Articles tagged with Animal Migration
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Researchers document leatherback sea turtles' ability to maintain specific headings while traveling through the subtropical gyre, unaffected by current drift. The study suggests that turtles may use a magnetic and/or solar compass to navigate.
The discovery of a new turtle genus in Wyoming provides insight into how animals may respond to future climate change. Modern-day turtles may struggle to migrate northward due to habitat loss and human pressures, leading to some species' potential extinction.
Dynamic MPAs can move in time and space to protect migratory species, while CCAMLR's success in Antarctica offers a model for high seas conservation. Closing the high seas to fishing could lead to increased catch and more equitable distribution through EEZs.
A new study found that non-migratory monarchs in the southern US are five times more likely to be infected with parasites than migratory ones. Planting native milkweeds instead of tropical milkweed can help reduce disease problems in winter-breeding populations.
Researchers at Dartmouth College and USC found that a Rocky Mountain mustard plant alters its physical appearance and flowering time in response to different environmental conditions. This suggests that some species can quickly adapt to climate change without having to migrate or evolve.
A new study reveals that Dolly Varden, a char species in southeast Alaska, have successfully adjusted their migrations to follow the timing of salmon spawning, ensuring access to a key food source. This adaptability suggests that at least some species may be more resilient to climate-induced changes in migration timing.
Researchers discovered that elephant seals dive more efficiently with moderate body fat by changing their buoyancy. As they add fat stores during months-long migrations, the seals become neutrally buoyant, reducing energy costs and increasing time spent feeding at depth.
A team of scientists has uncovered a new mechanism controlling actin-rich protrusions that aid in cell migration, a process essential for development, wound healing, and immunological responses. GMF protein plays a key role in regulating these protrusions.
Researchers found that migrating animals release ammonia, which plays a significant role in shaping marine chemistry, particularly in low-oxygen zones. The study reveals that animal behavior on a large scale influences the ocean's chemistry, with implications for predicting ocean changes under climate change.
A study identifies dense natural gas field developments, highways, and fencing as threats to the pronghorn's migration in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The research found that migrating pronghorn avoid high-quality forage on both sides of highways with bottlenecks, highlighting the need for wildlife-friendly infrastructure.
New research by University of British Columbia scientists found that sockeye salmon forced to 'sprint' through fast-moving waters are more likely to die during their upstream migration. The study, published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, suggests that excessive burst swimming creates stress and impairs survival.
Researchers at Vetmeduni Vienna warn of the impact of fencing and railway development on migratory ungulates in Mongolia's Gobi-Steppe Ecosystem. The authors advocate for structural modifications to fences, removal of unnecessary barriers, and re-routing of railway lines to minimize negative effects on ecosystem integrity.
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.
A WCS-led satellite tracking study found humpback whales share breeding waters with offshore oil rigs, major shipping routes, and toxicants off the coast of western Africa. The researchers identified new parts of the whales' breeding range and migratory routes to sub-Antarctic feeding grounds.
A new paper provides recommendations for conserving migratory wildlife that inhabit U.S. national parks, leveraging diverse scientific expertise. Key findings highlight the importance of protected areas and public engagement in safeguarding long-distance species movements.
Researchers used automated cameras to track the northern spring migrations of Alaskan caribou and ptarmigan, estimating 40,000 images were analyzed. The study shed light on caribou and ptarmigan behavior, including speed, foraging habits, and avoidance of water.
Fossil evidence reveals that ancient sharks, such as Bandringa, bred in the open ocean and spent their lives in freshwater swamps and rivers. The discovery of juvenile shark fossils alongside egg cases provides the first fossil evidence for a shark nursery that combines both juvenile and adult remains.
Young salmon scatter in all directions after entering the ocean, contrary to previous assumptions that most head north immediately. The study provides critical insights into salmon behavior and factors influencing survival, such as water temperature and predator presence.
A new MBL zebrafish study elucidates the importance of calcium signaling in wound healing by identifying key membrane proteins that trigger cellular migration. The research reveals a graded calcium signal surrounding wounds, guiding skin cells to migrate toward the center and regenerate new skin.
Researchers found Pacific humpback whales increasing annually, doubling to 137 whales in 2011, with high survival rates among adults. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts due to increased vulnerability during critical refueling stages.
Researchers found that some whale species darken their skin with UV exposure, accumulating DNA damage, similar to humans. Fin whales, however, were resistant to sun damage, offering insights into evolutionary adaptations to counteract UV radiation.
Researchers use NASA satellite data to track zebra movements and predict migration timing, revealing the importance of environmental cues. The study combines GPS tracking with satellite imagery and rainfall data to understand what drives animal migrations.
A research report in Ecology suggests that climate change, exacerbated by droughts, is causing declining migration rates among Yellowstone's migratory elk. The study attributes this decline to the return of predators like bears and wolves, as well as human choices such as irrigation in nearby fields.
A new study published in PLOS ONE tracks the movements of individual humpback whales to their singing patterns on a Northwest Atlantic feeding ground. The researchers used passive acoustic tracking to localize whale songs and relate them to specific behaviors, providing valuable insights for marine mammal conservation and management.
A new study uses computer simulation to explore how directional migration influences cooperation levels and population structure. The results show improved cooperation among individuals in dense clusters resembling social cohesion.
A study on polar bears in western Hudson Bay found that the timing of their migration can be predicted by sea ice melt and freeze patterns. The results suggest that as sea ice melts earlier and freezes later, polar bears arrive on shore earlier in the summer and leave later in the autumn.
Researchers found that salmon imprint on the magnetic signature of their home river and seek it out during spawning migration. This discovery represents a major new phenomenon in behavioral biology, providing insights into how salmon navigate epic distances.
A mathematical model analyzes the impact of disease, animal migrations, and Allee effects on biodiversity. The study finds that population extinction is possible even when a healthy population is subject to small perturbations, highlighting the importance of considering global survival in ecosystem resilience.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a method for determining more precise geographical locations of an individual's ancestral origins using genetic traits. By analyzing DNA samples from 1,157 people across Europe, they were able to accurately determine two separate points on the map for an individual's mother and father.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst used miniaturized satellite tags to track young Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing their dispersal patterns and habitat use. The study provides the first fishery-independent data on bluefin tuna migration and behavior, shedding light on the ecology and management of wild stocks.
A worldwide survey found that all continents except Antarctica have regions where dam obstruction poses a significant threat to freshwater organisms. The study identified 18 ecoregions with notable numbers of fish species at risk, including the Murray-Darling Province in Australia and the South Atlantic coast of the United States.
Researchers found that vascular plant species have migrated an average of 2.7 meters upwards in European mountains over 7 years, posing a threat to unique endemic species. The study also reveals an increase in species diversity at low elevation sites in the Mediterranean region.
Research from University of Guelph uncovers how monarch butterflies recolonize northern breeding grounds in spring, with 10% coming directly from Mexico and most born in central US. This knowledge aids conservation by identifying highly productive regions that fuel the migration further north.
A new study has identified high-use areas in the Pacific Ocean as potential danger zones for critically endangered leatherback turtles. The research found that leatherbacks can be tracked across entire ocean basins, increasing the risk of being caught in fishing gear and undermining conservation efforts.
Researchers have developed an interactive tool to visualize how changes in date and weather conditions affect bat presence at wind energy facilities. The tool can help reduce bat fatalities by maximizing energy production on nights with low fatality risk while minimizing impacts on migratory bats.
A new model combining biological data and fisheries catch records indicates that fishing in one side of the Atlantic Ocean affects the other. The study shows that eastern bluefin populations are declining due to high levels of fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, while western populations are also depleted. The model suggests that recover...
Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine face mortality risks from a changing climate, including warmer ocean temperatures and increased predator populations. The study suggests that post-smolts are more likely to survive if they avoid areas with high predator densities.
A new Duke University-led study reveals that more than half of eastern US tree species are not adapting to climate change as quickly or consistently as predicted. The research found that nearly 59% of the species examined showed signs of range contraction, while only 21% appeared to be shifting northward.
Antarctic killer whales perform rapid migrations to warmer tropical waters in search of relief from cold temperatures. The whales shed their thick layer of diatoms, which helps with skin regeneration in the warmer environment.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered a way to track Atlantic salmon's feeding grounds in the North Atlantic. By analyzing the chemistry of their scales, scientists can now identify where individual rivers' salmon migrate to feed, revealing surprising differences in their ocean experiences.
A decade-long study of Pacific Ocean predators reveals the California Current as a vital habitat with predictable seasonal patterns, attracting an array of marine life. The study shows that many species return to specific regions with astonishing fidelity, using internal cues to navigate.
Research by Smithsonian scientists reveals that seasonal changes in vegetation determine the distance migratory animals travel and whether they migrate independently or in herds. The study's findings have significant implications for conserving endangered species.
Research suggests right whales stay in Gulf of Maine area during spring due to vertical migration of copepods, allowing them to feed below surface. This behavior helps them outcompete herring for food, contradicting earlier thought that declining herring stocks would threaten their population
A new study using satellite tracking has found that adult male sea turtles are exposed to high levels of manmade chemicals, including organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. This exposure may put them at risk of toxic effects and cumulative poisoning through the food chain.
A UBC study found that certain populations of Fraser River sockeye salmon are more likely to adapt to changing environmental conditions due to their unique migration routes and specialized physiological adaptations. These findings have implications for conservation efforts in other watersheds worldwide.
Researchers found that long-distance migrations can reduce the spread of infectious diseases in some species by allowing them to escape parasite-laden habitats. This process also helps eliminate virulent disease strains from populations.
A six-year study on migrating geese found that young birds learn their migratory destinations from parents, demonstrating a high concentration of related birds. This cultural inheritance may provide advantages such as better access to food and reproductive success.
The Arctic Species Trend Index reports a 26% decline in species populations, including lemmings and caribou, due to climate change. In contrast, some marine mammal and fish populations are increasing in response to changes in the Arctic ecosystem.
Researchers Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer argue that small family farms in tropical regions can provide a better way to meet both food production and biodiversity preservation goals. They propose an alternative model, the matrix quality model, which enables plants and animals to migrate between remaining forest fragments.
Researchers are working with commercial fishermen to track monkfish migration patterns using electronic tags implanted under the skin. The study aims to improve understanding of the fish's biology and behavior, including its age and growth rate, as well as its interaction with ocean currents and tides.
A new study reveals that climate belts are shifting toward the poles at a rate of about a quarter mile per year, posing a significant threat to many species. The research highlights the need for effective conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and species migrations.
A long-term study found that El Niño drives the migration of Sulfur butterflies in Panama, with peak migrations occurring after rainy season begins. The research suggests that understanding global climate cycles can improve prediction of insect movements and effects on crops.
Researchers studying Idaho's Clearwater River have found that temperature differences and slow-moving water can delay the migration of juvenile salmon, allowing them to grow larger before reaching the Pacific Ocean. This delayed migration could help the fish survive better when they finish their ocean-bound trek.
The world's largest fruit bat species, Pteropus vampyrus, is threatened with local extinction due to unsustainable hunting rates in Peninsular Malaysia. International protection is recommended to address the issue.
A recent study analyzes the impact of human activity on large-scale terrestrial migrations, revealing that up to a quarter of migrating species have gone extinct. Human activities such as fencing, farming, and water restrictions have altered habitats and reduced migration routes, leading to significant declines in animal populations.
Ciguatera poisoning, caused by eating large carnivorous reef fish, may have prompted Polynesian migrations out of paradise. Researchers propose that climate change and ciguatera outbreaks led to historical mass migrations of Cook Islanders from Rarotonga to New Zealand, Easter Island, and possibly Hawaii.
Biologist Zeb Hogan sets the record straight about a purported record-breaking 771-pound stingray, saying it was never weighed. The fish, caught in central Thailand, is estimated to weigh between 550-770 pounds and may be the world's largest freshwater fish.
A long-term study reveals that the average weight of red knots has declined significantly since their primary food source, horseshoe crab eggs, was reduced. The population size of red knots has declined by over 75 percent due to increased harvest of horseshoe crabs.
A tropical, freshwater turtle fossil discovered in Arctic Canada supports the idea of animals migrating from Asia to North America across a freshwater sea floating on top of the warm, salty Arctic Ocean. The find suggests a rapid influx of carbon dioxide led to a super-greenhouse effect creating extraordinary polar heat.
Scientists have discovered that transporting juvenile salmon downstream can hinder their ability to migrate back to their breeding grounds as adults. The study found that transported juveniles had lower survivorship and were less likely to find their way home, due to being disoriented by the boat journey. This can reduce the genetic fi...