Articles tagged with Predators
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Research shows that top predators like wolves need continuous territories to effectively control ecosystems. Fragmented wolf populations, such as in North America, are unable to control smaller predators like coyotes.
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 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.
Researchers used time-lapse photography to study interactions between predatory fishes, urchins, and algae in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The findings show that triggerfish control pencil urchin abundance, affecting algae consumption, while green urchins are not preyed upon by fish.
A study by Lund University found that bold common roaches, known for their bravery, are twice as likely to be eaten by cormorants. Shyer individuals, on the other hand, survive to a greater extent in the wild. The researchers' focus on behavioral traits rather than morphology provides new insights into predator-prey interactions.
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.
Researchers found that two species of triggerfish control pencil urchin populations, reducing their consumption of algae. This mid-level predator has a strong impact on the coastal ecosystems' vitality.
Ghost crabs actively select dark sand for dark-colored individuals and light sand for light-colored ones, showcasing active choice in crypsis. This behavior has implications for understanding anti-predator adaptations and evolution.
A UTA Ph.D. student is awarded a grant to investigate how eyes and brains evolved in response to predation, exploring the relationship between eye size and survival rates in Caribbean killifish populations.
Researchers found that competition among grazers, such as herbivorous fishes and algae, structures the space use patterns and feeding behaviors of bulletheads. The study suggests that predation risk has a limited impact on prey foraging behaviors in areas with high levels of competition.
Researchers from the University of Exeter used online computer games to test animal camouflage and colour vision. They found that trichromats, like humans, outperformed dichromats in finding camouflaged prey, but dichromats improved faster over time.
Wolves in Yellowstone National Park prefer to hunt elk over bison despite bison being more abundant, likely due to the danger posed by larger prey.
Researchers created digital food web capturing human interactions with environment, revealing how humans disrupted existing ecosystems when introducing corn and altering food sources. The study sheds light on future human choices and climate change impacts.
Gray wolves and other large predators are adapting to human-modified environments by changing their social structures, movements, and behavior to acquire anthropogenic resources. This phenomenon has serious implications for wider conservation efforts, including wolf reintroduction programs.
Researchers studied how Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus tracks down prey using high-resolution video microscopy. The study found that the bacterial predator uses hydrodynamic flow fields generated by its own swimming movements and those of its prey to bring them in close proximity, increasing the chances of a successful attack.
Researchers found that adult male common wall lizards exposed to humans become habituated and hide less, with yellow lizards being the most tolerant. In contrast, red lizards exhibit increased sensitivity to potential attacks, suggesting a relationship between coloration and antipredator response.
A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln ecologist John Benson found that eastern coyotes hunt moose and other large prey far less frequently than does the eastern wolf. The findings suggest that eastern coyotes have not filled the ecological niche left vacant when the eastern wolf became threatened.
Scientists have discovered fossilized damselflies in Burmese amber that display ancient courtship behaviors, including elaborate leg structures and wing-like features. The findings suggest that damselfly mating rituals may have occurred as far back as the dinosaur era.
Researchers discovered that robber flies employ a constant bearing angle strategy and 'lock on' to their prey at a distance, allowing them to capture small targets. The flies' eyes have been found to have a high spatial resolution, enabling them to detect prey items up to 100 body lengths away.
In a study published in Behavioral Ecology, researchers found that spiders form large colonies in response to environmental conditions, such as heavy rainfall and predation. This discovery contradicts the idea that family bonds drive social behavior, instead suggesting that difficult environments lead to cooperative living.
Researchers found that up to 90% of predatory fish are gone from Caribbean coral reefs, straining the ecosystem and coastal economy. Protected supersites could support large numbers of predator fishes, potentially boosting the economy through tourism.
Researchers found that restoring predators and prey species together is faster and more efficient than pursuing restoration of one species at a time. This approach, also known as synchronous recovery, can lead to significant ecological and economic benefits.
A new study by University of California - Santa Barbara researchers found that synchronously restoring predator and prey species speeds recovery efforts of both. This approach is nearly always more efficient and on average about twice as fast as sequential recovery.
A new study suggests reducing pressure on both predators and prey simultaneously is the most effective way to help their populations recover. This approach, known as synchronous recovery, has been shown to produce faster and more direct recovery rates than sequential approaches.
Researchers found that moths in the subfamily Arctiinae mimic wasps to evade birds and other predators. However, their nearly perfect resemblance is not due to learning from experience, as previously thought, but rather to deceive actual wasps into thinking they are part of the same species, thereby avoiding attack.
A study found that male birds' mobbing behavior, such as dive bombing and aerial swoops, serves not only as protection against predators but also as a way to showcase their physical qualities to attract females. When females from the same species are present, males increase their participation in these displays.
A new study by Vladimir Dinets of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows that broad-footed moles feed on the ground frequently during cool, wet nights with fog or rain. This nocturnal foraging behavior makes surface-active moles difficult to observe, and contradicts long-held assumptions about their fossorial lifestyle.
A new miniaturized camera inspired by eagles' sharp vision uses multi-aperture design to capture high-resolution images with improved center sharpness. The 'foveated imaging' system has potential in areas like endoscopy, optical sensors, and surveillance drones.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that around a quarter of snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets consist of livestock, highlighting the challenges for conserving these endangered species. The research analyzed DNA and hairs in scats from 182 snow leopards and 57 wolves, revealing prey preferences and diet composition.
Researchers discovered wolves kill less often in the presence of brown bears due to competition for food. The consistency of results between two continents suggests that brown bears may be reducing wolf kill rates, but the reasons behind this phenomenon are still unclear.
Research in Fiji Islands reveals that small community-based marine protected areas can be susceptible to attacks by crown-of-thorns sea stars, which can devastate coral reefs. Despite the importance of these protected areas, the findings highlight a new threat that may emerge from degraded areas surrounding healthy ecosystems.
Researchers found that Trinidadian guppies developed stronger and more stable social bonds when they thought predators were in the area. This coincided with smaller social groups, indicating a possible trade-off between forming strong relationships and living in larger groups.
Research by University of Bristol scientists found that traffic noise hinders animals' response to warning signals, making them more vulnerable to predators. The study suggests that man-made noise can have a broader impact on information transfer between and within species.
Researchers found that areas with high deer numbers tend to have fewer birds that rely on forest shrubs for nesting and hunting. This is because white-tailed deer eat away at these plants, leading to a decline in songbird populations such as the Hooded Warbler and Prairie Warbler.
A University of Washington study reveals that invasive marine snails react differently to threat signals compared to native snails. Native snails use multiple sources of information before fleeing or hiding, while invasive snails respond impulsively and hide at the first whiff of danger.
A new study suggests that China's success in sustaining large catches is due to reducing predatory fish populations, allowing preyed-upon species to increase. This approach can lead to increased harvests, but may also have negative impacts on biodiversity.
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 new study from Rice University found that smaller, younger predators have a significant ecological impact on pond ecosystems. The research, which involved over 54 test ponds and thousands of hours of data analysis, showed that even the earliest stages of salamander development can lead to lasting changes in the environment.
UC Riverside-led research quantifies rattlesnake strikes for the first time using portable high-speed cameras, capturing three-dimensional video of a snake preying on a kangaroo rat. The study reveals that snakes can greatly exceed lab observations and that kangaroo rats may use elastic energy storage to evade strikes.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that reef fish are willing to overcome their fear of sharks and eat algae in danger zones. This behavior can help counteract excess algae growth in coral reefs threatened by nutrient pollution.
A study by Thomas Zaret and Robert Paine found that peacock bass introductions led to the extirpation of 60% of native freshwater fish in Gatun Lake. The invasive species still have not recovered, with many other exotic fish introduced over time.
Two studies led by Oxford University scientists found that human activities caused 88% of male lion deaths in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. The research highlights the risks faced by lions when they enter farmland or hunting areas, and the need for improved trophy hunting management to protect populations.
Researchers found that guppies with superior mathematical abilities were better at distinguishing between bigger and smaller shoals, as well as choosing larger food items. This enhanced cognitive ability led to increased survival rates and foraging success in the wild.
Researchers analyzed incubation rhythms of 32 monogamous shorebird species across 729 nests, finding significant within- and between-species diversity. The study suggests that the risk of egg loss from predators is a key factor determining incubation bout lengths, with cryptic nest behavior influencing this relationship.
A global-scale survey of 100 snake species has found a larger number of snakes with a mutation that protects them from the deadly toxins stored in toad skin. The research reveals these mutations occur in a wider range of species than previously believed, challenging the initial assumption they were limited to toad-eating snakes.
Researchers found two snail species in Japan and Russia that use their shells to hit and knock over carabid beetles. This active defense strategy is unique and suggests the importance of predator-prey interactions in animal evolution.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that predators can catalyze the rise and fall of chlorovirus populations by exposing algae to viruses. The research suggests that the structure of food webs in an ecosystem may influence viral propagation, with a potential game-changer for virology.
A Michigan State University study found that hyenas gain an advantage by cooperating during fights with lions, emerging victorious more often. The research team analyzed 27 years of data to fully describe this cooperative behavior, revealing that the number of participating hyenas increases their chances of success.
Researchers developed a system called PREDATOR that identifies potentially malicious website registrations and blocks them, reducing the window for harm. The tool detected 70% of known blacklisted sites based on registration data alone with a false positive rate of 0.35%.
A UBC study suggests that climate change could disrupt predator-prey relationships, leading to the extinction of some species. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding seasonal animal relationships and their vulnerability to changes in temperature.
Research found man-made noise can disrupt animal responses to predator faeces, affecting information gathering and vigilance. This study highlights the negative impact of noise pollution on animal survival in mammals.
Researchers created a simple rule of thumb to help predators weigh the pros and cons of sharing information about prey locations. The model suggests that cooperation is beneficial when it takes longer to find and consume prey, such as large buffalo or rich fishing grounds.
A new study on Asian elephants found that they do not have clear dominance hierarchies or matriarchal leadership like African savannah elephants. This is due to their predictable and productive environment where food and water are readily available, allowing them to make independent movement decisions.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that bandicoots in Tasmania avoid domestic dogs due to thousands of years of dingo coexistence, but not cats. Tasmanian bandicoots have been exposed to dogs for 200 years, while dingoes arrived in mainland Australia 4000 years ago.
Researchers at Hokkaido University found that ants have a preference for aphid colonies with certain colors, which allows these bugs to retain their colors through generations. The team discovered that the number of attending ants was highest when green aphids comprised 65% of the colony.
New research reveals female fiddler crabs visit and leave males to find safe burrows from predators, not perfect matches. Female fiddler crabs use a map of burrow positions to survive bird attacks, which is crucial for both mate-searching and burrow-seeking females.
Scientists at KU Leuven have developed a new cocktail of biological pesticides and synthetic predator cues that kills mosquitoes more efficiently and sustainably. The combination triggers a stress response in mosquitoes, impairing their immune system and reducing the spread of diseases.
A new study found that sulfoxaflor is as effective as broad-spectrum insecticides in controlling soybean aphids, while causing less harm to beneficial predators like the convergent lady beetle and insidious flower bug. This could improve integrated pest management strategies and reduce the risk of insecticide resistance.
A recent study found that a mix of marine zones, including protected reserves and fished areas, is crucial for the health of prey fish. The research discovered that depleting predators on the Great Barrier Reef had negative effects on prey species, such as reduced growth and reproduction.
In a study, magpies won the race for Cheetos, completing tasks faster than crows. However, crows stole food more frequently, suggesting that the smaller birds may not compensate with increased foraging efforts. The findings highlight the complex relationship between competition and cooperation in urban ecosystems.