Drivers of mammal biodiversity
Climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum significantly predicts community structure in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Human activities also play a crucial role in shaping mammal communities globally.
Evolutionary Ecology
Articles tagged with Evolutionary Ecology
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Citizen scientists deserve more credit, researchers argue
Researchers argue that academic journal rules are undervaluing the contributions of citizen scientists and indigenous knowledge. To address this issue, they suggest crediting non-professionals as group co-authors for their work on projects like online species identification apps. This approach aims to recognize their valuable contribut...
A genetic tug-of-war between the sexes begets variation
A study by Uppsala University researchers found a genetic tug-of-war between males and females that maintains genetic variation. This conflict leads to different gene variants being favored in each sex, contributing to the balance of genetic diversity.
Study examines theory on menopause age and symptom severity
Researchers investigated how residence patterns after marriage affect menopause symptoms and age of onset. They found little evidence supporting the theory that women's experiences with menopause vary due to dispersal from their natal home.
Best of frenemies: Unexpected role of social networks in ecology
Biologists at UC Davis propose that species pay attention to each other, especially if they share predators, leading to new insights into population dynamics and cooperation. Advances in technology have made it easier to study short-lived interactions between species in the wild.
Insect evolution: Insect evolution
Researchers find over 100 insect larvae in amber, providing new evidence on the ecology of Eocene-era forests. The discovery supports a warm-to-temperate seasonal humid forest ecosystem interpretation, and offers insights into the evolution of dipteran larvae.
Phylogenetic analysis forces rethink of termite evolution
Researchers at OIST have constructed a new termite family tree using comprehensive RNA sequence analysis, placing a previously difficult-to-place subfamily within the Termitidae. The study reveals that comb building emerged in their common ancestor several million years after the loss of gut symbionts.
First widespread chytrid fungus infections in frogs of Peruvian Amazon rain forests
Biologists have documented the widespread presence of the notorious chytrid fungus in 80 species of frogs from lowland rainforest sites in the Peruvian Amazon. The study found that even lowland frogs with high levels of fungal infection showed no external signs of disease, suggesting they could serve as a large disease reservoir.
Living coral cover will slow future reef dissolution
A recent study on the Great Barrier Reef found that living coral cover can slow future reef dissolution due to ocean acidification. The experiment used a controlled system to simulate high CO2 conditions and showed that living corals were more resilient than dead ones, which would dissolve earlier.
How long does a whale feed? New data gives insight into blue and fin whale behavior
Researchers used electronic tags to monitor blue and fin whales' feeding behaviors over multiple weeks, providing unprecedented detail about their daily feeding patterns. The study found that both species have similar feeding bout characteristics, with slight differences observed between males and females.
UCI scientists awarded $2.7 million for soil nutrient microbiome research
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
Study examines a million corals one by one in urgent call to save reefs
A landmark study on coral reefs has collected data on over 2.5 million individual corals across 44 countries, revealing alarming rates of bleaching due to climate change, with researchers urging immediate action to protect reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
New study could reset how scientists view sex determination in painted turtle populations
A new study from Iowa State University analyzed decades of data on painted turtle populations and found a wide variation in temperature sensitivity within local populations, defying theoretical expectations. The findings suggest that temperature-dependent sex determination may be more resilient to changes in temperature than previously...
Introduced species dilute the effects of evolution on diversity
Research found that introduced species dilute the effects of evolution on diversity, making Hawaiian forests more similar. Older islands have a greater number of rare and native species compared to younger ones, but introduced species weaken this effect.
Island age and forest biodiversity
Research in Hawaiian forests reveals older islands harbor more native and rare species than younger islands. Biological invasions hinder the impact of island age on biodiversity patterns.
University of Rhode Island leads $3 million collaborative research project on 'Rules of Life'
The University of Rhode Island is leading a team studying coral reef evolution and adaptation with a $3 million NSF grant. Researchers will explore how changes in nutrition and energy through symbiosis influence epigenetic changes in corals, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
Smaller class size means more success for women in STEM
A new study at Cornell University found that smaller class sizes lead to more equitable participation in STEM classrooms, particularly for women. The research highlights the importance of diverse teaching strategies and evidence-based active-learning techniques to create a small classroom climate.
Oxygen shapes arms and legs: Origins of a new developmental mechanism called 'interdigital cell death'
A new developmental mechanism, interdigital cell death, shapes limbs through differential growth and ROS production. This mechanism is shared by all amniotes, including humans, and was triggered by high oxygen levels surrounding the embryo.
What's your poison? Scrupulous scorpions tailor venom to target
Researchers found that scorpions adapt their stingers and venom use to minimize costs, with strategies including avoiding venom, using claws or pedipalps, and adjusting sting volume and composition. Scorpions can also tailor venom to a target through on-the-fly adjustments and over weeks of exposure.
Study shakes up sloth family tree
Two studies published in Nature Ecology & Evolution challenge long-standing sloth classification, revealing new relationships between ancient ground sloths and modern species. The findings use proteins in fossils to map an entire lineage for the first time, rewriting our understanding of sloth evolution.
Godzilla is back and he's bigger than ever: The evolutionary biology of the monster
A team of Dartmouth scientists have found that Godzilla has evolved 30 times faster than other organisms on Earth, growing from a 50-meter tall creature to 119.8 meters in just 65 years. This rapid growth is linked to humanity's collective anxiety, with the researchers proposing that Godzilla represents a cultural icon for our times.
Opposite pathways in forest recovery
Research reveals tree species with durable wood persist longer, but slow growth comes at the expense of reduced resources; Early stages dominate 'fast' pioneer species with soft wood.
Climate change -- early spring: Predicting budburst with genetics
A study by Simon Joly and Elizabeth Wolkovich found that a plant's genetics can be used to accurately predict when its leaves will burst bud in spring. The research showed that genetic differences between individual specimens within a species affect how well they adapt to climate change.
Young frogs that were stressed as tadpoles move less on land, putting their survival at risk
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that juvenile northern red-legged frogs stressed as tadpoles are less likely to move on land, putting their survival at risk. The study suggests that climate-related stress can have long-term effects on the distribution and persistence of animals in freshwater habitats.
Red-neck phalarope: a migratory divide towards the Pacific Ocean and the Arabian Sea
The red-neck phalarope population from Western Palearctic migrates over 10,000 km to Pacific Ocean and 6,000 km to Arabian Sea for winter, exhibiting a unique migratory divide. This phenomenon is attributed to the species' biogeographical history and can help identify global migratory patterns.
What the vibrant pigments of bird feathers can teach us about how evolution works
A UA team shows that evolution is driven by dependency on other species within ecological communities, testing a long-held idea of the UA's late, great George Gaylord Simpson. This research confirms the prediction and reveals mechanisms for understanding how species gain and lose reliance on others in their communities.
Island lizards are expert sunbathers, and researchers find it's slowing their evolution
Researchers found that island lizards use behavioral thermoregulation to shield themselves from natural selection, slowing physiological evolution. This contradicts the 'island effect', which predicts faster evolution on islands.
Could climate change cause infertility?
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.
Need for social skills helped shape modern human face
A new review suggests that social communication played a significant role in shaping the modern human face. The study, led by University of York researchers, concludes that our faces evolved not only due to factors like diet and climate but also to facilitate nonverbal communication and establish large social networks.
New commentary on the famous 'Warning to Humanity' paper brings up global inequalities
The new commentary on the 'Warning to Humanity' paper emphasizes that societies in developing countries are more dependent on natural resources while being less responsible for the ecological crisis. The authors argue that excessive resource consumption and ecosystem-destructive practices in Western lifestyle are prioritized over addre...
Scientists explore causes of biodiversity in perching birds
A global team of scientists has identified possible causes of diversity among modern bird species, focusing on perching birds. The study found that changes in geology and climate played a role in the evolution of these birds, with evidence suggesting that glaciations and warming periods impacted their development.
Doing more with less in the study of plant chemical defense
Researchers developed a new technique to measure plant biochemical responses using small tissue samples, reducing the need for large sample sizes and increasing experimental efficiency. This approach allows for more nuanced and high-resolution understanding of plant defense mechanisms.
New Yorkers brace for self-cloning Asian longhorned tick
The Asian longhorned tick population has grown dramatically across Staten Island, with researchers finding the species in 7 of 13 parks surveyed in 2017 and 16 of 32 in 2018. The ticks can clone themselves in large numbers and are likely to continue spreading throughout the city.
Elevation shapes species survival in changing habitats
A study conducted at the University of Toronto found that elevation plays a major role in determining which species can survive as human land use changes. The research suggests that species in highland areas are more likely to go extinct when forests are cut down, while lowland species can adapt and thrive in warmer environments.
Origins of forelimb diversity in mammals
Researchers found that forelimb diversity increased around 270 million years ago with the emergence of Permian therapsids. This increase may have allowed for new forelimb functions and enhanced locomotion capabilities.
Unprecedented number of warm-water species moved northward during marine heatwave
During the 2014-16 marine heatwave, an unprecedented 37 tropical species were documented in California and Oregon, with many having never been seen so far north before. This shift is attributed to warmer ocean temperatures, which allowed southern species to track northward, adapting to climate change.
Ancient records prompt rethink of animal evolution timeline
Researchers suggest that bursts of evolutionary activity occurred earlier and were more frequent than previously thought, giving rise to a longer timeline for complex life on Earth. This challenges the traditional view of the Cambrian Explosion as a single, rapid surge of evolution.
How fungi influence global plant colonization
An international team of researchers found that mycorrhiza-plant interactions hinder the colonisation of remote islands, acting as a brake on plant spread. This symbiosis is also linked to biogeographic patterns and preserving biological diversity.
Complete world map of tree diversity
Researchers created a complete world map of tree species richness using a statistical model that combines patchy data from small forest plots and country-level information. The analysis shows that climate is the most important factor driving global biodiversity, with the highest number of tree species found in hot, humid tropics.
New insights into phenotypic complexity and diversity among cichlids
Researchers explore how phenotypic complexity influences diversification among Lake Malawi cichlids, revealing instance of repeated evolution in converging feeding habits. The study identifies that very different morphologies can translate to similar ecological specializations.
Cricket females choose male losers
Researchers found that female crickets choose males who lost fights over alpha males for mating. In a study using the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, females preferred males with lower aggression levels during courtship.
Modern humans replaced Neanderthals in southern Spain 44,000 years ago
Researchers found that modern humans replaced Neanderthals in southern Spain between 45,000 and 43,000 years ago, pushing back the previously known date by 5,000 years. The discovery suggests a more complex coexistence between both groups for millennia.
Bird beaks did not adapt to food types as previously thought
A recent study has revealed that bird beak shapes are not as closely tied to their food sources as once believed. By analyzing the beaks of various species, researchers found a weaker and more complex connection between beak shape and feeding behavior.
Courage to aim for less cleanliness?
The study suggests that letting beneficial microorganisms thrive could aid in fighting infectious diseases, as conventional methods may interfere with their natural containment. By adopting a more diverse approach to health, researchers hope to create stronger defenses against pathogens.
ERC Consolidator Grant for research on relationship between beetles and symbiotic bacteria
Beetles have evolved a hard exoskeleton due to symbiotic bacteria producing tyrosine, essential for cuticle formation. This cooperation has contributed to the evolutionary success of beetles and their spread into new ecological niches.
HKU fossil imaging helps push back feather origins by 70 million years
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution reveals that pterosaurs had at least four types of feathers, including simple filaments and down feathers, which are also found in modern birds and dinosaur groups. The discovery pushes back the origin of feathers by approximately 70 million years.
Conservation success depends on habits and history
A Rutgers-led study challenges conventional expectations that fast-growing resources are unlikely to collapse. The study found that those who start conserving can often stick with it, but when conservation is not in place, the opposite is true.
Females prefer city frogs' tunes
A new study found that urban frogs have more conspicuous and complex vocal calls, making them more attractive to females. In contrast, the simpler calls of forest frogs are less appealing.
How the devil ray got its horns
A new study by SF State biologists reveals that the distinctive 'horn-like' cephalic lobes of manta rays are actually modified fins, developed through a simple genetic tweak. The researchers found that the same Hox genes guiding fin development in related species also shape the horns in manta rays.
Predators drive Nemo's relationship with an unlikely friend
A University of Queensland and Deakin University-led study reveals that predators drive the evolution of cooperative relationships between species like clownfish and anemones. The research found that fish-anemone mutualisms have evolved at least 55 times across 16 fish families over the past 60 million years.
The tragedy of the commons -- minus the tragedy
Researchers found that complex adaptive systems with self-organizing processes and low population densities can lead to sustainable resource use. Freedom of movement and an ethos of sharing are key conditions necessary for successful sharing.
From the Arctic to the tropics: Researchers present unique database on Earth's vegetation
A new study presents a unique database on Earth's vegetation, containing over 1.1 million plant species lists from every continent. The 'sPlot' initiative combines datasets to answer questions about plant traits and their responses to global factors.
Special journal issue looks for new clues about old life
A special journal issue explores the relationship between rising oxygen levels and the emergence of complex life, suggesting that increased oxygen may have driven innovation in animal body plans. However, debate remains among scientists regarding the cause-and-effect relationship between oxygenation and the evolution of complex life.
Getting a grip on the slow but unique evolution of sharks
Researchers analyzed two shark species' genomes and compared them to those of vertebrate species to understand their evolution. They found that sharks have massive insertions of repetitive elements in their genomes, which may contribute to their slow evolution.
Successful mouse couples talk out infidelity in calm tones
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that California mice who communicate calmly after infidelity are more likely to produce a litter of mouse pups and have good fathers. The quality of their conversations helps predict pair bond success, with less aggressive vocalizations indicating a stronger bond.
University of Oxford: Bold male birds fall faster and harder for their partners
A study by Oxford University found that individual personalities of male great tits influence their bonding with future breeding partners. Bold, proactive males choose partners sooner and invest more effort in relationships before breeding begins.
Researchers study how wolf predation shapes elk antler evolution
Researchers found that wolves prefer to hunt bulls who have already shed their antlers, suggesting that antlers serve as a deterrent against wolf predation. This discovery provides insight into the evolution of elk antler retention time and challenges previous assumptions about the role of antlers in elk behavior.
UTA doctoral student in biology earns prestigious AAUW fellowship
Beston's research focuses on the ecological drivers of eye and brain size evolution in a species of fish, with funding from the AAUW. Her work reveals that increased predation is associated with smaller eye sizes, while larger eye sizes are correlated with improved vision and fitness benefits.
USU biologist Will Pearse receives NSF Macrosystems Biology and Early NEON Science Award
Will Pearse, a USU biologist, has been awarded a $300,000 NSF grant to study the impact of invasive species like cheatgrass. His project aims to use evolutionary history to model practical ecological challenges and engage students in real-world research.
Multiple facets of biodiversity reduce variability of grassland biomass production
Research shows that multiple facets of biodiversity, including species richness and plant evolutionary history, jointly reduce annual variation in grassland productivity. High-species-rich communities with diverse histories exhibit reduced biomass production variability.