Articles tagged with Predators
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Tiger sharks exploit easy food sources during nesting season, turning into scavengers when abundant dead sea turtles are available. The research found that tiger sharks spend more time patrolling surface waters near shore, indicating they are searching for carcasses or weakened turtles.
Researchers discovered mice's instinctive behavioral responses based on vision alone, offering a reliable way for future studies. The study found mice freeze 84% of the time when seeing small discs moving slowly across the screen, while fleeing 88% of the time when seeing growing discs simulating approaching predators.
Researchers found that in pristine remote coral reefs, sharks outnumber their prey at local scales due to spawning aggregations delivering fish directly to them. Conservation efforts may need to prioritize protection of these aggregations alongside shark fishing bans to maintain shark populations.
Some frog species have moved to land to secure mating opportunities away from rival males. This strategy allows males to protect their genetic legacy, as found in tropical frog species that hide while breeding.
A new study by Western University found that smaller carnivores like European badgers fear humans more than their traditional enemies, leading to altered ecosystem processes. This discovery highlights the impact of human activity on wildlife and conservation efforts.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that ptarmigan in Colorado are not strongly affected by recent climate warming trends. However, annual reproduction declined at one site due to warmer spring temperatures leading to earlier breeding.
Water fleas, such as Daphnia, grow defensive structures like helmets and spines in response to predator chemical cues. This 'arming' process allows them to tailor their defenses to specific predators, potentially affecting ecosystem composition and population dynamics.
Researchers have developed a systematic approach to studying monkey morphology, syntax, and semantics using methods from theoretical titi monkeys linguistics. This allows them to compare one monkey species to another and analyze the meanings of their calls in detail, revealing complex formal properties and syntax.
Research reveals that king penguins can distinguish between dangerous and benign sounds while sleeping on the beach. They react with alarm to predator calls, but not to unfamiliar sounds like a dog's growl.
A recent study published in Marine Biodiversity Records reveals that lionfish have colonized almost the entire southeastern coast of Cyprus within a year, thanks to rising sea temperatures. The invasive species can outcompete native fish and reduce biodiversity in the area.
Researchers found that lizard tails evolved differently based on the type of predator, with blue and UV light reflectance varying in communities with weasel or snake predators. A cryptic brown tail also emerged in island populations where birds are the primary predators.
Researchers found that birds flee from predators at longer distances when their eggs are well-camouflaged, and adjust their behavior to shade their eggs during the day. This suggests that camouflage can mitigate both predation risk and thermal risks in animals.
A study finds that fishing closures in Indonesia's shark sanctuary increase shark abundance, while also forcing fishermen to fish in unprotected areas, often turning to illegal practices. Ecotourism may provide an alternative livelihood, but its impact on fishing pressure and illegal activity is uncertain.
Under certain conditions, electric eels attack by raising up out of the water and delivering a series of powerful electrical shocks, effectively deterring predators. This behavior is believed to provide the eels with an evolutionary advantage in defending their territory.
Cretaceous fossils provide insights into the early diversification of ants, with some species exhibiting advanced social behavior. The discovery of Ceratomyrmex ellenbergeri highlights the importance of morphological specializations in ant evolution.
Research highlights factors necessary for successful apex predator recovery, including disease regulation and biodiversity maintenance. The study reveals that full recovery is the exception rather than the rule, with many species facing complex challenges in their recovery pathways.
Researchers found that birds learn to distinguish distasteful prey from tasty ones using sudden displays of conspicuous color. This strategy helps the distasteful prey avoid predation by making it harder for sensitive predators to spot them.
The northern Galapagos Islands of Darwin and Wolf are home to the largest shark biomass reported to date, indicating a healthy marine ecosystem. However, excessive fishing has reduced reef fish abundance, highlighting the need for strong enforcement of the new marine sanctuary.
Researchers tracked over 2,000 juvenile salmon on their 1,000-kilometer journey to the Pacific Ocean. The study found that survival rates increased significantly when salmon traveled in large groups, confirming the 'safety in numbers' strategy for avoiding predators.
A new article provides a comprehensive guide to managing billbugs in turfgrass, including regional information and alternative control methods. The study highlights the potential of using resistant turfgrass varieties and encouraging natural predators to manage billbug populations.
Researchers found that six known predators, including beetles and lacewings, naturally controlled cochineal scale insects on prickly pear plants, regulating their growth. Autonomous biological pest control may be a viable alternative to chemical pesticides under specific ecological conditions.
Research has identified molecular clues driving the effectiveness of scorpion toxins, including the tuning that makes them more toxic to insects. The study found eight protein hot spots indicative of adaptive evolution, which could lead to promising new candidates for insecticides.
Scientists have discovered a predictable trend in the evolution of bird shape among island birds, with flying birds adapting smaller flight muscles and longer legs. This adaptation is driven by relief from predators, rather than genetic divergence.
Researchers from the University of Zurich found that the diversity of megalodon's prey decreased, leading to its extinction. The team analyzed 200 records and reconstructed the species' range over time, concluding that competition with new predators was a key factor in its demise.
Researchers tracked turtles released outside their familiar areas and found most returned home, often within a few hundred meters of their original location. The study's findings have important implications for turtle conservation, supporting the idea that long-term resettlement is not a realistic option.
Researchers found that Asian honey bees produce different types of vibrational stop signals when attacked by giant hornets, which vary depending on the level of danger and context. These signals can inhibit recruitment to dangerous food sources or alert nestmates to imminent threats.
A new study by Dartmouth College and other institutions provides a method to predict forest risks from the southern pine beetle using a simple, inexpensive monitoring program. The researchers found that the risks in any year and region can be predicted synchronously across hundreds of miles.
Research by University of Exeter found that providing early life perches to young pheasants can improve their survival rates and fitness. This is because raised perches help develop essential survival characteristics such as stronger legs, better spatial awareness, and memory. As a result, more pheasants are likely to thrive in the wild.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have identified a tiny area of the mouse brain responsible for the innate fear response triggered by predator odors. This region, known as AmPir, is located in the olfactory cortex and plays a crucial role in perceiving smells, including those associated with fear.
Research reveals that spiders consume a wide variety of plant types, including nectar, sap, and leaves. These findings suggest that spiders may incorporate plants into their diets as a survival mechanism during periods when insects are scarce.
Researchers found that Japanese great tits use specific rules to combine calls and convey compound messages, demonstrating non-human syntax. The study suggests that syntax may be a general adaptation to social complexity in communication systems.
Researchers found that female alligators near wading bird nesting colonies had higher body condition than those without active colonies. The study suggests a beneficial interaction between birds and alligators, where birds provide protection and chicks become a food source for the alligators.
Researchers found that black widow spiders' red hourglass markings are more visible to birds than to insects, helping them avoid detection by predators while still warning off potential prey. This study highlights the complex communication strategies used by animals to adapt to their environments and evade threats.
A new species of blue-tailed monitor lizard unique to Mussau Island has been described, with distinct features including a pale yellow tongue and turquoise pigmentation. The lizard plays a crucial ecological role in the island ecosystem as a top-predator and scavenger.
Researchers found that most coral reef sharks consume small prey items, such as fish and molluscs, and often go hungry between meals. The study's findings suggest that reef sharks are opportunistic eaters, not always consuming large quantities of food.
Hunter-gatherer Aleuts on Sanak Island, Alaska, used a super-generalist diet to stabilize marine food webs. Their prey-switching behavior helped maintain ecosystem balance.
Cobia, a promising fish for aquaculture, has recently been reported from the Colombian and Panamanian Pacific coast, indicating their rapid spread. The species is considered an excellent food fish, but its invasive potential poses significant threats to native ecosystems in the Eastern Pacific.
A new study found that motorboat noise increases stress levels in young coral reef fish, making them more vulnerable to predators. The team recommends creating marine quiet zones or buffer areas to mitigate this effect and protect the marine environment.
Motorboat noise increases stress levels in young coral reef fish, reducing their ability to flee from predators. This study found that boat noise can halve survival chances and double the capture rate of fish.
Scientists have discovered a butterfly-like fossil insect, Kalligrammatid lacewings, in the deep Mesozoic with striking similarities to modern butterflies. These ancient insects likely served as important pollinators during mid-Mesozoic times.
A team of biophysicists from the Niels Bohr Institute has formulated a mathematical model called Lotka-Volterra to assess an ecosystem's balance and predict the impact of invasive species. This formula calculates mutual influence, crucial for sustainable coexistence, and can also forecast extinction due to native animal removal.
A recent study by scientists from the University of Exeter and Cambridge has confirmed that camouflage plays a crucial role in protecting animals from predators. The research found that animals or eggs with matching patterns or contrasts to their surroundings were less likely to be eaten.
Research shows Aegean wall lizards select rocks with colors matching their backs to reduce visibility to birds, boosting camouflage effectiveness. This behavioral defense is more evident on islands with higher bird species and in female lizards.
Researchers reject longstanding hypothesis that zebra stripes provide camouflaging protection, citing limited visibility for zebras and their predators. The study suggests alternative explanations for the evolution of striped patterns in zebras.
Researchers found that wasp larvae jump towards shaded areas to develop, with lower body mass individuals experiencing more jumps. The behavior helps them survive in unfavorable environments, but comes at a cost of increased energy use.
A new UBC study found that predators can help prey species evolve quickly in response to climate change. In experiments with tiny water fleas and predatory fly larvae, populations evolved rapidly when predators were present, highlighting the importance of conserving entire ecosystems.
Research reveals how Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus uses an ankyrin-type protein called Bd3460 as a shield to protect itself against its own enzymes. The study found that the protein binds to the tip of the enzyme weapons, nullifying their action until they are safely secreted out of the Bdellovibrio and into the prey bacteria.
Researchers discovered a 'self-protection' protein in predatory bacteria that binds to enzymes, temporarily deactivating them. This mechanism helps Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus protect itself from its own attack while killing other bacteria.
A new study reveals that long-tailed tits thrive when parents alternate feeding trips, resulting in better nutrition and enhanced protection for their young. This unique strategy, similar to human late-night feeding shared among family members, has been shown to be beneficial for the family group.
Cuttlefish use electrical fields to mask their presence from sharks, reducing the bioelectric field by up to 89% when arms are over siphons. This technology is used in combination with visual camouflage to protect against predation.
Researchers discovered two evolutionary shifts in praying mantis camouflage, with a recent shift triggered by the re-evolution of important leg lobes. This suggests that developmental mechanisms controlling crypsis features may be more ancient than the species themselves.
A study published in Current Biology confirms the phenomenon of horizontal extinction cascades, where the loss of one carnivore species can trigger the demise of fellow predators. The researchers' findings suggest that adopting a whole system approach is crucial for effective conservation.
Researchers simulated predator attacks on ant colonies, revealing coordinated responses to damage. When scouts were removed from the periphery, foraging arms retreated into the nest, while entire colonies fled when workers were removed from the center.
Scientists investigate butterfly mimetic communities in the Western Ghats of India and find that females are generally better mimics than males. The study's results challenge expectations and raise new questions about the evolution of mimicry and selective forces influencing butterfly wing patterns.
Researchers have developed a graphene-integrated device that detects heat signatures at room temperature without cryogenic cooling. This breakthrough could lead to a more versatile thermal sensor, potentially based on a single layer of graphene, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati uncovered ancient parasites on marine animals, including snails and worm-like creatures. The parasitic interactions between crinoids and these organisms reveal complex adaptations and co-evolutionary relationships over hundreds of millions of years.
Researchers found that when damselfish release chemical alarm cues on coral reefs, additional predators are attracted, allowing prey a greater chance of escape. This mechanism boosts the sender's survival rate by about 40 percent.
A team of evolutionary biologists used mathematical models to determine that ancient carnivores could bring down massive herbivores like mastodons and giant ground sloths. The largest cave hyena might have been able to take down a 5-year-old juvenile mastodon weighing over a ton.
A study by University of Liverpool scientists found that amphibians using toxins for defense are at higher risk of extinction, contradicting a long-held evolutionary hypothesis. This discovery challenges our understanding of the relationship between defense mechanisms and species diversification.
Researchers found that predators benefit from eating invasive prey only when their traditional diet remains intact. Native prey is necessary for predators to stay healthy and prosper. Invasive species may provide a supplemental food source, but they don't replace native prey, which is essential for predator survival.