Articles tagged with Wild Populations
A new study reveals that lead fishing tackle is the leading cause of mortality in adult common loons, resulting in 43% population decline over 24 years. The study found that jigs and sinkers accounted for most lead tackle objects ingested by loons.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University engineered GM mosquitoes with altered microbiota that suppresses human malaria-causing parasites. The trait was successfully passed along to multiple generations of offspring, even when combined with wild mosquitoes, and maintained for 7 years.
A recent study by University of Washington scientists reveals that old fish are greatly depleted in dozens of global populations, mainly caused by fishing pressure. This loss can lead to reduced diversity and stability in the marine food web.
Researchers discover that coyote populations are difficult to control due to increased immigration of younger animals vying for territories. The population's reduced reproductive capacity, largely composed of juveniles that rarely breed, contributes to the challenge.
Researchers discover wild sheep bones in Black Desert excavation site, revealing a previously unknown population of the species in eastern Jordan. The finding suggests that the region was capable of supporting a variety of resources, including wild sheep, during the Late Pleistocene.
A University of Guelph study found that exposure to thiamethoxam reduces the chances of a bumblebee queen starting a new colony, with queens exposed to pesticides laying 26% fewer eggs. This significant decline in nesting behavior threatens the survival of wild bumblebee populations.
A recent study suggests that climate change is impacting the survival rates of African wild dog pups, with warmer temperatures leading to fewer pups being raised. The research found that high temperatures caused packs to spend less time hunting and resulted in higher pup mortality rates.
A multi-year study of southern resident killer whales found up to two-thirds of pregnancies failed due to nutritional stress, primarily caused by low or variable Chinook salmon abundance. The research suggests that boosting salmon runs could help the population recover.
A new study links declining steelhead trout populations to poor survival rates of juvenile fish in the ocean. Ocean survival rates have declined by 77% in some areas, contributing to low adult abundance and impacting conservation efforts.
A study found that recreational hunting in Spain's Asturias region can help control wild boar populations. The research team analyzed hunting bag data and found a significant increase in population numbers after temporary bans were lifted, indicating hunters' ability to regulate wild boar numbers.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus has identified new genetic markers in sockeye salmon that can help improve management of fish populations. These markers allow researchers to distinguish between different variants of sockeye salmon, enabling precise identification and monitoring of population numbers.
A new study reveals that fishing can lead to massive gene expression changes in an exploited fish population, affecting their ability to adapt. Removing the largest individuals from a population induces differences in thousands of genes, which persist even after recovery.
Research reveals that mating stimulates aggression in female fruit flies, making them more intolerant of others and changing their behavior, including increased ovulation and rejection of male advances. The study's findings have implications for understanding female competition and potentially controlling pest insect populations.
The study reveals three primary genetic clusters of snow leopards, each found in a distinct geographical region. The discovery sheds light on the species' evolution, ecology, and conservation, highlighting the need for transboundary initiatives to protect this majestic big cat.
Researchers have developed new methods to estimate wild animal population sizes from camera trap data, enhancing effective wildlife management and conservation. This approach facilitates improved information about animal abundance and its variation in space and time.
Researchers found that wild dolphins have chronically activated immune systems due to exposure to pathogens, parasites, and pollutants. This could lead to immunologic dysregulation and increased vulnerability to disease in both humans and animals. In contrast, dolphins in managed care environments have less activated immune systems.
A new study suggests that high deer populations in England are damaging the natural habitat needed by many ground-nesting woodland birds. Eating wild venison could help reduce deer numbers and support the re-emergence of these species, according to University of Nottingham ecologist Dr Markus Eichhorn.
A study in Limnology & Oceanography Letters reveals that biological organisms achieve high population extremes in Midwestern lakes, defying expectations. Researchers found frequent records being set across variables like fish populations, plant growth, and plankton numbers, indicating a need to reassess ecological limits.
A global study found that only 9% of MPAs have adequate staff and funding, hindering their ability to recover fish populations. Despite this, MPAs with sufficient personnel and budget show nearly three times greater increases in fish populations.
Scientists have identified a highly contagious disease threatening the endangered San Joaquin kit fox population. Researchers confirmed diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in 15 kit foxes and found no evidence of recovery from untreated infections.
The first Iberian lynx infected with the pseudorabies virus has been identified, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. The study found that the virus can have a negative impact on wild Iberian lynxes under threat of extinction, and researchers suggest vaccination as a potential strategy.
The study found a significant decline in gull populations on the Scottish island of Canna due to reduced fish landings in nearby harbour Mallaig. The population declined from an estimated 1,525 breeding pairs in 1988 to just 130 pairs in recent years.
A recent study on alpine snow voles found a counterintuitive genetic change towards smaller body mass despite expected positive selection for increased fitness. The research suggests that selection for shorter development times leads to genetic change.
Researchers have identified two promising sites in Kazakhstan where Amur tigers could be reintroduced to Central Asia. The Ili River delta and adjacent southern coast of Balkhash Lake are considered suitable habitats, covering approximately 7,000 square kilometers. To ensure a sustainable future for both tigers and local communities, a...
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that successful fisheries management is critical to maintaining productive fish populations. The research found that science-based stock assessments, limits on fishing pressure, and adequate enforcement are key attributes of effective management systems.
Wild barramundi populations are likely to be seriously affected by ocean acidification, which can impact fish that only spend a short time in the ocean. The study's findings have significant implications for fishing industries and ecosystem health.
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.
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.
Researchers found that Atlantic killifish populations can adapt to lethal levels of pollution due to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway. The study suggests that desensitization of this pathway is a key factor in adaptation, but also highlights potential risks and compensatory adaptations.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling correlates closely with trawl catches of subarctic, deepwater fish species in Greenland. This non-invasive method detected a higher abundance of the Greenland Shark and identified 26 families of fish, including rays and halibut.
A genetic survey of nearly 450 jaguar scat samples found moderate levels of variation, with low diversity in Mexico and Honduras. The study suggests limited gene flow between Selva Maya and Honduran jaguars, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to reconnect populations and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Research suggests that large, old fish in mesophotic zones (30-150 meters) contribute to the sustainability of shallower reef populations. These fish produce larger eggs with higher survivorship rates, which helps to maintain population numbers.
New research from Alaska analyzed 800 watersheds and found that intact flood plains can mitigate the impacts of a warmer, wetter future on salmon spawning habitat. The study predicts up to 16% loss of coho salmon spawning habitat by the 2080s in narrower, steeper streams.
Scientists have reclassified giraffes into four distinct species based on genetic analysis, revealing new insights into their biology and conservation needs. The study highlights the urgent need for protection efforts to safeguard these endangered animals in Africa.
In a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, scientists found that wolves are consistently more prone to take risks when gambling for food than dogs. The researchers trained 7 wolves and 7 dogs to choose between a safe option and a risky option with uncertain rewards, and the results showed that wolves chose the risky option in 80%...
Researchers tested an oral rabies vaccine in wild populations of Ethiopian wolves, with promising results. The trials found that 86% of vaccinated wolves had sufficient levels of protective antibodies, and all but one were alive 14 months later.
A new study has linked exposure to neonicotinoid seed-treated oilseed rape crops to long-term population decline of wild bee species in England. The research found that oilseed rape is a key mechanism for neonicotinoid exposure among wild bee communities, leading to significant declines in biodiversity.
A study led by University of California, Irvine ecologists found that wild blue mussel numbers have declined by over 60% along the Gulf of Maine coastline. The decline is attributed to warming oceans and increased human harvesting, which heighten physiological stress and mortality rates in the mussels.
A NSF-funded mathematician is working on a model to track how to fight A. aegypti mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, reducing their lifespan by a day or two. The goal is to create an endemic population that can displace the virus-carrying population in the wild.
Canada's northern indigenous communities are at risk of mercury exposure due to high fish and marine animal consumption. The Canadian Medical Association Journal provides guidance on managing mercury exposure in patients with diets high in fish and marine animals.
A seven-year experiment in Oregon's Bridge Creek Watershed demonstrates the positive impact of beaver dams on stream restoration and fish habitat. The study found significant increases in juvenile steelhead numbers, survival, and production in restored streams with beaver dam analogs.
Researchers estimate cheetah populations in the Maasai Mara to be lower than previously thought, with an average of 1.28 adult cheetahs per 100km2. The 'spatially explicit' method used can distinguish between visiting and resident animals, providing a more accurate count.
Rising temperatures in Northern Mongolia are causing salmon metabolism to increase exponentially, putting some species near their limits of tolerance for warm water. This could push these species out of one of their last refuges as the climate continues to warm.
A new approach detects shifts in genetic diversity when crops hybridize with wild plants, highlighting the risk of losing rare alleles and altering evolutionary trajectories. This method could improve conservation efforts by identifying areas where crop gene escape is most prevalent.
A study found that commercial bumble bee pollination operations coincided with infections and declines in wild bumble bees. The fungus, N. bombi, was present in the US as early as 1980, well before wild bumble bee species began to decline.
A new study suggests that most of the world's fisheries can be recovered in just 10 years, leading to a doubling of global fish populations by 2050. This recovery would bring significant increases in seafood production and profit for fishermen, with an expected 204% increase in profits by 2050.
Researchers have successfully cloned Terbinicarpus valdezianus, a species of cactus endemic to Northern Mexico threatened by habitat loss. The in vitro cloning method proved effective, with high shoot proliferation and root development rates.
A study published in The BMJ found that adherence to Japanese dietary guidelines is associated with a lower risk of death. Balanced consumption of grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat contributes to longevity in the Japanese population.
Researchers at Monash University found that drones are more precise than traditional ground counts for monitoring seabird colonies. Drones' down-facing perspective reduces the likelihood of missing birds and provides a more accurate count.
A Dartmouth College-led team used Wild-ID tracking technology to examine the link between wildebeest abundance and their ability to freely move within the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem. The study found diminished connectivity, reduced population size, and increased variability over time.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that Lake Huron's Chinook salmon fishery is unlikely to recover due to a severe food shortage caused by the collapse of the alewife population. The study suggests that restoration of native fish species and adaptation to this new situation are crucial for the ecosystem's recovery.
A new study highlights the potential consequences of reintroducing genetically distinct subspecies into wild populations, particularly in endangered species. Researchers found that hybridization between non-native and local orangutan subspecies can lead to health problems and reduced reproductive success in offspring.
A team of geneticists found that the R2d2 gene distorts cell division, leading to fewer offspring and violating Darwin's principle of natural selection. The discovery has implications for fields like basic biology, agriculture, and human health.
A new study from Griffith University uses population viability modelling to quantify the impact of ecotourism on threatened species. For seven out of nine species analysed, ecotourism provides net conservation gains through measures like private reserves and habitat restoration.
The CRISPR-Cas9 system could be used to bias mosquito populations from deadly females toward harmless males, reducing the spread of diseases. Genetic strategies are currently underway but face challenges such as cost and scalability.
The USGS report highlights the need for cooperative research and management efforts to develop effective disease-management strategies before Bsal arrives in the US. Early detection of Bsal is crucial to quickly implement management responses, reducing its spread.
The study reveals that Grey Parrot populations have declined by 90-99% since 1992, threatening their survival. Habitat loss and poaching are major drivers of this catastrophic decline, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Researchers found that mothers' appetites impact on offspring's appetites, stabilizing population sizes. This helps prevent extinction and counteracts the effect of large numbers being preyed upon.
A new study uses radiocarbon dating to estimate ages, growth rates and reproductive maturity of sea turtles in the wild. The technique provides more accurate estimates than current methods, shedding light on factors influencing endangered sea turtle populations.
Scientists have confirmed that killer whales in the Pacific Northwest mainly eat Chinook salmon and coho salmon during their summer diet. The study analyzed DNA from feces to estimate the whales' diet composition, providing new insights into their ecological interactions.