Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
A new study estimates the pre-human extinction rate to be 0.1 extinctions per million species per year, 10 times lower than previously thought. This means the current rate is 100 times worse, with extinctions occurring 1,000 times more frequently than in the past.
A 560-million-year-old fossil discovery in Newfoundland, Canada, has provided the oldest evidence of muscle tissue in animals. The find, named Haootia quadriformis, is a rare example of an Ediacaran animal with bundles of fibres similar to those found in modern cnidarians.
A new study sheds light on the diversity and distribution of toothless 'dragon' pterosaurs from the Azhdarchidae family. The research reveals these flying giants inhabited various environments, particularly near large lakes and rivers.
Researchers have made the first live observations of minke whales feeding under sea ice, revealing a unique behavior that involves lunging up to 100 times per hour. The team used non-lethal tagging methods to study the whales' diet and habitat, providing new insights into the Antarctic ecosystem.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge created detailed reconstructions of ancient organisms called rangeomorphs, which were among the earliest large animals on Earth. The creatures thrived in ocean environments during the Ediacaran period but went extinct due to changing conditions and competition from emerging animal groups.
A new study suggests that burrowing animals played a key role in stabilizing the Earth's oxygen reservoir around 540 million years ago. The research, published in Nature Geoscience, links data from the fossil record to established connections between the phosphorus and oxygen cycles.
Research from the University of Guelph reveals that arctic mammals like caribou can metabolize current-use pesticides ingested through vegetation, limiting their impact on humans who consume them. The study found significant biomagnification was not observed in this food chain.
Researchers analyzed failed shark attacks on 120 Atlantic spotted dolphins off Bimini, Bahamas, and found that 14 dolphins exhibited signs of attack. The study provides insight into the predation pressure these dolphins face from sharks in the area.
A new species of cetacean, the Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis), has been officially named by researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Clymene Enterprises. The discovery provides taxonomic clarity to a previously taxonomically confused group of marine mammals.
A deep-sea octopus species has been observed brooding its eggs for four and one-half years, a record-breaking duration. The female kept the eggs clean and guarded them from predators, while also ensuring the young octopuses developed fully within their eggs.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that microplastics are retained in the bodies of marine creatures like crabs six times longer than previously thought. This increased retention time raises concerns about the impact on the food chain.
A new species of pontarachnid mite was discovered in a Caribbean mesophotic coral ecosystem, collected from nearly 70m depth. The study highlights the potential biodiversity hotspot for marine arthropods in these ecosystems.
Researchers used exceptionally preserved fossils and computer graphics to recreate the most likely walking gait of a 410-million-year-old arachnid. The study, published in the Journal of Paleontology, provides new insights into the evolution of early land animals.
Researchers used novel tools to examine how manta rays use Palmyra's lagoons as breeding grounds and feeding areas, finding that food is a key driver of their presence. The study highlights the importance of protecting lagoons from human disturbance and habitat degradation to conserve this vulnerable species.
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.