Articles tagged with Aquatic Ecology
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A new study shows that wildlife underpass tunnels can dramatically reduce amphibian deaths, with an 80.2% reduction in road mortality observed. The design details of the underpasses matter, and this research provides long-term evidence of their effectiveness in preserving ecosystems.
New research finds megalodon preyed upon a variety of species, including fish, sharks, and even crustaceans, contrary to the long-held belief that it targeted large marine mammals. The discovery was made by analyzing zinc isotopes in fossilized teeth, providing insights into the prehistoric shark's ecological versatility.
A new international study shows that El Niño and La Niña climate patterns affect nearly half of the world's mangrove forests, threatening these vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are experiencing widespread degradation during El Niño events and increased growth during La Niña events.
A Kyoto University study reveals that seasonal timing of terrestrial invertebrate resource subsidies can mediate life-history variation in wild organisms. The researchers found that early subsidies led to the highest life-history variation, while later or no subsidies resulted in lower variation.
Researchers highlight the need to study floating solar projects' impacts on birds and other wildlife, aiming to avoid negative effects while promoting ecological benefits. The study suggests examining bird behavior interactions with floating PV systems and identifying risks and solution pathways for coexistence.
Researchers found Antarctic krill exhibit a daily rhythm of activity, with increased swimming at night and synchronization with seasonal variations. The internal clock helps krill adapt to extreme polar conditions.
Researchers found that sulfur runoff can dramatically increase methylmercury concentrations in fish up to 10 million times greater than the waters they lived in. This poses a significant risk to human health and wildlife due to methylmercury's neurotoxic effects.
Scientists have discovered a Triassic-era fossil with an elongated jaw structure, similar to modern-day pike and needlefish. The findings suggest that different species independently evolved similar jaws hundreds of millions of years apart, highlighting the universal problem-solving strategies in nature.
The observation pyramid uses different robot platforms to survey ocean areas, enabling flexible task management. Autonomous robotic organizations will reduce costs, improve mission efficiency and increase system robustness.
The 2025 BioOne Ambassador Award recognizes exceptional early-career researchers who are advancing public understanding of science through effective communication. The award highlights their outstanding research and commitment to sharing their work with a broader audience.
A new study reveals how proactive salmon conservation in the North Pacific can protect biodiversity and advance global conservation goals. The stronghold strategy aims to proactively protect iconic salmon systems that sustain healthy watersheds, safeguarding food security and mitigating climate change.
The European Catfish has a prolonged breeding season of almost five months, allowing its offspring to survive extreme events and compete for food resources effectively. This finding is crucial for controlling the species' population, as removing larger individuals can help reduce fecundity.
Larvae of wood frogs grow and mature precociously when infected with ranavirus, exhibiting accelerated growth and development. This may help tadpoles tolerate the energetic demands of infection or escape risky environments to avoid infection entirely.
A new study by the University of Plymouth investigated the effect of changing global climate conditions on Christmas Island's red crab embryos. The researchers found that lower salinity levels did not delay embryonic development, but emphasized the need for further research to understand the species' response to environmental stressors.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique motor control system in frogfish's first dorsal fin, enabling their 'fishing' behavior. The study reveals how motor neurons changed location as their function shifted from swimming to hunting.
A groundbreaking study reveals how anglerfish evolved extraordinary traits, including bioluminescent lures and large oral gapes, to exploit scarce resources in the bathypelagic zone. Despite environmental challenges, anglerfish achieved high levels of phenotypic disparity, suggesting a capacity for adaptive radiation.
A new study suggests that regulations designed to protect Lake Erie's water quality may be too restrictive for some species of fish, but still beneficial until the middle of this century. Researchers recommend a systems-level approach to managing ecosystems, considering tradeoffs between fisheries and water quality objectives.
A study by University of Maine researchers found that American lobster populations are relocating to new habitats, while their numbers are dwindling in abundance. The lobsters are now favoring open spaces over rocky shelters, with a significant increase in those living without shelter at all.
The world's freshwater lakes are freezing over for shorter periods due to climate change, affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Changes in ice duration have major implications for human safety, water quality, biodiversity, and global nutrient cycles.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its annual photography competition, Capturing Ecology. The competition showcases stunning images that capture the beauty and diversity of ecological systems.
Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that water anoles produce a special bubble over their nostrils to breathe underwater and evade predators. The study found that the bubble serves a functional role in respiration, allowing lizards to stay submerged for longer periods.
Researchers captured a unique opportunity to study the impact of vessel strikes on large marine animals. The basking shark was struck while feeding on the surface, causing visible damage and increasing its frequency of tailbeat as it headed to the seafloor.
New research reveals oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life, despite the presence of parasites. The study found that these areas support higher oyster densities and habitat quality than nearby harvest sites.
New research reveals that artificial light at night (ALAN) attracts larval fish to artificially lit environments, reducing their chances of survival. ALAN has been shown to lower fish growth rates, metabolic rates, and overall survival, with serious consequences for fish conservation.
Rosalina Christova, an assistant professor at George Mason University, has received $30,000 in funding from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to analyze benthic algae taxonomy and evaluate stream water quality. The study aims to understand climate change's impact on stream hydrology, algal communities, and desiccat...
The study reveals that D-amino acids are present in the body tissues of polychaetes, with varying composition depending on species. High concentrations of D-lactate were also detected, particularly during reproductive periods, suggesting its involvement in adaptation to low-salinity environments and reproductive activities.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a surge in purple sea urchins is devastating kelp forests, reducing zooplankton populations and impacting the primary prey of gray whales. This cascading effect affects the top predator, causing them to spend less time foraging in the affected area.
Climate change threatens freshwater habitats, disrupting microbial communities essential for nutrient cycling and water quality maintenance. Many abundant freshwater bacteria with small genomes experience extended periods of adaptive standstill, limiting their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers suggests that revitalizing Indigenous aquaculture systems, known as loko iʻa fishponds, can increase locally available seafood production. This revival has the potential to boost local food production and provide a sustainable solution to Hawaiʻi's seafood supply.
A mysterious plasmid, pBI143, found in 90% of human intestines, could be used to identify faecal contamination and offer insights into intestinal diseases. The discovery also highlights the prevalence of 'cryptic' plasmids in human gut microbiota.
A Dartmouth-led study found that people in New England, particularly those who frequently consume seafood, face an increased risk of PFAS exposure. The researchers recommend setting safety standards to limit seafood consumption and highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg aim to propagate stony corals via natural reproduction and grow out young corals in aquaria for a more sustainable coral trade. If successful, this method could boost wild coral protection and reduce reliance on expensive export restrictions.
Salps are found to control microbial community structure and function by capturing a variety of microbe types, including Prochlorococcus. The study reveals that simple mechanical principles do not explain cell capture by salps, indicating a complex mechanism at play.
Researchers found thousands of nematodes in the lake's reef-like structures, previously thought to be inhabited only by brine shrimp and flies. The discovery suggests bacteria can help these worms adapt to highly saline conditions, opening new lines of inquiry into the Great Salt Lake's web of life.
A new eight-year study found that about 60 species of deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with an elevated risk of extinction due to overfishing. The analysis highlights the need for regulating international trade in shark liver oil and protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
Researchers studied Prorocentrum cordatum to understand its molecular processes, revealing a unique photosynthetic machinery that may help it adapt to changing light conditions. The findings could lead to improved understanding of harmful algal blooms and their role in climate change.
Researchers analyzed tissue and fecal samples from 90 stranded marine mammals to study the distribution of toxic elements. The study found that Risso's dolphins and short-finned pilot whales had high concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead, while dwarf sperm whales had low levels.
A study published in Environmental DNA analyzed seawater samples from the Ogasawara Islands, detecting 124 unique fish species and 38 coral genera. The research highlights the importance of monitoring biodiversity in remote regions using efficient methods like eDNA sequencing.
Researchers found that the bacterial community in Arctic seabed sediments remains stable throughout the seasons, with changes in gene expression of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes. This suggests that bacteria can utilize fresh material from the water column as well as stored compounds in the seabed.
Research finds invasive trout compete with native white-spotted charr for aquatic prey. Brown trout also influence ecosystems by preying on terrestrial organisms, further harming native populations.
The study observed that invasive Bluegill in Lake Nojiri, Japan, displayed unique colony spawning behaviors, with males constructing nests in close proximity to each other. Removal of guarding males revealed four brood predator species, with conspecific Bluegill constituting over 90% of all predators.
Research details microbial associations in the marine microbiome, exploring ecological interactions among archaea, bacteria, and picoeukaryotes across different depths and regions. The study reveals regional and specific interactions that vary with depth and geographical location.
A new snail species, Xenassiminea nana, native to Japan's temperate zones, has been officially named following a comprehensive examination of its anatomical characters. The study highlights the species' unique traits, including its small size and distinct shell shape.
A new study led by Dr. Tyler Frankel has identified cancer-causing contaminants in sediments and fish in a Chesapeake Bay tributary, highlighting the importance of considering exposure pathways in conservation strategies.
Exposure to ocean acidification in red abalone can last across generations, affecting growth rates and reproductive potential. Scientists found that buffering the water chemistry at crucial life stages can help ease these effects for captive- and commercially raised red abalone.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.
Researchers discovered bacteria can produce methane in oxygen-saturated surface waters, using methylphosphonate as a phosphorus source. This process has significant effects on atmospheric greenhouse gases and the carbon cycle of nutrient-poor ocean regions.
A new study used underwater cameras to assess oyster reef habitats across 12 tributaries in the Chesapeake Bay, finding that unharvested reefs and restored reefs had more complex structures. The results showed an upward trend in habitat scores over time, with unharvested and restored reefs maintaining higher habitat scores consistently.
Researchers have discovered a new species of calcifying phytoplankton, Calciopappus curvus, found in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda. The species is distinct from others in its genus and boasts intricate skeletons that may aid movement or protection.
A recent study published in Ocean and Coastal Management found that the public perception of plans to combat oligotrophication in the Seto Inland Sea is more positive than expected. The survey revealed that respondents were unfamiliar with nutrient supply measures from factories and sewage treatment plants, but presented information si...
Research from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute reveals that gray whales feeding off the Pacific Northwest coast are shorter than their counterparts in the Arctic. The females average 3 feet and males average 1.5 feet shorter, with slightly smaller skulls and flukes.
A new study uses echolocation tracking to monitor the movements of Amazon River dolphins, revealing insights into their habitat preferences and behaviors. The research suggests that bottlenose adolescents and females spend more time in floodplains than males, possibly due to abundant prey or shelter from aggression.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that sewage is the primary cause of nitrogen surges in the Indian River Lagoon, contradicting previous findings that fertilizer use was the main contributor. The study found that water quality and harmful algal blooms worsened after five years of mandatory wet season fertilizer blac...
The Pacific Northwest and Cascadia Bioregion are home to diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests and marine environments. Research presented at the ESA Annual Meeting explores topics such as restoration efforts, plant community recovery, and climate change impacts on salmon populations.
A study found that even no-take MPAs in California and globally are vulnerable to marine heatwaves, leading to mass species mortality and displacement. The research revealed that ecological communities shift dramatically after such events, regardless of protection status.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
A new study reveals that Antarctic seals' vocalisations decrease significantly when sea ice disappears, affecting their breeding and behavior. The research used underwater microphones to track the seals' acoustic presence over eight years, finding a notable decline in 2010/2011.
A UH-led research team has developed a cost-effective method for removing harmful chemicals and heavy metals from coastal waters by utilizing native aquatic plants. The system, which includes floating aquatic plants and synthetic mats, can help restore ecological balance and keep communities healthy.
Researchers at UToledo developed a new model to estimate the abundance of rare species like invasive grass carp in freshwater ecosystems. The model helps guide management strategies and provides insight into the effectiveness of control efforts.