Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
Casey Dunn, a Brown University biologist, has been awarded the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award for his groundbreaking research on the origins of diversity in life. The award recognizes his use of genomic and computational techniques to study complex multicellular organisms, including humans.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers used genetic methods to count endangered eagles, revealing significantly higher populations than visual counts. The technique identified individual DNA fingerprints for each bird, leading to more accurate estimates of population sizes.
Scientists analyzed annual growth bands in Antarctic bryozoans collected by Captain Scott and found increased carbon uptake and storage since 1990. This growth is linked to greater food availability, with phytoplankton being the primary source of energy.
International team of scientists has discovered a new phylum, Xenacoelomorpha, which rewrites the evolutionary history of animals. The discovery shows that simple marine worms like Xenoturbellida and Acoelomorpha are more closely related to complex organisms like humans and sea urchins than previously thought.
Scientists have discovered unrecognised substances released by algae blooms that can interfere with reproductive hormones, leading to potential harm to humans and aquatic animals. The researchers used zebrafish as a test subject and found that these substances can cause endocrine disrupting effects.
Research published in Nature reveals that simple marine worms Xenoturbella and Acoelomorpha are distantly related to humans and other complex species. The findings suggest that these organisms have evolved backwards into simpler forms, shedding light on the early stages of animal evolution.
The complete genome of Daphnia pulex has been described, opening up new avenues for understanding the species' response to its environment. The genome contains over 31,000 genes, more than any other animal, including humans.
An international team found that many crustacean families can detect and avoid reef noise, depending on their lifestyle. The study reveals that larvae of crabs and lobsters are attracted by the noise, while others actively avoid it.
Researchers found that pterygotid sea scorpions' claws were too weak to penetrate the armor of medium-sized horseshoe crabs, making them less likely to be fearsome predators. The study suggests they may have been scavengers or vegetarians instead.
The project aims to unlock the secrets of nature's best camouflage artists, specifically cephalopod skins, to create adaptive and responsive materials. The team will investigate light sensing and use it to regulate skin patterns, colors, and contrasts.
A recent study found that most deep-sea animals at Monterey Bay whale falls are not unique to these sites, but rather common in other deep-sea environments. However, certain species, such as Osedax worms and snails, play a crucial role in controlling community development.
A team of geologists discovered that an ancient wind brought life to the region and preserved the dead in South Africa's Soom Shale. The unique structures found in the shale layers suggest that fierce glacial winds carried nutrients into the surface waters, fuelling prolific life.
Researchers found a significant spike in marine phosphorus concentrations from 750 to 635 million years ago, linked to Snowball Earth glacial events. This increase in nutrient levels is believed to have facilitated the emergence of complex life, including animals, by driving oxygen production and ocean-atmosphere system shifts.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that ocean acidification would only affect whale hearing by a negligible 2 decibels by 2100. The impact on marine animals relies heavily on natural noise levels, not human-made noise from ships.
Researchers are studying whether electromagnetic fields from marine power devices affect the behavior of various aquatic animals, including fish and invertebrates. The study uses specially designed coils to create a magnetic field similar to those produced by ocean waves, tides, currents, and rivers.
A new PLoS collection highlights ways scientists use a large tracking network to trace marine mammal movement. The system detects animals as they cross detection lines, providing data on their behavior and survival.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago biologist Jennifer Schmidt found that a female whale shark produced 304 embryos with the same father, suggesting she stores sperm after a single mating event. This finding could indicate that mating occurs as an isolated event rather than in breeding grounds.
Researchers found that coastal animals have a decreased ability to fight off infection of Vibrio bacteria when exposed to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide conditions. This makes them more vulnerable to infection, especially with injuries or wounds exposed to the water.
A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of an ancient sponge, revealing insights into the evolution of the first animals and cancer. The study found that sponges share many genes with humans, but also have significant differences, including missing components involved in cell division and development.
The deep open ocean is vastly under-explored due to the long-held belief that life in this area was confined primarily to the surface and near the sea bed. New research mapped marine species records and found most knowledge comes from shallow waters or ocean floor, revealing uncounted animals living without hard surfaces.
The study found that the African wild ass is the living ancestor of today's domestic donkeys and that a subspecies called the Nubian wild ass may still exist. Researchers used mitochondrial DNA samples from living animals, skeletons, and archaeological sites to trace the family trees of the domestic donkey.
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified a stress hormone in the sea lamprey, which is believed to be one of the earliest forms of cortisol. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of the endocrine system in vertebrates and has implications for understanding human physiology.
Researchers from Northwestern University discovered a common human sperm gene called Boule, which is 600 million years old and shared among animals such as trout, sea anemone and flies. The gene plays a vital role in sperm production and has the potential to be targeted for male contraception and controlling diseases caused by parasites.
Researchers found diverse marine life on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including a missing evolutionary link between backboned and invertebrate animals. The team discovered three new species with different colors and shapes, as well as sea cucumbers with unique swimming abilities.
Scientists have monitored rapid faunal changes in a deep-sea community off Ireland's coast, where sea cucumber populations surged in abundance. Climate-driven fluctuations in organic matter supply and nutrient quality may have triggered these events.
Researchers found tooth marks on bones from large dinosaurs and a small marsupial, dated around 75 million years ago. The marks were likely made by ancient mammals, such as multituberculates, which gnawed on the bones for minerals.
Researchers discovered sharks can detect small delays in odor detection to navigate, using bilateral detection to orient towards the strongest scent. This finding refutes previous theories on scent trail following and may lead to improved underwater robots for chemical leak detection.
Scientists from over 60 countries present research on the impact of human activities on land-based plants and animals in Antarctica. The study found that changes in ocean currents are linked to wind patterns around Antarctica, affecting the ecosystem.
A Tufts University study sheds light on how marine animals like Galapagos iguanas survive stress, revealing the crucial role of negative feedback in coping with 'fight or flight' responses. The research also has implications for understanding wildlife responses to environmental disasters and oil spills.
Researchers collecting mollusk specimens from the Gulf Coast will analyze growth rings in shells to determine how quickly harmful compounds from the oil become incorporated into the animals' bodies. They will also test for hydrocarbons in tissues and measure changes in growth rate and survivorship.
Researchers discovered that coral larvae can detect sound waves to locate suitable habitats, which is essential for their survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding how corals respond to their environment, particularly in light of human noise pollution.
Paleontologists discovered over 1,500 exceptionally preserved soft-bodied fossils from the Ordovician period, expanding our understanding of sea creatures and ecosystems. The finds upend a long-held belief that Burgess Shale-type faunas disappeared at the end of the Middle Cambrian epoch.
Scientists have identified a rare species of pathogenic algae causing human skin infections and septicemia. The discovery may lead to better treatment protocols and economic benefits for the dairy industry.
A new survey technique has led to a significant increase in estimated narwhal populations, now estimated to be over 60,000. The technique uses dive data and accounting for biases to improve accuracy and provides a more accurate picture of the population's size and distribution.
Researchers have discovered small animals in the Mediterranean Sea that live their entire lives without oxygen and reproduce despite a complete absence of oxygen. These multicellular organisms possess organelles resembling hydrogenosomes found in anaerobic environments, challenging our current understanding of life on Earth.
Submarine canyons off the coast of Hawaiian Islands are hotspots for biodiversity and biomass, supporting unique megafauna communities. The study revealed that canyons provide an ideal habitat for mobile species to feed on accumulated organic matter, resulting in elevated abundance and diversity.
A new study reveals that deep-sea scavengers outcompete smaller animals for food in ocean canyons, leading to reduced biodiversity. Larger animals sense the presence of food and converge on the canyon floor, devouring all available nutrients and leaving little for other animals.
Scientists have found that blindsnakes, a group of worm-like snakes, are one of the few organisms that inhabited Madagascar when it separated from India 100 million years ago. The study reveals that continental drift played a crucial role in their evolution, with populations separating as continents moved apart.
Researchers from the University of Extremadura have discovered a new species of Cloudina, a small animal with an external skeleton, in Spain. The fossils show evidence of asexual reproduction, a rare phenomenon previously only described in Chinese specimens.
Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) support a variety of habitats and species, including brittle stars, spider crabs, and tube-living organisms. Global warming may exacerbate oxygen depletion and reduce biodiversity in these regions.
Researchers measured dolphin and rodeo bull head movements to study balance systems. Contrary to a leading theory, the findings show that dolphins have similar head motions as the cattle, defying expectations of smaller organs due to overwhelming senses.
A new study proposes that slow-growing animals waste energy in two ways, making too much protein and then discarding excess. Fast-growing oysters, on the other hand, are more efficient at protein production, according to USC marine biologists.
Stanford biologist Steve Palumbi has discovered a species of coral that can survive in high water temperatures, offering hope for marine species struggling with climate change. The most effective marine protected areas balance preservation of species with human needs, presenting a challenge to designers.
Researchers at UF's College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that dolphins can harbor multiple infections of apillomaviruses, which are linked to cervical cancer in humans. The study suggests that dolphins may be an ideal model for studying human cervical cancer due to their genetic similarity to humans.
Ron O'Dor will talk about the international Ocean Tracking Network's ambitious plans and how new tracking technologies can help manage sustainable fisheries. The Canadian initiative has committed $45 million to this global project.
A new model of ancient ocean chemistry suggests a stratified marine basin with oxygen-rich, sulfidic and ferruginous water layers. This discovery challenges traditional theories on early animal evolution and provides insights into the earliest life on Earth.
Scientists found conserved microRNAs in animals as diverse as sea anemones, worms, and humans, suggesting an early origin of these tissues in animal evolution. The discovery opens new avenues for studying the current functions of specific microRNAs.
A study confirms the long-standing idea that animals such as lemurs and flying foxes arrived in Madagascar via natural rafts blown out to sea. The research, published in Nature, uses a three-year computer simulation of ancient ocean currents to support the theory, which was previously introduced by George Gaylord Simpson.
New fossil footprints in Poland push back the origin of tetrapods by 18 million years, forcing a reassessment of their evolution. The discovery suggests that early tetrapods inhabited the marine intertidal zone during the early Middle Devonian period and may have first left water to feed on stranded marine life.
A new study in Journal of the American Chemical Society explains how sea urchins form hard, complex structures from calcium carbonate. The resulting calcite crystal is tough enough to grind away limestone or sandstone.
A study by Spanish researchers found that roe of hake, lumpsucker and salmon contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for metabolic functions. Minimal consumption satisfies the body's requirements, preventing cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
Scientists at UC San Diego discovered a downward curve in the pitch of blue whale songs across the globe. The decline may be due to an increase in population size, allowing males to sing lower frequency songs that don't need to travel as far.
A comprehensive study of over 260 sub-fossil specimens reveals that moas should be grouped into three families and six genera, reducing the number of species to nine. The study also presents a new geological model suggesting that land-dwelling animals on the North and South Island were isolated for most of the past 20-30 million years.
Researchers have developed a tool to analyze marine mammal calls, finding that whales adjust click intervals to prevent cluttering echoes. This strategy enables groups of whales to explore more efficiently, suggesting a 'polite listener' behavior.
Researchers have discovered a new species of shell-covered animal from the Early Cambrian epoch, dating back around 520 million years. The fossils indicate that these early animals were larger than previously thought and provide valuable information on their evolution and relationships to other species.
A research team has found the first evolutionary branching for bilateral animals, resolving a long-standing debate about a group of ancient flatworms called Acoelomorpha. The study reveals that Acoelomorpha is a sister clade to other bilateral animals, providing key insights into the most recent common ancestor.
A new DNA barcoding tool has been developed to track endangered sea turtles, distinguishing between species based on short genetic sequences. The research found that all seven sea turtle species can be consistently distinguished from each other by DNA barcodes.
Analysis of ancient rock isotopes reveals a rise in atmospheric oxygen 580 million years ago triggered the evolution of large complex animals. This discovery confirms oxygenation of oceans as a driving force for animal life.
A study analyzing bird persecution in Spain over 14 years reveals a significant decline in direct attacks on wildlife. The drop in hunting activities and increased awareness among urban populations have led to an end in the 'war' against wildlife in southern Europe.
Research at Virginia Tech suggests that the oldest complex life forms fed by osmosis, absorbing nutrients through their outer membrane. The two groups of modular Ediacara organisms grew and constructed their bodies in different ways to maximize surface-area to volume ratios necessary for osmosis-based feeding.