Articles tagged with Predation
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.
A Hebrew University study reveals that desert isopods, when predators like scorpions are nearby, prefer larger females but settle for smaller ones instead. Males also adjust their behavior, with smaller males opting for second-best females closer to the predator.
A new study reveals that bats' diets are more similar than previously thought, with both species eating a variety of insects and agricultural pests. The research found that the northern long-eared bat tends to pick up larger prey items due to its gleaning strategy.
A new study reveals that mountain lion predation on wild donkeys is widespread and leads to changes in their behavior and ecological effects on desert wetlands. This interaction between predator and prey suggests a more dynamic ecosystem than previously thought.
Researchers discovered a vast network of ultrasonic signals among moths, revealing complex acoustic mimicry rings. These sounds may be used by moths to evade bats and are found in many species beyond previously known tiger and hawk moths.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that corals' fluorescence serves as a lure for plankton, which are then consumed by predators like corals. The researchers found that green-fluorescent corals were 25% more preyed upon than yellow-fluorescent ones.
The new species, Meraxes gigas, has disproportional short arms like T. rex and evolved independently to have such characteristics. The team proposes that the short arms may have supported reproductive behavior or helped with movement, offering a unique survival advantage.
A University of Washington study found that Pacific salmon in larger groups have lower predation risk, but may trade safety for food. The researchers analyzed historical data on fish catches and predator wounds to estimate group size and predation risk, revealing the benefits and costs of schooling in marine fish.
A new UBC study finds that southern resident killer whales have been in an energy deficit for six of the last 40 years, with three recent years (2018-2020) being particularly dire. The researchers attribute this decline to lower Chinook salmon abundance and size, which are the primary food source for these whales.
A new field study found that warmer waters in the Atlantic and Pacific peak at higher temperatures, leading to increased predator activity and altering prey communities. This warming trend may disrupt balances in ocean ecosystems, potentially leading to changes in species interactions and ecosystem function.
A study of over 12,000 fish across 17 species found that cannibalism is extremely rare in the wild, occurring in less than 0.30% of cases. The researchers identified population density and resource availability as key drivers of cannibalistic behavior, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers found that beekeepers are aware of the Asian yellow-legged hornet's impacts on honey bee decline in Italy. Public awareness is increasing due to various channels such as internet searches and community activities. The hornet poses significant risks to pollination, honey production, and human safety.
In the species Isodontia harmandi, siblings regularly consume each other to ensure access to their mother's food resources. This unique behavior is observed in communal brood cells, where siblings compete for limited resources.
A tropical spider species uses a thin layer of air to hide underwater from predators for up to 30 minutes, according to Binghamton University researchers. This unique adaptation allows the spider to prevent thermal loss and maintain respiratory function while submerged.
Researchers quantified five critical ecological processes on over 500 coral reefs worldwide, finding no reef can maximize each process simultaneously. They also identified local super heroes among species that contribute to ecosystem functioning.
Scientists have discovered that squid can camouflage to match a substrate, avoiding predators in the process. The study, published in Scientific Reports, sheds light on the behavior of this third type of cephalopod and could inform conservation initiatives.
Researchers discovered that boa constrictors adjust which section of the rib cage they use to inhale depending on whether they are resting, throttling an animal or digesting. The sinuous reptiles use different sections of the rib cage to breathe when their ribs are constricted.
Researchers found that voles in Inner Mongolia, China, trim tall grasses when shrikes are nearby, decreasing predation risk. The voles' behavior is an example of ecosystem engineering, where they modify their environment to improve survival.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that ancient dolphins, including the false killer whale and orca, ate fish instead of other marine mammals. The findings suggest that these species evolved similar cranial anatomy and feeding behaviors within the last five million years.
Worms use cost-benefit calculations to choose between different actions, similar to vertebrates. The study demonstrates that complex decision-making capabilities can be encoded in small biological networks.
Seed dispersal rates by Central American agoutis are lower in ocelot habitats with high scent presence. This change allows bruchid beetles to attack seeds for longer periods, promoting forest diversification. The study's findings have implications for understanding the ecology of fear and its effects on ecosystems.
Killer whales have been observed hunting and killing blue whales, with three documented events in Australian waters. The attacks were coordinated and resulted in the whale's flesh being stripped off, highlighting the apex predator's influence on marine environments.
Researchers discovered that California mice consume monarch butterflies, which could disrupt ecosystems due to declining western monarch populations. The study highlights the interconnectedness of species and the importance of conservation efforts to protect native animals.
Researchers found that sulphur mollies create surface waves to deter predators, with the wave number decreasing capture probability. The collective behavior has anti-predator benefits, providing protection from bird attacks.
University of Otago researchers suggest kurī have significant ecological impact on New Zealand's biodiversity, predating kiore and humans. Kurī may have contributed to extinctions of moa chicks, takahē, kākāpō, kiwi, and marine mammals.
Research reveals Japanese macaques in Kamikochi feed on aquatic insects and molluscs, supplementing their winter diet with high-nutritional value food sources. The unique behavior is attributed to the region's topography and hydrological environment, providing a stable food source for the macaques.
The world's largest ammonite species, Parapuzosia seppenradensis, reached diameters of 1.5-1.8 meters around 80 million years ago. This evolution likely helped the species evade predation and survive in its environment.
Researchers found that jaguars are preying on guard dogs in a Mexican Caribbean village, mimicking the behavior of Indian leopards. The study highlights the threat of pet predation conflict to jaguar populations and the need for further research.
A waterflea population has undergone rapid evolution in response to predator pressure over nearly two decades, with changes linked to specific environmental conditions. The study highlights the crucial role of standing genetic diversity in supporting adaptive evolution and its implications for conservation biology.
Researchers found that non-native species are more successful in the less-diverse Pacific, where they outnumber native species by 30%, compared to the more-diverse Atlantic. Predation also played a crucial role in controlling invasive species, particularly in tropical regions.
A study reveals that hunting pressure affects the behavior of endangered Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, causing them to avoid areas with abundant food sources due to increased risk of predation. The research suggests that poachers pose a significant threat, and the risk of predation outweighs the availability of food in their habitat.
Researchers found that kiwi populations differ genetically between areas, but lack understanding of local adaptations and breeding changes. The study emphasizes the importance of strategic sample regimes and informative markers for developing effective conservation policies.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that coral predators have a significant impact on young coral growth and survival, even when protected by fish. The study suggests that density has little effect on predation, as corals are vulnerable to predators regardless of group size or protection.
Domestic cats hunt less when owners feed them high-meat-content food and engage in play mimicking hunting. This reduces predation by 25%, with a 36% decrease seen in prey animals brought home to cat owners.
Researchers found that rising lizard temperatures and predation by snakes are changing the thermal biology of lizards, making them more active at warmer body temperatures. The study suggests that lizard body temperatures and running speeds have increased accordingly, helping them escape snakes.
Researchers found that most parrotfish predation scars on Caribbean coral heal within weeks, while larger scars have minimal healing. The study suggests that managing parrotfish populations may be crucial to maintaining resilient reefs.
A recent NOAA study published in Ecology and Evolution reveals higher interaction rates between spiny dogfish and Atlantic cod than previously observed. The study uses genetic testing to confirm cod presence in dogfish stomachs, finding that small cod are more likely to be well-digested, making identification challenging.
A study found that cormorants' presence in Quark reduces perch populations and catches, especially close to breeding areas. Cormorants consume up to 20-33% of tagged perch individuals, affecting their growth rate and population dynamics.
Researchers confirm special trap-jaw predation mechanism in ancient hell ants, providing new insights into their evolution. The study reveals an extinct early burst adaptive radiation triggered by innovation in mouthpart movement.
A study by Oregon State University found that Caspian terns have a significant impact on steelhead survival, with predation adding to the annual death toll. The birds' presence was connected to statistically significant decreases in steelhead survival rates, highlighting the need for effective predator management.
Research confirms that breeding areas with more open canopies do provide opportunities for timber rattlesnakes to reach required body temperatures, but also increase risk of hawks and bobcats. Forest managers should balance canopy cover and predation risk during future conservation efforts.
Research reveals that European viper's characteristic zig-zag pattern serves multiple functions during predation events, including hiding and producing an illusionary effect. The study resolves theoretical tensions between opposing functions of color patterns, suggesting a broader scope for evolution.
Researchers found that bats prefer moving katydid models over still or vibrating ones, posing a risk to both signalers and searchers during courtship. This study highlights the importance of predator avoidance in tropical ecosystems.
Bowhead whales alter their behavior when killer whales are present, opting for areas with dense sea ice and shallow water near shorelines. This shift may come at the cost of reduced foraging opportunities in phytoplankton-rich open water.