Articles tagged with Species Diversity
Researchers at George Mason University and the University of Otago found a strong correlation between diatom diversity and whale species diversity over the last 30 million years. The study suggests that changes in ocean productivity may drive variations in whale fossil records, providing new insights into the evolution of modern whales.
Scientists have documented unprecedented biodiversity in Yasuní National Park, including 596 bird species, 150 amphibian species, and over 1,100 tree species. The park's extraordinary diversity is threatened by proposed oil development projects.
Butterfly populations in California are declining due to climate change and habitat loss. Researchers found that warmer temperatures are causing lower-elevation species to migrate to higher elevations, while high-elevation specialist butterflies are also facing threats as temperatures become too warm.
The study found that European plant communities are becoming more homogeneous, with rare species becoming extinct and phylogenetic diversity decreasing. This loss of uniqueness makes it harder for biological communities to adapt to environmental changes.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals new horse species in Eurasia and South America, with the Cape zebra found to be a large variant of the modern Plains zebra, while a small hippidion horse was discovered in South America. A new ass species also appears related to European fossils dating back 1.5 million years.
Assessing biological processes under global warming requires accurate estimates of temporal changes in species. Long-term studies show that neglecting increasing seasonal climate lag can lead to distorted results.
A comprehensive study on water vole genetics has been conducted by scientists from the University of Granada and Doñana Biological Station. The research reveals essential information for developing successful conservation plans, which will help preserve the genetic diversity of this endangered species.
A recent analysis of Central American frog surveys reveals the devastating impact of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a microscopic fungus, on frog communities. The study shows that the fungus is causing a 'vast homogenization' of species, leading to significant losses in biodiversity and regional extinctions.
A team of biologists found that a rare species of algae proliferated in corals during a period of high sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Ocean. The results suggest that this species may save some corals from bleaching, but its long-term impact on coral health is uncertain.
A new revision of the Dioptinae subfamily sheds light on the diversity of tropical moth species, revealing a unique story of parallel evolution. The study found that around 500 species evolved from a common ancestor into diverse butterfly mimics, with some feeding on toxic plants to gain protection.
Researchers develop computer model showing how diverse species can arise from arrangement of organisms across an area without physical barriers or natural selection. The study found that genetic distance increases over generations, leading to a rapid increase in species numbers until they reach a steady state.
UC Riverside researcher Kerry Knudsen discovered a new species of lichen on Santa Rosa Island, California, and named it Caloplaca obamae in honor of President Obama. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving public lands and studying biodiversity on the island.
A study in Evolution Canyon, Israel, shows that scorpion species exhibit different distributions on the south-facing and north-facing slopes, despite identical regional geology. The results suggest that environmental pressures, such as sunlight and drought, can lead to local changes in biodiversity.
A new analysis reveals that phyla with the greatest diversity of species also have the largest range of body sizes, including sponges and molluscs. The study suggests that physical limits to size constraints may prevent some body plans from having a full range of sizes.
The Global Crop Diversity Trust is rapidly reviving ailing seed samples from 46 countries to preserve genetic traits vital to maintaining global food security. The effort, which includes 100,000 different crop varieties, aims to prevent extinction of staple crops like rice, maize, and wheat.
The Census of Marine Life has made significant progress towards its goal, with new discoveries including Antarctic ancestry of many octopus species and behemoth bacteria. The report details major advances in technology, knowledge organization, and measurement of human impact on ocean life.
A study by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis shows that bird diversity is a buffer against the occurrence of West Nile Virus in humans. The more diverse a bird population, the lower the risk of exposure to WNV.
A new experiment simulates predicted rainfall patterns and assesses the effect of diverse plant species on ecosystem responses. The study focuses on how changes in plant diversity modify key functions such as water processing, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage under changing climate conditions.
A study found that shipwrecks on coral reefs harbor unwanted species like Rhodactis howesii, which can overtake healthy coral and decrease diversity. Removing man-made debris could prevent further losses in species and habitat.
A decade-long study published in Science reveals that most diversification occurred early on, with local ecological communities changing relatively little over time. The researchers used a fundamentally new analysis to conclude that the increase in species diversity was less dramatic than previously believed.
Researchers found that diversity among ancient marine creatures like clams and lobsters showed only a modest rise beginning 144 million years ago. The study contradicts previous work suggesting dramatic increases in diversity, providing insight into future diversity and the impact of global warming.
A recent PNAS study reveals that temperature drives biodiversity in tropical regions, contradicting previous assumptions that light was the key factor. The study found that bacterial samples from warm waters contained many species, suggesting that photosynthesis has little influence on diversity.
A recent study published in Science Cornell College biology professor Marty Condon and coauthors discovered multiple new species of fruit flies with overlapping niches, exceeding previous expectations. The research found a greater specialization in plant feeding among herbivorous insects than previously thought.
A recent study identifies seven regions where non-native freshwater fish species make up over a quarter of the recorded species, highlighting the need for surveillance and precautionary measures. The research suggests that human economic activities are the main driving factor behind exotic species invasions in these regions.
Researchers develop new method to measure biodiversity, finding that most species have limited impact on ecosystem diversity. The study reveals that 'attractor' species promote biodiversity in tropical rainforests, while 'repellent' species have a negative effect.
Researchers examined over 7,000 plant species in the human diet, finding that humans consume a remarkably high number of plant families. A study of a McDonald's Big Mac meal revealed approximately 20 different species and ingredients originating from around the world.
Scientists have discovered significant populations of new, rare, and threatened species in Ghana's Atewa Range Forest Reserve, underscoring the area's high biological diversity. The findings include Critically Endangered frog and butterfly species, as well as eight new species of katydids.
Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that Alpine summit vegetation is becoming increasingly homogenized due to climate change. This has led to an increase in species diversity within individual areas, but a decline in regional biodiversity across ecosystems.
A new study challenges current projections by finding that historic climate variability is a better predictor of reptilian and amphibian diversity in Europe than contemporary climate. This contradicts previous studies and has profound implications for predicting biodiversity impacts of climate change.
Scientists confirm tropical regions as key to global biodiversity, with a group of shellfish defying conventional patterns. Contrary to expectations, the Anomalodesmata group shows peak diversity in mid-latitudes, contradicting standard patterns.
A new analysis shows that as plant species go extinct, natural habitats become less productive and contain fewer total plants. This situation could ultimately compromise the benefits that humans get from nature. The study found that ecosystems with fewer species produce up to 50 percent less plant biomass than those with more natural d...
A study reveals an astonishing level of cryptic diversity among frog species in the Guiana Shield region, potentially doubling previously thought numbers. The underestimation of amphibian diversity has broad implications for conservation efforts and management of biodiversity.
A recent study found that ponds' community diversity converges after a drought, with only hardy species able to withstand the conditions. This convergence has important implications for wetland restoration and creation, highlighting the need to consider stochasticity and beta diversity in ecological restorations.
A new UC Davis study explores how competition among genetically varied plants relates to species diversity, finding that diversity within a species is necessary for maintaining diversity among species. The research also highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity in plant communities.
A new analysis by Oregon State University and U.S. Geological Survey suggests that dense conifer forests may be harming dozens of animal species dependent on shrubs, herbs, and broad-leaf trees. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented to require non-coniferous vegetation, which is often scarce in managed forests.
Two closely related species of East African cichlid fishes evolved divergent immune gene adaptations, explaining their reproductive isolation. These differences in MHC genes influenced mating behavior through olfactory communication.
New research findings suggest tropical insects can be consistently found across hundreds of miles, eating a broader menu of foliage. This challenges the notion that plant-eating insects are picky eaters that stay close to home.
A study of lowland rainforests in New Guinea found low beta diversity across the study area, indicating widespread distribution of insect species and limited specialization. The results have implications for biological conservation and may suggest that bigger is better when preserving these forests.
The study analyzed trilobite species, which emerged during the Cambrian explosion, and found high variability within species. Approximately 35% of the species showed evolving characteristics, while only 13% of later trilobites did so.
A UC Irvine scientist has discovered that excess nutrients in an ecosystem can lead to a decrease in plant species diversity while increasing the productivity of a few selected species. This finding provides a new explanation for why polluted ecosystems often contain limited numbers of plant species.
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers found that excess nutrients and water can reduce species diversity in ecosystems, allowing a few species to dominate. The findings support the idea that plant diversity is directly related to limiting factors such as soil moisture and nutrient availability.
New research from MBL reveals that some fish larvae can discriminate odors in ocean currents and use scent to return to their birthplace. This homing behavior could support population isolation and genetic divergence, leading to the formation of new species. The study suggests that smell plays a crucial role in guiding larvae back to t...
A new study reveals that tropical regions are both a cradle and a museum of biodiversity, with many species originating in the tropics and spreading to higher latitudes. The research suggests that preserving tropical ecosystems is crucial for maintaining global biodiversity.
The tropics are revealed as the Earth's most fruitful biodiversity spawning ground, with fossil data indicating a consistent pattern of extinction, origination, and immigration. The study suggests that human-caused extinctions in the tropics will have long-term consequences on global biodiversity.
University of Michigan researchers found that invasive cattails alter the environment in ways that hinder native species but benefit the invaders. The cattails' litter accumulation creates a different environment with higher nutrient levels and lower light, which favors the invaders' growth.
The study found that species with smaller range areas are at higher risk of extinction due to increased vulnerability to habitat changes. Larger range sizes, on the other hand, result in fewer but larger populations, making them less susceptible to population wipeouts.
Research highlights the threat of biological diversity loss to human health, citing Lyme disease and West Nile virus as examples. A rapid autopsy program for a rare lung disease called interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) also improves medical research outcomes.
On a landmark 20-day Atlantic cruise, scientists cataloged 500 species of tiny zooplankton, including new discoveries. The expedition, part of the Census of Marine Life initiative, aimed to illuminate these essential life forms in the ocean's lower layers.
A study provides empirical support for natural selection's role in species formation by analyzing the relationship between adaptation and reproductive isolation in hundreds of organisms. The researchers found a positive link between these two processes, suggesting that adaptation drives species diversification.
Researchers have discovered new biodiversity hotspots in underground environments, home to unique and diverse species of terrestrial cave fauna. These discoveries shed light on the vast and largely unexplored world of subterranean ecosystems.
A global study of over 1,000 pollination experiments found that high plant diversity can lead to reduced pollination and reproductive success. This reduction in fruit and seed production may push vulnerable species towards extinction.
A new study suggests that declining biodiversity in pollination networks may threaten plant community persistence. The experimentally manipulated plant and pollinator interactions show increased pollination efficiency with complementary insect and flower pairings.
Research suggests that pigment spots on bird eggs strengthen the shell by compensating for reduced thickness caused by calcium deficiency. Females nesting on low-calcium soils lay thinner-shelled, more-spotted eggs than those on high-calcium soils.
Estimates for the number of living species on earth range from 3.5 million to over 30 million, but only 1.9 million have been classified and described. A new study uses the species-area effect to estimate historical biodiversity in the fossil record, finding a strong relationship between species richness and geographic area.
Researchers found that sponges produce bioactive substances in response to competition, which is crucial for developing new drugs. However, the growth rates of cultivated species are slow and unpredictable, resulting in lower substance production compared to natural counterparts.
A nationwide study by UCI researcher found that nitrogen fertilization can have a devastating impact on rare plant species, causing a decline in diversity and even local extinction. The study analyzed 967 plant species across various ecosystems and identified simple plant traits as predictors of species risk.
Researchers tested genetic diversity on Italian agile frog tadpoles exposed to a North American virus, finding that disease susceptibility paralleled population genetic variability. The study highlights the risks of population bottlenecks and inbreeding and suggests a method for predicting responses to new infectious diseases.
A team of Wisconsin scientists discovered molecular switches that govern the development and evolution of form in animals. The study found that genetic changes to these switches can produce diverse patterns and features, such as spots on fruit fly wings or stripes on zebras, which confer advantages for survival and reproductive success.
A five-year grassland study found that both species abundance and loss order significantly impact ecosystem diversity, with diverse communities resisting invasive weeds. Researchers replicated natural patterns and processes to demonstrate the importance of considering realistic species loss scenarios.
Researchers found that an ancient marine invasion led to a significant increase in regional diversity, with gamma diversity rising by 26% due to changes in beta diversity. The study suggests that habitat distribution or increased habitat diversity may have contributed to this increase.