Articles tagged with Predation
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A new study reveals that cougars' dietary changes to smaller prey help them avoid wolf encounters and reduce competition. Researchers found that cougars tend to avoid areas where wolves have made kills and stay close to escape terrain.
A new study found that population bottlenecks can fundamentally reshape how cooperation evolves and persists in complex microbial societies. The researchers discovered that stringent bottlenecks favored fruiting body formation and growth, while relaxed bottlenecks led to an overall increase in competitive fitness.
In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers from Kobe University found that hawkmoth larvae and pupae produce defensive sounds when stimulated. These sounds are released through respiratory openings and resemble snake warning signals, potentially helping the insects evade predators.
A study published in Insect Conservation and Diversity analyzed over 17,000 social media photos and videos to understand domestic cats' prey in urban settings. The research found that cats hunt a diverse range of arthropods, including Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Blattodea.
Research analyzing over 170 studies reveals human impacts like hunting and land-use changes have a greater impact on prey populations than large carnivores. Large predators do control populations of prey species under specific conditions, but effects are often spatially constrained or influenced by competing species.
A newly discovered carnivorous lizard, Tainrakuasuchus bellator, lived 240 million years ago and resembled a dinosaur due to its armour-plated body. The species was among the top predators of its time in Brazil during the Triassic Period.
Researchers observed orcas in the Gulf of California targeting juvenile great white sharks, flipping them to induce tonic immobility and extract nutrient-rich livers. The orca pod's hunting technique suggests advanced intelligence and social learning, allowing them to adapt to changing shark nursery areas.
Researchers equipped miniature backpacks with fringe-lipped bats, revealing they hunt large prey like frogs, birds, and small mammals with remarkable success. The study found these small bats conserve energy by spending 89% of their time stationary and striking quickly, succeeding in about 50% of hunts.
A new study reveals that different prey within a single species can provide vastly different levels of nutrition for marine predators. This variation can lead to predators consuming more prey than necessary, highlighting the importance of understanding prey quality in maintaining ecosystem balance.
A new study reveals that polar bears act as crucial providers for Arctic species, leaving behind millions of kilograms of prey annually. This carrion provides a vital energy source for a wide network of arctic scavenger species, including Arctic foxes and ravens.
Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory have developed a new modeling approach that incorporates detailed prey information to improve the prediction of right whale distribution. This approach accounts for the preferences and needs of hungry whales, highlighting the importance of smaller species in their diet.
Researchers found that spiders using trapped fireflies as bait attracted three times more prey than webs without the lure. The majority of captured fireflies were male, mistakenly mistaking the glow for potential mates.
A recent study found that wolf hunting has a limited effect on reducing livestock losses, with an average reduction of 2% in predation rates. However, the impact of hunting on lethal removals, which are expensive operations targeting specific wolves, is negligible.
A study by Harvard biologists found that two deer mouse species, one living in densely-vegetated areas and the other in open areas, have evolved distinct brain circuitry responses to aerial predators. The research revealed that the difference in escape behaviors is not just visual or peripheral, but central processing in the brain.
A study by Kobe University found that Japanese wasp larvae feed on a diverse range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. The research used DNA metabarcoding to identify the gut contents of larvae from wild and reared nests, revealing significant differences in prey composition between the two.
Researchers at Kobe University discovered that red algae use structural color to communicate with each other. The discovery was made in the European Journal of Phycology and suggests that these colors may serve as a warning signal to algae-eating fish.
A study by scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that juvenile fringe-lipped bats do not initially differentiate between palatable and unpalatable frogs and toads, but learn to identify toxic species through experience. As they mature, adult bats respond more strongly to palatable prey.
A new study from Colorado State University found that fortified corrals can reduce livestock losses due to predator attacks on nearby carnivores. The study demonstrated a beneficial spillover effect where households neighboring those with chain-link corrals also reported fewer attacks on their livestock.
Researchers used DNA technology to confirm feral cats as primary predators responsible for native animal deaths at two conservation sites in South Australia. DNA analysis revealed that feral cats were culprits in killing of native animals, with 96% of confirmed kills determined by DNA analysis.
Researchers found that slingshot spiders can listen for approaching insects before releasing their web to catapult forward and capture prey. The spiders use sound-sensitive hairs on their legs to detect the vibrations from the insects' wings, allowing them to deploy their webs in mid-air.
New studies reveal invasive winter annuals are sensitive to changing rainfall patterns, while heat waves impact Colorado potato beetle survival. In salt marshes, mesopredators like mud crabs take over grazing control from top predators, suggesting resilience to their loss.
Researchers observed coordinated attacks by killer whales on whale sharks in the Gulf of California, suggesting specialized hunting techniques. The pod targeted the whale shark's ventral side, exploiting its vulnerability, and extracted nutrient-rich organs from the liver.
A recent study found that color vision evolved in animals over 100 million years ago, with a dramatic increase in colorful signals, including warning and sexual signals. The study suggests that warning signals are more widespread among animals than sexual signals.
Scientists used acoustic mapping technique to track vulnerable capelin species and observe massive predation event involving Atlantic cod. The study revealed that as climate change causes Arctic ice sheet to retreat, capelin will be more stressed and vulnerable to natural predation events.
A recent study found that reducing moose populations to historical levels through hunting can help reduce wolf numbers and protect caribou populations. In regions where moose populations were reduced, 3.2 times fewer wolves were killed to protect caribou populations.
A study found that environmental factors like sea surface temperature, wave energy, and freshwater discharge have a greater impact on marine organisms' size and abundance than ecological processes. In colder waters, marine organisms are larger, with filter feeders growing up to 130% larger.
High-contrast patterns on humbug damselfish bodies serve dual purpose: camouflage when stationary and motion dazzle when moving. The fish adapt their behavior based on environment, using motion dazzle to confuse predators when feeding outside coral colonies.
Researchers found a pregnant porbeagle shark was likely killed by a great white shark, highlighting the complexity of shark interactions. The study used satellite tags to track the shark's movements before it stopped transmitting, indicating it had been hunted and eaten.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that male fruit flies ignore physical threats as they pursue a female fly, driven by the neurotransmitter dopamine. As courtship advances, dopamine levels increase, blocking sensory pathways and reducing the ability to respond to threats.
A study published in Genome Biology and Evolution found that predation by protists increases the virulence of opportunistic pathogens like Serratia marcescens. The presence of the predator Tetrahymena thermophila led to stronger biofilm formation and greater antimicrobial resistance, resulting in higher mortality in honey bees.
A study published in Ecological Applications found that wolves' return to northeast Washington has had a limited impact on white-tailed deer populations. Habitat quality and cougar predation were the primary factors shaping deer populations, with wolf predation having a smaller effect.
Researchers found that tiger beetles respond to bat echolocation by producing their own ultrasonic signal, which they believe is a defense mechanism. The beetles' defensive chemicals are not effective at deterring bats, but the sound itself may be used to trick bats into thinking they are noxious.
Researchers observed a rare instance of lemur predation by a fosa in the Betampona Strict Nature Reserve. The impact of this predation, combined with low reproductive rates and genetic isolation, poses significant threats to the survival of critically endangered lemurs.
In a groundbreaking study, scientists found that juvenile great white sharks prefer warm and shallow waters near the shore, often within 1 km of land. This behavior may help them evade predators and optimize growth efficiency in these nurseries.
Salps are found to control microbial community structure and function by capturing a variety of microbe types, including Prochlorococcus. The study reveals that simple mechanical principles do not explain cell capture by salps, indicating a complex mechanism at play.
Researchers from Nagoya University discovered that tree frogs create foam nests on the ground to protect their eggs from low temperatures, increasing hatchability rates.
A recent study found that semi-aquatic anole lizards can experience a 6°C drop in body temperature while diving, with males conserving heat to minimize muscle recovery time. Females prioritize safety over physiological costs, taking longer dives to avoid predators.
Researchers observed an individual orca, nicknamed Starboard, killing a 2.5-meter juvenile great white shark within two minutes. The study challenges conventional cooperative hunting behaviors among killer whales, providing new insights into their predatory dynamics and potential impact on marine ecosystems.
Research in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy reveals invasive big-headed ants have reduced lions' effectiveness at killing zebras. Lions now primarily target African buffalo instead, maintaining population stability.
Researchers discovered that a bacterial species can switch from being prey to a predator when grown at a lower temperature. The study, published in PLOS Biology, highlights the importance of considering historical context in evaluating predator-prey relationships.
A new study published in Palaeontologia Electronica shows the Megalodon was more slender than earlier studies suggested, changing our understanding of its behavior and impact on ancient ocean life. The revised model suggests a longer digestive canal, potentially leading to less predation pressure on other marine creatures.
A new study examines how a carnivorous fungus senses, traps, and consumes a worm. The research reveals key biological processes involved in the predation process, including increased DNA replication and secretion of proteins that aid in trap development.
Scientists have found evidence that peregrine falcons deliberately exhaust their prey to improve later hunting success. By provoking the prey into early flocking, the peregrines deprive them of opportunities to forage and energy needed to continue flocking later in the day.
Researchers from Kobe University found that birds dispersing the eggs of eaten insects' help flightless stick insects expand their geographical range. Genetic analysis revealed a correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation among populations.
A study by Kyoto University found that Daphnia's phenotypic plasticity is strongly related to its body size and the type of predator. Medium-sized Daphnia are more vulnerable to predation by both Chaoborus larvae and fish, which prefer larger prey.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
A study in Washington state found that when wolves and cougars moved into an area, coyotes and bobcats shifted their movements into regions with higher levels of human activity. However, it was humans who finished off the smaller predators, with over half of the coyotes killed by people during the study period.
Researchers found that wolf spider species in Nebraska exhibited similar diets, with many eating the same types of prey. This suggests a complex food web where predators are not just competing for resources, but also engaging in cannibalism to regulate their populations and stabilize the ecosystem.
A new study found that artificial light at night increases top-down pressure on caterpillars, leading to higher mortality rates. The research used clay models of caterpillars to demonstrate the impact of light on predators in a forest ecosystem.
A recent study published in The Science of Nature found that parasites and body condition are crucial factors in determining the vulnerability of fish to angling. The research revealed that fish with high body condition and parasites, as well as those with low body condition but no parasites, were less likely to be caught by anglers.
New research suggests brown widow spiders actively seek and kill nearby black widows, displacing them in parts of the southern US. Brown widow females are also larger and more fertile than black widows, with a higher reproductive success rate.
A recent study found that brown bears in Romania's Carpathians have a higher predation risk for cows near villages and forest edges, while sheep are more prone to predation in remote areas. The researchers believe that differences in grazing regimes and bear abundance contribute to these findings.
Biologists found songbirds can assess when predation risk from northern pygmy owls is highest and when there's safety in numbers. Mobbing behavior peaked in late summer and autumn when young birds are most vulnerable.
A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Halteria, can eat high numbers of chloroviruses, which are known to infect green algae. This finding suggests that virovory, a virus-only diet, can support physiological growth and even population growth in an organism.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that two species of spider mites avoid food plant leaves with active ant chemical traces and walking along ant-traveled stems to evade natural predators. This avoidance behavior may be comparable to direct consumption by the ants, highlighting a non-consumptive effect of predators on prey.
A study by the University of Turku found that red foxes can be deceived into not eating bird eggs with chemical camouflage, while raccoon dogs showed less effectiveness. The methods could provide an alternative to hunting and help protect vulnerable prey species.
Predatory mosquito larvae employ two distinct methods to capture prey: one involves a harpoon-like head-propulsion action, while the other uses a sweeping tail to snare insects. This new research provides insight into the behavior of these tiny predators and their ability to feed on other aquatic insects.
Researchers documented social ties between individual chimpanzees and gorillas that persisted over years and across different contexts. The study found enhanced foraging opportunities to be a key benefit of interspecies social interactions, with apes sharing knowledge of diverse plant species.
A new study by Grant Brown and Braeden Donaldson found that juvenile convict cichlids exposed to high-risk alarm cues have brains 16% larger compared to low-risk groups, with noticeable increases in olfactory and optic bulbs. The brains revert to normal size after removal of the alarm cues.
Researchers found that octopuses preferentially use their second arm when catching prey, exhibiting repeatable hunting behavior. This study has implications for developing next-generation soft robots inspired by the octopus's unique manipulative abilities.