Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
A new study found that simpler marine organisms, like bacteria and unicellular algae, can withstand higher temperatures than complex ones, such as animals and plants. The researchers discovered that the complexity of an organism's structure determines its ability to adapt to warmer waters.
Tiny aquatic creatures called Cloudina built reefs in ancient seas using natural cement composed of calcium carbonate. Their fossilized remains are the oldest reefs of their type in the world, dating back to the Ediacaran Period.
A study published in BMC Ecology found that British Columbia's mainland wolves and coastal wolves are more genetically distinct than previously thought. The researchers attribute this difference to the varying ecological environments of the two regions.
The public has its first view of a live vampire squid and other deep-sea cephalopods in the ongoing Tentacles special exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A collaborative effort with the aquarium's partner institution, MBARI, this exhibit provides new scientific insights into these mysterious animals.
Bromine is the 28th element essential for tissue development in all animals. Fruit flies died without bromine but survived with its restoration. This finding has implications for human diseases such as kidney function and dialysis patients.
Researchers tested the hearing of seven Bristol Bay beluga whales, finding surprisingly little variation in their abilities. The study provides a baseline for the population's health and may inform conservation efforts and validate studies of hearing in captivity.
Researchers discovered that elephant seals have high levels of carboxyhemoglobin, similar to those found in heavy human smokers. The team suggests that this may provide protective effects against oxidative damage, potentially benefiting the animals' health. Further study is needed to fully understand the significance of these findings.
Researchers have identified a new order of marine creatures among sea anemones, revealing a giant species that is actually an imposter. The study, published in PLOS ONE, presents the first tree of life for sea anemones and reshapes scientists' understanding of these poorly understood animals.
A sunken shipping container off the California coast is home to unique and diverse deep-sea animal communities. Researchers discovered differences in animal populations compared to surrounding areas, including increased abundance of certain species like Neptunea snails and rockfish.
A study by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that commercially available sonar systems produce signals within the hearing range of killer whales and other marine mammals. The sounds are quiet but audible to animals beyond a few hundred meters, potentially affecting their behavior.
A researcher from the University of Cádiz has discovered 18 new species of molluscs, including the newly identified Spurilla onubensis and Anteaeolidiella indica. The study used molecular analysis to determine the degree of relatedness between species and genera.
Researchers have successfully cultured and studied the three-banded panther worm, a new model organism for understanding regeneration. The worm's ability to regenerate any body part has been linked to Wnt and Bmp signaling pathways, offering potential clues for human regenerative therapies.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation has identified 29 priority conservation areas along the US-Mexico border, prioritizing habitat preservation and sustainable economic development. The Big Bend-Rio Bravo Conservation Assessment provides a collaborative approach to conservation, involving scientists, government experts, privat...
Four new species of carnivorous sponges have been discovered in the deep sea, using intricate microscopic hooks to trap crustaceans and other small organisms. These 'killer sponges' thrive in the dark depths of the ocean, where energy is scarce, and rely on clever trapping mechanisms to survive.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Mount Sinai a $26 million contract to support pandemic preparedness and advance the understanding of flu biology. Researchers will conduct animal surveillance studies, analyze virus-host interactions, and develop new vaccines.
Research reveals that wood-boring clams serve as 'ecosystem engineers,' making organic matter available to other colonizing animals. Larger logs support more diverse communities, while smaller ones have fewer inhabitants.
A new study estimates that the global management of freshwater mussels, clams, and other clinging animals costs $277 million U.S. dollars annually due to their economic impact on shipping, power generation, and water treatment. Biofoulers are filter-feeders that readily colonize pipes and channel walls, causing extensive coverage and o...
Researchers discovered fossils of Tamisiocaris, an early arthropod that evolved from large predators to gentle suspension feeders. This finding highlights the productivity of the Cambrian period and provides insight into ancient ecosystems.
Scientists tracked 18 individual minke whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding that each species uses a unique call sequence to interact with others. The findings provide insight into minke whale social interactions and migration patterns.
Researchers found that 7,000 years ago, fighting conchs had 66% more meat than their descendants, leading to evolutionary change due to human harvesting. The study suggests that long-term size-selective evolution can damage vital traits like reproduction and offspring quality.
A recent study published in Genome Research reveals that sea anemones have a genomic landscape similar to human genomes but also display regulatory mechanisms similar to plants. The team discovered 87 microRNAs in sea anemones, which exhibit hallmarks of both animal and plant microRNAs.
A new analysis reveals the complex nature of global bycatch, highlighting the need for international cooperation to reduce ecological harm. Strategies like depth variation and turtle excluder devices have been shown to increase target catch and reduce bycatch in fisheries.
Scientists discover fossilized eggs and embryos of tiny marine crustaceans, revealing a 450-million-year-old species that took care of its young in the same way as modern relatives. The finding provides conclusive evidence of reproductive strategy conservation across millennia.
New research suggests that the first animals oxygenated the deep oceans, creating conditions for more complex life to evolve. This finding challenges the long-held belief that a rise in atmospheric oxygen triggered the development of complex life forms.
The study found that Lapita inhabitants of Vanuatu relied primarily on foraging for food, with a diet including reef fish, marine turtles, fruit bats, and domestic land animals. The analysis of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in human bones also suggests a diet rich in plants, but with significant amounts of protein from animal sources.
Scientists studying jellyfish robots found common bending rules for wings, fins, and other propulsors across various animal species. These rules improve propulsion efficiency by increasing thrust.
A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.
Researchers discovered a sea lion, Ronan, has impressive rhythmic entrainment skills, beating to various tempos and music. This finding contradicts the long-held theory that beat keeping requires complex vocal mimicry.
The largest sequencing study to date reveals most higher animal genes are present in all sponge groups, challenging previous thought of complex structures being absent. The study provides a framework for posing new hypotheses on determining gene function in sponges and the evolution of animal complexity.
Researchers at Lund University analyzed pigment in three multi-million-year-old marine reptiles, discovering they were dark-coloured in life. This finding likely aided thermoregulation and camouflage.
A study found that conch snails that use a strong foot to leap away from predators either stop jumping or take longer when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide projected for the end of this century. This disruption affects vital decision-making, making snails more vulnerable to their slow-moving nemesis.
A new study predicts significant declines in deep-sea marine life due to climate change, with up to 38% loss in the North Atlantic and over 5% globally by 2100. This will impact ecosystem services such as fishing and food supply, driving changes in seafloor communities.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, have lung damage and adrenal hormone abnormalities. The researchers believe that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may be responsible for these health effects.
A new cooperative consortium, Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA), was formed to explore the genomic basis of unique features in invertebrates. GIGA aims to promote comparative genomics and bioinformatics research on non-insect/non-nematode invertebrates.
A recent study published in Science reveals that comb jellies, a simple aquatic animal, possess complex cell types like neurons and muscles. The analysis of the Mnemiopsis leidyi genome shows that these cells may have evolved independently in comb jellies, after they diverged from other animals.
Researchers found that environmental shock can unmask cryptic genetic variations in animals, leading to adaptive advantages. The study on blind cavefish suggests an alternative mechanism of evolution distinct from natural selection and spontaneous mutations.
Researchers found that large pulses of organic material sink to the deep seafloor, providing enough food for years at a time. The study used multiple instruments to track marine snow and its impact on life in the deep.
Researchers at University of British Columbia studied the energy cost of satellite tags on aquatic animals, finding significant drag increases on smaller or juvenile animals. The study provides a universal formula to calculate drag for various marine species, promoting accurate data collection and conservation strategies.
New research on tagged humpback whales reveals three distinct bottom feeding techniques: simple side-rolls, side-roll inversions, and repetitive scooping. These behaviors are common in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and can lead to vulnerability to entanglement in fishing gear.
Research reveals that marine animals have multiple independent clocks, including a 24-hour circadian clock and a tidal clock that regulates daily cycles. The findings suggest that these clocks may be standard operating equipment in animals, with the tidal clock playing a crucial role in coastal organisms.
A new Dartmouth study reveals toxic metals from an open-pit mine in Maine's Goose Pond estuary are spreading into nearby sediment, water, and fish, affecting the regional marine food web. Elevated levels of copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were found, posing a potential health risk to humans who consume seafood from these areas.
A new study reveals a 'cascade of events' triggered an early sea level rise, driving animal diversity and innovation during the Cambrian period. The explosion led to the origin of modern ecosystems, skeletons, and specialized modes of life.
A study resolves Darwin's dilemma by explaining the Cambrian explosion as a result of 5x faster evolutionary rates. This suggests that natural selection can produce rapid changes in animal body plans and habits.
Researchers at Princeton University found that sea creatures follow 'climate velocity,' or temperature changes, to relocate. The study used 43 years of data on 128 million animals from 360 species in North America, revealing correlations between temperature changes and shifts in depth and latitude.
Biologists have discovered that a part of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whale population spends its entire winter in Antarctic waters. The whales use ice-free areas to survive the harsh winter months.
Dr Robert Gess discovered a 350 million year old fossilized scorpion in the Eastern Cape, named Gondwanascorpio emzantsiensis. This find confirms that land-living invertebrates existed in Gondwana during the Devonian period.
A deep-sea squid, Grimalditeuthis bonplandi, has been found to use its long, thin tentacles with fin-like membranes to create the illusion of swimming clubs. This unique strategy may attract prey and deter predators by mimicking the movements of small animals.
Researchers found snapping turtles are surviving in urban areas with polluted or degraded habitats; stopping water pollution could restore suitable environments for the species. Engaging in environmental actions like reducing waste and chemicals can increase biodiversity and improve quality of life.
A new study by Alfred Wegener Institute researchers analyzed data from over 150 species, finding that most animal groups are affected negatively by higher carbon dioxide concentrations. Corals and echinoderms react sensitively to ocean acidification, while crustaceans may be more resilient in certain scenarios.
A recent review of research reveals that declining Arctic sea ice is leading to the greening of coastal areas, altering marine and terrestrial food chains. The study finds that changes in sea-ice cover are affecting animal migration patterns and plant growth, with some areas showing cooling trends and declines in vegetation productivity.
The ancient greenhouse world had few large reefs and a poorly oxygenated ocean, supporting minute picoplankton instead of larger diatoms. Large marine animals became abundant when algae became large enough to support top predators in cold oceans.
Sea-ice loss has widespread effects on Arctic wildlife, including disruptions to food chains, population mixing, and disease dynamics. The loss of albedo and increased warming accelerate melting, affecting critical habitats for species such as caribou, arctic foxes, and walrus.
The rotifer genome shows evidence of gene conversion and horizontal gene transfer, which help maintain healthy genes and viable lineages. This reproductive strategy, absent in most animals, may mimic some aspects of sex and provide a layer of protection from mutations.
Two species of small beach critters, cousins of the roly-poly, are suffering localized extinctions in Southern California. Their disappearance suggests a looming threat to similar sand-dwelling animals across the state and world. The research highlights the impact of development, climate change, and sea level rise on these ecosystems.
Scientists discover new clam species, Waldo arthuri, in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. The species has a thin, translucent shell and long willowy tentacles, and lives on the spines of one type of sea urchin in a commensal relationship.
Research challenges conventional wisdom on giant sea creatures in polar seas, suggesting that large body sizes have an advantage in cold conditions by regulating oxygen uptake. This allows them to survive in environments with limited oxygen availability, contrary to the long-held idea that a superabundance of oxygen drives gigantism.
A new species of spoon worm, Arhynchite hayaoi, has been discovered in Japan with a distinctive elongated and spoon-like projection. The species was previously abundant but is now in decline, leading to its economic importance as a fish bait declining.
Researchers found that a type of predatory sea slug, Pleurobranchaea californica, has complex cognitive abilities allowing it to learn the warning cues of dangerous prey. The sea slug selectively avoids certain prey, such as Flabellina iodinea, and can remember this avoidance behavior even after several days.
A recent study by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has mapped out areas of deep-sea debris in the ocean, revealing a significant accumulation of trash in Monterey Canyon. The researchers found that plastic bags and metal objects were the most common types of debris, with many pieces smothering or choking marine life.
Researchers propose keystone molecules as a key factor in structuring ecosystems. These molecules have powerful effects on bacteria, seabirds, fishes, and other species. Keystone molecules also influence predator-prey relationships and can be crucial for conservation efforts.