Articles tagged with Animal Migration
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...
Researchers at University of British Columbia have developed a formula to predict the impact of climate change on Pacific salmon stocks. The study found that high temperatures push certain sockeye salmon stocks beyond their thermal window, resulting in cardiovascular failure and death.
The study uses electronic tracking to monitor the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing new insights into their migratory patterns, physiology, and population structure. The data show that fish from different populations forage together on common grounds before moving to distinct spawning areas.
Researchers successfully tracked juvenile Pacific salmon from their release in freshwater to distant ocean destinations, providing insights into their life experience and decline. The study also found that survival rates were comparable between dammed and un-dammed rivers.
A new study challenged conventional notions about salmon survival, finding that juvenile salmon in two west coast rivers had similar survival rates despite the presence of extensive dam networks. The study used tagging and tracking technologies to track small juvenile Pacific salmon from freshwater to ocean destinations.
Over 8,000 scientists support creating marine protected areas for endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's resolution aims to safeguard the critically endangered species from industrial fisheries by identifying and protecting their migratory routes.
Conservation scientists propose assisted migration as a solution to prevent species from becoming extinct due to climate change. The authors argue that human-assisted translocation can help select species that are crucial for conservation efforts and have viable habitat options outside their current range.
Fishing on drifting fish aggregation devices (FADs) poses a significant threat to the survival of tropical tuna, especially juveniles. Studies have shown that FAD-associated tuna feed less well and have lower plumpness than those caught from free schools.
Research found that fishing on FADs resulted in tuna with empty stomachs, lower plumpness, and altered migration patterns. The practice may lead to ecological traps for young fish, which could impact the entire life cycle of these species.
A new study confirms that sea lice from fish farms are a major threat to wild salmon, with up to 95% of juveniles killed by infestation. The research found an increasing number of salmon deaths over the migration season, highlighting the severe impact of large-scale aquaculture.
A 6,000-year-old migration route of the pronghorn antelope in Yellowstone National Park is under threat from continued development and human disturbance. The study's findings highlight the need for immediate recognition and protection to safeguard this unique population.
The Ocean Tracking Network, a global collaboration of scientists and experts, aims to track the movements of important species using electronic tags. The network will use an extensive international array of acoustic receivers on the ocean floor to collect data on water temperatures, salinity, and light conditions encountered by animals.
Researchers found that salmonid fish gene expression is controlled by a few major genes and can predict their future lifestyle. This study reveals how programs of gene expression shape different developmental outcomes in these fish, which exhibit exceptional life-history variation.
Scientists have used satellite technology to track salmon sharks migrating from the glacial waters of Alaska to the warm seas off Hawaii. The study found that these top predators can survive in a broad range of thermal conditions due to specialized proteins in their heart muscle cells.
PNNL's ecological dock design reduces harm to nearshore marine life, while a new system tracks juvenile salmon behavior, aiding restoration of critical habitats. The lab also developed a cost-effective nanomaterial to remove mercury from industrial wastes, significantly reducing production costs.
A study by researchers from Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium found that Atlantic bluefin tuna have a complex migratory life cycle, with two distinct populations in the western and eastern Atlantic. Tighter restrictions on commercial fishing are needed to protect their feeding and breeding grounds.
A recent study reveals the far-reaching impact of salmon farms on wild juvenile salmon, with sea lice infections increasing by 73 times near the farm and extending 30 km beyond. The research sheds light on the critical threat posed to dwindling wild salmon populations in British Columbia.
Researchers found that when individual insects were removed from their groups, they suffered high mortality rates due to predation. In contrast, group-traveling insects remained relatively safe, suggesting that band formation provides a protective advantage.
Parasitized monarch populations are more susceptible to habitat loss and climate change, leading to a decline in migratory populations. The study's findings suggest that long-distance migration can amplify the effects of parasite infections on hosts.
Three scientists say current sanctuary plan lacks scientific basis, fails to consider migratory whale behavior and other threats. Refined conservation program using Revised Management Procedure (RMP) would be more effective in protecting whale populations.
A Duke University study challenges the idea that trees can 'relocate' quickly in response to climate change by analyzing genetic data. The research suggests that many tree species may have remained closer to ancient ice sheets than previously thought, limiting their ability to migrate rapidly.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers used a computer-modeling program to project 200 years of change in a forest in northwestern Wisconsin under three climate scenarios. The model found that some species would not be able to survive warmer conditions, while human actions also contribute to the changing landscape.
A new study warns that increased gas development in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is putting long-distance migratory species like pronghorn antelope at risk. The authors suggest establishing protected migration corridors to safeguard these traditional migrations.
The giant catfish, a migratory species in Southeast Asia, is facing extinction due to the destruction of its habitats. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this vital species and the ecosystem it supports.
A new guide, developed by NOAA Fisheries and Rhode Island Sea Grant, aims to increase species-specific identifications without associated mortality. The guide focuses on external characteristics and uses photographs to aid in identification, helping users distinguish among 44 highly migratory shark species.
The proposed 'Millennium Highway' would disrupt the migrations and destroy calving grounds for Mongolian gazelles. The Eastern Steppe is home to Asia's last great spectacle of migrating hoofed animals, a ecosystem worth preserving.
Researchers analyzed data from electronic tags on Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing significant insights into their migrations, diving patterns, and environmental preferences. The study found that Atlantic bluefin tuna often travel throughout the North Atlantic, with some individuals migrating between two distinct breeding populations.
Researchers are using sophisticated computer models to predict the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems facing unprecedented rates of climate change. Plant species may need to migrate at speeds up to 10 times faster than historically observed, but some terrains offer less suitable habitats for this adaptation.