Articles tagged with Evolutionary Ecology
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a worked bone assemblage found near the Atlantic Coast of Morocco dating back to 120,000 years ago, suggesting the manufacture of clothing during this period. The find provides strong evidence for the emergence of complex culture and specialized tool manufacture in early humans.
Land plants underwent major diversification in two dramatic bursts, driven by the development of seeds and flowering plants. The second burst was more dramatic, giving rise to intricate reproductive structures like those found in passionflowers.
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million field observations and 73,000 museum records to find a strong correlation between species abundance in nature and their presence in museum collections. This method enables scientists to study species decline and estimate past abundances, providing insights into conservation efforts.
Palaeontologists have uncovered a giant new fossil species, Titanokorys gainesi, with an estimated total length of half a meter, belonging to an extinct animal group called radiodonts. The discovery sheds light on the evolution and diversity of these enigmatic animals.
Researchers found that eastern blue-tongue and shingleback lizards develop a serum factor in their blood to prevent clotting from red-bellied black snake venom. Monitor lizards lack this resistance due to their armoured scales, which protect them from venom absorption.
Scientists have sequenced the Indian wolf genome, revealing it to be one of the world's most endangered and evolutionarily distinct populations. The study suggests that Indian wolves may represent the most ancient surviving lineage of wolves.
A new study found that birds and mammals evolved into new species at higher rates where the land has risen most over the past three million years. This effect was found to be greater than historical climate change, present-day elevation, and temperature in driving speciation.
A new study assesses the impact of environmental policies on Amazon biodiversity, finding that 40-73,400 square miles of rainforest have been affected by fires since 2001. The research highlights the need for strong antideforestation policies and recognition of Indigenous lands to protect the region's biodiversity.
Researchers found that one-third of female hummingbirds resemble males, allowing them to feed without being attacked. This phenomenon suggests non-sexual social selection plays a role in the evolution of female ornamentation.
Researchers reconstructed the oldest known form of roots in a 407-million-year-old plant fossil, revealing a complex branching system that differed from modern plants. This discovery provides insight into the evolution of early land plants and their impact on the environment.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
The winning image by Kristen Brown depicts a school of jack fish in a spiral formation, symbolizing the beauty and bounty of oceans as well as the spiralling crisis of coral reef decline. The competition celebrates Earth's biodiversity and its evolutionary origins through six categories.
A recent study by Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute found that humans are responsible for the extinction of about 10%-20% of all avian species over the past 20,000-50,000 years. The majority of extinct species were large, flightless, and lived on islands.
Researchers used statistical models to study the co-evolutionary history of pierid butterflies and their host plants. They found that butterfly-plant relationships are resilient to changes in species composition but can destabilize over larger structural changes.
A Yale study has identified significant gaps in biodiversity maps, limiting effective conservation decisions globally. The researchers created regional trends maps to assess the distribution of 31,000 terrestrial vertebrates, highlighting opportunities for citizen scientists and government agencies to support biodiversity monitoring.
A study by Duke University researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the guts of lemurs living close to humans. The closer the contact, the more resistant bugs were found. Proximity to humans determined the type and abundance of resistance genes acquired.
A long-term study in Elkhorn Slough found that superabundant crabs weaken tidal creek banks, reducing marsh plant growth and increasing erosion. Reducing crab abundance led to increased salt marsh vegetation growth and enhanced sediment density.
Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.
The study creates a reference genome for lake trout, enabling researchers to identify genetic differences between hatchery strains and locate genes associated with morphological and physiological diversity. The genome assembly will aid in developing effective conservation strategies for the iconic species.
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.
The study highlights the importance of dryland restoration to mitigate climate change and reverse desertification, with seeding efforts showing promising results in nearly a third of treatments. However, the process is also fraught with risks, including high failure rates and declining species populations as projects mature.
Agricultural economist Thomas Daum argues that farm robots could lead to a utopian future with rich fields, diverse crops, and conservation of biodiversity. In contrast, large, tractor-like robots could result in a dystopian scenario with environmental degradation.
A global team led by Case Western Reserve University's Beverly Saylor will investigate how ecological factors influenced the evolution of early human ancestors using advanced technology. The project aims to gain a more granular understanding of two fossil sites in Ethiopia and their distinct records of the human genus' early predecessors.
A team of biologists identified a family of algae as a living missing link in the microscopic domain. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of these organisms and clarifies their evolutionary history.
The study found that animals have evolved to prefer tastes that correspond with their elemental needs, helping them prioritize nutrient-rich foods. Convergent evolution was observed across mammalian, fish, and insect groups, highlighting the importance of taste in foraging and nutrient cycling.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen and the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute investigated the long-term results of an experiment from 1979. They found that poisonous substances from Euphorbia damarana leaves did not induce fairy circles, contradicting Theron's original hypothesis.
The researchers proposed five strategies to address colonial legacies in ecology: decolonizing the mind, understanding history, increasing access to information, recognizing diverse expertise, and establishing inclusive teams. These strategies aim to challenge biases and promote a more ethical approach to ecological research.
Researchers reconstructed Pinus genus evolutionary history using 1,662 genes, revealing 90% species originated in Miocene and midlatitude species are older than others. Environmental factors suggest topography drove pine diversification, with evidence of fire-adaptation syndromes over time.
Research reveals that pitviper species consuming more evolutionarily diverse prey produce more complex venom. The study found that the evolutionary distance between consumed prey species affects venom complexity, suggesting subtle differences in venom targets.
Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe, a University of California, Irvine professor of ecology & evolutionary biology, has been awarded a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship. She will conduct field research on the impacts of climate change on butterflies' visual and thermal adaptations.
Researcher Margarita López-Uribe will investigate the impact of artificial selection on pollinator ecology and evolution in agricultural landscapes. She aims to characterize changes in floral functional traits, pollinator foraging behavior, and genetic underpinnings of sensory system adaptations.
Researchers from the University of Illinois highlight the importance of proper bat box design and placement to prevent overheating. They recommend using large, well-ventilated designs with materials that provide better temperature buffers.
A team of biologists found that human pelvis sex differences are similar to those in chimpanzees, suggesting an ancient origin. The magnitude of these differences is only half as large in chimpanzees, indicating that modern humans inherited this pattern from earlier mammals.
Research by the University of Bristol team found that tropical paper wasps provide crucial support to extended family members, including helping neighboring nests. By observing twenty thousand baby wasps and their carers, the team discovered that workers become less useful as colony sizes rise due to a surplus of help.
A new study identified bird species with the potential to transmit Lyme disease bacterium to feeding ticks, flagging 21 new species for surveillance. Bird traits such as diet composition, migration distance, and life history features were used to predict competence in spreading Lyme.
Archaeologists are addressing modern-day issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change by analyzing past data and solutions. The field has evolved to a highly scientific approach using advanced instrumentation and computers.
Researchers assess opportunities to improve nature monitoring, increase access to green spaces, and reduce pollution with robotics. However, they also warn of potential negative impacts on the environment, including waste generation and social inequalities.
The study explores how independent transitions of marine fish species into different water column habitats result in the recurrent evolution of similar body shapes. This suggests that limited sets of high-fitness solutions exist due to environmental constraints.
The article argues for a revitalized view of history in ecology and evolution, proposing nine understandings of history to generalize findings and observe scientific laws. These 'flavors' include contingency, chance, chaos, capriciousness, approach, constraint, construction, turnover, and template.
The SPI-Birds initiative combines breeding population data of 1.5 million individually recognisable birds to answer ecology and evolution questions. The project aims to inspire other research communities to create their own standards, promoting FAIR data use.
Scientists have discovered an extremely rare species of cymothoid, Elthusa splendida, from a museum shark specimen in the East China Sea. The find expands the species' range to almost opposite sides of the globe, with only five previously documented specimens.
Researchers uncover fossil specimens of ancient walruses in Orange County, revealing five distinct species, including two new species without tusks. The study provides insights into the dental and tusk evolution of walruses, suggesting that feeding ecology played a key role in the origin and early evolution of tusks.
The article discusses the benefits of combining intensive lab experiences with online learning for students studying ecology and evolution. A short but intensive field period can enhance student interpersonal skills, offer more flexibility, and provide a better testing experience.
A study found that reducing nitrogen levels can harm plant biodiversity by displacing species adapted to low nutrients. Researchers advocate for an EU Phosphate Directive to address this issue and protect threatened plant species.
A study of common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf found declines in carbon values, suggesting a decrease in primary productivity or changes in prey selection. The research highlights the need for careful management of marine parks and surrounding environments to prevent overfishing and nutrient runoff.
A lack of coordination among stakeholders hinders biodiversity monitoring, but integrating contributors can improve data collection. This is crucial for identifying factors leading to declines in biodiversity and creating sustainable conservation strategies.
A team of scientists developed machine-learning models to differentiate among several existing Amherstieae legume genera and classified existing pollen accurately over 80% of the time. The results support previous hypotheses suggesting that Amherstieae originated in Africa and later dispersed to South America.
Research found that only 12% of ecosystem functioning variance can be explained by plant traits, highlighting the complexity of long-term ecosystem changes. Plant biomass production and pollination patterns varied greatly among years and communities.
A new study finds that infectious diseases in livestock can lead to increased methane emissions, exacerbating climate change. Ruminant animals infected with intestinal worms or suffering from mastitis release up to 33% and 8% more methane per kilogram of feed or milk produced.
A new study finds that Megalodon's estimated body length of up to 15 meters exceeds the general size limit for non-planktivorous sharks, which typically reach 7 meters. The research proposes live-bearing reproductive strategy and cannibalistic egg-eating behavior as possible causes for gigantism in lamniform sharks.
Researchers predict that Páramos ecosystems in the Andes will shrink substantially without conservation efforts, threatening biodiversity and human populations. The study focuses on Espeletia species, which are highly diverse and adapted to extreme conditions, but may not evolve fast enough to keep up with climate change.
A collaborative team of 28 professors from various biology fields will integrate recent discoveries about microbial symbiosis and its impact on evolution and ecology.
Scientists estimate nature-based solutions for agricultural pest control deliver $14.6-19.5 billion annually across 23 countries. Non-chemical crop protection (biological control) outperforms traditional Green Revolution methods, promoting rural growth and prosperity.
A new study reveals a large-scale change from predatory fish to stickleback dominance in the Baltic Sea, threatening local ecosystems. The shift is linked to eutrophication and climate change, and its effects include reduced recruitment of pike and perch.
A collaborative research group from Kyoto University investigates how animals balance information sharing with disease risk to form social networks. They propose an integrative framework that incorporates deleterious forms of social transmission, like infectious diseases.
A new study highlights the critical importance of partnering with indigenous people and local communities in tropical forest restoration. The research estimates that 294.5 million people live within areas with good potential for forest restoration, and over one billion people live nearby such land.
A new study by an international team of researchers found that biodiversity experiment findings are reliable and applicable to the real world. The study analyzed data from two large-scale experiments and compared them with equivalent 'real-world' sites, showing that previous conclusions were supported.
In unpredictable environments, brood parasites spread their reproductive risk by targeting more and diverse host species. This bet-hedging strategy allows them to adapt to changing conditions and increase their chances of offspring survival.
A review paper examines the influence of systemic inequalities on ecology and evolution, finding that racism reduces biodiversity, increases urban heat island effects, and augments climate crises. The authors advocate for environmental justice and anti-racism practices to transform biological research and conservation.