Articles tagged with Predation
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.
Researchers found that installing nest boxes in California vineyards increased avian species richness by over 50% and nearly quadrupled insectivorous bird density. The results suggest an effective method for vineyards to protect their crop while promoting avian conservation.
A volunteer-based survey of diamondback terrapins is being conducted in Virginia to monitor their population and habitat. The study aims to improve conservation efforts for the species, which faces threats from habitat loss, nest predation, and drowning in crab pots.
A new University of Florida study reveals that cats are the dominant predators to urban mockingbird eggs and nestlings, challenging assumptions about urban areas as nesting sites. The study urges pet owners to keep felines indoors at night to reduce nest predation.
Belovsky's study reveals that grasshopper behavior changes with the threat of predators, affecting survival and reproduction. At low densities, reduced feeding increases survival, but at higher densities, it worsens food shortages.
A study published by Montana State University researchers found that elk are having fewer calves due to changes in their nutrition, mainly caused by the presence of wolves. Elk are changing their behavior and foraging habits, such as browsing more in forested areas, resulting in a 27% decrease in food intake.
Research reveals that street lights disrupt the navigation and flight patterns of slow-flying woodland bats, causing them to stray from their preferred routes and face increased predation risk. The study highlights the importance of adopting species-specific approaches to understanding the consequences of artificial light pollution.
A study finds that nonindigenous fish species, such as catfish and largemouth bass, are preying on juvenile salmonids, posing a significant threat to native populations. The research highlights the need for more funding and attention to invasive species impacts on salmon.
A global study of 5,290 bird species found that environmental variation causes birds to lay larger clutches. The study, published in PLOS Biology, also revealed that species living in seasonal environments tend to have larger clutches than those in tropical regions.
Two scientists call for a large-scale trial of a 'ceiling' on hen harrier numbers in grouse moors to end long-standing conflicts. The proposal aims to find a compromise between conservationists and grouse managers, while also improving the conservation status of harriers.
A UC Riverside study shows that killing prey has both direct and indirect effects on ecosystems, leading to evolutionary changes in prey populations. The research found that prey adapt to food availability as well as the presence of predators, resulting in more food available to survivors.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that bears' selective feeding habits on salmon with less signs of senescence accelerates the aging process in these fish. The research suggests that predation pressure is a primary driver of senescence, rather than the physical characteristics of the prey.
In Cameroon's Waza National Park, people have learned to coexist with lions, weighing the benefits of closer grazing against the risk of losses. Researchers found that despite the risks, herdsmen continue to live near the park due to improved access to pastures and water.
Researchers found a correlation between predation intensity and global marine biodiversity, with increased predation rates preceding changes in armor morphology. The study suggests that ecological interactions may drive evolution, with predators driving diversity through drilling and repair scars.
Researchers found that wolves target areas with accessible refuge for elk during winter months when fat reserves are low. Landscape features like proximity to roads and snowy areas play a significant role in wolf-elk interactions.
In a study of fiddler crabs, researchers found that females prefer males with hood-like sand castles as these signals help them avoid predators while sequentially visiting and assessing potential mates. This new understanding highlights how the ecology of choosing a mate can shape sexual communication.
Research by Jorgen Johnsson and Fredrik Sundström found that naive fish benefited from the skills of pre-trained group mates despite having outdated knowledge on predation risk. Social learning improved foraging success, suggesting it can be a beneficial strategy even in uncertain environments.
Research shows tadpoles respond more conservatively to predator cues during the day, but return to feeding quickly at night due to higher growth rate-to-predation risk ratio. This study highlights the importance of considering both external and internal factors in understanding prey behavior.
Male guppies with rare color patterns have a highly significant survival advantage in the wild, surviving at 84% rate compared to 69% for common-patterned males. This phenomenon is linked to frequency-dependent survival, where rarity confers an advantage over common variants.
Researchers found that left-handed snails are less frequently attacked by right-handed crabs, leading to increased survival rates. This advantage is likely due to the specialized tooth on the crab's right claw, which is designed for opening shells, making it harder for the crab to access the left-handed snail's shell.
A study finds that US sheep industry decline is linked to market trends, not predation losses, contradicting decades of federally subsidized predator control efforts. The study's findings suggest re-evaluation of federal funding for predator control in the sheep industry.
A study of fossilized brachiopod shells reveals that predators were a constant threat throughout the Paleozoic Era, with subtle increases in predation traces suggesting escalating predation pressures. The findings suggest that marine ecosystems have become increasingly hostile to survival, consistent with macroevolutionary models.
A new study published in the Royal Society journal found that managing GM herbicide tolerant sugar beet crops can increase yields while reducing herbicide use. The research also shows that single glyphosate applications can enhance weed seed production, benefiting wildlife.
The study suggests that the fear of wolves among herbivores influences vegetation growth in Yellowstone. Restoration goals should focus on recovering natural processes, rather than managing specific species. The findings have implications for other regions with similar ecological dynamics.
A biologist studied the tree hole ecosystem and found that changing factors such as predation, resources, and disturbance alters community composition. The results show that certain species are tolerant of predators, disturbances, or competition, allowing them to coexist in different spatial scales.
A study by Bruce Patterson found that lion attacks increase during wet seasons when traditional prey disperses, making livestock more vulnerable. Implementing a seasonal stocking plan can reduce losses by quartering livestock only during the dry season and taking them to market before the rains.
Researchers found that common raven populations in the western Mojave Desert have exploded by 1,500 percent, posing a significant threat to young desert tortoises. The study used artificial baits to assess risk of predation and mapped areas with high predation risk, highlighting the importance of safe refuges for tortoises.
Research reveals that the removal of great whales from the North Pacific Ocean led to a domino effect of ecosystem impacts. Killer whales preyed on other marine mammals, causing devastating effects on ecosystems.
A field study found that spiders ambushing pollinating insects decrease seed production in flowers. Ecologist Kenwyn Suttle suggests these interactions are common and overlooked by biologists. The research supports the idea that predation on pollinators can impact plant reproduction.
Caterpillars reared in close contact with their own waste do not suffer ill effects. Selection by natural enemies likely drove the evolution of frass ejection behavior in skipper caterpillars to avoid wasp predation.
Researchers found that three-dimensional spider webs reduce predation by mud-dauber wasps, allowing spiders to thrive in safer environments. This escape from predation is accompanied by a significant increase in spider species diversity and abundance.
Golden eagles colonized Santa Cruz Island due to an abundance of feral piglets, preying on island foxes and decimating their population. Skunk populations are booming as a result, thanks to reduced competition from foxes.
A recent study by Tsou and Collie found that predation is a dominant source of mortality in the Georges Bank fish community. The most important predators are cod, silver hake, sharks, and rays, which have replaced groundfish as the dominant fish eaters in more recent years.
A recent study found that warmer water temperatures in Narragansett Bay result in 10-16% fewer winter flounder larvae surviving to the metamorphosis stage. The increase in temperature also affects the availability of food for higher-level organisms, leading to increased predation rates.
Researchers are investigating the predation habits of Nanomia cara, a gelatinous midwater animal, in the Gulf of Maine. The study aims to determine how this species affects food availability for young cod and other commercially important fishes.