Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
Scientists have discovered a unique, mouse-sized land animal in New Zealand, which challenges the theory that birds evolved without competition from land mammals. The discovery also sheds new light on climate change in the region, indicating a massive shift from warm and wet to cool and dry conditions.
Researchers discovered that groupers and giant moray eels work together to hunt prey, sharing roles and coordinating behavior. This mutually beneficial arrangement highlights the complexity of fish social interaction and challenges our understanding of animal intelligence.
Dunkleosteus terrelli, a 400-million-year-old fish, had the strongest bite of any fish with a force of 1,100 pounds, rivaling that of large alligators and Tyrannosaurus rex. Its unique bladed dentition focused the bite force into a small area, while its ability to open its mouth quickly created a strong suction force.
Enforcement patrols in the Serengeti National Park have significantly reduced poaching of elephants, African buffaloes and black rhinos. The study used a catch-per-unit-of-effort technique to estimate poaching intensity, finding that increased patrols led to a precipitous decline in poaching and population recovery.
Genetic analysis of Xenoturbella, a worm-like creature, reveals its unique characteristics and confirms the common ancestry between humans and other chordates. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of brains in animals.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered complex organic molecules in 350-million-year-old fossil sea creatures, revealing a new way to track species evolution. The findings offer a significant breakthrough in understanding how species adapted and thrived over millions of years.
Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution analyzed antique whale oil samples from the Charles W. Morgan, discovering 11 halogenated organic compounds similar to toxic industrial HOCs.
Scientists recorded digitally-tagged narwhal vocalizations, revealing individually-distinctive pulsed/tonal signals and whistles. The findings suggest that these sounds may facilitate individual recognition or reunion with more distant group members.
A NASA study reveals the Earth is warming at a rate of 0.2° Celsius per decade, pushing global temperatures to levels not seen in thousands of years. This rapid warming trend is forcing species migration and posing a significant threat to biodiversity.
Researchers found that when species colonize the deep sea, large-bodied species become smaller and small-bodied species become larger. This pattern is consistent with the island rule, which states that isolated animals evolve to be larger or smaller based on their environment.
A new study suggests that oceanic cold seep mollusks have an older evolutionary history than the marine mollusk community as a whole. Cold seeps may have protected these unique animals from mass extinctions and low oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in challenging environments.
A study by Craig McClain and colleagues found that marine snails in deep sea areas tend to be smaller than their shallow-water relatives, while those less than 12mm long become larger. This suggests a compromise between different selection pressures.
Salps, small jellyfish-like creatures, transport massive amounts of carbon from surface to deep sea, potentially influencing global climate. Researchers estimate 4,000 tons of carbon are sunk daily through salp fecal pellets.
The Ocean Tracking Network, a global collaboration of scientists and experts, aims to track the movements of important species using electronic tags. The network will use an extensive international array of acoustic receivers on the ocean floor to collect data on water temperatures, salinity, and light conditions encountered by animals.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has released a free educational pamphlet warning of the dangers of dumping seafood into the wild. Invasive species can travel through ship ballast water, aquaculture facilities, and consumer releases, causing economic and environmental damage.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of dwarf sauropod dinosaurs in the Harz Mountains, estimated to weigh only one tonne. The unique microstructure of their bones suggests that these animals were fully grown when they died, reaching lengths of up to 6 metres and 90 centimetre tall.
New findings of myglobin levels in the common carp could help scientists understand how humans could survive loss of oxygen supply to their tissues during a stroke or heart attack. The research suggests that the protein plays other roles in protection from low levels of oxygen, apart from storing oxygen.
Researchers have discovered a dichotomy in sea turtle migration patterns in the eastern Atlantic, revealing two distinct foraging strategies. The study found that adult turtles occupy different habitats and diets, with coastal adults being larger and feeding on arthropods, while oceanic adults are smaller and feed on floating plants.
Researchers used satellite tracking to follow ten turtles from Cape Verde, discovering they adopted two distinct approaches to finding food linked to their size. This challenge current conservation efforts, highlighting the need for an international cooperative strategy to safeguard these animals.
Researchers find Hox system genes are independently evolved in cnidarians, contradicting its role as defining characteristic of metazoan animals. This discovery explains the remarkable morphological diversity seen in Cnidaria.
Researchers discovered that hagfish can regulate their acid-base balance and have a greater capacity for rapid pH compensation than any other fish studied. The hagfish's ability to maintain a stable body temperature and salt concentration in its blood enables it to cope with high levels of CO2.
A team of scientists led by Rudolf Raff discovered that certain conditions, such as the presence of hydrogen sulfide, can facilitate the fossilization of early animal embryos. The findings suggest that fossils from 500 million years ago may be embryos encased in a fertilization envelope and fossilized under highly reducing conditions.
Researchers isolated genes from the starlet sea anemone to understand body-plan patterning. They found that two types of proteins encoded by these genes are expressed differently in anemones compared to bilateral animals like flies and frogs, suggesting an ancient function for this signaling system.
Researchers found that lampreys, long thought to be evolutionary outliers, use the same essential protein to build cartilage as all other vertebrates, including humans. The discovery sheds light on the early origins of vertebrate skeletal development and challenges traditional views on vertebrate evolution.
Marine mammals like otters and manatees are providing early clues of our impact on the oceans. Research suggests that their deaths from diseases like Toxoplasma may be linked to human activities such as cat ownership and algal blooms.
Scientists discovered that Antarctic krill 'parachute' several times during the night, injecting more carbon into the deep sea than previously understood. Krill feed on phytoplankton at night and excrete waste at depth, making them a key player in removing carbon from the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that the animal family tree looks fuzzy because early evolution occurred in clusters, making it difficult to reconstruct relationships. Scientists used DNA data to try to generate a clear picture of the tree, but instead found a bush with many branches sprouting close together.
Researchers discovered a surprisingly active innate immune system in sea urchins that utilizes previously unrecognized mechanisms. The study's findings have implications for understanding innate immunity in vertebrates and may lead to the discovery of novel immune diversity in other animals.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a DNA identification tool that can accurately identify species from animal tissue samples, with an error rate as low as 4%. The study uses a comprehensive catalog of species and analyzes tissue samples from marine organisms to quantify its effectiveness.
A study on the Platynereis genome reveals that early animals had complex human-like genes, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on human evolution and highlights the importance of preserving ancient genetic features.
Research reveals that ice sheets scoured the sea floor, erasing whole communities of animals. Seafloor organisms may have emigrated to the deep sea or recolonised the Antarctic shelf during warm periods following ice ages.
Researchers are using a NERC grant to study the unique creatures that live in hydrothermal vents, which could hold the key to understanding life on other planets. These organisms rely on bacteria living inside them for survival, and their geological history is believed to be radically different from other forms of life.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to domoic acid levels below those deemed safe for adults caused lasting behavioral effects and impaired memory in rats. The findings imply that unborn children may be negatively affected by the toxin at levels not causing symptoms in expectant mothers.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution's Deep Scope expedition has made several groundbreaking discoveries, including the detection of ultra-violet light sensitivity in a deep-sea crab. The team also captured new video footage of a large, recently discovered squid species that appears to be attracted to bioluminescent displays.
Researchers study two entire sea anemone colonies clashing, discovering organized armies of warriors, scouts, and reproductives. Complex behaviors emerge at the group level despite simple organism members.
Research reveals that new Vibrio bacteria species are similar to existing fish and shellfish pathogens, causing disease in fish and crustaceans. Around half of the new species killed fish in laboratory conditions, highlighting a significant risk to sea animals.
A new species of deep-sea jelly has been discovered that attracts small fish with hundreds of glowing red lures. The lures are used as deception to capture prey in an environment where fish are scarce, forcing scientists to reevaluate the role of red light in the deep sea.
Deep-sea organisms rely on 'sinkers', discarded mucus nets of larvaceans, as a vital food source. Researchers found that these cast-off 'houses' carry large amounts of detritus and tiny animals towards the seafloor.
A twin study published in the Royal Society journal examines the genetic influences on female orgasmic function, suggesting a significant heritability component. The research highlights the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors contributing to individual differences in female orgasmic function.
Researchers suggest low atmospheric oxygen levels led to population fragmentation, increasing extinction rates and slowing recovery. Oxygen levels dropped by 20 million years, making breathing at sea level equivalent to summiting a high mountain.
Researchers discovered that the alpha isomer of toxic flame retardant HBCD accumulates in dolphin blubber due to its inability to be metabolized by enzymes. The beta and gamma isomers are broken down by cytochrome P450, leading to their exclusion from fat-rich tissues.
A Stanford study reveals that a single genetic mutation, Eda, is responsible for the evolutionary adaptation of freshwater fish losing their body armor, allowing them to thrive in lighter environments. This discovery provides insights into how animals adapt to new conditions and challenges previous assumptions about evolution.
Researchers isolated compounds from whale blubber and used radiocarbon analysis to determine their source. The findings suggest that natural products also accumulate in animals, challenging the assumption that only industrial compounds do so.
A team of researchers from Bristol University and Saratov University in Russia analyzed 675 specimens of amphibians and reptiles from 289 areas spanning 13 geological time zones. The study found a profound loss of animal groups and ecosystems, with many species still absent after 15 million years of recovery.
Researchers found that species diversity in local areas is directly proportional to species diversity in the region, highlighting the importance of regional forces in shaping biodiversity. Latitude also plays a significant role in local species richness, with diverse regions supporting more species.
The JGI Community Sequencing Program (CSP) selects a diverse range of organisms, including moss, sponge, leech, and red tide algae, to advance knowledge on alternative energy production, bioremediation, and evolution. These projects will leverage JGI's powerful resources to sequence approximately 15 gigabases of genetic code.
A Harbor Branch-led team of scientists discovered the world's first known fluorescent shark and collected strong proof-of-concept for a new unobtrusive deep-sea camera system. The team also found fluorescence from methane hydrates, which could lead to a new detection technique for this potential future energy source.
A team of researchers will use advanced imaging systems to study deep-sea animals, behaviors, and phenomena in the Gulf of Mexico. The expedition aims to discover new life forms and understand the unique uses of light in the dark deep sea.
Researchers find two new species of worm that feed on whale bones, using symbiotic bacteria to digest fats and oils. The worms, Osedax frankpressi and Osedax rubiplumus, are closely related to hydrothermal vent worms and have unique features such as feathery plumes and green roots.
Researchers found dogs needed a greater difference in brightness than humans to discern differences, contrary to expectations given their arrhythmic nature. This suggests a compromise in their visual system to operate under varying light conditions, highlighting the unique perceptual world of dogs.
A research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has found evidence that sea turtles can read geographic position from subtle variations in the Earth's magnetic field. Older turtles use this ability to pinpoint their location relative to specific target areas, effectively having a biological equivalent of GPS.
Scientists studying stickleback fish discovered that small changes in gene regulation can lead to rapid skeletal changes without disrupting essential genes. The researchers identified a single region on the chromosome responsible for most of the changes in spine and pelvic morphology, pointing to the key role of the Pitx1 gene.
Researchers have discovered the remains of a 9,500-year-old human-cat burial on Cyprus, providing the oldest known evidence of cat taming. The find, published in Science journal, suggests that humans may have begun taming wild cats earlier than previously thought, around 11,000 years ago.
A 365-million-year-old fossil discovery in Pennsylvania provides insight into the evolution of limbs from fins. The humerus specimen shares features with both primitive fish fins and true limb bones.
A team of researchers discovered two new dinosaur species in Antarctica, one a carnivorous theropod and the other a sauropod. The theropod's primitive characteristics suggest it may have thrived in Antarctica due to its unique environment.
A team of scientists has tracked over 1,000 bluefin tunas and over 200 bluefin tuna in the Pacific Ocean using electronic tags. The data reveal extensive migrations of these fish across entire ocean basins.
Researchers are using high-tech tools to track marine animals and gather data on their movements, habitats, and interactions with human activities. This information is crucial for protecting these species from bycatch, collisions, and other harms.
Scientists successfully reverse the direction of a molecular motor by rotating its lever arm, achieving a previously unknown movement. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential for protein design and engineering to create novel properties with well-defined functions.
Researchers from Oregon State University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found red sea urchins can live for over 200 years, defying previous seven-15 year lifespan estimates. The study used two techniques to determine ages, producing consistent results that show no signs of senescence until death.
Researchers suggest that hydrogen sulfide gas, produced in the oceans through sulfate decomposition by sulfur bacteria, could have caused the largest mass extinction. The high levels of hydrogen sulfide would be toxic to most oceanic and terrestrial organisms, leading to a significant loss of life.