Articles tagged with Wild Populations
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A study by Penn State researchers found that climate change will reduce the availability of cold water habitats for wild brook trout, leading to fewer angling opportunities. The study projected a significant increase in driving distances for trout fishermen due to warming waters.
A University of Queensland scientist cautions against shark culling, citing challenges in managing populations and predicting long-term ecological impact. The expert's research uses DNA analysis to estimate shark numbers and predict population trends.
The wild boar population in Europe has been constantly growing since the 1980s, primarily driven by climate change. Mild winters lead to a sharp increase in population growth, as thermoregulation becomes less of an issue, allowing for more energy available for reproduction and offspring survival.
A study by Rutgers marine biologist Malin Pinsky found that fast-growing fish species are more likely to experience dramatic population declines than slower-growing ones. Overfishing and climate variability were identified as major culprits, with some species collapsing to less than 10% of their historical levels.
A deadly fungal infection, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), threatens North America's wild salamander population via the international pet trade. The fungus is highly virulent and has caused mass die-offs in Europe.
A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Mammalogy found no difference in life expectancy between SeaWorld's killer whales and a well-studied population of wild killer whales. The average life expectancy for SeaWorld's killer whales is 41.6 years, similar to that of Southern Resident killer whales.
Dilbit spills can harm fish populations with deformities and genetic stress, reducing survival rates by impairing feeding and predator avoidance. The study provides a technical basis for decisions on dilbit transportation in Canada.
A new study found that catch-and-release practices in recreational fishing may influence the evolutionary path of species, favoring fish with lower metabolisms. Researchers compared largemouth bass populations from fished and unfished lakes, showing a significant difference in metabolic rates.
A new study from the University of East Anglia suggests that critically endangered species should be left to breed in the wild, rather than in captivity. The research challenges the assumption that captive breeding is always a good idea when a species is close to extinction in the wild.
A study found that Griffon vultures in Catalonia have high levels of lead in their tissues, affecting their immune systems and reproductive function. The birds' diet, which mainly consists of carrion from domestic and wild hunting species, increases their likelihood of ingesting lead.
Wild-type zebrafish outcompete genetically modified Glofish for female mates due to aggressive mating behavior, resulting in the rapid decline and eventual disappearance of the GM trait. The study's findings support the idea that mate competition drives natural selection more effectively than mate choice.
Researchers found that bold field crickets suffer from higher mortality rates compared to shy individuals, likely due to increased predation. This study, published in Behavioral Ecology, highlights the importance of considering individual personality traits when studying animal survival and ecology.
By channeling food to large individuals, fish biomass doubles, highlighting the importance of size-dependent efficiency in population growth. This study has significant implications for fisheries management and predator-prey interactions.
A rare Caribbean coral species has been successfully bred and raised in the lab, providing a rare glimpse into its procreation process. The research could aid future conservation efforts by increasing genetic diversity and helping populations adapt to climate change.
Farmed Chinese giant salamanders are traded across China, kept in crowded conditions, and prone to devastating disease outbreaks. The industry poses a number of threats to the species, including the mixing of locally-adapted genetic strains making farmed animals unsuitable for future reintroduction to the wild.
Researchers found that European wild rabbits construct smaller, more densely packed burrows in urban areas than in rural settings. This suggests that cities provide a more suitable habitat for these animals, leading to concerns about their potential impact on rural populations and the preservation of the species.
A new variant of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus is threatening the survival of the Iberian lynx, a predator that relies heavily on wild rabbits for prey. The study found a significant decline in rabbit populations and a notable drop in the number of Iberian lynx cubs born in the wild.
Research shows that fluctuations in river flows are increasing with climate change, scrounging away salmon eggs and exhausting young fish. Habitat restoration projects and reducing stormwater runoff can ease flooding and peak flows threatening salmon redds.
A recent study using whole genome sequencing of ancient and modern horses has identified 125 candidate genes involved in physical and behavioral traits. The research also highlights the 'cost of domestication', including increased levels of inbreeding and deleterious mutations in domesticated horses.
Naturally spawned juvenile sockeye are migrating to the ocean and returning as adults at a much higher rate than others released from hatcheries. The analysis indicates that the program to save the species has succeeded in rebuilding populations in the wild, with the species regaining fitness.
A new study reveals that canine distemper virus (CDV) poses a significant risk to tiger populations, particularly in smaller groups. Modeling shows that CDV infection can increase the 50-year extinction probability of tigers by up to 55.8 percent.
A Concordia University study reveals that hybrid fish become genetically robust like their purely wild counterparts within a few generations, providing hope for conservation efforts. This finding has implications beyond fish, with similar conclusions drawn about wolf species previously exposed to hybridization.
Researchers found that sediment concentrations in plumes from dredging or floods can delay clownfish larvae development by up to two weeks. This delay has a significant impact on adult populations as it increases the risk of mortality for young fish during their most vulnerable stage.
A legal trade in rhino horn could generate funding for conservation efforts, allowing communities to harvest horns from deceased animals with minimal risk. This could help reduce poaching demand in Asia and support local income generation, while also improving rhino population protection.
Research shows that larger females produce far more eggs than smaller fish, increasing population productivity and stability. Older fish also provide a 'storage effect', allowing them to spawn successfully when conditions are favorable.
Researchers create a new tool to study Ebola virus in wildlife using fecal samples, providing insights into the virus' distribution and potentially changing disease understanding. The method detects antibodies against Ebola virus in ape feces, suggesting some apes survive exposure.
Research found clownfish larvae disperse across 400km ocean to find new homes, adapting to environmental changes. The study tracked fish migrations between two Omani coral reef populations, revealing their connectivity.
Research shows that baby clownfish can travel hundreds of kilometers across the open ocean to connect distant populations, with six percent of sampled fish migrating over 400 km. The study uses DNA fingerprinting and oceanographic modeling to understand the migration patterns and their relevance for managing coral reef ecosystems.
Researchers found that hybridization can lead to increased genetic diversity in wild populations, but natural selection can ultimately remove adaptive advantages. The study suggests that hybridized populations may not be as affected by human-mediated hybridization with domesticated species.
A conservation biologist's study provides crucial guidance for rescuing the critically endangered pupfish by establishing a captive breeding program. The research found that transferring pupfish eggs to a facility in the fall and limiting adult migrations are critical for reducing impact on the wild population.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have identified 'hotspots' around the globe where crop wild relatives can be conserved to secure future global food resources. The highest concentration of these species is found in the Middle East's Fertile Crescent, threatening their survival due to climate change and conflict.
Researchers found that mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains have dangerously low genetic diversity due to near complete isolation by freeways. Only one young lion successfully dispersed into the area over a decade, highlighting the need for increased connectivity.
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.
Research suggests two distinct whale shark populations exist in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean with minimal mixing. Genetic diversity at Ningaloo Reef in Australia has declined over five consecutive years, potentially indicating a recent bottleneck.
Scientists studied wild Atlantic salmon from Norway and France, finding both populations had similar capabilities when warmed. They developed temperature tolerance by increasing acclimation temperatures, raising fish's survival in extreme heat.
Shortfin molly fish populations have evolved genetic changes that enable them to thrive in hydrogen sulphide-rich springs. The adaptations involve changes in the cox1 and cox3 genes, allowing the fish to maintain COX activity under high H2S concentrations.
A study by Sarah Crowley reveals the complex history of camels in Australia, from their role in infrastructure development to their current status as 'humped pests.' The estimated 1 million-strong population poses a significant environmental threat, causing damage to agriculture and water resources.
The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Alliance has found that lead poisoning is the primary cause of death in wild California condor populations. This finding highlights the need for conservation efforts to address widespread lead contamination in the environment.
Researchers documented dramatic differences in swimming ability between domesticated and wild trout, calling into question the effectiveness of hatcheries in conserving native populations. The study found that domesticated trout tend to grow faster but are slower sprinters than their wild relatives.
New research reveals farmed salmon are as fertile as wild salmon and can invade wild gene pools, posing threats to native populations. The study suggests that sterilization of farmed salmon could be a viable solution to mitigate this threat.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that teenage Asian elephant mothers die younger than older mothers but raise larger families during their lifetime. The research found that early reproduction was favored by natural selection, despite reducing a mother's lifespan.
Adjustments to Priest Rapids Dam's water discharges boosted juvenile salmon numbers by 283%, from 14 million to over 52 million annually. Keeping eggs and young fish under water during vulnerable times improved survival rates.
Advanced DNA sequencing technologies have improved the accuracy of measuring inbreeding in wild populations. The study revealed that inbred individuals were more likely to suffer from lung parasite infection, highlighting a potential bigger problem than previously thought.
The West African lion is facing extinction, with only an estimated 250 adult lions remaining due to habitat loss and human-lion conflict. Conservation efforts are urgent as losing this unique population would result in the loss of a locally adapted species found nowhere else.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London reveals that the Sahara has suffered a catastrophic collapse of its wildlife populations. Over 14 desert species have declined, with many becoming regionally extinct or confined to small areas of their historical range.
In a wild guppy population, female guppies mate with rare males who have unique color patterns, resulting in longer lifespan and more offspring. This study supports the theory that individuals within species are genetically diverse due to various factors.
Research suggests that as few as 20 Asian carp could establish a population in the Great Lakes, posing significant threats to native fish species and the ecosystem. The invasive fish's rapid growth rate and size advantage over native species make it a formidable competitor for food and space.
A study using Hawaiian restaurant menus from the mid-20th century found a significant decline in reef fish populations and a rise in large pelagic species. The analysis suggests that this shift paralleled drops in wild abundance, pointing to changes in public tastes and supply-side information as contributing factors.
A recent study outlines the intricate social hierarchy of California condors, highlighting the importance of dominance within the group. The research, conducted with the use of new technologies, reveals that individual birds must successfully integrate into the structure to ensure survivability.
Researchers discovered significant lionfish populations and large predatory fish at 300 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean. The findings raise concerns about the control of this invasive species that's devastating native fish populations.
A team of scientists is investigating the potential of wild bumble bees as a supplementary workforce to honey bees in improving crop pollination. They aim to increase wild bumble bee populations, which could complement the work of honey bees and address declining wild honey bee populations.
A recent literature review published in Journal of Integrated Pest Management found that complaints about wild turkeys causing crop damage are often exaggerated. The study revealed that while wild turkeys can cause minor damage to certain crops and specialty operations, their impact is typically overstated.
Adult wild chimpanzees exhibit a strong association between age and malaria parasite detection rates, with significantly lower positivity in adults. This suggests that individuals reaching adulthood mount an effective protective immunity against malaria parasites, consistent with human observations.
Two new, minute spider species (Trogloneta yuensis and Mysmena wawuensis) have been discovered in the Sichuan and Chongqing regions of China. These tiny spiders are among the smallest known and have unique body shapes, with some as small as 0.75 mm in length.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that captive-bred wallabies carry antibiotic resistance genes and may transmit them to wild populations. Nearly half of fecal samples from captive-raised wallabies contained bacterial genes resistant to streptomycin, spectinomycin, and trimethoprim.
Conservationists and representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have joined forces to highlight the plight of threatened wild cheetahs due to the illegal pet trade. The CITES Conference of the Parties has accepted a proposal for a study on the cheetah trade, which could impact the survival of cheetah populations in Africa.
A new report by Panthera suggests that fencing and conflict mitigation initiatives are necessary to conserve lion populations in Africa. The study found that unfenced habitats lead to higher costs and lower lion population densities, highlighting the severity of the lion conservation crisis.
Researchers found that Italian wolves primarily consume wild boar, accounting for two-thirds of their diet, with roe deer making up around a third. The study suggests that wolves prefer wild boar even when roe deer densities are high, indicating a strong preference for this prey.
A new strain of avian pox has been identified in British bird species, particularly affecting great tits. The disease causes severe growths that can prevent feeding and increase predation susceptibility, with survival rates significantly reduced.
A University of Alberta research team found that adjusting sea lice treatments improved wild pink salmon health and reduced mortality rates. By shifting treatment schedules to the fall and winter, they reduced sea lice in coastal waters, allowing more juvenile pink salmon to survive migration.