchers at the University of Miami discovered a global ecology of interacting robots that trade on global markets at speeds too fast for humans. These ultrafast algorithms create extreme events, such as crashes and spikes, in financial markets.