Articles tagged with Animal Science
Researchers found that ageing cuttlefish can remember the details of last week's dinner, unlike humans who gradually lose episodic memory with age. The 'vertical lobe' brain region associated with learning and memory in cuttlefish does not deteriorate until the last two to three days of life.
A new study finds that male acorn woodpeckers breeding in polygamous groups with one or two other males sire significantly more chicks over their lifetimes than males breeding alone. In contrast, females in polygamous groups leave behind fewer offspring than those in monogamous pairs.
A new study finds that urbanization is causing many mammal species to grow bigger, contrary to Bergmann's Rule. The study analyzed over 140,000 measurements of body length and mass from North American mammals collected over 80 years.
A biologist is studying anole lizard diversity in Caribbean islands to identify rare species at risk of extinction. The research will inform strategies to conserve vulnerable species by examining niche characteristics such as diet, habitat, and temperature interactions.
Researchers found that jumping spiders can recognize biological patterns of movement, similar to vertebrates, using point-light displays. This skill allows them to focus on potential prey or predators while ignoring inanimate objects.
A new model calculates maximum running speeds for animals of any size, revealing that medium-sized animals achieve top speed due to their body shape and leg structure. Larger or heavier animals are limited by the weight and stiffness of their bones, resulting in lower top speeds.
A study of over 1,200 consumers found that many are unfamiliar with common dairy processing terms and perceive them as unnatural. Providing education about these terms improves understanding, leading to increased positive perception and purchases.
Researchers at UMD found that a specific combination of parents can cause epigenetic changes to last for hundreds of generations. The study used nematode worms and found that when the mother carried a gene, it was always turned on, while when the father carried the gene, the silencing signal often won.
Researchers developed a new model to predict how plants and animals will weather climate extremes by considering biomechanics and environmental factors. The 'ecomechanical models' can help understand evolutionary patterns and animal interactions with their environment.
A team of researchers has resurrected a forgotten genus of algae, Philozoon, previously discovered in the late 1800s. The study reveals that these micro-algal symbionts live inside animal tissues and create photosynthetic animals, highlighting their ecological significance.
A newly discovered fossil deposit, Haiyan Lagerstätte, contains exceptionally preserved soft-bodied organisms and rare juvenile fossils. The study provides a unique glimpse into how these ancient animals developed from larvae to adults.
A research team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Florida State University has found evidence that nearly all types of Arctic dinosaurs reproduced in the region and likely remained there year-round. The discovery contradicts previous hypotheses that the animals migrated to lower latitudes for the winter, suggesting they were ...
A team of researchers from Singapore and Japan have identified a new genus and species of xanthid crab with strongly asymmetrical male and female reproductive structures. The discovery reveals an evolutionary innovation that is unique among the 7,800 known crab species, allowing these crabs to mate effectively.
Researchers discovered the glasswing butterfly's unique wing structure, creating transparency through a lower density of scale cells and nanostructures. The findings also revealed an anti-glare coating made of waxy hydrocarbon nanopillars, making butterflies nearly invisible to predators.
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales has discovered a new population of pygmy blue whales in the Indian Ocean, using data from underwater bomb detectors. The finding, published recently, confirms the existence of this smallest subspecies of blue whales, which can reach up to 24 meters long.
Researchers found that Bdelloid rotifers can persist for at least 24,000 years in the Siberian permafrost and survive. The study suggests that these tiny animals have a mechanism to shield their cells and organs from harm at extremely low temperatures.
Birds and bats avoid habitat swamped with loud whitewater river noise, with overlap between background noise and song frequency predicting bird declines. The study found that increased noise levels lead to decreased bird foraging efficiency and a shift in bat hunting behavior.
Scientists from Okayama University discovered that marine flatworms develop gravity-sensing ability within 0-7 days after hatching, with a statolith forming in the statocyst. The statocyst comprises nerve cords and is connected to the nervous system through the basal lamina and stc.
A quadruped robot platform reproduces neuromuscular dynamics of animals, discovering a reflex circuit generating steady gait in walking cats. The reciprocal excitatory reflex between hip and knee extensors is found to produce leg trajectories and a steady gait pattern.
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.
Researchers discovered a species of ascidian capable of regenerating its entire body system after being dissected into three fragments, defying expectations. The animal's ability to regenerate organs is rare among chordates, making it an exciting finding for understanding tissue renewal.
A billion-year-old microfossil found in Scotland reveals features of multicellularity nearly 400 million years earlier than previously established. The discovery sheds new light on the transition from single-celled organisms to complex, multicellular animals.
Researchers at the University of Bonn describe a new octopus species, Emperor dumbo, using high-field MRI and micro-computed tomography. The study reveals special characteristics such as long suckers on each arm and a shorter web between arms than in other species.
A study found that 70 of 134 ancient sea-dwelling invertebrates exhibited 'dead clades walking,' where groups survive an extinction event but never regain their diversity, challenging the sudden disappearance view of mass extinctions.
The new Neuropixels 2.0 probes have improved recording-site density and long-term stability, allowing scientists to track individual neurons for weeks. This enables the study of complex phenomena like learning and memory in mice.
Scientists discovered that coral structures consist of a biomineral containing organized organic mix of proteins. This process is critical to forming a rock-hard coral skeleton. The research suggests that corals will withstand climate change due to their impressive biomineralization process.
Researchers identified a single personality component related to Confidence/Aggressiveness in red deer, which is also linked to dominance behavior. The study's findings suggest that understanding individual differences in animal behavior can improve welfare management decisions.
A new approach to genetic comparisons resolves a debate on the most distant animal relative. Sponges are identified as our closest relatives due to improved analyses and reduced errors in previous studies.
Researchers measured grizzly bears' metabolic rates on flat and uphill gradients, finding they use less energy walking downhill. The study reveals why grizzlies often appear on human hiking trails, and provides insights for hiker safety.
An interdisciplinary team at Monash University discovered a new universal rule of biological growth that explains surprising similarities in the shapes of sharp structures across the tree of life. The 'power cascade' rule applies to various animals, including teeth, horns, claws, and even plant thorns, following a power law pattern.
Medieval and early modern lawyers chose sheepskin over goatskin due to its high fat content, making it difficult to erase text without leaving visible marks. This study reveals the use of sheepskin parchment as an anti-fraud device in legal documents from the 13th to 20th century.
Researchers discovered that hummingbird hawkmoths divide their visual field into two areas: one for flight control in the lower half and another for orientation in the upper half. Optic flow in the lower half provides information on movement and flight speed, while patterns in the upper half are used for orientation.
Marine animals including green sea turtles, sharks, and penguins exhibit similar circling movements at constant speeds, defying efficiency. This behavior may aid navigation or detection of magnetic fields.
Researchers found that stegosaurs ate tough food, likely plant-based, and had complex jaw movements, including a longitudinal phase. They also discovered that their teeth formed quickly, suggesting they may not have suffered from caries.
A new study analyzes biological drivers of multiple paternity in sharks and rays, finding no conclusive evidence that male behavior drives the phenomenon. The researchers suggest that female advantages, such as thicker skin and larger size, may play a role in shaping multiple paternity.
In a groundbreaking study, cuttlefish are found to exhibit self-control by delaying gratification, similar to humans and primates. The creatures can wait for up to 50-130 seconds before accepting a better reward, showcasing their ability to exert control over their desires.
A recent study found that wolves in Mongolia primarily feed on wild ungulates like Siberian roe deer, contrary to previous research suggesting a diet of mainly grazing livestock. The researchers believe this shift may be due to the availability of easier and less dangerous prey in near-natural regions.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that dingoes have more variable coat colours than previously thought, with no single colour distinguishing them from hybrids. Researchers analyzed 1325 wild canids and found that domestic dog ancestry is rare in the wild, representing less than 1.5% of the population.
Research by the University of Bristol team found that tropical paper wasps provide crucial support to extended family members, including helping neighboring nests. By observing twenty thousand baby wasps and their carers, the team discovered that workers become less useful as colony sizes rise due to a surplus of help.
Researchers observed a rare event in vampire bats, where a female bat adopted an unrelated orphan after her mate's death. The adoption demonstrated the importance of social relationships in these animals.
A tiny amphipod has been found to snap its claw shut 10,000 times faster than the blink of an eye, thanks to its small size and aquatic environment. This unique movement is repeatable, making it a significant challenge for engineering.
A new University of Illinois study shows human-grade dog food is more digestible and produces less waste. Dogs fed human-grade diets had significantly less poop than those on traditional kibble, with some producing as little as 1.5 times less poop.
In a recent study, scientists from Okayama University found that male G. cornutus beetles adopt different survival strategies depending on the size of their mandibles. Males with larger mandibles were more prone to exhibit tonic immobility when stimulated, while smaller mandibles were associated with escape behavior.
A flexible underwater robot developed by University of Southampton and University of Edinburgh can swim as quickly and efficiently as squid and jellyfish, thanks to resonance technology. The robot's soft exterior and lightweight design make it ideal for operating near sensitive environments.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed and fish oil helped Arctic ground squirrels regulate their body temperature during hibernation, increasing brown adipose tissue. This discovery sheds light on how animals prepare for extreme cold temperatures.
Well-preserved fossils from 547 million-year-old remains have enabled researchers to trace the ancestry of some of the world's earliest animals further back than ever before. The study has uncovered a link between Cambrian Explosion animals and one of their early ancestors.
Researchers discovered that free-living non-photosynthetic bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, possess circadian rhythms that adjust to light and temperature cycles. This finding has implications for biotechnology and could lead to optimized drug delivery and crop protection strategies.
Despite panda conservation efforts, some species suffer from habitat loss and degradation under 'umbrella' policies. Research found that Asiatic black bears, forest musk deer, and Chinese serows are negatively impacted by panda-centric management.
Researchers found that haemoglobins in diverse species, including humans, molluscs and crustaceans, originate from a single ancestral gene. This discovery suggests that the appearance of haemoglobin in these species was not an independent invention but rather a result of evolutionary inheritance.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals that ancient synapsids, such as gorgonopsians and Dimetrodon, shared serrated tooth structures with theropod dinosaurs. These findings suggest that convergent evolution led to similar adaptations in these distinct groups of predators.
DeepLabCut-Live! is a real-time marker-less motion capture system for animals, allowing researchers to study posture and movement in real-time. This technology enables low-latency feedback and interfaces with hardware for optimal experimental control.
The FDA's ISTAND program aims to qualify human biology-based drug testing methods, reducing the need for animal testing. Pharmaceutical companies can now use these approaches with confidence, as they will be reviewed and accepted by the FDA.
A study published in Science Advances found that complex animal colorations can evolve through a simple mechanism: pattern blending by hybridization. This hypothesis is supported by an analysis of over 18,000 fish species, revealing strong associations between intricate maze-like patterns and simple spot patterns.
Scientists at UC San Diego have identified a biological switch, or receptor, that sounds an alarm in plants when herbivores attack, enabling plant recognition of danger. The discovery offers new strategies for improving plant health and resistance to crop pest damage.
Researchers at MBL found that small marine animals with multiple propulsers create negative pressure behind them to propel forward. This phenomenon, dubbed 'suction thrust,' is common among animals with metachronal kinematics.
Researchers find molecular fossils extracted from 635-million-year-old rocks are not the earliest evidence of animals, but rather common algae. The discovery sheds light on the origin of animal ancestors and their abundance in ancient oceans.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a DNA-based approach to forecast ecosystem changes, identifying complex networks of species interactions in terrestrial systems. The technique analyzes DNA left behind in animal feces, allowing scientists to quantify indirect links among species and predict impacts on biodiversity.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that prepubertal male and female rats exhibit distinct immune responses to infection, with males exhibiting a more severe inflammatory reaction. The researchers suggest that the X chromosome may play a key role in determining this difference.
Researchers have discovered embryo-like microfossils in Greenland, dating back 570 million years, which could provide new insights into the origin of animals. The finds are significant as they reveal that these organisms were dispersed throughout the world, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution.
The Chengjiang fauna provides critical evidence for the theory of evolution, with well-preserved soft-bodied animal fossils dating back to the Cambrian period. These discoveries shed light on the emergence of basic human organs, including the mouth, brain, heart, and vertebrae.