Articles tagged with Marine Ecology
A 'floating scarecrow' developed by UK scientists and a repurposed bird-scaring kite can help reduce seabird bycatch in gillnet fisheries by around two thirds. The device, known as the Looming Eye Buoy, uses an animated eye effect to scare birds away from diving into nets.
Aoguangviridae, a marine virus family associated with Poseidoniales, has been found to be far more diverse and widespread than previously suspected. The expanded genomic framework reveals 22 subfamilies, 157 genera, and 167 species, with transcriptional activity in deep waters and potential influence on host metabolism.
Dr. Michael Twardowski, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in optical oceanography, has been named Edwin A. Link Ocean Technology and Defense Endowed Professor at FAU Harbor Branch. He will focus on developing innovative ocean-sensing technologies for marine science and national defense.
Researchers from UMass Amherst have conducted two studies to better understand shark mating habits and predatory behavior, shedding light on how to protect critical breeding grounds and reduce conflicts with recreational anglers. The studies reveal that nurse sharks prefer shallow waters for mating, and that their presence is often dis...
A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that the ocean's depths, including the Mar Del Plata Submarine Canyon, have accumulated human trash, including plastic and fishing gear. The research found 29 identifiable manmade objects, including plastic bags and food wrappers, which were funneled into the canyon by currents and geography.
Researchers observed a humpback whale mother showing prolonged post-mortem behavior and attention towards her deceased calf, indicating strong maternal attachment. This rare observation challenges current understanding of baleen whale behavior and cognitive-emotional responses to death.
Professor Peixoto, a pioneering researcher, will shape AMI's strategic direction and champion its mission, providing clear leadership and representation. She aims to translate outstanding microbiological research into solutions and benefits for people and the planet.
A new study led by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences found moderate genetic diversity within sugar kelp populations in Maine's kelp forests, identifying four distinct populations shaped by oceanography. The findings highlight the importance of regional management strategies to protect and leverage this genetic resource.
Marine microbes play a vital role in ocean health, climate regulation, biodiversity, and the blue bioeconomy. They drive processes including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and primary productivity. AMI recommends acknowledging their importance in European ocean policy to ensure a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
The Chesapeake Bay saw a 7% increase in underwater grasses in 2025, with gains in salty waters, reaching 89,385 acres. However, regional declines were observed, particularly in the Tidal Fresh Zone and Virginia tributaries due to invasive aquatic plant reductions.
The Arctic melt season has extended by seven and a half days since 1979, driven by sea ice forming later in the fall, with implications for the global climate system. The changing sea ice properties also impact the ecosystem, including the health of algae, which affects the entire food web and fisheries in the sub-Arctic and Arctic.
A new study reveals that the loss of kelp forests has a significant impact on microbial levels, leading to changes in ecosystem functioning and potentially affecting human services such as nutrient retention and carbon storage. The research highlights the importance of considering the microbial component in understanding ecosystem change.
A new study highlights the impact of coastal freshening on the giant amphipod species Paraceradocus miersi, which lose salts, gain water, and suffer gill damage in diluted waters. The research warns that continued freshening may pose a significant threat to many marine invertebrates and reshape the global ocean's communities.
A team of researchers observed a fish-prawn hybrid, Scalicus engyceros, walking backward in the deep sea. The creature's unique features, including its pectoral-fin rays and barbels, enable it to sense prey and balance during walking and swimming.
New measurements show that human-induced carbon dioxide emissions have penetrated deep into the North Atlantic, altering the ocean's isotopic signature. The Suess effect is detectable in nearly all North Atlantic water masses, with strongest signals in young, subsurface waters.
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
New research reveals that blue mussels reduce filtration activity in response to parasite detection, with potential consequences for ecosystem function. The 'ecology of fear' concept shows that the mere risk of infection can cause mussels to change behavior, making it harder for parasites to infect them.
Researchers investigated adding iron to the ocean to boost CO2 removal, finding varying effects on marine ecosystems. The Southern Ocean offers a favorable balance of climate impact and ecological consequences, while other regions face more severe consequences.
Researchers discovered a strong link between environmental variation and thyroid hormone signaling in reef fish, enabling them to adapt to changing habitats. The study found that habitat impacts development by altering gene expression and metabolic profiles, giving animals more flexibility when their environments change.
Penn researchers have developed a mobile microbiology laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos. The team identified sites of untreated wastewater contamination, including 'hot spots' of pollution around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Researchers found that male sperm whales emit slow, low-frequency clicks with extremely high source levels, which can be heard up to 70 kilometers away. These clicks are not used for echolocation but may serve as a form of communication or advertisement, potentially linking to honest signals of size.
A Portland State University professor has received a nearly $1.2 million NSF CAREER Award to study the predator-prey relationship of Prochlorococcus, the ocean's most abundant photosynthetic life form. The project aims to understand how single-celled ocean predators hunt Prochlorococcus and its implications for the ocean's food web.
The EU project SYNCHRONY aims to improve understanding of climate and ecosystem changes in the Southern Ocean and around Antarctica, and will establish an internationally coordinated observing system. The project will coordinate interdisciplinary activities, harmonise data streams, and create new data products.
Researchers have identified a hardy sea sponge that can thrive in polluted harbor habitats, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and even reproduce asexually. The chicken kidney sponge showed outstanding resilience and was found to be particularly effective at filtering pollutants and recycling nutrients.
Researchers have discovered that microorganisms actively contribute to mineral formation on the ocean floor, using compounds such as sulfate and sulfur to promote pyrite formation. The study reveals a complex interplay between biological and geological processes at the ocean floor.
A new statistical model predicts which Red Sea fish species are likely to invade the Mediterranean, with a focus on their ability to survive without coral reefs. The study identifies three species with high potential to invade: stellate pufferfish, cinnabar goatfish, and yellowspotted trevally.
Researchers discovered that sperm whales release gas bubbles to regulate their buoyancy while resting in a unique vertical position just below the ocean surface. This behavior allows them to counteract expanding diving gas and achieve near-neutral buoyancy.
Researchers provide a framework to assess cumulative heat exposure from marine heatwaves and preceding/post-warming anomalies, revealing underestimation by historic assessments. The study finds that prolonged warm water exposure can create conditions that species may not survive.
A new study reveals critical fine-scale spatial heterogeneity of mesozooplankton across three brackish bays of the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea. Salinity and temperature drive distinct zooplankton assemblages, with clear inter-bay community separation emerging.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo used limpet shell analysis to reconstruct the journeys of tiny creatures between hydrothermal vents, finding they explore sunlit upper ocean during larval stage. This discovery helps explain how animals living at isolated vent sites can spread over hundreds or thousands of kilometers.
A USF study has identified South Florida as a crucial feeding ground for Atlantic tarpon, highlighting the importance of the region to the species' migrations. The research found that tarpon rely on distinct 'foraging landscapes' and can travel hundreds of kilometers to find food.
A new study of penguins and krill found that repeated predator disturbance can alter prey behavior, leading to functional prey depletion. Penguins had to dive deeper and travel farther to encounter prey, but feeding rates remained unchanged once prey were encountered.
Scientists used clues from label data, chemical analysis of tiny shells, and ocean current simulations to trace the voyage of a plastic bottle cap. The study found 307 organisms, including a polychaete worm not found in Japanese waters before, highlighting the potential for micro-ecosystems to be transported over extended periods.
A team of biologists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has discovered reproducing populations of the invasive Manila clam in Cape Cod and Boston Harbor. The finding marks a significant moment in the establishment of this non-native species, which is now spreading along the northwestern Atlantic coastline.
A newly published paper reveals that Karenia cristata, the source of neurotoxins in a devastating South Australian algal bloom, is the most toxic species ever studied. The bloom caused mass mortality of marine animals and has taken an immense environmental toll on the region.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the diets of southern right whales, discovering they eat a wider variety of seafood than previously thought. Analysis of whale poo from around the world has revealed a diverse diet including crabs, shrimp, and jellyfish, which may help them adapt to climate change.
A new study reveals that sponges may use photosynthesis, increasing the productivity of tropical coral reefs. Sponges were found to account for 11% of gross primary productivity, surprising researchers who previously considered them as pure consumers.
Declining plankton abundance across the North East Atlantic poses a significant threat to ocean health, impacting marine food webs and carbon cycling. The study found six pelagic habitat-region combinations rated as 'Not Good' and three as 'Uncertain', highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and reduced nutrient pollution.
Researchers analyzed 44 years of killer whale data in Washington state, finding a decline in the presence of endangered fish-eating killer whales. In contrast, populations of Bigg's killer whales, which prey on seals and other whales, are becoming more abundant.
Researchers identified a severe outbreak of bivalve transmissible cancer in soft-shell clams in Puget Sound, with prevalence exceeding 75% by 2024. The disease was recently introduced from Atlantic Coast populations and was tracked using a new environmental DNA assay.
A Bar-Ilan University study finds that artificial light spilling into coastal waters disrupts sleep in coral reef fish, causing increased aggression and DNA damage. Chronic exposure may have lasting biological consequences.
The FAU Queen Conch Mobile Lab has successfully hatched its first queen conch egg masses and juveniles, marking a significant milestone in the conservation of this iconic Caribbean species. The lab, designed to grow up to 2,000 juvenile queen conchs annually, will support restoration efforts throughout the region.
Scientists have mapped the tiny antenna-like structures in giant kelp that allow it to efficiently capture light and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This discovery may lead to new ways to boost crop growth and capture carbon dioxide, providing sustainable food sources in a warming world.
A new study by Chalmers University of Technology found that biocide-free silicone paint is the most effective against fouling, while an 'eco-friendly' paint was revealed to be extremely toxic. The results suggest copper-free coatings can be just as effective as those containing more copper.
Adélie penguins use social information to acquire knowledge about food sources, often departing with multiple conspecifics to gather this info. This strategy helps unsuccessful foragers adapt their search strategies and increase their chances of finding food.
The University of New Hampshire will lead a national effort to grow and strengthen America's seafood supply through aquaculture research, with a focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness. The $13.5 million initiative aims to expand domestic seafood production and improve food security.
A recent study found that Caribbean reef sharks prefer locations with dense prey populations, making food abundance an essential factor in their habitat choice. The research suggests that prey conservation should be considered alongside fishing bans to support shark conservation.
Researchers at Stanford University found that electrical pulses can significantly extend the lifespan of sea squirts by rejuvenating their stem cells. The treatment causes a "reboot and rebound" of gene activity, similar to effects observed in humans after stress and exercise, leading to improved health and longevity.
A study found that scuba diving tourism causes frequent and often hidden damage to coral reefs, with most damage being unintentional or unnoticed. The research identifies factors such as underwater camera use, gloves, and peer behavior that contribute to reef damage.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
Researchers estimate blue buttons can survive for several years drifting on the ocean surface, much longer than previously estimated. The float that keeps them afloat grows new rings from its outermost layer, expanding over time.
Researchers can now estimate genetic diversity of dolphins using environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater samples, providing insights into population size and vulnerability to environmental changes. The study's findings suggest that repeated eDNA sampling can be used to monitor the health of dolphin populations.
Scientists have documented humpback whales travelling over 14,000km between their breeding grounds in eastern Australia and Brazil, setting new records for the greatest distances ever confirmed. The findings highlight the value of citizen science and suggest climate-driven changes may be making such crossings more likely.
A research team used microbial ecological habitats to predict filter-feeding whale presence, achieving accuracy 53% higher than traditional methods. This approach incorporates eDNA analysis to better understand whale-bacteria connections and inform ocean health monitoring.
Researchers discovered that Akkermansia bacteria, which aid human digestion, also thrive in the ocean by breaking down seaweed sugar. This finding highlights the importance of these bacteria in both human health and marine ecosystems.
A new study reveals that nitrogen enrichment is significantly reducing the abundance and variety of marine life in UK coastal ecosystems. The research found a strong association between higher nitrogen concentrations and a decrease in animal abundance and species richness.
A new study demonstrates that animal-borne sensors, such as those on tagged sharks, can enhance ocean forecast accuracy in regions with limited observational data. By incorporating shark-collected temperature and depth data into a seasonal climate model, forecast errors decreased substantially, particularly in coastal and shelf regions.
A study by ICTA-UAB reveals that the West African coast is a primary source of microlitter in the South Atlantic Ocean, with particles transported by equatorial currents to remote areas. The research highlights the need for global action to address this environmental issue.
A new peer-reviewed study finds that bottom trawling in European waters results in significant economic losses, with annual costs reaching up to €16 billion. The destructive fishing practice is also found to be a major contributor to climate change, with its impacts felt throughout the region's marine ecosystems.
Research reveals warm-bodied fish like sharks and tunas burn nearly four times more energy than cold-blooded counterparts, exacerbating the impact of warming oceans. As a result, these species are facing an increasing risk of overheating and habitat loss.