Articles tagged with Evolutionary Ecology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A Rutgers study finds that popular exotic pet reptiles and lizards are more likely to be released into the wild, causing ecological harm. The research highlights the need for education and resources to prevent these releases and mitigate invasive species.
Researchers found that pale peppered moths are more camouflaged against lichen-covered tree bark than dark moths, making them less likely to be eaten by birds in unpolluted woodland. This supports Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and provides key evidence for the evolutionary advantage of camouflage.
Researchers from Harvard University review the tripartite system between bats, bat flies, and Laboulbeniales fungi, highlighting the need for further study on this understudied phenomenon. The team aims to advance our understanding of the biology, host associations, and phylogenetic relationships of these organisms.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that sleep boosts 'fitness' and future family line reproductive success, suggesting it plays a significant role in evolutionary adaptation. The research used mathematical modeling to compare the fitness of sleeping and non-sleeping strategies under various conditions.
Researchers analyzed ecological features and DNA sequencing data to reconstruct the tree of life of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Europe. They found that oldest lineages have higher functional diversity than younger ones, which is influenced by their ability to colonize new habitats.
Researchers have solved a 160-year-old mystery about the origin of vertebrates' skeletons by studying ancient fossils. They found that heterostracan skeletons were made from a unique tissue called aspidin, which is later revealed to be bone-like in structure.
A Dartmouth-led study proposes that the Lorax viewed himself as part of the Truffula forest ecosystem, not an ecopoliceman, and had a symbiotic relationship with other species. The research also finds that Geisel's inspiration for elements in the Lorax may have been based on actual tree and monkey species in Kenya.
A recent study by UCSB researcher David Herbst explores the connection between benthic invertebrates and stream water flow. The research, published in Hydrobiologia, sheds light on how these organisms sort out and change with stream dynamics. This new understanding has significant implications for water quality monitoring programs.