Animal Physiology
Articles tagged with Animal Physiology
The cost of metamorphosis in amphibians
Researchers found that amphibian metamorphosis entails a direct cost, including weight loss and reduced energy intake, which varies by sex. The study uses the palmate newt as a model to shed light on the evolutionary mechanisms governing the persistence or loss of metamorphosis, particularly in the context of climate change.
Seals get their hearts racing to detox after foraging trips at sea
A new study found that fur seals' heart rate peaks six to eight hours after returning to land, indicating a delayed recovery from the physiological costs of foraging at sea. This suggests that seals use their time onshore to actively recover and replenish oxygen stores.
Scientists map the blackcap bird brain, opening a new era of 3D digital atlases
Researchers have mapped the first migratory bird brain using high-resolution light microscopy and open-source software tools, creating a valuable resource for neuroscience worldwide. The new Eurasian blackcap atlas enables consistency in brain data interpretation and fosters collaboration among researchers.
Research traces evolution of anglerfishes’ famed fishing-rod lures
Anglerfish species use lures for both attracting prey and signaling potential mates, with bioluminescent lures appearing around 34-23 million years ago. Researchers analyzed over 100 species to study the evolutionary history of lures, tracing changes from motion-based to glowing lures.
Why cats stop eating — it’s not just fullness
Cats gradually reduce food intake when same food is repeatedly presented, but this effect is mitigated by introducing a different food or odor, suggesting sensory novelty plays a key role in regulating feeding behavior.
Microbial clues uncover how wild songbirds respond to stress
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers has uncovered the impact of stress on wild songbirds, finding that even mild challenges can alter the gut microbiome, leading to changes in health indicators such as beak color and stress hormone levels.
3D-printed rattlesnake reveals how the rattle is a warning signal
Researchers engineered a 3D-printed robotic rattlesnake to test how 38 zoo animals responded to rattling behavior. The study found that the rattling display functions as an effective deterrent, with species sharing natural geographic range with rattlesnakes exhibiting stronger fear responses.
Snakes off the plane
Researchers discovered a simple strategy for snakes to stand upright without limbs, concentrating bending and muscle activity into a short boundary layer near their base. This approach reduces energy required while maintaining balance, offering design principles for soft robots and medical devices.
Follow motion or light? How the brain deals with multiple visual inputs
A new study published in Nature Communications uses larval zebrafish to uncover the neural mechanisms behind visual integration and decision-making. The findings suggest that the brain uses an additive algorithm to combine sensory inputs from motion, light, and luminance changes, guiding rapid adaptive decisions.
Fast-paced lives demand faster vision: ecology shapes how “quickly” animals see time
A new study reveals that animal species with fast-paced ecologies have faster visual perception, tracking prey in mid-air versus grazing slowly across the seabed. This finding supports Autrum's hypothesis and highlights how ecology shapes the tempo of perception across life on Earth.
Water is bed bugs’ kryptonite
A University of California - Riverside study has identified bed bugs' fear of water and wet surfaces, which affects their behavior and movement patterns. Researchers found that all bed bug ages and genders avoid wet surfaces, with younger insects being more sensitive to moisture.
Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Staffordshire Bull Terrier among twelve dog breeds at risk of serious breathing condition
A study from the University of Cambridge identified twelve dog breeds at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, a condition causing serious breathing problems. The breeds include Pekingese, Shih Tzu, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, with narrow nostrils and short head shapes being significant risk factors.
Hearing angry or happy human voices is linked to changes in dogs’ balance
A study found that dogs experience changes in balance when hearing angry or happy human voices. Angry voices were most strongly associated with destabilization, while happy voices led to both stabilization and destabilization in some cases. The research suggests that emotional arousal may play a role in the dogs' responses.
Tests uncover unexpected humpback sensitivity to high-frequency noise
Researchers at University of Queensland conducted hearing tests across ocean off Australian coast, finding humpbacks react to higher frequency sounds than expected. The study provides direct evidence humpbacks are highly sensitive to higher frequencies at the upper end of human hearing range.
Bird retinas function without oxygen – solving a centuries-old biological mystery
Bird retinas operate under chronic oxygen deprivation, relying on anaerobic energy production. The pecten oculi serves as a metabolic gateway, delivering sugar and removing waste products.
Extreme heat waves disrupt honey bee thermoregulation and threaten colony survival
Research found that extreme summer heat can overwhelm honey bees' cooling systems, causing significant colony population declines. Larger colonies with more stable internal temperatures were less affected, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to mitigate impacts of high temperatures and maintain colony stability.
Ant societies rose by trading individual protection for collective power
Research shows that ants with less protective armor, such as cuticle investment, tend to have larger colony sizes and are more successful in terms of diversification rates. This suggests that complex societies like humans may evolve by sacrificing individual quality for collective power.
Study reveals that the body uses different sensors to detect cold in the skin and in internal organs
Researchers found that the skin relies on TRPM8 sensor for cold detection, while internal organs primarily use TRPA1 sensor. This difference explains variations in external and internal cold perception, and has implications for understanding thermal homeostasis and pathologies related to cold sensitivity.
Patch offers hope to save frog populations
A non-invasive method has been developed to monitor hormone levels in frogs, providing valuable insights into their wellbeing. This technology uses tiny patches that collect hormone-rich secretions from frog skin, marking a major step forward in amphibian monitoring.
Learn the surprising culprit limiting the abundance of Earth’s largest land animals
A new study found that the density and distribution of Earth's largest land animals are limited by sodium availability in their local flora. In many areas, wild herbivores cannot get enough salt in their diet, leading to interesting behaviors such as elephants consuming sodium-rich rocks and gorillas fighting for salty foods.
Microplastics disrupt gut microbiome and fermentation in farm animals: Study reveals new risks to animal health and food safety
A study by the University of Helsinki reveals that microplastics interact with the rumen microbiome, alter fermentation processes, and are partially broken down. This interaction has significant implications for animal health, productivity, and food safety.
Evolving a flight-ready brain – New study shows brain evolution in pterosaurs and birds took different paths
Researchers discovered a new 233-million-year-old nonflying relative of pterosaurs that provided breakthrough insights into the evolution of flight in these animals. The study found that pterosaurs evolved their own 'flight computers' from scratch, with unique brain structures and smaller brain sizes compared to birds.
The ingenuity of white oval squid camouflage brought to light
The white oval squid employs a range of survival strategies, including color matching, disruptive patterns, and synchronized schooling. By analyzing the mathematical patterns behind their behavior, researchers have confirmed the effectiveness of these strategies in evading predators and camouflaging in diverse environments.
How do winter-active spiders survive the cold?
Researchers discovered that Clubiona spiders have unique antifreeze proteins that bind to ice crystals, preventing their growth at sub-zero temperatures. This adaptation is crucial for perennial agriculture as it could lead to reduced reliance on insecticides and combatting resistance.
Hayfeeders and other tools can improve health, welfare of stabled horses
Simple items like hay feeders and giant rubber activity balls can improve horse behavior and reduce health issues such as ulcers and fragile leg bones. Researchers found that stabled horses displayed increased movement and reduced frustration behaviors when provided with enrichment tools.
The leading causes of mass mortality events in sea urchins are pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures
A meta-analysis of scientific literature reveals that pathogens are the primary driver of mass mortality events in sea urchins, with 33% of events attributed to them. Storms and extreme temperatures also play a significant role, with 25% and 24% of events respectively.
UH Researcher awarded $2M federal grant to explore how frogs survive in salty environments
A University of Houston biologist has received a $2.16 million federal grant to study how some coastal frogs survive in salty environments. The research could reveal how cells cope with salt stress and have implications for understanding the health risks of high-salt diets in humans.
From lab to land: How hands-on computer science is building the future
A team of researchers led by Stephen McCormick has uncovered how fish know when to migrate, revealing that their pituitary gland is studded with photoreceptors that can perceive daylight changes. This discovery sheds light on the enduring migration mystery and will help in planning for climate change's impact on migrating fish populati...
No tricks, only treats: Bats glow under ultraviolet light
Researchers have confirmed that six North American bat species emit a greenish light when exposed to UV rays, suggesting it may be an inherited trait used for communication. The study's findings could provide valuable insights into how bats adapt in the past and to future environmental changes.
Overheating bat boxes place bats in mortal danger during heatwaves
Researchers discovered that bats in full sun bat boxes can warm to temperatures exceeding 50°C while sleeping, leading to dehydration and death. Providing bats with a choice of roosts in the same location, some constructed for stable temperature and others for quick cooling or warming, could help prevent this risk.
Sniffer dogs tested in real-world scenarios reveal need for wider access to explosives, study finds
A new study found that sniffer dogs' performance in real-world scenarios is highly variable and dependent on factors like region, day, and explosive type. The research suggests that limited access to explosive training materials is a primary challenge for teams, highlighting the need for wider access to improve detection performance
‘Pirates’ of the Caribbean: The luck and pluck of three-legged lizards
Researchers discovered that three-legged lizards can survive by adapting their gait and using abundant food sources, highlighting the limitations of Darwin's natural selection theory. The study found less than 1% of wild lizards have a limb deficit, with nearly half being Caribbean anoles.
Climate change may create ‘ecological trap’ for species who can’t adapt
Scientists have discovered that gray tree frogs prepare for winter by responding to shorter days rather than colder temperatures, allocating energy resources unnecessarily. This 'ecological trap' could affect critical behaviors like breeding cycles and migration patterns in species adapted to seasonal cues.
How different bird species forage together in the Antarctic
Researchers found that seabirds use different strategies to find food, with scent-tracking birds benefiting visually hunting birds. This study provides insights into complex systems and crowd behavior, informing conservation strategies for procellariiform seabirds.
“What’s with the long face?”: a new study looks at horses and how we can recognize their pain
A new study at Bournemouth University found that people with horse experience were more accurate at recognizing pain in horse faces, while those with social anxiety were better at detecting pain in human faces. The findings aim to improve animal welfare by helping owners recognize changes indicating pain in horses.
Teddy bears could be valuable conservation tools—but they need a new look
A recent study suggests that teddy bears play a crucial role in shaping our early conception of nature. By analyzing morphometric and colorimetric data, researchers found that traditional teddy bears diverge significantly from their real-world counterparts. This gap may lead to warped or incomplete mental representations of animals and...
Woodrats’ dietary choices driven by constraints
A new study analyzing the dietary choices of wild woodrats reveals that individual diets may not be as diverse as previously assumed. The research suggests that the costs of specializing on one food source or diversifying one's diet have a strong impact on an animal's ability to survive and thrive.
Seaweed snare: Sargassum stops sea turtle hatchlings in their tracks
A new study finds that sargassum seaweed can significantly slow down sea turtle hatchlings in Florida, increasing their risk of predation and heat exposure. Researchers found that even small amounts of sargassum can impede hatchlings' progress, with leatherbacks taking 54% longer to crawl through light sargassum.
Wired for voices: Conserved brain responses in mammals
A new study reveals that humans, dogs, and pigs share similar brain responses to vocal sounds and calls from their own species, indicating an evolutionarily ancient mammalian heritage. This discovery sheds light on the deep roots of voice perception and highlights the value of studying companion animals to better understand human biology.
Most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws. It might help explain how they took over the world.
A study found that most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws, which helps explain how they thrived in various environments. This discovery suggests that thumbnails provide more manual dexterity than long, sharp claws, enabling rodents to exploit high-energy resources like nuts.
An eye for the sky
A research team has discovered that bees' complex eyes contain specialized facets that detect polarized light in the sky, producing a less-detailed but more accurate image. This allows bees to tune out unimportant information and focus on the big picture, using the sun's position as a compass.
Can clownfish adapt to rising sea temperatures?
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
Be it feast or famine, orangutans adapt with flexible diets
Researchers found that orangutans outshine humans in avoiding obesity by adjusting their nutrient intake, behavior, and energy use. The study provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of great apes, which can inform better nutritional practices for humans.
Lead-resistant lizards in New Orleans could hold clues to combating lead poisoning
Researchers found that brown anole lizards can withstand extreme lead levels without impairment. Transcriptomic analyses revealed minor effects on brain and liver tissue, with altered genes linked to metal ion regulation.
Seeing with fresh eyes: Snails as a system for studying sight restoration
Researchers have established apple snails as a system to study eye regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease. The team discovered that the snail eye is anatomically similar to humans and can regrow itself, with genes such as pax6 playing a crucial role in development.
Live well temperature variations stress out largemouth bass, study finds
Researchers found that live well temperatures fluctuate drastically during tournaments, causing physiological stress and longer recovery times for largemouth bass. This study highlights the importance of optimizing live well conditions to minimize mortality rates and ensure sustainable fisheries.
Tracking insect and bug health in a heartbeat from a digital camera
Scientists have developed a method to extract insect heart rates from video footage taken with digital cameras, preserving their natural behavior. The technique uses advanced signal processing and machine learning algorithms to analyze subtle body movements and detect accurate cardiac activity.
Understanding how heat stress reshapes fat metabolism in chickens
A recent study reveals that heat stress directly alters fat metabolism in adipose tissue, regulating genes that promote fat storage. Researchers identified 459 genes that showed different expression levels in response to heat stress, highlighting the active role of adipose tissue in fat deposition.
Hermit crabs with more sensitive claws may be bolder in their decisions
A new study found that hermit crabs with more sensory hairs on their claws recover faster from a startle response, indicating they are bolder. The research suggests a link between sensory ability and behavior, proposing a hypothesis called sensory investment syndrome.
Slithering snakes: The science behind the motion of a young anaconda
A team led by L. Mahadevan found that young anacondas can execute a quick, one-off skating movement called the 'S-start' due to their physical attributes. This movement is similar to sidewinding and could inspire new robotic systems.
Safely navigating treetops thanks to a scaly tail
Researchers from Empa's Soft Kinetic group studied the rare scaly-tailed squirrels' unique bodily structure, discovering that their thorn-covered scales help them maintain position and grip onto tree bark. The study aims to inform robotics by adopting morphological structures and behaviors honed through millions of years of evolution.
Philippine biologists warn against new alien fish in country's largest lake
Researchers have confirmed the presence of Barbonymus schwanefeldii (tinfoil barb) in Laguna de Bay, Philippines' largest freshwater lake. The invasive species can outcompete native fish for food and breeding grounds, posing long-term ecological consequences.
Chicago’s rodents are evolving to handle city living
Researchers found that chipmunks' skulls became larger but teeth shorter due to increased human food availability. Voles' auditory bullae decreased in size possibly to dampen environmental noise. These changes demonstrate the profound impact of humans on wildlife and their environment.
Ladybirds' complex colors may result from a combination of pigments and physical properties of their wingcase
A recent study suggests that ladybird colors are produced by a combination of pigments and the physical properties of their wingcase. Researchers have discovered structural mechanisms underlying color production and pigment modulation in these insects.
Mice can recognize an artificial limb as their own
Researchers developed an animal model of forelimb embodiment in mice to study the neural basis of sensory-based forelimb embodiment. The findings suggest that mice can develop a sense of embodiment of an artificial limb, similar to humans who participate in the rubber-hand illusion experiment.
In dry conditions, locust babies are born with their first lunch
In dry conditions, desert locusts produce smaller hatchlings with a 'lunchbox strategy', allocating energy to their first meal for survival. This adaptation allows them to outlast rivals and access more food, giving them an advantage in harsh environments.
University of Oldenburg celebrates sensational success after securing funding for three Clusters of Excellence
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
Studies look for potential therapy targets for dogs with Chiari-like malformation
Studies from North Carolina State University explored biomarkers and genetic markers for Chiari-like malformation in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, identifying Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide as a potential therapeutic target. Elevated CGRP levels were found in dogs with CM and painful symptoms, but not correlated with syringomyelia.
Asian elephants have larger brains than their African relatives
Researchers discovered Asian elephants have significantly heavier brains, weighing 5,300 grams on average, compared to 4,400 grams in African elephants. Elephant brains grow almost as much as human brains after birth, with a threefold increase in weight by adulthood.