Articles tagged with Predators
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Researchers found that voles in Inner Mongolia, China, trim tall grasses when shrikes are nearby, decreasing predation risk. The voles' behavior is an example of ecosystem engineering, where they modify their environment to improve survival.
Seed dispersal rates by Central American agoutis are lower in ocelot habitats with high scent presence. This change allows bruchid beetles to attack seeds for longer periods, promoting forest diversification. The study's findings have implications for understanding the ecology of fear and its effects on ecosystems.
A new spinosaurid dinosaur from Portugal's early Cretaceous period had a distinctive crocodile-like skull and a spiny back. The species, which lived over 125 million years ago, may have been a wading fish-eater, adding to our understanding of spinosaurid evolution.
A team of researchers found that many marine phytoplankton are voracious predators, consuming bacteria like Prochlorococcus and other primary production. This discovery reveals the complexity of ocean ecosystems and challenges traditional views of phytoplankton as solely photosynthetic organisms.
A new study by University of Western Ontario researchers finds that fear of predators can reduce prey population growth rates over generations. The study, led by Professor Liana Zanette, demonstrates for the first time in any free-living wild animal that fear itself can halve populations in a short period.
Researchers at the University of Montana found that Yellowstone wolves' handling times increase when bears are present, and they move back and forth from kill sites to avoid confrontations. This dynamic affects wolf behavior and kills rates in the presence of bears.
Killer whales have been observed hunting and killing blue whales, with three documented events in Australian waters. The attacks were coordinated and resulted in the whale's flesh being stripped off, highlighting the apex predator's influence on marine environments.
A new study found that climate-driven changes in ocean temperatures have shifted tiger shark movements outside of protected areas, making them more vulnerable to commercial fishing. The study's results suggest that warmer waters are now suitable for tiger sharks, allowing them to migrate farther poleward and earlier than usual.
The fossil of Callichimaera perplexa boasts remarkably large eyes that grow throughout development, unlike most crab species. Its exceptional vision suggests it was a highly visual, swimming predator.
Predator species help mitigate against loss of biodiversity and ecosystem destabilization caused by heatwaves. Algal communities in freshwater streams were found to resemble each other more closely when predators were absent, highlighting the importance of conserving top predators.
Researchers from Yale University have discovered unusually large optical features in a 95-million-year-old crab fossil, suggesting that the species was a predator. The study analyzed nearly 1,000 living crabs and fossils, finding that Callichimaera's eyes were about 16% of its body size and grew at an accelerated rate.
The newly discovered dinosaur Vectiraptor greeni, from the Early Cretaceous period, was a large, heavily built relative of Velociraptor with powerful claws and serrated teeth. It is believed to have hunted larger prey, using its strength rather than speed.
A team of biologists and engineers created a robotic fish that scares mosquitofish away, altering its behavior and physiology. The study found that the mosquitofish showed fearful behaviors, weight loss, and reduced fertility when confronted with the robot.
University of Otago researchers suggest kurī have significant ecological impact on New Zealand's biodiversity, predating kiore and humans. Kurī may have contributed to extinctions of moa chicks, takahē, kākāpō, kiwi, and marine mammals.
A new study from Australian Institute of Marine Science reveals that reef fish such as emperors, tropical snappers, and rockcods play a crucial role in controlling crown-of-thorns starfish numbers on the Great Barrier Reef. By removing these fish species, the abundance of coral-eating starfish increases.
A new UniSA study is helping protect children from online predators by investigating language and behaviors used to gain unacquainted children's trust. The research aims to deliver new linguistic indicators to monitor, identify, and apprehend suspects.
Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.
Scientists have discovered that four types of monarch predators - a bird, a mouse, a parasitic wasp, and a worm - evolved the same unusual cellular mutations as monarchs. These mutations allow them to resist the toxic effects of milkweed plant toxins, which can be deadly to most animals.
Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
Research suggests that larger bee colonies with comfortable food stores are less willing to take risks, while smaller colonies with limited resources are more likely to ignore warning signals. This study provides insights into the complex communication system of bees and its implications for understanding biological collectives.
A recent study found that fish frequently rub against sharks to remove skin irritants and parasites. This behavior, previously unknown, could play a significant ecological role for aquatic animals. The research team documented over 47 instances of fish chafing against shark skin in 13 locations around the world.
A Brazilian study expands amphibians' known reproductive modes to 74, creating a new classification. The research analyzed 2,171 species of amphibians, including anurans with 71 reproductive modes, some laying eggs in aquatic environments while others develop directly.
A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers maps the conditions most suitable for key species of forage fishes in the Chesapeake Bay, offering guidance for protecting or restoring their habitats. The analysis reveals that factors such as water depth and temperature affect the abundance of forage fish, with some spec...
A 'raptor-like' dinosaur was actually a timid, long-necked herbivore, according to recent reanalysis of fossil footprints found in an Australian coal mine. The Prosauropod, a plant-eating dinosaur with legs about 1.4 metres tall and a body length of six metres, is the earliest evidence of its kind in Australia, marking a 50-million-yea...
Researchers found fish, reptiles, and mammals made up the jaguar's diet, with aquatic prey providing energy to burn or play. The high density of jaguars was attributed to abundant aquatic subsidies in the region.
Fish from the Gobiidae family change color more efficiently and effectively when alone, contrary to previous assumptions. This is likely due to reduced stress levels, allowing for faster and more accurate camouflage.
A new study found that parental care does not seem to affect sperm-mediated effects in threespine sticklebacks, contrary to previous expectations. The researchers tested the behavior and stress responses of offspring from predator-exposed fathers with or without parental care.
Researchers found that jaguars are preying on guard dogs in a Mexican Caribbean village, mimicking the behavior of Indian leopards. The study highlights the threat of pet predation conflict to jaguar populations and the need for further research.
A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that domestic cats rely almost entirely on their owner-provided food for nutrition. Despite being prolific hunters, cats only consume a small percentage of the prey they catch.
A 63-bone fossil discovery of Archaehierax sylvestris, a 25-million-year-old eagle-like raptor, has been made in South Australia. The species is one of the oldest eagle fossils known from this period and provides insight into raptor evolution in Australia.
Researchers used a 'role-play' approach to study how Neanderthals caught choughs in caves. They found that the birds were vulnerable to artificial light and could be caught using nets or by hand. The findings suggest that catching birds was another skill of Neanderthals, which is surprising given their intelligence and adaptability.
A study by the University of Miami found that tiger sharks form social groups and exhibit social preferences, but interactions become more random when fed by dive tourism. The researchers tracked tiger sharks over three years and used Social Network Analysis to examine their behavior.
The study analyzed fishery data and interviewed 155 artisanal fishers, identifying 37 species as overfished, including bluefish, dusky grouper, and crevalle jack. Smaller species like beltfish and gray triggerfish are increasingly being targeted.
Researchers found coyotes often scavenge cougar kills but avoid them when not rewarded. Black bears have moderate scavenging rates and avert cougars, while bobcats show no interest in either. The study challenges traditional models of carnivore interactions, suggesting dominance hierarchies are more nuanced.
New research from Portland State University suggests that Allosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur, acquired most of its calories by scavenging on sauropod carcasses. The study's agent-based model and morphological analysis support this hypothesis, challenging 150 years of established thought about Allosaurus' ecological role.
Researchers captured footage of a tortoise attacking and killing a tern chick on Frégate Island. The tortoise approached the chick with its jaws open, suggesting it was an experienced hunter. This unusual behavior challenges previous assumptions about tortoises' diets and hunting habits.
A study by the University of Helsinki found raccoon dogs to be a significant threat to ground-nesting bird populations in Northern Europe. The invasive species was found to destroy nests and prey on farmed mallard eggs, contributing to the decline of waterbird populations.
A new study published in Ecosphere suggests that fear plays a significant role in underdeveloped nestlings and increased vulnerability among urban songbirds. Urban landscapes can have a profound effect on birds' behavior, causing them to change their behavior to avoid perceived predators, leading to reduced weight and survival rates.
Native Mediterranean species have been found to prey on the invasive Pacific red lionfish and silver-cheeked toadfish, suggesting direct human management measures are needed to control their populations. The study documents native predators for both species, including loggerhead turtles and dolphinfish.
A recent study by Nova Southeastern University found that schools of coral reef fish react more slowly to predators when surrounded by strangers, increasing the risk of being eaten. In contrast, familiar friends trigger a faster response, indicating trust and improved information sharing among neighboring fish.
Researchers used 3D printing and water tank experiments to study ancient cephalopod movement. They found that straight-shelled orthocones likely lived a vertical life, jetting up and down to catch food and evade predators.
Researchers found that fawns in areas with multiple predators and humans tend to relax instead of being hypervigilant. The study used trail cameras to analyze the behavior of fawns, adult deer, and predators in different landscapes.
A team of researchers found that wild birds can learn to avoid distasteful prey by observing what others eat, resolving a long-standing evolutionary problem. This breakthrough highlights the critical role of social information transmission in predator-prey dynamics and eco-evo processes.
A seabird colony on Ascension Island creates a 'halo' of depleted fish stocks, with reduced flying fish numbers detected up to 90 miles from the island. The study provides rare evidence for Ashmole's halo, a pattern of prey depletion first proposed 60 years ago.
A recent study suggests that near-death experiences (NDEs) in humans may be linked to evolutionary mechanisms, specifically thanatosis - the phenomenon of death-feigning or tonic immobility. This defense mechanism is thought to have arisen as a survival strategy in animals and has been preserved across various species, including humans.
Researchers found that non-native species are more successful in the less-diverse Pacific, where they outnumber native species by 30%, compared to the more-diverse Atlantic. Predation also played a crucial role in controlling invasive species, particularly in tropical regions.
A study reveals that hunting pressure affects the behavior of endangered Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, causing them to avoid areas with abundant food sources due to increased risk of predation. The research suggests that poachers pose a significant threat, and the risk of predation outweighs the availability of food in their habitat.
A new study suggests that when tyrannosaurs rose to dominance, their juvenile counterparts filled the ecological niche of medium-sized carnivores. The research analyzed 60 dinosaur communities and found no decline in prey species diversity, indicating that juvenile tyrannosaurs took over the role of missing middle-sized predators.
Researchers measured the bite force of juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, finding they could exert up to 5,641 newtons, between that of adult T. rexes and smaller dinosaurs. This discovery provides insight into how young T. rexes fed and interacted with their environment.
Scientists used accelerometers and audio recorders to study the behavior of Canada lynx, capturing detailed sounds of hunts, escapes, and social interactions. The findings provide valuable insight into the hunting habits and social dynamics of this elusive species.
Researchers study individual bees' decision to sting based on alarm pheromone concentration, revealing a 'stopping effect' at high concentrations. The study suggests environmental factors drove the evolution of pheromone-based communication in honeybees' defensive behaviour.
A study in Wisconsin found that wolf introduction reduced deer-vehicle collisions by 24%, with an economic benefit of 63 times the harm caused by livestock predation. The study suggests that wolves' impact on prey behavior is a key factor in collision reduction.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals high levels of contaminants in killer whales near Norway, affecting their tissues and offspring. The findings also highlight the persistence and mobility of chemicals in marine ecosystems.
New research reveals coral can fight back against juvenile crown of thorns starfish with stinging cells, damaging their arms and delaying growth. The study shows coral's defensive mechanism may not be enough to protect it from other threats like climate change.
A review of over 500 academic papers found that wasps are valuable for agriculture, providing biocontrol services worth $416 billion annually. Wasps also contribute to pollination, visiting 960 plant species, including those dependent on them for reproduction. Their venom and saliva have medicinal properties.
Predatory bacteria grow faster and consume more resources than non-predators in the same soil, according to a study. These active predators play an outsized role in how elements are stored in or released from soil, with some species growing 36% faster and taking up carbon 211% faster.
New research reveals that Seychelles giant trevally's home range increases as it grows, emphasizing the need for long-term tracking and monitoring of threatened species. The study suggests conserving nursery areas like St Joseph Atoll to protect the next generation and finding a balance between harvesting and catch-and-release fishing.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that human screams communicate multiple emotions beyond fear, including pain, anger, fear, pleasure, sadness, and joy. Researchers used four experiments to investigate the acoustic diversity of scream calls and found that listeners responded more quickly and accurately to non-alarm screams.
A new study reveals that gray wolves adapted their diet over thousands of years, shifting from a reliance on horses during the Pleistocene to caribou and moose today. The researchers found that horses accounted for half of the ancient wolf diet, while modern diets consist mainly of caribou and moose.