Articles tagged with Foraging
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A new study reveals that fishing likely contributes to population collapses in forage fish, including herring, anchovies, and sardines. The research suggests that suspension of fishing when populations fall below half their average can prevent 64% of collapses with minimal impact on fisheries.
Researchers found that bats follow a set of internal 'traffic rules' while foraging, including chasing and avoiding collisions. By copying nearby individuals' flight directions within a short time frame, bats can efficiently navigate their surroundings.
Researchers found that bats follow a set of 'traffic rules' when foraging, including chasing, turning, and avoiding collisions. The bats swap leadership roles during these interactions by copying the previous individual's flight direction up to 500 milliseconds earlier.
A two-year study found that flower strips on farms in the UK increased common bumblebee populations by significantly boosting their numbers and nesting density. The research suggests that targeted agri-environment schemes can boost bee populations, particularly for common species, but may not benefit rarer species as much.
A new study has identified two major foraging grounds of the Mediterranean green turtle and recommends the creation of a new Marine Protected Area to preserve the vulnerable species. The researchers tracked 34 female turtles from breeding grounds in Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, and Syria over 8,521 tracking days.
Researchers tracked thousands of bees and found that younger bees starting to forage earlier led to a decline in the colony's overall performance. This younger population was more likely to die on its first flights, leading to catastrophic consequences for the colony.
Researchers tracked female black-tailed deer's movements and found their home ranges were very small, averaging 0.74 square kilometers, with core areas of just 0.08 km². This site familiarity helps them survive by knowing the best foraging spots and avoiding risky territories.
A study by Timothy M. Ryan and Colin N. Shaw found that the agriculturalists had significantly lower bone mass than foragers, while the bone characteristics of more mobile foragers overlapped with those of nonhuman primates.
Researchers found that hunter-gatherers had stronger bones compared to farmers from the same region, with a 20% difference in bone mass. The study suggests that physical activity is key to preventing bone weakening and conditions like osteoporosis.
Researchers found that great tits learn new foraging techniques by observing others in their social network, adopting the dominant behavior and creating a stable tradition. Even when birds discover multiple methods, they tend to conform to the majority behavior, passing it down to the next generation.
A recent study by an international team of researchers highlights the need for stricter regulations on invasive weed species in pastures. The findings suggest that these species can cause significant environmental harm and economic losses, with the US spending over $34 billion annually on management.
A study found that artificial light in city centres extends the daily activities of blackbirds, allowing them to forage for longer. Males are more active later than females due to their larger eyes and differing sensitivity to light.
A new study reveals that the Tree Bumblebee prefers built-up areas and is associated with human habitation. The research found that these areas form a large part of their habitat use, setting them apart from other common British bumblebee species.
Researchers found desert long-eared bats changed their diet from mostly scorpions on the ground to catching flying insects when prey was scarce. The change involved altered call and flight behavior, indicating potential flexibility in echolocation.
Researchers found that 70% of little penguins' foraging tracks were associated with other penguins and 40% exhibited synchronized diving. These behaviors suggest group foraging and synchronization of underwater movements in little penguins.
Researchers tracked bigeye tuna movements for up to 292 days, revealing a wide geographical range from Georges Bank to the Brazilian shelf. The study provides valuable habitat use data and informs future management approaches for this commercially important species.
A 2°C rise in temperature could improve photosynthesis and antioxidant protection in plants like Stylosanthes capitata Vogel. Leaf area index increased by 32%, aboveground biomass production by 16%.
Researchers tracked hundreds of honey bees using RFID tags, discovering that some foraging bees are much busier than others. When these busy bees disappear, others take their place, forming a 'reserve force'. The study, published in Animal Behaviour, sheds light on hive dynamics and the role of individual variation.
Researchers tracked seals' movements using GPS and found some individuals repeatedly visiting offshore wind farms, where they foraged on turbines and pipelines. This behavior suggests that man-made structures serve as attractive hunting grounds, potentially impacting seal populations and prey availability.
Researchers found that Indiana bats make social contacts during foraging and that these connections can influence their roosting behavior. The study suggests that social dynamics play a crucial role in the survival of this endangered species.
A recent study found that sea otter females must provide 930 MJ of energy to raise a pup to independence, equivalent to 96% increase in daily metabolic rate. This extreme exertion may contribute to poor condition and high mortality rates among sea otter mothers.
Researchers found that bumblebees can differentiate between rewarding and aversive artificial flowers based on their polarization patterns. The bees' ability to recognize these patterns helps them identify suitable flowers for obtaining a food reward.
Researchers found that individual ants' experiences contribute to their foraging success and lead to an optimization of the path. The collective behavior of ants forms a highly efficient complex network, applicable not only to animals with homes but also to human behavioral patterns.
Researchers analyzed honeybee waggle dances to evaluate EU agri-environment schemes, finding they benefit bees. The study used a novel source of data to monitor large land areas and provide information on landscape quality.
Researchers discovered that male big brown bats use uniquely distinctive calls to signal they want a meal, while females primarily forage near family members. These social calls were previously unknown and have been found in over 96% of recorded instances.
Male big brown bats emit a unique 'back off' call, dubbed FMB, which warns other bats to keep away from claimed prey, increasing the caller's success in snagging insects. The call is only emitted by males and helps establish dominance or claim territory.
A satellite tagging study of migrating New England leatherback turtles has greatly improved understanding of their seasonal high-use habitats, diving activity, and response to ocean features. The study found that leatherbacks prefer habitats with specific ecoregion, topography, and sea surface temperature conditions.
Scientists have discovered fossils of elapid snakes, including cobras and sea snakes, in Africa dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings suggest that seasonal habitats may have given rise to active hunters earlier than previously reported.
A new computer model, BEEHAVE, simulates the life of a honey bee colony over several years, investigating the losses of honeybee colonies and identifying key factors affecting their health. The model shows that food availability, mite infestation, and disease are critical to maintaining healthy hives.
Researchers found that waterbirds using different foraging strategies have evolved distinct tail shapes. Underwater foragers, such as cormorants and penguins, developed elongated tails with specialized vertebrae structures, while aerial birds had shorter, deflected tails.
Researchers at University of Toronto Scarborough discovered a genetic link between feeding behavior and animal dispersal, finding that active foragers disperse farther than less active ones. This study sheds light on the relationship between feeding activity and dispersal tendencies in nature, with implications for conservation efforts.
A study found that yellow-breasted chat males visit multiple territories at night to search for partners during their fertile period, increasing reproductive success. The researchers used radio transmitters and triangulation software to track the birds' movements, revealing a previously unknown behavior in diurnal species.
A study by University of Arizona anthropologist David Raichlen found that human hunter-gatherers use a Lévy walk pattern while searching for food, similar to sharks and honeybees. The pattern involves short movements in one area followed by longer treks to another area.
A two-year experiment at Clemson University found that steers grazing on various forages showed significant differences in growth, carcass quality, and meat taste. Finishing on legumes like alfalfa and cowpea increased carcass quality, while bermuda grass and pearl millet improved healthy fatty acid levels.
Researchers found that reciprocity is a significant factor in food sharing, similar across humans, monkeys, and apes. Humans tend to exchange food for food, while primates barter for services like grooming or coalition support.
Researchers found that loggerhead turtles rely on sight to identify and move towards gelatinous, floating prey like jellyfish and other organisms. They can snack on these low-energy foods approximately twice every hour, suggesting they may rely on such prey for energy more than previously thought.
Ant colonies that restrain foraging except in prime conditions experience improved reproductive success. Natural selection favors regulating foraging to hold back when conditions are bad, shaping collective behavior exhibited by the entire colony.
Researchers have uncovered a large radiation of previously overlooked Neotropical ants, with 40 species described, including those that nest in clay banks. These ants use 'door-pebbles' to block their entrances and maintain a protected environment for breeding and foraging.
Scientists warn that a discard ban may negatively affect seabirds that have come to rely on fish waste from fishing vessels. A study found that 42% of northern gannets targeted fishing vessels for food, highlighting the need for sufficient forage fish to meet their needs.
Research reveals that female migratory shorebirds can forage deeper into estuary mud than males, allowing them to access larger prey. Human impacts on estuaries may have different effects on males and females, depending on the availability of certain prey sizes.
A new study finds that humpback whales sing while foraging in their Antarctic feeding grounds, showing a previously unknown behavioral flexibility. The researchers tracked ten whales and found that all ten sang while foraging, with some even singing intense, continuous bouts of song.
Researchers tracked humpback whales in Antarctic waters and found that they sang while foraging, suggesting a previously unknown behavioral flexibility. The study suggests that the widely held behavioral dichotomy of breeding-versus-feeding may be too simplistic.
Researchers studying grey-mouse lemurs have found evidence of paternal kin recognition through vocalizations in a small-brained, solitary foraging mammal. The study provides insight into early primates from which humans evolved and suggests that kin recognition through voice was important for primate evolution.
Researchers found that grey mouse lemur females can distinguish between advertisement calls from unrelated males and their fathers, suggesting a mechanism for avoiding inbreeding. This discovery provides evidence that paternal recognition through vocalizations is not exclusive to complex social groups.
Researchers found artificial light from industrial areas influences the foraging behavior of common redshanks, allowing them to forage more efficiently at night. This contradicts previous studies that reported negative effects of light pollution on wildlife.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have found that fox squirrels engage in a long-term savings strategy by diversifying their nut storage, with some nuts hidden up to 100 meters away. By studying this behavior, the team aims to understand how squirrels remember where they hide their nuts and develop insights into human decision-making.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that manta rays are more likely to gather together under new or full moons and when wind speeds are lower. The researchers used a citizen science approach involving volunteer divers and tour operators to monitor manta ray behavior at Lady Elliott Island.
A recent study led by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science provides a first-time analysis of the value of forage fish to both commercial fisheries and marine ecosystems. The research found that forage fish contribute significantly to global fisheries, with a total estimated value of $16.9 billion annually, representing 20% of g...
The Crop Science Society of America has selected 7 members for the 2012 class of Fellows, recognizing their professional achievements and meritorious service in crop science. The new fellows include experts from universities, government institutions, and private companies.
Research in southern Indian Ocean found increased bioluminescence correlates with higher foraging intensity in deep-sea predators, indicating that bioluminescence likely provides seals with valuable indications of prey occurrence. The study monitored diving behavior and light detector data from four female southern elephant seals.
Ants use an algorithm to determine how many foragers to send out based on food availability, similar to internet protocols discovering available bandwidth. The discovery could inform the design of networked systems with ant-inspired algorithms.
Research found that desert-like, or xeric, yards have a more even bird community and superior habitat compared to moist, or mesic, grass lawns. Native plants in urban yards offer birds 'mini-refuges' and help offset losses of biodiversity in cities.
A recent study suggests that yards with desert-like vegetation offer better habitat for native birds than traditional grass lawns or non-native plantings. The study used quantitative measures to assess foraging behavior of common backyard birds in Phoenix, Arizona.
A laboratory study conducted by Duke University psychologists found that the brains of humans, including radiologists and baggage screeners, evolved to solve foraging problems in similar ways. The researchers discovered that people with fewer targets to find gave up on a given screen sooner compared to those with more targets.
Critically endangered leatherback turtles show distinct travel modes in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, with varying speeds associated with foraging and transit. The study suggests that Pacific turtles struggle to achieve high foraging success, hindering their population recovery compared to Atlantic turtles.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, tracked nearly 300 elephant seals using satellite tags, revealing their movements and diving behavior. The study found that these animals target a specific boundary zone between two ocean currents, which supports a robust food web and drives the growth of phytoplankton.
Researchers suggest increased predation by grey seals may be responsible for Atlantic cod's delayed recovery on the eastern Scotian Shelf. Further investigation is needed to identify underlying factors affecting high adult death rates.
A task force report strongly recommends implementing conservative catch limits for 'forage fish' like sardines and anchovies. These small species are crucial prey for larger species, including salmon, cod, tuna, dolphins, whales, penguins, and seabirds.
The Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force recommends reducing global fishing for forage fish by half to support larger species in the water. This would contribute an estimated US$11.3 billion to the economy by serving as food for commercially important fish, supporting industries and ecosystems.
A recent study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography reveals that 35% of the world's green turtles inhabit Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), significantly higher than expected. The research also shows that older MPAs are more likely to contain turtles, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.