Articles tagged with Predation
A new study found that magpies are the most common predators of songbird nests, accounting for 70% of visits. Nests within magpie breeding territories were also more likely to be predated, especially in late season when magpies have young. The research highlights the need to identify and remove problem individuals to improve management...
Research by Caroline Ng'weno and colleagues suggests that strategic placement of cattle corrals can create glades that attract zebras, reducing encounters between lions and hartebeest. This approach could lead to an increase in hartebeest populations, while lions focus on their primary prey.
A red-shouldered hawk was observed attacking and dismembering a ghost crab on a South Carolina beach. The incident is the first documented case of a raptor consuming any species of crab in North America.
Researchers found that being part of a group provides safer protection from predators, with prey positioned in the middle of schools having the safest position. The study revealed that predators are more likely to attack isolated individuals than those in groups, highlighting the benefits of collective behavior.
Elk exhibit minimal avoidance of wolves due to philopatry, returning to familiar foraging areas despite small risk of predation. The study's findings suggest that wolves have negligible impacts on elk movements, contradicting previous theories.
A new study found little evidence of elk modifying their behavior to avoid grey wolves in Yellowstone National Park, contradicting earlier research on the topic. The study used GPS tracking technology to monitor elk and wolf movements between 2012 and 2016.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change can redistribute the strength of ecological interactions between predator and prey species. Higher temperatures lead to more intense predation pressure, while increased climate instability weakens predators' effectiveness in controlling pests.
A large-scale experiment found seed predation increased by 2.6% for every 10 degrees of latitude toward the Equator and by 0.4% for every 100-metre decline in elevation. Invertebrates, such as insects, played a key role in these interactions.
Researchers report that ant-plant interactions began in the Mesozoic era, with ants shifting from predation to herbivory. The study suggests that plant diversification was facilitated by ant interactions but not vice versa.
Climate change has led to a significant increase in nest predation rates among shorebirds worldwide, with Arctic regions experiencing higher rates than the tropics. This shift reverses the historical latitudinal gradient of predation, posing a critical threat to global shorebird populations.
A study analyzing population data over 70 years found that climate change is responsible for a substantial decline in shorebird populations. Rates of daily nest predation have increased threefold in the Arctic and doubled in the North Temperate Zone, leading to devastating effects on population numbers.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that raising tortoises in captivity and releasing them into a protected habitat can significantly boost wild populations. The study found that 70% of head-started tortoises were still alive after one year, with strong site fidelity allowing them to reproduce.
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.
A new study reveals that the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park has led to a significant increase in aspen growth due to reduced elk populations. With fewer elk, aspen trees are no longer heavily browsed and can now thrive in areas around the park, supporting greater biodiversity.
A study found that stickleback fish respond similarly to predation risk regardless of parental or personal experience, with similar molecular and developmental responses. This challenges traditional models assuming additive effects from different sources.
In 684 nests studied over seven years, complete brood failure occurred in 13% of cases, often due to death by predation. Single parent males generally did poorly, while females were more successful and cared for the brood up to the point of disappearance
New research found that male guppies exposed to predators have heavier brains than their counterparts living in predator-free conditions. This suggests a possible advantage under threat, allowing the fish to detect or react to predators better. In contrast, female guppies did not exhibit this pattern.
A new study by University of Bristol PhD student Zoe Muller found that giraffe group sizes are not influenced by predation risk, contradicting a long-held assumption. Giraffe groups were smaller when adult females had calves, highlighting the complexity of their behavior and ecology.
The Isle Royale wolf population has remained steady at two individuals for the third consecutive year, with the moose population continuing to grow above historic averages. The study's citizen science volunteers have contributed significantly to the research efforts, gathering data on moose skull sizes and wolf activity.
Researchers found that fawn survival is higher in landscapes with mixed forest and agricultural cover, but human-caused mortalities are greater. The study suggests that efforts to alter fawn survival may be challenging due to predation, and that reducing antlerless harvests may be more effective.
Chromobacterium piscinae produces cyanide as a defense mechanism against Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, inhibiting predation but not being toxic. The study suggests microbes can resist predation through secondary metabolites in certain environments.
A Michigan State University study reveals that the endangered piping plover population may decline over the next decade due to increasing predator pressure. The researchers developed an integrated population model coupled with a Bayesian population viability analysis to improve accuracy in forecasting population changes.
Antipodal words, encapsulating opposites, offer sharp communication and irony. They articulate predation, violence, and human excess, briefly opening a semiotic window onto the unspeakable.
Researchers developed state-dependent detection theory, which considers multiple connected decisions and energy reserves. The new model finds that as predation risk increases, animals become more tolerant of danger signals, prioritizing short-term survival over long-term reproductive success.
Research highlights invasive species' impact on bats, including predation by cats and invasive plants like burdock that entangle them. The study also reveals the importance of protecting island-dwelling bat populations from extinction.
A recent University of Alberta study reveals that wolves in the Athabasca Oil Sands region are undeterred by tailings ponds and pit mines when hunting moose. In fact, low human activity areas like these provide effective hunting grounds for wolves.
A new study reveals a global pattern of caterpillar predation driven by tiny arthropod predators like ants, contrary to expectations. The trends show that caterpillars near the Equator are eight times more likely to be eaten than those at the poles.
A global pattern in predation on insect herbivores has been discovered using 'dummy caterpillars', revealing that tiny arthropod predators like ants drive the increase in predation risk towards the Equator. The study found a significant decrease in predation risk near the poles, with a corresponding increase near the Equator.
A new study models herbivore arthropods across six continents and finds that predation rates decrease with increasing latitude and elevation. The research suggests that caterpillars may have evolved shorter development times to counteract increased predation at lower latitudes.
Researchers found that in areas with high predation risk, fish differentiate into leaders and followers, leading to increased shoal cohesion. The study suggests that decision-making in social groups can adapt depending on ecological factors.
The Isle Royale wolf population has remained unchanged for the second year in a row, with only two wolves left on the island. The moose population is expected to double over the next three to four years, leading to increased vegetation consumption and potentially altering the island's ecosystem.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures led to the extinction of smaller springtail species, while larger species survived due to their ability to adapt and escape predators. This study highlights the complex interactions between species under climate change conditions.
A four-year study of two congeneric lupines found that seed predation can shape plant communities, but the impact depends on habitat conditions. The removal of European beachgrass altered the ecosystem, leading to a rebound in the rare lupine population and suggesting that seed loss is not always detrimental.
Researchers found that starlings are safer from predation in larger flocks due to the confusion effect, where predators struggle to target individual birds. The study suggests that this behavior may be one of many functions of these impressive groups in starlings.
A recent study reports a surge in jaguar killings in Panama, primarily due to retaliatory attacks by cattle ranchers on the big cats' prey species. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation measures, including education and economic incentives, to protect the endangered jaguar population.
Scientists describe the first recorded predation of a vampire bat by a rainbow boa in an Ecuadorian cave. The snake caught and killed the bat before consuming it in 4 minutes and 50 seconds.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that Lake Huron's Chinook salmon fishery is unlikely to recover due to a severe food shortage caused by the collapse of the alewife population. The study suggests that restoration of native fish species and adaptation to this new situation are crucial for the ecosystem's recovery.
Research suggests tropical songbirds invest more resources in their offspring, leading to higher survival rates, whereas temperate species prioritize quantity over quality due to high mortality rates among young adults.
A new study reveals that humans prey on adult species at rates up to 14 times higher than other predators, leading to widespread extinction and restructuring of food webs. This behavior alters observable traits in prey populations and transforms ecological interactions.
A study by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology found that Montagu's harrier nests in France are vulnerable to predation after harvesting, highlighting the need for effective conservation measures. Fencing off nests is proposed as a solution to mitigate damage and optimize efforts.
Research led at the University of Strathclyde suggests that predatory seals are a major obstacle to cod stock recovery in Scottish waters. The study found that grey seal predation has increased to compensate for declining fishing efforts, leading to losses of over 40% of the total stock.
A University of Montana study found that songbird species vary in time devoted to warming eggs due to factors such as lifespan and predation risk. Longer-lived species with more future breeding opportunities invest less effort in keeping eggs warm, while those with shorter lives put more effort into caring for their young.
Dwarf mongooses show real-time behavioral plasticity in response to threat indicators, altering their behavior based on environmental conditions and social signals. This flexible decision-making allows them to optimize foraging time versus vigilance, ensuring survival in a vulnerable predator-rich environment.
Researchers found evidence that Pacific sleeper sharks, a large and slow-moving species, may be preying on juvenile Steller sea lions. The study used archival tags implanted in the sea lions to track their movements and found that some of the tags recorded rapid temperature changes, indicating predation.
Research indicates that coyote predation on fawns in the East may not be significant enough to cause deer population decline, especially with reduced doe harvests. In contrast, extremely low doe survival rates combined with high fawn mortality support stabilization of Eastern deer populations.
Scientists from Michigan Technological University found that inbred wolves on Isle Royale National Park are struggling, leading to a significant drop in wolf predation rates and a doubling of the moose population. The researchers attribute this decline to genetic inbreeding caused by the introduction of a single immigrant wolf in 1997.
A new study found that orangutans come down from trees more often in degraded habitats, suggesting a greater ability to cope with forest loss. Increased terrestriality may also facilitate movement and dispersal, accessing different food sources.
A recent study by University of Montana faculty and graduate students found that wolf predation contributes to lower weight gain in calves on western Montana ranches. The study quantifies the economic impact of weight loss after a confirmed wolf kill, finding a $6,679 loss at sale for an affected ranch.
A recent study found that feral cats in urban areas tend to avoid core activity areas of urban coyotes, which can be up to 40% of their home range. This avoidance is likely due to the threat posed by coyotes, leading to a reduced impact on wildlife in urban green spaces.
Researchers found that eastern coyotes and coyote × wolf hybrids in central Ontario have killed adult moose, challenging the long-held notion of their inability to tackle such prey. The study also discovered that younger and older adult moose are more vulnerable due to inexperience and deteriorating body condition.
Male Bahamas mosquitofish develop longer, more elongated gonopodium tips when living with predators, suggesting an adaptation for efficient sperm transfer during rapid copulations. This study highlights the importance of ecological variation in generating genital diversity.
A 17-year study off New Zealand's coast found all 61 false killer whales were linked in a single social network and associated with bottlenose dolphins for up to 5 years. These partnerships may provide mutual protection against predators through increased detection ability.
Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London capture images of golden eagle attacking a young sika deer on camera trap. The event, which occurred six years ago, is extremely rare and has no impact on deer populations.
Research shows that Veeries eavesdrop on owls and adjust their evening songs to minimize risk of predation. The study found a significant reduction in extended singing bouts at dusk after playback of recorded owl vocalization.
In a study of cichlids, researchers found that parents adopt fry from other families to protect against predators, while also delivering their own young for adoption. This strategy ensures the survival of at least some offspring in a species highly predated.
A new study reveals that the number of vertebrate predators and food availability influence epidemic size and host evolution. Daphnia populations evolve increased susceptibility to yeast infection in lakes with fewer resources and high predation.
A freshwater zooplankton species, Daphnia dentifera, evolves quickly to balance infection resistance and reproduction during epidemics. The number of vertebrate predators and food availability influence the size of epidemics and host evolution.
A new study reveals that predation on juvenile Steller sea lions is significantly underestimated and may be preventing the population from recovering. The study suggests that predators, such as orcas, are targeting more juveniles as populations decline, leading to a 'productivity pit' where breeding females are reduced.
A UBC study reveals that climate-driven warming and predation are causing significant losses in marine biodiversity, with mussels losing 51% of their habitat due to rising temperatures. Removing predators through exclusion cages allowed prey species to occupy hotter sites, resulting in a doubling of species richness.