Articles tagged with Predators
Research shows that juvenile crown of thorns starfish can delay their diet shift to coral for at least 6.5 years, allowing them to build up populations on reefs in the absence of coral. This delayed transition complicates efforts to manage the starfish population and may trigger a feedback mechanism in their transition to coral predators.
A study led by Marius Roesti of the University of Bern found that predation by large fish is stronger in temperate zones than near the equator, contradicting the biotic interactions hypothesis. The researchers analyzed over 900 million predator attacks and found that fish species richness peaks at the equator.
Red-winged blackbirds respond aggressively to a specific 'seet' call from yellow warblers when they detect the presence of brown-headed cowbirds. The birds also respond to other calls that signal general danger to their nests, including blue jay and cowbird chatter.
An international team of scientists has discovered three new species of toothed pterosaurs in the Sahara region of Africa, providing a unique window into their evolutionary history. The fossils, found in Morocco's middle Cretaceous Kem Kem beds, reveal that African pterosaurs were similar to those found on other continents.
Three new species of toothed pterosaurs have been identified in Africa, providing a window into the world of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The fossils suggest that these flying reptiles were similar to those found on other continents and preyed on a superabundance of fish.
Researchers found that large predators generally suppress smaller predators, providing more food in the form of leftover prey. However, the scavenging process can also be deadly for smaller carnivores, as they may be killed by their larger kin when returning to the kill site.
The study found that land type significantly influences the interaction of vigilance and scent marking behavior in banded mongooses. In environments with high predator presence, such as national parks, mongoose exhibited reduced scent marking behaviors, while in areas with low predator risk, like tourism lodges, these behaviors increased.
A new study reveals that house cats have a two- to 10-time larger impact on wildlife than wild predators. The research found that most pet cats hunt in disturbed habitats and kill an average of 3.5 prey items per month, leading to an estimated ecological impact per cat of 14.2-38.9 prey ha-1 yr-1.
A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.
A team of scientists studied the jumping mechanism in flea beetles and discovered a highly efficient 'catapult' that can propel the beetle hundreds of times its body length. The research revealed two processes that amplify power output and reduce energy waste, enabling the beetles to perform over 30 consecutive jumps.
Researchers discovered a species group of snakes in western China and Japan changed their primary diet from frogs to earthworms and firefly larvae, gaining access to the same toxic compounds. This marks the first documented case of an vertebrate predator adapting to an invertebrate prey for defense.
A new study found that blue tits and great tits learn to avoid toxic foods by watching others' reactions, potentially increasing their survival rate. The birds can decrease the likelihood of bad experiences by observing others' behavior.
Researchers discovered that dormancy is a natural response to over-predation, allowing zooplankton to survive during food scarcity. Laying dormant eggs can aid population recovery, while regular eggs may not.
Researchers at the University of Montana studied how black-capped chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches encode information in their calls, revealing that they can distinguish between direct and indirect threats. The study suggests that birds are capable of sophisticated decision-making and avoiding spreading false information.
Marine biologists found that redundancy in urchin predators and protection afforded to them help keep sea urchin populations in check, particularly in protected areas. The study highlights an underappreciated benefit of marine reserves and offers a new perspective on strategies to manage ecosystems for resilience.
Researchers discovered that both the yellow color and the black and yellow mosaic pattern are essential for luring prey during the day. The study also found that the yellow color alone was very effective at luring nocturnal insects.
A recent study reveals that Mediterranean sea urchin populations are more genetically isolated than previously thought, with strong selection pressure on temperature adaptation. The analysis of genetic distribution suggests a progressive adaptation from west to east, highlighting the impact of global warming and geographical barriers.
Research suggests that captive-bred game birds may be unprepared for life in the wild due to unnatural early life conditions. Mimicking natural conditions in captivity could promote more natural behavior and improve survival chances. Adding perches and unpredictable food supply are proposed solutions.
A new study reveals iridescence can act as highly-effective camouflage, increasing prey survival and explaining its evolution in many animal species. Researchers found that iridescent beetle models survived best against bird attacks, suggesting a clever strategy to confuse predators.
A global study on the impacts of human land-use found that predators and small ectotherms are disproportionately affected, with abundance reductions of 25-50% compared to natural habitats. The researchers analyzed over 1 million records from 80 countries and 25,000 species.
Researchers found that a wandering spider species preys on assassin bugs in a Brazilian limestone cave due to food scarcity. This unique ecological interaction may affect apex predator populations and is considered a strategic behavior for the spiders.
A new study from the University of Bristol found that unpatterned animals using short, fast movements are less likely to be detected by predators. The research used human participants as surrogate predators and quantified the effects of movement duration, speed, and target pattern on localization accuracy.
Infected mice exhibit decreased general anxiety and increased exploratory behavior, as well as reduced aversion to various threats. The parasite achieves this through neuronal inflammation rather than direct interference with specific neuronal populations.
Researchers found that humpback whales use stealth to minimize escape responses of prey, allowing for simultaneous engulfment of up to 60% of anchovies. The study reveals how large filter feeding whales capture highly maneuverable forage fish using a predator-informed looming stimulus.
Researchers at Stanford University found that humpback whales use stealth and deception to capture fish, overcoming limitations in speed and maneuverability by timing their lunges. This innovative feeding strategy allows them to consume a large number of fish per feeding event, making it more energetically efficient than feeding on krill.
A team of researchers observed regular oscillations in the populations of rotifers and green algae over a period of one year, corresponding to more than 50 cycles. The oscillations were repeatedly interrupted by short periods without discernible external influences, but always returned to their normal rhythm on their own.
Experiments by McGill University and University of Oldenburg confirm regular oscillations in predator-prey populations can persist without complete depletion of prey resources. The study found that less efficient predators can lead to prey recovery, potentially creating endless cycles.
A study by Jan Ohlberger and colleagues found that orca predation contributes to more rapid growth, earlier maturation, and a 9% decrease in Chinook salmon body size. The impact is particularly pronounced on larger, older fish, highlighting the need for reconciling marine mammal conservation with management of Chinook salmon populations.
Squid exhibit strong alarm behaviors when exposed to underwater pile driving noise, which can be associated with offshore wind farms. The study found that fast habituation may make squids more vulnerable to predation, while longer periods between pile driving activity may discourage long-term habituation.
A study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Azteca ant colonies in Mexican coffee farms exhibit a Turing pattern, similar to leopard spots and zebras' stripes. This finding highlights the complexity of agroecological systems and challenges simplistic pest management approaches.
A new UBC study found that restoring seismic lines to protect caribou from predators and competitors has limited effectiveness in keeping them safe. Caribou populations have declined rapidly across western Canada, and the researchers' camera trap study showed that restored lines were used about as much as unrestored lines.
Researchers found that herbivores choose friends based on species with informative alarm calls, vigilance, and vulnerability to predators. This complex social world highlights the importance of communication between species for survival and conservation.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz discovered elevated mercury levels in mountain lions, lichen, and deer within the fog zone, approaching toxic thresholds. Bioaccumulation contributes to higher concentrations up the food chain, posing a significant risk to terrestrial mammals.
Research on Trinidadian guppies reveals that leadership tendencies are partly inherited, with around a third of the variation explained by pedigree. Males bred for high leadership exhibit lower aggression and increased sociability compared to those bred for low leadership. In contrast, female leadership does not appear to be linked to ...
Research finds Galapagos finches' antipredator behavior sustained through generations after threat gone, affecting survival. Urbanization weakens fear response to humans
Researchers observed a dramatic shift from chaotic to ordered motion in jackdaw mobs as they grew in density. The birds initially follow 'topological' rules for winter roosting but switch to 'metric' rules for predator avoidance, leading to the emergence of organized behavior.
Researchers analyzed over 65 years of records and data on hatchery-origin Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea, finding that larger fish are being released but still vulnerable to predators. The study suggests a narrow two-week window of release may lead to 'boom or bust' dynamics, affecting sustainability.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and University of Trento reveals that chicks are born with the knowledge to flee from predators and slow down when a threat is far away. This innate ability allows them to survive in their environment without needing to learn through experience.
Researchers have found that white sharks gather in large numbers at seal nurseries, forming persistent communities that persist for years. The study used photo-identification and network analysis to show that the apex predators choose who they hang with, driven by sex-dependent patterns of visitation.
A Congolese giant toad has been found to mimic a venomous Gaboon viper in both appearance and behavior, using Batesian mimicry to avoid predators. The researchers observed the toad emitting warning hisses and displaying a bow-like posture, matching its surroundings to effectively deceive predators.
Scientists have discovered a new species of praying mantis that conspicuously mimics a wasp, offering insights into the evolutionary biology and defense mechanisms of this unique behavior. The newly described Vespamantoida wherleyi joins one previously known species within the newly erected genus Vespamantoida.
Researchers found that North Atlantic right whale mothers significantly reduce their vocalizations when communicating with their calves, using a quiet, short sound instead of the typical loud 'up call'. This behavior, called acoustic crypsis, helps avoid attracting orcas and sharks, key predators of young whales.
Researchers found that jackdaws can identify individual calls and assess group size when deciding to join a mob. While they use a form of counting, there may be cognitive limitations to their ability.
The study found that the presence of Nassau grouper had a positive effect on fish abundance, with groups having both a resident grouper and complex habitat producing the highest numbers of fish. Habitat complexity also significantly benefited fish populations, with degraded sites having fewer than 50 fish on average.
Researchers analyzed ancient crocodiles' shapes, modern diets, and fossil records to reconstruct their diets. Slender-snouted groups eat various prey, while broader-snouted groups consume larger prey up to their size.
A team of scientists discovered a giant virus genome in choanoflagellates, unicellular predators that eat bacteria and small algae. The virus encodes genes for microbial rhodopsin proteins, which are also found in vertebrates and help detect light.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that Komodo dragon armor is designed to protect against other dragons, not predators. The unique bone structure, featuring four distinct shapes, provides extensive coverage and suggests that young Komodo dragons do not have armor until adulthood.
Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that stripes can conceal speeding prey in miniature cinema experiments with praying mantises. The study found that narrow stripes were harder for the mantises to spot when moving at fast speeds.
Eastern gray squirrels in Ohio parks exhibit decreased vigilance when hearing bird species' casual chatter after a simulated hawk call, suggesting they can tap into cues of safety. The findings support the idea that non-alarm sounds like bird chatter could be as important as danger signals for these animals.
A new study by MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa and Esther Clarke reveals that Old World monkeys can combine two items in language sequences, but this ability stops at two. Unlike humans, who can recombine terms to create an infinite variety of sequences, the monkeys' language lacks the capacity for greater complexity.
An international study has investigated the extinction of two New Zealand songbirds, revealing that habitat loss and introduced mammalian predators were key factors. The research, published in Biology Letters, used ancient DNA to reconstruct the birds' population history, indicating a rapid decline prior to their extinction.
A team of evolutionary biologists found that diversity exists even when expecting otherwise, as rare warning colors in poison frogs persist alongside stronger signals. The research suggests that predators learn to avoid more distasteful yellow frogs and generalize this avoidance to white frogs.
Research reveals that giraffes with calves prioritize predator avoidance over food in areas with high lion populations. Human presence also plays a role, with giraffes seeking safety near traditional pastoralist compounds.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that fiddler crabs separate polarisation and brightness channels to detect approaching objects. This method provides a greater range of information for the crab, with polarisation offering a more reliable source of information than brightness in detecting predators.
Goliath frogs create three types of ponds to safeguard their eggs and tadpoles from predators. Researchers observed the frogs' laborious pond-building efforts, which may explain why they evolved to be giant.
Researchers found that sticky glandular trichomes on tobacco leaves trap insects, which are then consumed by the spined stilt bug, a predator that protects the plant from pest infestation. This mutualistic relationship increases leaf yield and reduces plant damage without harming the tobacco plants.
A new study by Western University demonstrates that fear of predators can leave long-lasting traces in the neural circuitry of wild animals and induce enduringly fearful behaviour. The findings support the notion that PTSD is not unnatural and have important implications for biomedical researchers, mental health clinicians, and ecologi...
Researchers found that sharks are much rarer in habitats closer to people and fish markets, with a significant drop in average body size. The study suggests that industrial fishing is the main driver of this decline, which has major implications for ocean ecosystems.
Researchers found that competition for prey among carnivores wasn't a cause of megafaunal extinction. Instead, climate change and human arrival led to the demise of giant predators like saber-toothed cats. Today's apex predators in North America are smaller animals that took advantage of the extinction.
A new study found that elk in northern Yellowstone avoid both cougars and wolves by selecting specific habitats. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple predator species when studying prey populations and ecosystems.