Articles tagged with Animal Ecology
A study by Anglia Ruskin University has identified potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in 21% of wild bird faeces collected from locations near the River Cam. The bacteria, which can be passed on to humans through cross-contamination, were resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Researchers found that roads can be deadly for species survival, with certain traits like early age of sexual maturity helping some species bounce back from roadkill deaths. However, others like brown and black bears are particularly vulnerable due to late maturity age and small litters.
Researchers found that in dry years, birds funnel into riparian environments due to increased greenness, leading to overcrowding and decreased bird populations. The study highlights the importance of understanding how birds respond to climate change for conservation purposes.
A study in the Atlantic Rainforest detected high mortality rates among tiny frogs known as pumpkin toadlets infected with the chytrid fungus. The infection causes a physiological imbalance leading to death from a heart attack. Climate change and drought may exacerbate the threat to terrestrial amphibians.
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
Researchers found that African greys waited up to 29.4 seconds for preferred food, while blue-throated macaws only waited 8.3 seconds. Pacing was the most effective waiting behaviour among parrots.
Researchers have confirmed cases of leprosy in two unconnected West African populations of chimpanzees, in Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast. The strains identified are different and rare among humans. Long-term health monitoring is needed to establish the scale and possible effects of leprosy on critically endangered western chimpanzees.
Research by Washington University in St. Louis explores the collision of island and mainland adaptive radiations in neotropical anoles, finding that island species can diversify greatly on the mainland. Contrary to traditional thinking, islands are not evolutionary dead ends but rather cauldrons of innovation and diversification.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis uncovered why hybridization among brown anoles is rare in their native range but common in new geographic territories. The study highlights the importance of environmental degradation in facilitating hybridization, which can contribute to biodiversity declines.
Researchers tracked fruit flies' ability to interpret information while asleep, discovering a specific brain region involved in processing salient smells. The study used defined fly brains to analyze neural connections, finding that aversive odors woke the flies up more often than attractive ones.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that Asian elephants successfully cooperated in 80% of trials, using strategies like fighting back or moving sides to prevent cheating. However, cooperation quickly broke down when one partner could monopolize the reward, revealing a complex dynamic in their social behavior.
A new study reveals that male giraffes have higher social connectedness than females, with males forming more acquaintances and older males having shorter social paths. This complexity could impact conservation efforts for endangered giraffes.
A 15-year study found that the availability of beech nuts can predict bear intrusions into human habitats. The research used numerical modeling and observed beech flowering patterns to forecast bear activity, reducing direct conflicts between humans and bears.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered that hummingbirds can avoid insects with defensive compounds, such as formic acid, which harm birds. The study shows that scent plays a crucial role in hummingbird foraging decisions and ecosystem function.
A new study led by Dr. Claudia Tocco found that elevated CO2 levels directly impact the development and survival of tunnelling dung beetles. The study reveals that beetles grown under heightened CO2 levels experience lower survival rates and are smaller in size compared to those raised under pre-industrial conditions.
A study at the University of São Paulo found that bird species interacting with more plant species have higher evolutionary stability. This is because they occupy central positions in seed dispersal networks, leading to longer lifespans and increased species accumulation.
During the pandemic, mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles occupied smaller territories and traveled shorter distances. This suggests that humans were a major deterrent to their movement, with even reduced traffic not enough to overcome the barrier effect of large roads like freeways.
A long-running survey of ants at Stanford's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve found that the distribution of Argentine ants has receded by 30% since 1994. Climate change was identified as a significant factor in this decrease, particularly during an extreme drought from 2012 to 2015.
A recent study published by Swansea University found that venomous fish and insects diversified faster than their non-venomous counterparts. This is attributed to the use of venom as a means of repelling predators or catching prey, leading to increased opportunities for species to exploit their environment.
A recent study reveals that the rise and fall of elephants was influenced by ecological diversity, global temperatures, and changes in ecosystems. The research team found that proboscideans were once more diverse with over 30 species coexisting in the same ecosystem.
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that plants and animals share similar patterns of niche evolution in response to climate change. The research analyzed climatic data from 952 plant species and 1,135 vertebrate species, revealing that both groups have a narrow breadth of tolerated environmental conditions.
A new study found that extinction resistance, not ecological differentiation, drove the evolution of diverse marine animal life. Ecologically diverse clades became dominant due to their ability to survive mass extinctions, resulting in strong correlations between ecological diversity and taxonomic richness.
Researchers at Yale University unveil a new approach to reconstructing the evolutionary tree of life for mammals, revealing why some branches are weighed down with thousands of species while others hold just a few. The study provides comprehensive information about species diversity and relationships, past and present.
A new study framework improves and expands current practice in fossil color reconstruction by incorporating chemical signatures of different pigments. This framework provides a reliable and repeatable approach to test fundamental hypotheses related to animal physiology, ecology, and behavior.
A new study by University of Lincoln researchers suggests that extreme temperatures can impact the reproductive behavior and physiology of males before females, potentially leading to infertility. The study found that rising temperatures hampered sperm production in male Indian meal moths, affecting their ability to mate.
Biologists have discovered 'doppelganger' lake frogs with distinct mitochondrial DNA, allowing them to better adapt to their environment. The study, conducted in collaboration with Japanese colleagues, aims to understand how the genome protects itself from foreign DNA.
Researchers from Wake Forest University found that female Nazca boobies have a shorter lifespan due to their high reproductive activity. The study suggests that the females' efforts to raise their chicks and find new mates may contribute to their shorter lives.
Researchers have found that ancient Ediacaran fossils, dating back to 570 million years ago, were part of complex ecological communities. These organisms, such as suspension feeders and filter feeders, competed for resources like modern animals.
Researchers tracked individual albatrosses for their entire lives to identify intrinsic quality that drives performance, including reproductive success and longevity. The study found that birds born in warmer years were smaller and performed poorly, while those from denser populations had reduced success.
Agnostus pisiformis, a small but well-preserved trilobite-like arthropod, has been used to create detailed sculptures revealing its complete anatomy. The fossil provides valuable insights into ancient life and ecosystems, shedding light on the ecology and mode of life of this extinct species.
Researchers found that saber-toothed cats suffered more frequent injuries than dire wolves due to their solo hunting style, which likely involved ambushing large prey at short distances. The study analyzed over 35,000 bones and found that 4.3% of saber-toothed cat bones showed trauma.
The study reveals a significant increase in ecological and environmental citizen science projects over the past four decades, with a diversification of approaches driven by advances in technology. From structured monitoring to 'mass participation' projects using smartphones, citizen science is becoming increasingly popular and accessible.
A new species of lobopodian, Ovatiovermis cribratus, has been discovered in the Burgess Shale, providing insights into the ecology and relationship of these ancient creatures. The discovery reveals that strong recurved claws may have allowed them to anchor themselves on hard surfaces and filter food from water.
A team of scientists reconstructed wildlife populations across Africa to better understand how they shaped the world. They focused on large mammal herbivores and found that dry areas had fewer animals, while wetter savannas were dominated by elephants and fire.
Researchers found that dormice start hibernation early when beech trees produce few beechnuts, allowing them to survive during mild weather periods. This behavior changes the view on hibernation as a strategy to decrease energy expenditure.
Research reveals a significantly larger-than-estimated chimpanzee population in Uganda's fragmented habitats, with populations of up to 319 individuals found across 633 km2. The study suggests that chimpanzees' adaptability and behavioral flexibility enable them to survive in degraded environments.
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.
Research found that wolf pack fate and reproduction are affected by breeding female deaths, with smaller packs more vulnerable. The study suggests wolves can compensate for breeder loss through rapid replacement or increased reproductive success.
A study published in BMC Ecology found that British Columbia's mainland wolves and coastal wolves are more genetically distinct than previously thought. The researchers attribute this difference to the varying ecological environments of the two regions.
A study by researchers from the University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh finds that high deer populations facilitate garlic mustard population explosion while suppressing native trillium plants. Deer exclusion reversed invasive species growth, supporting an ecological theory where native plants exert biotic resistance.
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.
Scientists construct largest ant family tree-of-life using DNA sequence data, confirming that modern ants originated between 139-158 million years ago. The study also reveals the Neotropics as a vital region for ant evolution, both preserving ancient groups and generating new species.
Researchers found that animals use various methods to self-medicate, including learning and innate behaviors. This practice has significant implications for the ecology and evolution of animal hosts and their parasites.
The launch of Animal Biotelemetry aims to provide a forum for discussion on telemetric techniques used in various animal species. Key findings include the two-year migration pattern of female white sharks and the use of UV radiation to prevent infections in tagged animals.
Researchers found that Italian wolves primarily consume wild boar, accounting for two-thirds of their diet, with roe deer making up around a third. The study suggests that wolves prefer wild boar even when roe deer densities are high, indicating a strong preference for this prey.
A 20-year study at Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research site reveals that leaving storm-damaged trees intact allows native plants and wildlife to thrive. The forest recovers naturally, with original conditions recovering more readily than after salvage logging.
Recent studies have begun to explore the connections between animal microbiomes and behavior, showing that beneficial microbes can influence animal behaviors such as feeding, mating, and predator-prey interactions. The study suggests that behavior plays a critical role in establishing microbiomes, which then influence animal behavior.
A recent study published in EcoHealth found that squirrels and raccoons will abandon food to avoid ticks, indicating they may be aware of the parasite's threat. This new understanding of the ecology of fear extends to parasites and has implications for human health as ticks are vectors of emerging diseases.
Researchers have gained insights into the synchronised mass nesting of female olive ridley sea turtles, shedding light on their reproductive behaviour and population dynamics. The study's findings suggest that this small population in French Guiana has increased its nest number three-fold over the past decade, but also makes them more ...
Ovenbirds and veeries use chipmunk calls to identify safe nesting spots, avoiding areas with high predator activity. By eavesdropping on chipmunk vocalisations, birds can select optimal locations for their nests, reducing the risk of predation.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that insect-gobbling animals increase plant growth by reducing plant-feeding insects' damage. The research solidifies birds, bats, lizards, and other similar animals' importance to ecosystem health.
Researchers found that variations in the giggles' pitch and timbre can encode information about a hyena's age, dominance status, and individual signature. This allows hyenas to establish feeding rights and organize their food-gathering activities.
Scientists at UH found that better food from high-latitude plants may explain why animals grow bigger in cold climates. The study suggests considering ecological interactions beyond traditional physiological responses to temperature.
A large-scale analysis of over 80 terrestrial carnivore species in the Americas shows that avoidance strategies have driven their evolution. The study found that some species use coloration to warn predators, while others occupy different habitats or are active at different times.
African cities are experiencing rapid growth, transforming natural resource use and affecting rural areas. The main driver of deforestation is not fuel wood demand but rather agricultural land clearing in peri-urban areas to feed growing urban populations.
Global warming may threaten tropical plant and animal species living in mountainous regions, forcing them to move uphill in search of suitable climates. This could lead to the extinction of half of the studied species in Costa Rican lowlands unless they develop tolerances for higher temperatures.
A team of Spanish and Croatian researchers discovered that upside-down living spiders have evolved disproportionately longer legs to move efficiently between plants. This allows them to bridge gaps quickly while minimizing energy expenditure.
A study found that cows produce more methane in soil when pastured on winter grasslands, rather than in cowsheds. This process is triggered by the amount and quality of organic material from their excrement and the compaction of the soil by their weight.
Researchers found that two monkey species, cotton-top tamarins and common marmosets, exhibit differing propensities toward patience and impulsivity depending on the context of the choice being made. The study suggests that impulsivity is context-specific and shaped by a history of ecological pressures.
A recent study found that about half of protected species are no longer declining in numbers. The research highlights the importance of considering agency administration and funding in evaluating the success of conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act.