Articles tagged with Foraging
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A study published in Psychological Review found that people with the best 'memory foraging' strategies are better at recalling items. Participants were asked to name as many animals as they could in three minutes and were compared to a classic model of optimal foraging, the marginal value theorem.
A study published in Biological Conservation found two previously unknown feeding hotspots for loggerhead sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. The hotspots, located off the coast of Southwest Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula, provide valuable habitat for at least three separate populations of the turtles.
Wandering albatrosses have adapted to changing wind conditions, resulting in improved breeding success and increased body mass. However, future climate scenarios predict that these changes may not last, threatening the species' survival.
Researchers are exploring ways to enhance farm profitability by extending the grazing season and adding value to milk through flaxseed supplementation, addressing concerns of organic dairy farmers in the Northeast. The project also aims to improve milk quality by sustaining omega-3 fatty acids and CLA concentrations throughout the year.
A new study finds that reducing catches of small 'forage' fish like sardines and anchovies can protect larger predatory species. Halving fishing rates for high-impact species could greatly reduce ecosystem impact while achieving 80% of maximum sustainable yield.
A study tracking 126 leatherbacks found that they migrate across vast Pacific areas and require greater international collaboration for protection. The researchers discovered diverse foraging behaviors influenced by oceanographic features, shedding light on conservation efforts.
Research reveals bumblebees use a trade-off strategy to visit high-reward flowers while minimizing travel distance. As they gain experience, individual bees balance both factors to optimize their routes.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a brain function that governs the decision to stay or go in search of food, a fundamental problem in evolutionary history. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex steadily increases its activity during foraging decisions until a threshold level is reached, prompting the individual to move on.
Researchers tracked loggerhead sea turtles and found that persistent organic pollutants accumulate in their systems as they travel further north along the Atlantic coast. The studies also suggest that pollutants may pose a threat to the survival of this endangered species.
The GPFARM-Range computer model allows ranchers to test various scenarios involving forage yields, weight gains, and stocking rates under different weather conditions. This research supports USDA's priority of promoting agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.
Researchers found that males and females use different foraging grounds, with females relying heavily on lake shores and males using a broader range of resources. The study suggests that conservation efforts should prioritize female needs and account for sex-specific habitat use in monitoring efforts.
Meadow fescue has been rediscovered as a suitable forage grass for intensive rotational grazing, producing more milk when consumed by cows. Its non-toxic fungi, called endophytes, help it survive heat, drought, and pests, making it a valuable alternative to toxic varieties.
A study found that brief exposure to noise playback caused three-spined sticklebacks to make more foraging mistakes and be less efficient in consuming food. The researchers suggest that noise pollution could have a wider range of detrimental effects on fish behavior than previously thought.
Predatory fish such as cod, tuna, and groupers declined by two-thirds while small forage fish like sardine, anchovy, and capelin more than doubled between 1880 and 2007. This trend suggests that humans are impacting ecosystems globally.
Drongos in the Kalahari Desert act as lookouts for pied babblers, allowing them to focus on foraging and catch more insects. This mutualistic relationship may represent a rare example of two species evolving from a parasitic to a beneficial interaction.
Research by University of Guelph professor Rob McLaughlin reveals a correlation between brain structure and foraging behavior in brook trout. Larger telencephalon region found in fish that hunt actively, suggesting a link between brain morphology and behavioral traits.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists collaborated with New Mexico State University (NMSU) researchers to study locoweed poisoning in US livestock. The team developed grazing management guidelines to minimize losses, recommending restrictions on locoweed access during critical periods.
Tall fescue toxicosis is a costly disorder affecting forage-livestock agriculture, with no cure but proven management techniques available. The new guidebook covers management strategies such as endophyte testing and supplement feeding to lessen the impact of toxicosis.
Researchers discovered that groups of cockroaches forage for food collectively, leading to a better understanding of their behavior. This finding could lead to the development of more effective pest control methods using pheromones or insecticides.
Researchers found that mongooses in the wild carry out traditions passed down from adults to young through social learning. The study shows that foraging specializations are long-lived and can be transmitted from one generation to the next.
A weed calculator developed by ARS scientist Matt Rinella predicts that eliminating leafy spurge and spotted knapweed could raise up to 200,000 cows a year in the western US. The calculator allows ranchers to estimate weeds' economic impact and make informed management decisions.
Researchers have developed new plant varieties to restore vegetation communities on the western rangelands, helping them survive extreme weather conditions. The newly created Hycrest II and Vavilov II cultivars offer improved establishment and resilience against invasive species.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present the 2009 fellows at a special ceremony in Pittsburgh. The fellows were chosen for their professional achievements and meritorious service, with only 0.3% of members selected.
Scientists have recorded the first observations of albatrosses feeding alongside marine mammals at sea. The miniature digital camera attached to four black-browed albatrosses shows them foraging in groups while collecting food for their chicks, and provides the first observation of an albatross feeding with a killer whale.
Researchers found chimpanzees using multiple tool sets to forage for army ants, with a focus on two types of tools: ant-dipping probes and nest perforating tools. The study suggests that these tool kits may be the first direct evidence of sustainable food harvesting in this context.
Chimpanzees in the Congo have developed specialized tool kits to forage for army ants, showcasing a rare example of multiple tool use. The research suggests that these 'sustainable' harvesting techniques allow chimpanzees to reduce ant aggression and revisit the same food source.
A new study published in Human Ecology found that media propaganda during the late nineteenth century Colorado silver rush misled entrepreneurs by exaggerating ore concentrations, leading to over-risking their investments. The researchers used central place foraging models to investigate optimal foraging strategies and compared actual ...
The study found that invasive yellowjacket wasps kill or scavenge prey from 14 different taxonomic orders, including reptiles and birds, by analyzing DNA from food bits returned to nests. Nearby populations of caterpillars and spiders rebounded after nest removals.
A team of 13 international scientists is developing management plans for sustainably managing forage fish, critical food sources for marine mammals and seabirds. The task force aims to prevent fishing-induced irreversible impacts on marine ecosystems.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, ants were observed to establish new one-way systems when faced with obstacles. Despite initial hesitation, the ants eventually learned to use light direction to follow the new trails and successfully forage for months. This adaptation demonstrates the complex problem-solving abilities of ants.
Researchers used game theory to explain juvenile ravens' unusual foraging behavior, finding that it occurs when searching individually is less efficient. The study suggests that abundant food and social advancement drive the adoption of 'gang' foraging, potentially improving their social status.
Dr. Audrey Dussutour's paper reveals how ants regulate sugar intake in response to colony growth, finding that larvae drive the nest's collective stomach. The discovery sheds light on how colonies communicate and regulate nutritional needs.
Recent studies show that social signals can profoundly affect when and how genes function, leading to changes in behavior. In animals like honey bees and songbirds, social information alters gene expression, allowing for complex adaptations and behaviors.
Researchers discovered that spinner dolphins engage in a choreographed 'dance' to enclose prey, before darting in organized pairs to feed. The study's findings expand knowledge of spinner dolphin behavior and open new avenues for scientific inquiry into underwater ecosystems.
Bald eagles adjust their foraging tactics in response to the decline of Alaskan sea otters. Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining kelp forest ecosystems, which provide food and habitat for many fish and invertebrates. As otter populations decrease, bald eagles shift their diet from kelp-forest fish to birds.
A new study found that honey bees reared quickly perform less optimally on tasks, leading to oxidative damage and reduced longevity. This suggests a link between rapid development and aging, with potential implications for human health.
Researchers found that bats can locate rustling mealworms in noisy environments with minimal distraction, but avoid areas with loud background noise. Foraging bats were more affected by white noise and traffic sounds than high wind rattling through vegetation.
Researchers found that individuals tend to use exploration or exploitation search modes depending on the task demands, but also exhibit a tendency to continue searching in the same way across domains. This suggests a possible link between spatial and abstract search mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that giant honeybees' shimmering behavior acts as an anti-predatory defense, forcing hornets to hunt free-flying bees rather than nesting bees. This unique trait is linked to the hornet's flight speed and proximity to the nest.
Researchers found that bumblebees slow down when approaching camouflaged crab spiders to detect predators, losing valuable foraging time. However, this strategy doesn't improve their chances of avoiding capture and even leads to reduced efficiency.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have applied Geographic Profiling (GP) technique to bumblebees to analyze their foraging behavior. The study revealed that bees create a 'buffer zone' around their hive to reduce the risk of predators and parasites.
Biologists found that wasps warm up when finding protein-rich meat and bumble bees do the same with pollen, suggesting an ancestral behavior. Both insects' elevated body heat may be a signal to other bees that has acquired meaning beyond its original physiological function.
Researchers at the University of Bristol demonstrate that birds respond to subtle signals from humans, including eye-gaze direction, to avoid predators. This ability allows starlings to gain valuable feeding time before others join a competitive foraging patch.
Researchers found that sit-and-wait lizards use running mechanics when moving at slower speeds, while wide foragers evolved a walking gait. The study used 18 species of lizards to understand the impact of foraging styles on biomechanics.
Researchers found that birds using sentry duty call out to alert their group-mates to safe foraging areas, leading to increased food capture and improved group survival. This cooperative behavior is a rare example of selflessness in the animal kingdom.
Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that organic alfalfa and wheat can be as productive as conventional systems. Organic grain crops, such as corn and soybeans, also yielded 90% of their conventional counterparts in terms of dry matter production.
A new study found that adult male chimpanzees, like females, have distinct core areas for foraging alone and show high site fidelity. They remain faithful to the area in which they grew up, even 20 years after their mother's death.
A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a computer version of the honeybee dance, which directs server power between tasks to reduce the chances of server overload. This system improves service by up to 25% in tests based on real Internet traffic.
Researchers found that wolves target areas with accessible refuge for elk during winter months when fat reserves are low. Landscape features like proximity to roads and snowy areas play a significant role in wolf-elk interactions.
In a study on female Galápagos marine iguanas, researchers found that females devote substantial energy to picking among suitors, with visiting attractive males carrying the highest costs. This includes weight loss and reduced egg production, as well as decreased chances for survival during food-scarce seasons.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool discovered that humans' ability to walk upright developed from ancestors foraging for food in forest tree tops. They found that this trait evolved before walking on all fours on open land, and was later adapted for life on the ground.
Army ants form living 'plugs' to plug uneven potholes in their trails, reducing the impact on prey-laden foragers and increasing daily prey intake. The study found that specialized behavior by a minority of ant workers improves the performance of the majority, resulting in a clear benefit for the society as a whole.
Research reveals that rare genetic variants in fruit flies can provide a survival advantage, with individuals with unique traits being less conspicuous to predators. The study's findings offer insights into why genetic variation persists in nature and may have implications for understanding human food-related disorders.
Marine turtles migrate hundreds of miles to foraging sites, equally loyal as nesting sites, according to University of Exeter research. The study tracked twenty green and loggerhead turtles, finding they return to same feeding grounds up to five years later.
Researchers used king penguins as bio-indicators to study the impact of climate change on fish availability and foraging behavior. By analyzing heart rate and energy expenditure data, scientists found correlations between energetic costs and food scarcity, providing insights into the pressure exerted by king penguins on their ecosystem.
Researchers found that a single gene, vitellogenin, plays a crucial role in coordinating the social life of honeybees. The study showed that vitellogenin regulates workers' division of labor, foraging preferences, and lifespan, with higher levels favoring pollen collection and lower levels favoring nectar collection.
Researchers found that gray-cheeked mangabeys revisit fig trees after warm and sunny days, rather than after cold and cloudy days. This suggests monkeys use past weather conditions to inform their foraging decisions.
A recent study reveals that wasp helpers are more likely to take risks when they have a better chance of becoming the next queen or breeder. Brighter wasps face a fundamental trade-off between helping and ensuring their own survival, ultimately leading them to become lazier as their future reproductive success increases.
Ants can use landmarks to find their way home, but also have an internal 'path integrator' that constantly reassesses their position. Researchers found that this system needs regular reset via nest entry and food release to maintain accuracy.
A new study has found significant regional differences in ocean contamination levels among albatrosses, with black-footed albatrosses foraging in the California Current exhibiting higher concentrations of mercury and organochlorine compounds. The findings suggest that these contaminants build up in the tissues of animals high on the fo...