Articles tagged with Predators
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A species of small fish uses its diet to hide from predators by emitting an odor that makes it invisible to the noses of predators. The researchers tested cod and found that they stayed away when filefish were fed their home coral. This study provides evidence of chemical camouflage from diet in vertebrates.
A study of Aegean wall lizard populations on Greek islands reveals that island tameness is driven by both predator diversity and island isolation. Lizards on small, long-isolated islands are most susceptible to introduced predators, highlighting the need for conservation efforts prioritizing these populations.
Research shows butterfly eyespots are used to deflect predator attacks, with large and bright eyespots in the wet season making a colorful target for attack. In the dry season, smaller and duller eyespots make the butterfly more difficult to detect and consume.
A study by Linköping University found that a single compound in blood, trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal, is as attractive to large carnivores as the entire blood smell. Researchers discovered this through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques.
The tiger beetle is the fastest creature on Earth, but its speed-related vision issues compromise its ability to catch prey. Researchers have discovered that the beetle opens and closes its mandibles in response to visual cues, such as the perceived size of its target.
A study found that ambient noise from human activities impairs nestling birds' ability to communicate effectively with their parents, leading to reduced responsiveness and increased vulnerability. Researchers suggest spreading urbanization and development can negatively impact birds' well-being through proximity to their habitat.
Researchers found that chimpanzees strategically plan their breakfast time and location based on environmental factors and food availability, taking risks to secure desired fruits. The study reveals the complexity of chimpanzee cognitive behavior in complex environments.
Researchers found that bright coloration preceded louder, more complex calls in certain species of poisonous frogs, which helped protect them from predators. This led to the development of unique vocalizations, with females preferring lower-pitch, pulsing calls.
A recent study published in Science suggests that global declines in carnivore populations could embolden herbivores to increasingly dine on preferred vegetation, leading to losses in plant and tree biodiversity. The research used GPS tracking and feeding experiments to measure how fear of predators influences herbivore behavior.
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.
A study found that cheetahs' energy expenditure is driven by distance traveled to find prey, not prey theft. Habitat loss and human activities force cheetahs to travel farther, making life harder for them. The researchers suggest that these factors are more important for population viability than direct competition with larger predators.
A new study suggests that human activity, such as erecting fences and over-hunting, may be the major cause of declining cheetah populations. Cheetahs were found to incur more energy loss while searching for prey than during high-speed chases.
Paleontologists discover a tooth embedded in a rauisuchid's bone, showing phytosaurs targeted both aquatic and terrestrial prey. The find provides evidence for the interaction between these two top predators on land and sea, forcing a reevaluation of ancient ecosystems.
A Dartmouth study reveals that insects' fear response limits their growth in the face of climate change. Insects exhibit slower growth and reduced food consumption when exposed to predator threats, highlighting the importance of considering fear as a key environmental factor.
A University of Utah study suggests that stories told over firelight helped human culture and thought evolve by reinforcing social traditions and promoting harmony. Researchers analyzed scores of daytime and firelight conversations among !Kung Bushmen, finding that nighttime discussions involved more storytelling and imaginative thought.
Research by Brandon Barton suggests that slower natural wind speeds could reduce the number of soybean aphids on plants, allowing lady beetles to hunt more effectively. This could lead to a decrease in pesticide required for crop protection.
Research by Kurt Ingeman at Oregon State University shows that lionfish exhibit alarming behavior, staying in one area and consuming prey even when numbers are low. This makes them more formidable predators than native species, threatening local extinction.
The symposium highlights climate's effects on predators, leading to trophic cascades that alter ecosystem structure and function. Sea otters' keystone predator role maintains healthy kelp forests, supporting diverse marine species.
A new study found that marine noise pollution, such as ship noise, compromises the anti-predator behaviour of European eels. The research, published in Global Change Biology, showed that exposed eels are 50% less likely to respond to predator threats and have slower reaction times.
Researchers have found the fossilized remains of the brain of the world's earliest known predators, which lived in the oceans 520 million years ago. The discovery reveals a surprisingly simple brain compared to its prey, and similarities with modern-day velvet worms.
The study found significant evidence of 'fishing down the food web' in the English Channel, with top predators like sharks and rays declining drastically. The analysis revealed that fish stocks have been removed from the area completely, leaving fishermen to scrape the bottom of the barrel for shellfish.
Researchers from Yale University analyzed the eye structure of an extinct sea scorpion, finding that it had a basic visual acuity level but worsened with size. The study suggests the creature was not a top predator but may have been a scavenger hunting at night.
Research found that frog larvae coexisting with the invasive species for 30 years have deeper tails and larger bodies to evade predators. This rapid evolutionary change helps increase their survival chances.
A new classification system can predict hunting behaviors of mammals from forelimb bone measurements. The system distinguishes between ambush predators, pursuit predators, and pouncing predators with high accuracy. It was developed based on analysis of 62 specimens of 37 species, including the Thylacine.
A recent study examines how climate change alters species interactions in marine ecosystems, particularly predator-prey relationships. The research found that warming temperatures can lead to decreased energy reserves in prey species, highlighting the need for considering multiple species and their interactions when understanding ecolo...
A new University of Florida study found that great white shark numbers are likely growing and not endangered along the California coast. The research team reanalyzed data from multiple aggregation sites and estimated a total population of at least 2,000 sharks, contradicting earlier claims of alarmingly low numbers.
Scientists analyzed coyote and red fox fur trapping records to show the 'wolf effect' favoring red foxes in wolf presence and coyotes elsewhere. The balance between species shifts dramatically with wolf abundance, providing insights for Australian wildlife management.
A new study provides an updated picture of white shark distribution and abundance patterns in the western North Atlantic Ocean, showing signs of population recovery. The analysis of over 200 years of records suggests that white sharks are more common along coastal waters than offshore areas.
New research reveals how a quick-escape circuit in the fly's brain overrides slower behavior when an urgent threat is detected. Flies can choose between long and short escapes, with quicker escapes often resulting in clumsier movements.
A massive tooth fossil of the prehistoric marine predator Dakosaurus maximus has been discovered in Dorset, UK. The tooth, measuring approximately 5.5 cm long, is believed to have belonged to a creature that swam alongside killer whales and ate large fish whole.
A Case Western Reserve University student and his mentor have discovered an ancient kitten-sized predator that lived in Bolivia about 13 million years ago. The animal would have been about the size of a marten and probably filled the same ecological niche as larger sparassodonts.
A new study shows that middle predators, not just top predators, influence the health of entire ecosystems. In some areas, fear of predation by middle predators actually harms the reef's fertility.
Researchers discovered that squid with increased vigilance after injury outlive their less vigilant counterparts due to enhanced predator avoidance. This finding challenges conventional views on pain and sensitization mechanisms.
A new study proposes a theory that explains co-evolutionary changes in predator-prey relationships, revealing unique behaviors at the population scale. The research suggests that evolutionary changes can dramatically affect species relationships, potentially making them more vulnerable or less vulnerable.
Researchers found a negative relationship between predation pressure and bird longevity, supporting the classical theory of ageing. The study analyzed data from nearly 1400 bird species, revealing that larger species with faster reproductive rates tend to live shorter lives.
Studies by Brown University researchers confirm that crabs are ravaging coastal saltmarshes in New England and Long Island. The team's work reveals herbivory of cordgrass by the Sesarma crab is a major cause of marsh death, with overfishing reducing natural predator populations.
The discovery of Eocasea martini reveals how carnivores gave rise to terrestrial herbivores for the first time on land. This 300-million-year-old fossil shows that herbivory arose independently at least five times, including twice in reptiles, and led to a significant shift in early ecosystems.
Researchers from Stockholm University found that poor mimics need only mimic one key aspect to avoid predation, while ignoring other characteristics. By studying blue tits and artificial prey, the team discovered that predators focus on distinctive traits when learning about prey.
Researchers captured high-speed footage of fruit flies responding to a looming predator with swift banked turns, outpacing human blink rate by 50 times. The flies alter course in under 1/100th of a second using their fast visual system and wing motion.
New studies at La Brea Tar Pits reveal significant changes in dire wolf and saber-toothed cat skulls over time, driven by climate change. These adaptations allowed the animals to survive as glaciers receded and climate warmed, providing insights into how species respond to climate change.
A study found that catch-and-release angling creates a window of opportunity for brood predators to consume young largemouth bass. After being caught and released, the male takes an average of 30 minutes to return to its nest, allowing predators to quickly exploit the vulnerability.
Phytoplankton release dimethyl sulfide, a chemical signal that attracts krill-eating birds, while also promoting cloud formation. This connection highlights the importance of marine top predators in regulating climate.
After a 90% extinction event, large aquatic predators like crocodile-like amphibians emerged soon, followed by plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Researchers found that apex predators recovered rapidly in the Early Triassic.
A computer model predicts significant changes in the Ross Sea ecosystem, including disruptions in food webs and predator-prey relationships. Rising temperatures and changing wind patterns are expected to affect biological productivity and species distributions.
A timid jumping spider uses the scent of ants as a defense mechanism against spitting spiders, positioning itself near ant nests for protection. However, this protection also comes with a cost, as jumping spiders are preyed upon by their savior species, the weaver ant.
Prey animals adopt garish colors to live long and prosper, even if they aren't poisonous. The evolutionary benefit of mimicry works, with predators reacting to the impersonations and avoiding eating the imposters. This study used evolving populations of digital organisms in a virtual world called Avida.
A new dinosaur species found in Portugal is estimated to be the largest land predator in Europe, with blade-shaped teeth up to 10 cm long. The dinosaur, Torvosaurus gurneyi, could reach 10 meters long and weigh around 4-5 tons, making it one of the largest terrestrial carnivores from the Jurassic period.
Cornell research reveals that natural enemies like ladybeetles can delay pest resistance to Bt crops, reducing the need for multiple genes and refuge plants. This finding supports the use of Bt crops in agriculture while minimizing pesticide usage.
Sharks are tracked using instruments ingested by researchers gaining new awareness into their feeding habits and role in the ocean ecosystem. The 'shark's eye' view provides unprecedented understanding of shark behavior and movements.
Researchers have discovered that the oldest land predator, Dimetrodon, had 'steak-knife' teeth with serrated edges, allowing it to efficiently eat large prey. The study suggests a gradual change in feeding habits over 25 million years of evolution.
Two new studies have found that genetically modified, insect-resistant crops have no negative effects on beneficial insect predators or a beneficial, entomopathogenic nematode. The research demonstrated that Bt proteins used in corn and cotton crops do not harm two important insect predators that help suppress pest populations.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to dissect the complex interactions between predators and prey in a simple food web, finding three times as many interactions than previously thought. The study revealed that most predator-prey relationships are less specialized and more interconnected than initially believed.
The study highlights the decline of large carnivore species worldwide, with 17 species occupying less than half of their former ranges. The authors call for an international initiative to conserve these species in coexistence with humans, citing the importance of their ecological effects and social benefits.
A team of researchers found that island lizards exhibit reduced escape behavior compared to mainland lizards, suggesting a link between island isolation and tameness. The study also revealed that prey size is an important factor in determining escape behavior, with smaller prey having shorter flight initiation distances.
A four-year study tracked the migratory patterns of 33 tiger sharks across the Coral Sea. Coastal marine parks offer limited protection to these apex predators, whereas oceanic reefs are crucial for their ecology and require prioritization in conservation efforts.
A new study refutes the theory that lions are a major predator of cheetah cubs and finds that big cats can coexist in protected areas. Cheetah cub survival rates were found to be higher in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park than previously thought.
A legless, leaping fish that lives on land avoids predators by using camouflage to match its rocky environment, reducing attacks from birds, lizards, and crabs. The researchers found that the fish's unique colouration helped it survive in its new habitat, suggesting an evolutionary advantage.
Seahorses use their specially shaped heads to capture prey, including copepods, which are notoriously difficult to catch due to their speed. In calm conditions, seahorses achieve a 90% success rate in catching their intended prey.
Research shows that livestock guarding dogs can protect farm animals from predators, resulting in a 91% reduction in livestock losses. This leads to increased tolerance of predators among farmers, allowing for greater coexistence with threatened species like cheetahs.
A new species of carnivorous dinosaur, Siats meekerorum, was the apex predator of its time, competing with small-bodied tyrannosaurs for top roles. The giant carcharodontosaur lived alongside tyrannosaurs and filled a gap in the fossil record during the Late Cretaceous period.