Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
Emerging life played a role in moderating ice ages that resulted in today's moderate climate. Microscopic marine plants and animals that produce calcium carbonate skeletons and shells help regulate aquatic chemistry, controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Researchers observed walruses using four different foraging techniques: beating their right flipper, left flipper, water-jet from their mouth, and rooting through sediment with their muzzle. They found that 66% of the time they used their right flipper, and this preference was consistent in skeletons analyzed.
Researchers have discovered a complete specimen of phacopoid trilobite Erbenochile, featuring giant eyes with unique lobes that resemble lens shades or baseball hat brims. This finding provides new insights into the evolution and behavior of these ancient creatures.
Marine biologists have discovered a unique undersea nursery off Northern California, where groups of fish and octopus brood their eggs. The discovery represents a new type of biological hot spot, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
A recent study reveals a long-term decline of coral reef ecosystems globally, dating back to before 1900, with declines in large animals and architectural species. Overfishing is identified as the primary driver of this decline, with synergistic effects from land-derived pollution in some areas.
Twelve invasive marine species have grown larger by up to 40%, including European green crabs and Chinese mitten crabs. The findings suggest that these animals are no longer held back by predators or parasites, leading to increased size.
Scientists warn that leatherback sea turtles are on the brink of extinction due to declining populations in Pacific Ocean rookeries. Conservation efforts are needed to reverse this trend, with potential solutions including gear fixes, spatial closures, and changes in consumer demand for swordfish.
Charismatic Antarctic creatures are under threat from illegal fishing, with seabirds, fur seals, and penguins facing increased competition for food or being killed by fishing gear. Scientific research has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of Antarctic seabirds killed from longline fisheries over the last five years.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed new tools to study the near-shore environment, including remote sensing and genetic analysis. By analyzing chemical signals in growing skeletons and genetic differences among populations, scientists can track the movement of marine animals and understand barriers to dispersal.
Researchers studying baby loggerheads from 10 beaches across the Southeastern US found an unexpectedly small percentage of males, with only 15% of hatchlings from one northern beach being male. The study has significant implications for the future of the entire Southeastern loggerhead population.
Researchers from the University of Houston are using a $3.2 million grant to develop computer models tracking dioxin movement through the environment. The study will provide critical data for regulatory agencies to implement plans reducing pollutants and achieving minimum water quality standards.
Paleontologists have used microCT technology to visualize the internal structure of fossilized embryos, providing new insights into early animal evolution. The discoveries offer a glimpse into the development of ancient animals and shed light on their habitats.
David Bottjer discovered that messier sediments held more advanced animal remains, suggesting churned conditions led to environmental pressure and evolutionary changes. This finding supports the idea that 'sod busters' accelerated the Cambrian explosion of new life forms by forcing earlier animals to adapt to harsh environments.
A UC Riverside study sheds light on the emergence of bilaterian animals, suggesting they did not appear until 555 million years ago. The research analyzed trace fossils from the Proterozoic-Cambrian transition, providing evidence for the gradual increase in diversity and complexity of these ancient structures.
The USGS will create maps and data to assess aquatic biodiversity in the Great Lakes region, which supports over 30 communities of unique plants and animals. The goal is to protect habitats and preserve species richness through conservation efforts across 49 states.
The TOPP program will track the movements of 15 species, including great white sharks and tuna fish, across immense Pacific Ocean areas. Scientists aim to understand migration patterns, diving behaviors, and ocean conditions affecting these marine animals.
Researchers studied muskrats' response to hypothermia, finding no metabolic benefit despite reduced diving heart rate. The study suggests alternative explanations for the muskrat's unique diving abilities.
A Princeton-led study found that 62% of marine iguanas on a Galapagos island died within a year after an oil spill. The researchers believe that beneficial microorganisms in the iguana's guts were killed by the oil, leading to their deaths.
Scientists have observed glowing coral reefs when illuminated with blue light, which could be used to map specific coral groups within a reef. This phenomenon is related to species and coral health, providing a potential tool for managing sensitive military areas and detecting man-made objects.
Atrazine, a widely used herbicide, has been found to demasculinize tadpoles and turn them into hermaphrodites. The herbicide also lowers levels of the male hormone testosterone in sexually mature male frogs.
Scientists have discovered a rare fossil of a brittle star with preserved fleshy tube feet, providing evidence of an ecological shift through time. The findings challenge traditional understanding of soft tissue preservation and offer new insights into the evolutionary history of starfishes.
Researchers at Stanford University used biomechanics to estimate T. rex's running speed, concluding it was unlikely to reach high speeds. The team found that large animals face limitations when trying to support their weight with muscle, making fast running impossible.
Researchers have found that blue whales travel rapidly from one feeding area to another and continue to feed throughout the year. These blue whales move fast, adapting to survive events like El Nino by moving to high-productivity areas quickly.
Researchers reveal how mutations in Hox genes allowed aquatic crustaceans to evolve into six-legged insects, answering a key criticism of evolution. The discovery sheds light on the genetic mechanisms behind macroevolutionary change.
A new study reveals that white sharks can range across vast stretches of the open ocean, with some migrating thousands of miles from California to Hawaii. The researchers used electronic tagging technology to track the movement and behavior of six adult white sharks, finding that they were not coastal animals as previously thought.
New fossils found in Pakistan have revealed a close kinship between whales and hippos, with the discovery of artiodactyl ankles suggesting that hippos may be a side line of artiodactyls. The findings, published in Science, use immunological, molecular, and genetic techniques to explore relationships among groups of animals.
Researchers are investigating the predation habits of Nanomia cara, a gelatinous midwater animal, in the Gulf of Maine. The study aims to determine how this species affects food availability for young cod and other commercially important fishes.
Brittlestars, also known as serpent stars, possess a unique 'visual' system that enables them to detect shadows and escape from predators. Their skeletal elements feature crystal lenses that transmit light to their nervous system, allowing them to respond to light changes.
The Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos project aims to study the structure and functions of deepsea life forms, with a focus on the ecological impact of offshore oil production. The research team will collect data on ocean floor ecology, including biodiversity, species abundance, and environmental contamination.
Researchers are using $1.7 million in grants to implant radio transmitters on sea lions to determine the causes of their rapid decline, with data stored on a satellite that can be retrieved after the animal has died. The project aims to find out why Steller sea Lions are dying at a rate of 75% in some areas.
The Office of Naval Research has funded a study to develop new plasmid DNA vaccines for marine mammals, aiming to prevent epidemic disease. The studies may soon allow for better protection against infection using vaccination of individual animals within a population.
Researchers found that waddling actually helps penguins save energy by using their leg muscles more efficiently. They also discovered that penguins are not inefficient walkers because of their gait, but rather due to the short length of their legs.
A study published in Nature found that plant-eating insects have diets so poor in nutrients they impair growth, unlike aquatic animals which thrive on nutrient-rich foods. The researchers analyzed the chemical composition of plants and animals to determine how different environments affect food webs.
Scientists have developed a new method to date marine animals beyond mollusks, using brachiopods to reconstruct the Earth's environment over thousands of years. This breakthrough provides a unique record of past environmental changes and human effects on the oceans.
An international research team aims to fill knowledge gaps on whale, seal, bird, turtle, fish and squid behaviors. The Census of Marine Life project tracks animals using sophisticated electronic sensors.
The UC Berkeley team has developed a set of principles that apply to animal locomotion of all kinds, from running to flying. Their research has led to breakthroughs in robot design, ergonomics, and even computer animation, with potential applications in fields like engineering and Pixar Animation Studios.
Researchers have reclassified animals into three primary evolutionary lines based on new molecular evidence, including a study of the Hox gene family. The findings support earlier genetic investigations and provide insight into animal development and evolution, with implications for our understanding of life's origins.
A new study reveals a common genetic theme in three distinct animal species, supporting a simplified three-limbed tree of life for nearly all animals. The findings provide powerful evidence to place mollusks to humans on the same evolutionary tree.
A team of scientists has determined that Acoela flatworms, previously thought to be part of a younger group, are actually the oldest living ancestors to all 'bilateral' animals. This finding implies that bilateral organisms began making their debut on Earth earlier than previously thought.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient worm-like animals in rocks dating back 1.1 billion years, challenging the traditional timeline for multicellular life. The discovery suggests that animal body plans changed little before the Cambrian period, and that soft-bodied animals may have existed even earlier.