Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
Geologist Dr Scott Bryan's research found plants and tiny animals including corals latched onto pumice as it traveled over 5000km from Tonga to north-eastern Australia. This journey provided concrete proof that pumice rafting is a significant factor in dispersing marine life.
Scientists discover that ocean eddies, not sunlight, trigger the annual bloom of tiny plants in the North Atlantic, causing it to occur three weeks earlier than expected. This finding has significant implications for marine life, as many small sea animals rely on the phytoplankton for food and their timing is critical.
Research reveals that American water shrews heat their bodies immediately before diving into cold water, increasing foraging efficiency and potentially allowing them to survive longer underwater. This unexpected behavior challenges prevailing dogma on the physiology of divers.
Researchers measured PFC concentrations in five sea turtle species and found high levels approaching toxic effects in other animals. Hawksbills had the second-highest PFOS concentration, while loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys approached levels linked to liver and neurobehavioral toxicity.
Researchers have discovered that ancient sea creatures like sponges and jellyfish possess the building blocks of striated muscles found in higher animals. Gene duplication is believed to be responsible for the emergence of muscle myosin, a crucial protein structure, which evolved independently in these organisms.
Hyrax vocalizations encode information on identity, age, hormone levels, and social rank. Singing promotes self-presentation and facilitates communication among the group.
Barbara Block's research on large predators in the California Current has led to groundbreaking discoveries about marine hotspots and migratory highways. Her award-winning project aims to protect these areas by building 'predator cafés' and increasing public awareness through real-time tracking data.
Researchers found that estrogens convert from one form to another in anoxic conditions, stalling biodegradation and complicating detection. The study reveals a reverse transformation process, where estrone reverts to alpha- and beta-estradiols, inhibiting further degradation.
A major new study found that small marine snails have a profound impact on the marine ecosystem, removing almost 70% of plant material from the sea floor. The research, led by Associate Professor Alistair Poore, reveals that snails are a key driver of herbivory in marine habitats.
Researchers found that terrestrial species are less responsive to warm temperatures than marine species, which allows them to expand their ranges towards the poles. Climate change is also causing rare heat waves to set boundaries on where species can live.
A study by Johns Hopkins University and The National Aquarium found that captive dolphins have lower levels of mercury in their systems compared to wild dolphins. This difference was attributed to the diet of the captive animals, which consisted mainly of small fish from North Atlantic waters with lower mercury pollution levels.
Researchers studied a giant pliosaur specimen from the Upper Jurassic and discovered signs of an arthritis-like disease that eroded its left jaw joint. The animal, believed to be an old female, lived with a crooked jaw for many years, still able to hunt despite its condition.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, tracked nearly 300 elephant seals using satellite tags, revealing their movements and diving behavior. The study found that these animals target a specific boundary zone between two ocean currents, which supports a robust food web and drives the growth of phytoplankton.
Despite lacking a brain, brittle stars exhibit coordinated movement by designating a central arm and two rowing arms to propel it along. They can also change direction by choosing a new central arm and moving its accompanying limbs.
Researchers highlight the importance of dry river ecology, which is under-researched but provides essential habitats for biota. Human societies use these areas for agriculture, recreation, and resource extraction, emphasizing the need to study intermittent river systems.
An amateur paleontologist has discovered a massive, roughly elliptical shape with multiple lobes, totaling almost seven feet in length, which is believed to be a biological organism. The team plans to reconstruct the timeline of the fossil's life and burial events to better understand its origins.
A team of scientists proposes that early four-legged creatures used dermal bones to neutralize acid buildup from breathing carbon dioxide on land. The bones, featuring complex ridges and furrows, may have helped these ancient animals buy more time on land by storing antacids.
The Atlas of Living Australia has added over half a million records, including those from 17th-century Dutch navigators, to reach its 30-millionth species occurrence record. This milestone is made possible through collaborative efforts between museums, universities, and the CSIRO.
Scientists at the University of Leicester discovered a correlation between tooth roughness and diet in animals. Tooth surfaces can reveal what an animal has been eating, providing a reliable method for studying wild diets.
Researchers at Oregon State University are exploring the role of viruses, particularly herpes, in coral decline. A comprehensive analysis of coral genomes reveals that herpes viruses constitute a majority of the viruses found in corals.
Researchers found that giant squids' large eyes are better suited for spotting large objects, like whales, rather than average prey. Their 10-inch eyes allow them to see predators from a distance despite the dim light of their underwater habitat.
Seven mammalian species have lost the sense of sweet taste, including strict carnivores like cats and sea lions, due to defects in their sweet taste receptors. This finding suggests that dietary specialization can lead to evolutionary trade-offs in sensory perception.
Researchers discovered a simple nervous system linking stinging cells and light-detecting nerve cells in Hydra magnipapillata, suggesting that light-sensing capabilities predated eye evolution. The study found that Hydras fire their stingers less in bright than in dim light, indicating the presence of light-sensitive neurons.
Researchers found at least 10 species of water fleas in northern lakes and ponds, including a new species from Alaska's Seward Peninsula. The discovery sheds light on the unique biodiversity of subarctic regions with vanishing waters.
Scientists have discovered that coral offspring can break up into smaller, genetically identical individuals, called 'clones', which then settle and develop into adult corals. This unique reproductive strategy allows corals to maximize their chances of finding suitable habitats.
A University of Miami study reveals alarming accumulation of BMAA in shark fins, which may pose a significant threat to shark fin consumers. The study found levels of BMAA ranging from 144 to 1836 ng/mg, similar to those measured in the brains of Alzheimer's and ALS victims.
Scientists have discovered the deepest terrestrial animal, a springtail insect, at 1,980 meters below ground surface. Four new species were also identified, shedding light on unique adaptations of cave-dwelling animals in extreme environments.
Researchers found that southern elephant seals from Marion Island dive deeper for food when encountering warmer waters. The new sensor will track feeding behavior to understand the distribution of productive zones in the South Polar Sea.
A recent study published in PLoS One suggests that preserving habitat near national parks is crucial for the conservation of large mammals in the Cerrado region. By leaving a significant portion of land adjacent to the park as natural habitat, animals can roam and find suitable habitats outside the protected area.
A new study reveals that a simple circuit in the sea slug's brain links hunger and pursuit, allowing it to make decisions based on how information makes it feel. The researchers found that hungry animals turn towards stimuli that smell like food, while satiated animals turn away or do nothing.
A new study reveals that predation on juvenile Steller sea lions is significantly underestimated and may be preventing the population from recovering. The study suggests that predators, such as orcas, are targeting more juveniles as populations decline, leading to a 'productivity pit' where breeding females are reduced.
The California Academy of Sciences discovered 140 new species in 2011, including arthropods, sea slugs, fishes, plants, sponges, corals, and a reptile. These findings add to the family tree of life on Earth and provide crucial information for conservation decisions.
African lungfish demonstrates unique walking behavior using its thin pelvic limbs, propelling itself forward and lifting its body off the bottom surface. This discovery suggests that many developments necessary for the transition from water to land could have occurred in lobe-finned ancestors of the lungfish long before early tetrapods.
Marine life may need to relocate faster than land species due to climate warming, posing a significant conservation challenge. The rate at which marine life relocates depends on the distance it needs to travel to reach its preferred temperature conditions, with many areas having relatively little temperature variation.
Research finds that exposure to PCB 126 affects turtles' growth, leading to lower bone density, thinner eggshells, and softer shells. The study provides insights into the environmental impact of PCBs on humans.
Two species of deep-sea cephalopods have the ability to rapidly switch between transparency and a dull red color as optical conditions change, providing an adaptive camouflage strategy. This 'switchable' camouflage is highly advantageous for survival in the unique environment of the deep sea.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that certain mid-ocean creatures can control their reflection by changing skin pigments in response to blue light. This allows them to avoid predators using searchlights, such as squid and octopuses that use this tactic to catch prey.
University of Saskatchewan and Royal Ontario Museum researchers tracked a half-billion year old predator, Tegopelte gigas, using fossilized footprints from the Burgess Shale. The ancient creature was a large and active top carnivore with 33 pairs of legs, capable of skimming rapidly across the seafloor.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered odorous house ants in Hawaii, forming large megacolonies that are outcompeting native species. The invasive ants are thriving in Hawaii's climate, which allows them to eat and expand faster than in their native range.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique to study the impact of swimming jellyfish on ocean climate, using Self-Contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus (SCUVA) to track water movement. The study suggests that combined ocean life movements could have a significant impact on global climate.
Researchers at Caltech found that leeches rely on two distinct methods to detect prey: hairs detecting water disturbances and simple eyes picking up passing shadows. In adulthood, the preference shifts to using water disturbances alone.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that live stranded dolphins form gas bubbles in their tissues, but can often manage them and resume normal lives. The researchers suggest that marine mammals may be able to regulate bubble formation through routine management.
Scientists have revised their estimate of the North Pacific humpback whale population, increasing it from 20,000 to possibly over 21,000. This new research uses a refined statistical analysis of data compiled in 2008 and suggests a strong recovery from whaling.
The project, SCALER, aims to apply small-scale ecological experiments to understand the behavior of entire ecosystems and predict characteristics of stream networks. Researchers will conduct field work in Puerto Rico and use modeling to scale measurements up to regional and continental levels.
A CU-led study reveals worm burrows less than three inches above the K-T boundary layer, indicating they likely emerged shortly after the asteroid impact. The findings provide direct evidence of animal activity in a peat-producing environment that was buried by sediment.
A fish has been observed using a tool to crack open a shell, similar to previous reports of tool use by other fish species such as wrasse and blackspot tuskfish.
Researchers at University of Washington discovered that salmon and other fish predators maintain huge gut capacity to capitalize on unpredictable pulses of food. This 'no guts, no glory' survival tactic allows them to survive despite regular periods of famine.
Researchers reconstructed the evolutionary history of molluscs using genomics and computational approaches. They found that complex brain formation in mollusks occurred independently at least four times, with surprising outcomes such as cephalopods being an early branch.
Researchers describe a new 20-foot extinct species found in the same coal mine as Titanoboa, shedding light on the diversity of animals in the oldest known rainforest ecosystem. The discovery reveals that these ancient crocodile relatives competed with giant snakes for food and habitat.
A new species of ancient predatory fish, Laccognathus embryi, has been discovered in North America during the Devonian Period. The 5-6 foot long fish had a wide head, small eyes, and robust jaws lined with large piercing teeth.
The Pacific leaping blenny, a marine fish living on land, has a complex social life that thrives during the brief mid-tide period. The study found males use visual displays to warn off rivals and attract mates, while females defend feeding territories.
This special issue of the Biological Bulletin explores various regenerative processes in animals, shedding light on mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Researchers studied regeneration in sea lampreys, snails, and other animals to gain insights into their gene regulatory networks.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered two general rules for ecosystem abundance: one based on body size and food chain position, and another that biomass production is independent of animal size or type.
Researchers explore dolphins' remarkable ability to heal from shark bites with minimal pain or infection, proposing that blubber contains antimicrobial compounds. The dolphin's healing process is similar to regeneration, where tissues are knitted together with existing fabric, offering new perspectives for human injury care.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, affecting ecosystem dynamics and leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, and disease outbreaks. Restoration efforts focus on reestablishing large animals, requiring large-scale approaches to conserve functional ecosystems.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, infectious diseases, invasive species, water quality, and nutrient cycles. This review highlights the widespread impact of large predator loss on ecosystems and conservation efforts.
A new study examining climate change impacts on plant and animal species finds that predictions are generally accurate, with many species already declining. The research covers a wide range of species worldwide and confirms human-induced climate change as a threat to global biodiversity.
Researchers sequenced 40 new specimens of thaliaceans, a type of free-swimming tunicate, to gain insights into their evolutionary relationships. The study found close ties between thaliaceans and sea squirts, revealing a common ancestor for these groups.
Zooplankton have adapted to survive in low-oxygen areas by suppressing their metabolism and using anaerobic glycolysis. However, as climate change expands these zones, zooplankton will face increased predation risk, potentially leading to population crashes and cascading effects on the ocean ecosystem.
Zooplankton use adaptations to survive in low-oxygen areas, but climate change may force them into a narrow band of water making them susceptible to predators. Anaerobic glycolysis helps them conserve energy, but also leads to acid build-up that must be disposed of when returning to surface waters.