Articles tagged with Animal Breeding
Researchers found that Siberian hamsters' seasonal timekeeping is influenced by DNA methylation, which regulates reproductive competency. Exposure to short daylight periods decreases DNA methylation in the hypothalamus, stimulating a gene that shuts down reproduction.
A Stanford-led study reveals that mammals can manipulate sex ratios of their offspring to produce extra grandchildren. Females and grandmothers strategically choose sons over daughters to increase reproductive success.
Common loons settle on territories very similar to their natal territories, not the best habitat for reproductive success. This finding challenges the ideal free model of habitat selection and suggests that loons may prioritize survival over breeding in familiar habitats.
A personality test conducted on grey mouse lemurs found distinct personalities among the animals, with some exhibiting shy behavior and others being bold. The study aims to improve breeding programs and reintroduction efforts for these endangered primates.
The camel genome has been fully sequenced for the first time, providing insights into breeding strategies and adaptations to harsh desert environments. The research reveals a close genetic relationship between the Bactrian and dromedary camels, highlighting their unique characteristics.
Researchers found that collective intelligence enables small groups of fish to respond effectively to complex, changing environments. As group size increases, the fish's ability to navigate and locate essential resources improves dramatically.
A study published in Current Biology demonstrates that male genital shape affects fertilization success in a species of seed beetle. Males with longer genital spines produced substantially more offspring than those with shorter spines, highlighting the importance of competition among males in driving evolutionary changes.
A recent study by Ohio State University found that urban coyotes living in Chicago never stray from their mates, with a remarkable 100% success rate of monogamy. This loyalty may be key to their thriving in cities, allowing them to raise large litters together with dedicated partners.
A study published in The Veterinary Journal found that horse branding is unreliable for identification due to poor legibility and tissue damage. Researchers examined brand marks on over 250 horses and found that only a small percentage could be clearly read.
Researchers studying sloths on a shade-grown cacao farm in Costa Rica are gaining insights into their mating habits, behavior, and ecological parameters. The study reveals that sloths tend to disperse from home range and have multiple partners, and the cacao farm provides an ideal habitat for these animals.
A team of scientists from Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that during the mating season, female gobies become increasingly aggressive and eager to mate, while males become more coy. As a result, females assume the dominant role in courtship, with males often surrounded by harems of willing partners.
Research reveals that great tit populations from central and North Europe have distinct gene activity responses to long days, influenced by latitude. This difference affects their reproductive cycles and ability to adapt to climate change.
A new study reveals that the TOC1 protein plays a crucial role in dampening gene activity in the evening, helping plants stay dormant at night. This discovery contradicts previous understanding of the gene's role and has implications for plant growth and adaptation to environmental changes.
Christian Schlötterer is studying how fruit flies adapt to climate change through genetic analysis, aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind adaptation. His project may provide insights into natural variation and gene changes required for survival in new environments.
A study by Yale University researchers found that spotted salamanders breeding in contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments through rapid evolution. The salamanders' survival and growth rates improve in these conditions, suggesting they have developed a genetic advantage.
Researchers found that red deer lower their heart rates in winter regardless of food intake, suggesting an internal programming mechanism. The deer's ability to regulate body temperature is crucial for conserving energy during the cold season.
The study, 'Pedigree Chums: Science, Medicine and the Remaking of the Dog in the Twentieth Century', investigates the transformation of dogs through human selection and treatment, as well as their interactions with humans.
A two-year study by Montana State University researchers found that heifers can safely reduce their feed intake during the seven months between weaning and breeding. This results in cost savings of $21 per animal, with industry-wide savings being significant, especially in drought areas.
Scientists have developed a new skin test that can determine the age of wild animals while they are still alive. The test detects advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in skin tissue, providing valuable information for wildlife management and population control.
A team of scientists discovered that high summer temperatures influence bill size in salt marsh sparrow species. The study found that birds with larger bills can pump blood into tissue and release heat more effectively.
Researchers found burrowing parrots originated in Chile and successfully crossed the Andes on a single occasion over 120,000 years ago. This species expansion is significant for conservation actions, as it shows how animal species overcome natural barriers to find suitable habitats.
A recent study by researchers at Seoul National University found that magpies can recognize individual humans, but only through visual cues. The birds showed aggressive responses to climbers and were able to distinguish them from non-climbers, suggesting a level of cognitive ability similar to that of domesticated animals.
Researchers will use DNA-based models to predict genetic merit for feed efficiency and identify specific bacteria that affect cattle digestion. The study aims to improve animal well-being, reduce production losses, and minimize environmental impacts.
A new study found that larger body size and earlier seasonal timing confer significant survival advantages in most plants and animals. This 'bigger is better' model of evolution is more common than the rare 'Goldilocks' model, where individuals with moderate traits tend to outperform those that are too small or too large.
Scientists found that birds' hormone levels, particularly corticosterone and prolactin, play a crucial role in determining their reproductive success. Birds with low corticosterone values before breeding raised the most offspring, while those with high prolactin levels started laying eggs earlier and produced more offspring.
A Princeton University study found that wild Scottish sheep with stronger immunity lived longer, but were less fertile, and vice versa. The research suggests a balance between strong and weak immune responses in the population.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago biologist Jennifer Schmidt found that a female whale shark produced 304 embryos with the same father, suggesting she stores sperm after a single mating event. This finding could indicate that mating occurs as an isolated event rather than in breeding grounds.
Rapid losses of African native livestock threaten the continent's food supply as investments are needed to preserve unique traits and prevent extinction. Experts urge urgent action to stop the loss of genetic diversity, particularly in West Africa, where drought- and disease-resistant animals are under siege.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that House sparrow males' bill color is correlated with their testosterone levels, while the size of their badge has no such correlation. This suggests that the badge may be an honest signal of a male's quality rather than his dominance status.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found that pesticide atrazine can turn three-quarters of adult male frogs into females, leading to a significant decline in reproduction. The study also showed that the altered sex ratios can have devastating effects on frog populations.
A patented formulation of Sericea lespedeza has been developed to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats and sheep, a major economic burden for farmers. The plant's addition to animal feed thwarts the reproductive cycles of nematodes like Haemonchus contortus, reducing the risk of anemia and death.
NIFA awarded $24 million in grants to study animal health, reproduction, breeding, genetics, and nutrition. The grants aim to improve the agriculture industry's competitiveness and reduce the use of antibiotics and hormones.
Researchers identified genetic regions responsible for animal tameness in a rat model of domestication. The study provides insight into the genetics and biology of tameness, potentially leading to more precise breeding strategies for tame animals.
During peak mating season, male fallow deer produce groans to attract mates and repel rivals, leading to vocal strain and hoarseness. Their call structure breaks down as they call repeatedly, causing physical exhaustion and weight loss.
A recent study by University of Utah researchers identified bigger, older mice as the culprits behind hantavirus transmission. The study used fluorescent powders and radio transmitters to track contacts between mice, revealing that larger-bodied individuals were responsible for maintaining the disease in deer mouse populations.
Purdue researchers found that lab mice can relieve stress by controlling their environment through behaviors such as selecting preferred temperatures and building nests. This suggests that allowing lab animals to express natural behaviors may improve research data reliability.
Researchers at the Institute for Animal Health are developing complex models to understand how bluetongue virus spreads among livestock. By analyzing midge numbers, biting behavior, and weather patterns, they aim to provide farmers with critical information on when to move animals and implement best practices for controlling the spread...
Researchers focus on two muscle fibre types to achieve tastier cuts of meat without sacrificing production values. The study aims to identify genes important in slow muscle growth, enabling farmers to breed naturally flavorful and succulent meat.
Research on caribou in West Greenland reveals that climate change is affecting not only the timing of plant growth but also the availability of nutritious food. This 'trophic mismatch' leads to reduced births and increased deaths among caribou calves, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect seasonal animals.
Researchers found over 10,500 dead animals along 11 miles of roads in Indiana, with nearly 95% being frogs and other amphibians. The study suggests that road-related death contributes to their decline, highlighting the need for mitigation structures like underpasses and fences.
Research suggests that animals in Antarctica faced harsher conditions during Ice Ages than today, leading to mass migrations. The study found that polynyas, areas of open water, existed far south of current winter sea-ice boundaries, supporting local food webs.
Scientists report biochemical proof that female mammals can sense sperm presence and alter uterine environment to favor fertilization. This discovery has profound implications for in-vitro fertilization, cloning, and animal breeding.
A new statistical method helps choose animals that are more congenial in groups, improving productivity and animal well-being. The tool aids in predicting how social interactions impact the natural evolution of species, with potential applications for securing the world's food supply.
Researchers found that free-living hummingbirds in Canadian Rocky Mountains have impressive timing abilities, remembering interval between visits to individual flowers. They can maintain 'independent stopwatches' for up to eight different flowers, allowing them to plan efficient nectar harvesting
The Tulane Primate Center is expanding its facilities with a new grant, providing state-of-the-art housing and nursery facilities for monkeys. The center will also establish a national nonhuman primate breeding colony resource to meet increasing demand for these animals.
Research at Duke University found that hybrid kittens born to Florida panthers and Texas animals have a three times higher chance of becoming adults. This is due to the introduction of new genetic material, which helps reduce genetic abnormalities in purebred Florida panthers.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new breeding program that selects passive livestock animals, leading to increased productivity and improved animal well-being. The program, which avoids inbreeding problems, also reduces competition among animals for resources, resulting in less aggressive behavior and injuries.
Research reveals that mice lacking TAF4b initially exhibit fertility but later become infertile due to progressive loss of maturing germ cells. The study's findings highlight the crucial role of TAF4b in sperm production and may have implications for human male fertility.
Researchers have discovered the remains of a 9,500-year-old human-cat burial on Cyprus, providing the oldest known evidence of cat taming. The find, published in Science journal, suggests that humans may have begun taming wild cats earlier than previously thought, around 11,000 years ago.
Researchers successfully cloned three mule foals, including Idaho Gem, using increased calcium concentrations in the media. This breakthrough may aid understanding of human diseases, as equine cell activation and division rates can be accelerated by exposure to calcium.
A team of scientists has tracked over 1,000 bluefin tunas and over 200 bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean using electronic tags. The data reveal extensive migrations of these fish across entire ocean basins.
Researchers are using high-tech tools to track marine animals and gather data on their movements, habitats, and interactions with human activities. This information is crucial for protecting these species from bycatch, collisions, and other harms.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have successfully cloned a white-tailed deer named Dewey, believed to be the first of its kind. The breakthrough achieved through fibroblast cell isolation, culture, freezing, and nuclear transfer may provide valuable tools for conserving endangered deer species.
Hutton's animal and plant breeding experiments demonstrated seminal variation, passed on to offspring. Darwin applied this principle independently, assembling evidence that convinced the scientific world.
Researchers found that North American red squirrels are adapting to warmer temperatures by advancing their breeding cycle by 18 days over 10 years. The team used quantitative genetics to separate individual plasticity from genetic adaptation, revealing a long-term trend of phenotypic plasticity.
Studies have found a direct correlation between global warming and biological changes in plants and animals globally. Over 1,200 species have undergone changes consistent with temperature change influencing various traits.
Researchers at UGA have developed a new cloning technique with a success rate of one in seven, significantly improving the efficiency of the process. The technology will allow for the reproduction of desirable traits and improved genetics, benefiting producers and consumers.
Researchers found that blind naked mole-rats disperse from their natal colonies to seek new partners and form new colonies, challenging the assumption that inbreeding is the norm for these eusocial creatures. The study also revealed that outbreeding is the preferred breeding system of choice for mole-rats.
Research reveals penguins can quickly acclimate to tourists visiting their breeding colonies, with reduced stress levels after brief exposure. After 10 days of repeated human visits, penguin stress levels decreased significantly, suggesting a possible long-term adaptation to ecotourism.
Researchers have found that migratory birds' winter habitats influence their breeding success by affecting arrival time and physical condition. American redstarts in wetter environments maintained better body mass and robust condition, while those in drier environments lost mass and showed signs of deteriorating condition.