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Mantis shrimp larvae punch just like Ma and Pa

Researchers discover that mantis shrimp larvae can unleash powerful punches as little as 9 days after hatching, with limb accelerations reaching blistering speeds. The tiny creatures' appendages operate similarly to those of adult mantis shrimp, but scaled down, and can hurl the limb at rotational speeds of ~16,500deg/s.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 29, 2021

Baby mantis shrimp don't pull their punches

Larval mantis shrimp display impressive accelerations despite being smaller than expected, highlighting the limitations of theoretical models. Their transparent exoskeletons allow researchers to study the inner workings of their spring-latch mechanisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 29, 2021

Blight may increase public health risk from mosquito-borne diseases

Researchers found significantly higher Asian tiger mosquito populations and habitat availability in a low-income neighborhood with high levels of environmental blight. The study highlights the need for blight reduction efforts to mitigate public health risks from mosquito-borne diseases in vulnerable communities.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 15, 2021

'Fish DJ' tackles fish hearing

PhD candidate Rebecca Poulsen designed a speaker system to study brain networks and hearing in baby fish, finding they can hear high-frequency sounds. Whole-brain imaging revealed how larvae process different types of sounds, raising questions about their brain's interpretation.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 2, 2021

Tropical paper wasps babysit for neighbours

Research by the University of Bristol team found that tropical paper wasps provide crucial support to extended family members, including helping neighboring nests. By observing twenty thousand baby wasps and their carers, the team discovered that workers become less useful as colony sizes rise due to a surplus of help.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 15, 2021

Hidden world just below the surface

Surface slicks off West Hawai'i harbor an astounding array of marine life, including over 112 species of commercially and ecologically important fishes. These 'bioslicks' form an interconnected superhighway of nursery habitat, attracting tons of young fishes with dense concentrations of food and shelter.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 4, 2021

A trap for nematodes

Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified a mechanism by which the immune system attacks filarial larvae, releasing DNA that forms a web around the larvae and traps them. The Dectin-1 receptor plays a key role in triggering this process, known as ETosis.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 18, 2021

Shifts in water temperatures affect eating habits of larval tuna at critical life stage

A study from Oregon State University found that small changes in water temperature can significantly impact the eating habits and growth rate of larval blackfin tuna, leading to slower growth and reduced survival rates. The research highlights the importance of prey availability in supporting fish growth during critical life stages.

SourceOregon State University·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateNov 5, 2020

Waiter! This soup is not fly

New research highlights barriers to adopting insect-based food, including Western consumer acceptance and safety concerns. The larvae offer a high-quality protein source with zinc, iron, and calcium content comparable to meat.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalComprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety·DateOct 28, 2020

Chaotic "Lévy walks" are a good strategy for animals

A study published in PNAS explains how Lévy walks, a type of chaotic movement, allow animals to balance exploration and exploitation. The model used by the author shows that these movements emerge near critical points, enabling animals to respond strongly to environmental stimuli.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2020

Climate change is impacting the spread of invasive animal species

Climate change is fueling the rapid expansion of invasive species like the Asian shore crab into previously unknown habitats. This study finds that climate warming can predict the speed and extent of these invasions by examining the early developmental stages of larvae, which are often more vulnerable to environmental fluctuations.

How Venus flytraps snap

A new study reveals that a single slow touch on the Venus flytrap's trigger hair can also trigger trap closure, allowing it to catch slow-moving larvae and snails. The researchers used highly sensitive sensors and mathematical models to determine the forces needed to trigger the mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 10, 2020

Disjunct distribution across the equator

A new species of riffle beetle, Podonychus gyobu, is described from Kyushu, Japan, with a disjunct distribution across the equator to Indonesia. The genus was previously known only in Indonesia and has a unique characteristic of having six-segmented antennae.

SourceEhime University·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 8, 2020

Peculiar behavior of the beetle Toramus larvae

The larvae of beetle genus Toramus attach their exuviae to the distal abdomen and retain them throughout development. This unique behavior may serve as a form of autotomy, allowing predators to remove exuviae without harming the larva. However, further studies are needed to confirm its defensive function.

SourceEhime University·JournalThe Coleopterists Bulletin·DateMay 21, 2020

The ins and outs of sex change in medaka fish

A team of scientists from Nagoya University found that starving medaka larvae can cause sex reversal, revealing a potential link to environmental factors and metabolic processes. The study may provide insights into rare conditions in humans and other vertebrates where individuals have characteristics of both sexes.

SourceNagoya University·JournalBiology Open·DateMay 21, 2020

Common anti-parasite treatments used on cattle have devastating impacts on wildlife

A study by University of Sussex researchers found that common anti-parasite treatments for cattle have devastating impacts on dung beetles, key prey items for various bird and bat species. The treatments, which are widely used and available without veterinary oversight, can attract adult beetles and impair their larvae's development.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateMar 17, 2020