Articles tagged with Animal Migration
A new study sheds light on the ancestry of manatees, tracing their evolution back 47 million years to northern Africa. The research suggests that modern manatees migrated from South America to the Caribbean and North America around 34 million years ago, with some species thriving in communities for millions of years.
Researchers assembled a large biologging dataset to understand how sharks, rays, and skates use the ocean depths. They found that many species migrate vertically in response to food resources, with some diving to extreme depths.
Scientists analyzed nearly two decades of underwater recordings to find that the distinctive songs of Chagos pygmy blue whales have increased in frequency over time. This suggests that stocks of the sub-species may be on the rebound after being hunted to near-extinction in the 20th century.
Researchers have identified over 1,500 genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverflies, shedding light on the genetic pathways involved in migration. The study reveals suites of genes being activated in concert, including insulin signalling for longevity and pathways for immunity.
Satellite-tracking of whale sharks in the Panamanian Pacific reveals their feeding and breeding patterns, with a focus on protecting these endangered species from human threats. The study highlights the importance of identifying and conserving large oceanic areas and marine corridors to safeguard their migration routes.
Research reveals that elephant migration routes in Namibia are experiencing declining vegetation due to human activities. The study, published in Sensor journal, used remote sensing data to assess the impact of wildlife on vegetation cover change.
Researchers observe fruit bat migration patterns mirroring seasonal landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting a unique role in plant pollination. The study reveals the ecologically underestimated fruit bats transport plant seeds along the 'green wave', potentially affecting local ecosystems.
A new study found climate change is altering how large whales, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, use habitats in the warming Gulf of Maine. The research team analyzed over 20 years of data and found that peak use of Cape Cod Bay had shifted almost three weeks later for right whales and humpback whales.
A team at the University of Tokyo discovered that syntaxin protein plays a vital role in storing memory in the nervous system, influencing the migratory behavior of nematodes. The study found that altering syntaxin can lead to reversed behavior, allowing worms to choose whether to approach or avoid salt concentrations.
A team of University of Hawaii researchers found that the number of hours of darkness during the lunar cycle triggers mature Hawaiian box jellyfish to swim to shore to spawn. The study also revealed that jellies are likely to come from the lee of Diamond Head Crater, where they benefit from shelter and food.
Researchers at UBC's Sea Around Us initiative identified four high-traffic areas in the Pacific Ocean as crucial for conserving large pelagic fishes like tuna and swordfish. By analyzing migration routes, genetic sequencing studies, and catch distribution maps, they pinpointed 'blue corridors' where strict fisheries management measures...
The Mekong delta, Southeast Asia's most productive agricultural region and home to 17 million people, is at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to subsidence. Sediment loss from upstream dams and poor water management exacerbates the issue, threatening food security and livelihoods.
A massive dataset reveals complex ecological relationships between sharks and game fish, offering a clearer understanding of their interactions. The study's innovative use of acoustic telemetry and machine learning helps inform fisheries management strategies to protect both species.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
The expanded protected area protects fourteen marine mammal species and improves connectivity of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. The new management plan prohibits fishing in two-thirds of the area and allows sustainable fishing, reducing bycatch and promoting conservation.
Researchers at Skoltech used a 3D simulation to show that small fish can sense the position and tail beat of their neighbors through water pressure variations, enabling efficient group swimming even in darkness. This mechanism could lead to more energy-efficient aquatic research robots and improved fish behavior studies.
Researchers found that pelicans primarily eat native fish species like Utah sucker and chub, with only a small percentage of cutthroat trout consumed. This discovery provides managers with more insight into the ecological dynamics of the reservoir, allowing them to focus on other factors impacting trout populations.
Researchers found that elephant seals can determine their distance from breeding beaches and estimate return times based on an internal map sense. This navigation ability helps them arrive at their breeding beaches just in time for the breeding season.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics found that genetic legacy from the last glaciation influences reindeer's migratory behavior. Caribou with more northern ancestry were more likely to migrate longer distances, highlighting an evolutionary adaptation to harsh tundra environments.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a specific type of bacteria, Weissella, becomes dominant in the gut microbiomes of locusts when they form swarms. This change may provide the bacteria with an evolutionary advantage, allowing them to spread and infect more locusts.
According to a new study, climate change will force 45% of transboundary fish stocks to shift significantly by 2100, raising tensions and potential conflicts over resource management. This shift will disproportionately affect tropical countries and potentially collapse international agreements.
A study by Kyoto University found that migratory shrimp significantly enriched streams with nutrients, outperforming aquatic insects. The research highlights the crucial role of these small crustaceans in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests integrating landscape management to support nutrient cycling.
Scientists have developed a novel way to analyze nitrogen isotopes in whale baleen to reconstruct the animal's diet, trophic level, and migration pattern. The method reveals annual migration patterns between Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, providing insights into threatened population migration pathways.
A study predicts that 6,150 km of new Pacific salmon habitat will emerge in the Pacific mountains by 2100, with most occurring in Alaska and the transboundary region. This newly formed habitat can support rapid colonization by salmon populations, offering local opportunities for some species but posing challenges under climate change.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered that monarch butterflies process sun information as a compass during migration, but only when flying actively. The butterfly's brain represents the heading direction relative to the sun in a similar way to a compass.
A new study reveals that marine species in the Mediterranean are migrating tens of meters deeper to survive warmer temperatures. The research found that cold-water species deepen significantly more than warm-water species, with an average depth increase of 55 meters across the region.
A recent study found that whale sharks in Panama may originate from the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean, highlighting their ability to travel long distances. This discovery underscores the need for transboundary conservation measures like marine corridors to protect this endangered species.
Researchers used fractal analysis to study brain network patterns while listening to a story. The results show that complex thoughts are reflected in high-order dynamic correlations in neural activity patterns.
Researchers developed a new, accurate method to detect North Atlantic Right Whale up-calls using Multimodal Deep Learning algorithms. The technology outperformed conventional methods in detecting up-calls, non-up-calls, and false alarms.
Scientists discovered two distinct sardine populations in South Africa, one adapted to cool-temperate waters and the other to warmer subtropical conditions. The study suggests the Sardine Run may be a relic of spawning behavior dating back to the glacial period.
Researchers used isotope mapping to track monarch butterfly migration routes and identify their natal origins. The study, led by a University of Ottawa student, revealed that monarchs from the eastern US likely originated in Texas, providing valuable insights into population decline.
A new study reveals zooplankton exhibit high-frequency 'mini-migrations' due to cloud shadows, affecting their energy expenditure and carbon transport. The daily process of swimming up and down in response to subtle changes in light intensity may have significant implications for Earth's carbon cycle.
Zooplankton swim up and down in response to shifts in light due to cloud cover, with mini-migrations adding up to 30% of the average nightly migration distance. This behavior has implications for metabolic requirements and carbon transfer in the ocean.
A team of researchers created an engaging program to educate children aged 8-14 about migratory fishes and aquatic environments. The Shout Trout Workout combines music, comedy, and lyrics to convey important ecological information in a fun way.
Researchers discovered that horses crossed the Beringian Land Bridge multiple times, influencing genetic diversity and settling both continents before becoming extinct in North America
The discovery of Pleurochayah appalachius, a 96-million-year-old fossil turtle, provides the earliest evidence of sidenecked turtles in North America. The find sheds light on ancient reptile migrations and expands our understanding of bothremydid turtle evolution.
A 100-million-year-old side-necked turtle fossil from Texas provides evidence of marine adaptations, challenging previous understanding of the oldest known species. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of bothremydid turtles and their potential migration to North America.
Research identifies two critical thresholds for stream flow and salmon survival, with a historic mean flow of 10,712 cfs providing an important target for managing water resources. Enacting flows to match this threshold could increase salmon survival rates by doubling or tripling in some years.
Researchers have identified a magnetic sense in bats, located in the cornea of their eyes, allowing them to navigate during long-distance migrations. This sense is necessary for orientation and was disrupted by anaesthesia of the cornea, yet orientation still worked with one eye.
A new study using bone collagen analysis shows that Japanese flounder exhibit behavioral groups with different migration patterns and feeding habits. The researchers analyzed vertebral-bone collagen isotope ratios to reconstruct individual migration and feeding history, revealing distinct differences among fish.
A five-year study reveals that only deer migrating long distances and matching peak green-up timing successfully synchronize birth with forage availability. Conversely, shorter-distance migrants gave birth earlier, out of sync with green-up.
New UBC research finds female sockeye salmon are dying at significantly higher rates than their male counterparts during migration, leading to skewed sex ratios in spawning grounds. The study identifies four reasons for this trend: depletion of energy reserves, reduced cardiac capacity, stress and disease.
A new study reveals how female elephant seals shift their activity patterns as their body condition improves during a 7-month foraging migration. As they regain weight, the seals prioritize safety over feeding, with rest dives occurring progressively earlier and in shallower waters.
Researchers have discovered that soupfin sharks undergo a triennial migratory cycle and reproductive cycle, returning to the same location every three years. This finding has significant implications for conservation and management of the species in U.S. waters, highlighting the need for revised management strategies.
Research at Kobe University Graduate School of Science found that captive-bred juvenile red-spotted masu salmon rarely become migratory when released into natural streams. This discovery has implications for conservation and management of salmon species, highlighting the need for reevaluation of stocking practices and river environments.
A study using drone and Landsat imagery reveals a 33% increase in vegetation cover along the Kuiseb River in the Namib Desert between 1984 and 2019. The research provides new insights into the long-term change in hydrology and ecology of this system, shedding light on how ephemeral rivers in desert landscapes respond to global change.
Small hydropower dams in Brazil are found to cause more significant disruptions to fish migration patterns than large hydropower projects. The study highlights the cumulative impacts of these smaller dams on river connectivity and biodiversity.
A recent study published by the University of Cincinnati identified a shift in caribou movement patterns after the 1970s that coincided with changes in herd size, climate change, and human development. Researchers tracked the movements using antlers shed by female caribou, which contain an isotopic fingerprint of their summer range.
A study by the University of Helsinki and colleagues found that salmon from the Tornio and Kalix Rivers in Finland and Sweden have distinct migration patterns and ages, but no clear genetic differences. The research highlights the need for cross-border cooperation to conserve the largest wild Baltic salmon stocks.
A new study reveals that a ubiquitous additive in vehicle tires, 6PPD-quinone, turns streams toxic and kills coho salmon. The highly toxic compound is deadly to juvenile salmon at concentrations as low as 1 microgram per liter.
A study of Monarch butterfly populations reveals a shift from larger to smaller wings in non-migrating groups, suggesting genetic influence. The findings suggest that migration favors longer wings, while non-migration leads to smaller wings.
A new study shows that the genetic basis for Chinook salmon migration timing is determined by a single stretch of DNA, making seasonal runs the same fish. The researchers found that the different runs are part of a single diverse population within a drainage basin.
Researchers found a single small gene region influences Chinook salmon migratory timing, contradicting previous assumptions of complex genetics. This discovery may facilitate conservation efforts by clarifying the genetic basis of ecotypes.
During annual migration, bats selectively suppress cellular immune responses and favour non-cellular humoral immunity to conserve energy. This strategy helps them survive the strenuous journeys of up to 2,000 km.
Research shows that Impala's mixed feeding strategy makes them abundant despite non-migratory nature, rivaling migratory grazers like wildebeest. This adaptation helps them thrive in savannas with seasonal food availability changes.
Researchers found that blue whales sing mainly at night during the summer feeding season, but switch to daytime singing when preparing to migrate. This discovery may explain inconsistencies in whale song patterns.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified patterns in blue whale songs that indicate migration from feeding grounds to breeding grounds. The study uses advanced recording technologies to analyze whale song wavelengths, revealing a distinct change over several months.
A UC study found that steelhead migration in California's Santa Clara River is triggered by the lengthening daylight of spring, not recent rains. The study recommends limiting water extraction during migration months to allow late migrating fish to return upstream.
A cross-continental team of researchers found that deer migration patterns are influenced by the progression of springtime plant growth, with slow and long green-ups correlating to resident strategies. The study suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to local patterns of forage availability.