Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
A new study reveals that vertical migrators, including krill and jumbo squid, are unlikely to leave their native tropical zones due to climate change. Instead, they may expand their habitat northward in response to temperature changes and altered metabolic requirements.
Researchers from McGill University developed a medical adhesive inspired by flatworms that uses suction to absorb blood and promote blood coagulation. The adhesive can be removed without causing re-bleeding, making it a potential replacement for wound sutures or delivering drugs.
A new species of deep-sea fish has been discovered in the Atacama Trench, belonging to the genus Paraliparis. The small blue snailfish, named Paraliparis selti, is distinct from other hadal snailfishes due to its striking color and large eyes.
New research suggests that the first animals on Earth could have evolved earlier than previously thought. Polar marine creatures' survival strategies might hold clues to understanding this phenomenon. The study examines the evolution of life in extreme cold and icy periods, with implications for our understanding of animal origins.
New research reveals that shark fishing can cause rapid temperature spikes in caught and released sharks, with one blue shark experiencing a 2.7°C increase in just minutes. The study found that it took up to 40 minutes for the sharks to cool down after release.
Predatory mosquito larvae employ two distinct methods to capture prey: one involves a harpoon-like head-propulsion action, while the other uses a sweeping tail to snare insects. This new research provides insight into the behavior of these tiny predators and their ability to feed on other aquatic insects.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a new satellite tag that allows long-term tracking of whale feeding behavior. This innovation will help better understand key whale behaviors, identify important habitats, and inform conservation efforts to protect whales from human activities such as ship traffic.
A new study by Grant Brown and Braeden Donaldson found that juvenile convict cichlids exposed to high-risk alarm cues have brains 16% larger compared to low-risk groups, with noticeable increases in olfactory and optic bulbs. The brains revert to normal size after removal of the alarm cues.
Researchers have identified a complex of proteins in a tiny marine invertebrate that share similarities with the human immune system, suggesting an earlier origin for the building blocks of our immune system. The study could ultimately guide the development of new immunotherapies and improve understanding of transplant rejection.
The study revealed an alternative pathway for cysteine biosynthesis in animals, using enzymes similar to those found in fungi and bacteria. This challenges the previous assumption that corals rely on symbiotic relationships with algae for cysteine production.
Long-term monitoring data reveals previously undetected diurnal patterns in narwhal behavior, including changes in surface activity and diving patterns influenced by sea ice and squid migration. The study's method can be applied to assess the challenges faced by narwhals and other Arctic animals due to climate change.
Researchers found that developing sea anemones use hydraulic muscles to regulate body pressure and sculpt tissue. The more active larvae are, the longer they take to develop, suggesting a trade-off between movement and growth.
A new study finds that neon goby parents help their offspring develop by pushing them out the door at the right time. Offspring hatched by parents are larger and more developed than those that hatch on their own, suggesting a complex parenting behavior. This discovery highlights the surprising complexities of fish parenting behavior.
A 12,000-year analysis of El Niño's impact on animal communities reveals a tipping point where five or more major events per century lead to dramatic changes in eastern Pacific ecosystems. This finding suggests that strong El Niño events will play an increasingly important role in shaping future ecosystems.
A recent study published in Paleobiology found that early cetaceans and mosasaurs shared similar morphology and behavior, suggesting convergent evolution. This research provides insights into the physical characteristics necessary for large marine predators to evolve optimally.
A new study sheds light on the ancestry of manatees, tracing their evolution back 47 million years to northern Africa. The research suggests that modern manatees migrated from South America to the Caribbean and North America around 34 million years ago, with some species thriving in communities for millions of years.
Researchers have discovered a massive new mosasaur species from Morocco, named Thalassotitan atrox, which filled the apex predator niche. The giant mosasaur had massive jaws and teeth like those of killer whales and hunted other marine reptiles.
The study analyzed blood samples from bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico, finding changes in gene expression related to immune response and oxidative stress. The results provide new insights into the health impacts of oil spills on marine life.
Researchers have found a 30-million-year-old beaver fossil that challenges previous theories on the evolution of semi-aquatic beavers in North America. The discovery, published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests that these animals may have evolved to swim earlier than previously thought and were likely adapted for aquatic life.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University have discovered new insights into the coelacanth's unique physiology, including its ability to swim upside down. The study used CT and MRI scanners to model the fish's body, revealing a special skeleton and precise distribution of fatty tissue.
A new study by researchers at University of California - Riverside found that the position of continents can have a devastating effect on deep ocean creatures. Continental movement can cause a sudden collapse in global water circulation, leading to a stark separation between oxygen levels in the upper and lower depths.
Researchers deployed video cameras on Navy dolphins to study their hunting behaviors in San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The footage revealed the dolphins' prey preferences, hunting strategies, and even encounters with a sea snake.
A new study reveals sponges have a unique mechanism to clear their water channels: a sneeze-like process. Sponges release a type of mucus that is consumed by other animals, providing a food source inaccessible to most sea creatures.
Researchers found that sponges release mucus to unclog their internal filter systems, which also serves as a food source for fish. The study published in Current Biology highlights the unique adaptation of sponges to manage their waste and environment.
A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii collected over 3,000 microbial samples from Waimea Valley's watershed, discovering that microbes follow the food web and are maintained within soil and stream water. The study also found that local distribution of a microbe predicts its global distribution.
Researchers discovered the earliest direct evidence of brood care among insects in the Middle-Late Jurassic Daohugou Biota. Fossils of a water boatman insect showed it carrying a cluster of eggs on its left mesotibia, providing protection from predation and environmental risks.
A team of scientists has discovered that idoteas, tiny marine creatures, play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of red algae by pollinating them. This unique interaction not only aids the alga's reproduction but also provides the idotea with food and shelter.
Researchers found that a species of red seaweed uses an isopod crustacean to transfer its male gametes for fertilization, presenting a new class of animal-mediated male gamete movement. This discovery expands the concept of 'pollination' beyond seed plants.
Researchers discovered that whale sharks eat a significant amount of plant material, including Sargassum seaweed. This challenges previous assumptions about their diet, revealing they are not just filter feeders on krill.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that corals' fluorescence serves as a lure for plankton, which are then consumed by predators like corals. The researchers found that green-fluorescent corals were 25% more preyed upon than yellow-fluorescent ones.
A tiny marine animal, copepod Eurytemora affinis, has evolved rapidly in response to declining ocean salinity due to climate change. The study found that certain genetic combinations of ion transporters were more likely to survive and thrive in freshwater environments.
Researchers discovered that water fleas adapt to carnivorous plants by forming longer appendages on their carapace, making it harder for the plant to suck them in. They also swim more slowly, avoiding proximity to the plants and reducing their chances of being eaten.
Over 50 sightings of manatees have been reported between the Gatun Lake and Miraflores Locks since 1977, leading to speculation about their possible entry into the Eastern Pacific Ocean. A population of 20-25 manatees was estimated in the Gatun Lake in 2015.
Researchers recreated ancient ammonite movement using robotic models, exploring trade-offs between stability and maneuverability. The study found that different shell shapes offered varying advantages and consequences, with no single perfect design.
A new study reveals that bottom burrowing animals were among the first to recover after the end-Permian mass extinction. The research, led by Dr. Xueqian Feng, used ancient sea bed burrows and trails to reconstruct the recovery stages of various animal groups.
Scientists review recent experiments and find noise regulations may need to be changed to protect marine mammals from pile driving noise. The current guidance is 7 years old and may not provide sufficient protection for species like harbor porpoises and seals.
Researchers have discovered how sea cucumbers produce defensive chemicals using genome mining techniques. The animals' unique ability to biosynthesize toxins has been found to be linked to the diversion of a sterol-producing enzyme, resulting in the production of valuable medicinal compounds.
A new UBC study finds that southern resident killer whales have been in an energy deficit for six of the last 40 years, with three recent years (2018-2020) being particularly dire. The researchers attribute this decline to lower Chinook salmon abundance and size, which are the primary food source for these whales.
Megalodon and its ancestors were at the highest trophic level in prehistoric marine food webs, consuming other predators and large prey. The team measured nitrogen isotopes in shark teeth to determine their trophic levels, revealing a complex food web with multiple apex predators.
A study from Tel Aviv University found that invasive marine species can survive in extreme conditions, including changing temperatures and salinity. The researchers' experiment demonstrated the importance of regulating trade routes to prevent the spread of invasive species, which can harm local environments and resident species.
A newly installed deep-water pipeline has led to a significant increase in the abundance and diversity of marine life on the Angolan coast. The study found that the pipeline provided shelter and trapped organic matter, which animals feed on, resulting in an immediate boost to sea-floor animals.
Researchers discovered how electric fish evolved electric organs by modifying a sodium channel gene. The finding highlights the potential for this genetic mechanism to contribute to human diseases. By studying electric fish, scientists can gain a better understanding of evolutionary processes and their applications in human health.
A recent study found that even tiny marine invertebrates have distinct and diverse microbial communities, called microbiomes. These findings challenge the assumption that closely related animals share similar microbiomes.
A new study reveals that humans can hear as well as seals under water, with an average hearing threshold of 71 dB at 500 Hz. However, human hearing is not adapted to work well under water and has a reduced ability to determine sound direction.
A new tool called DeepSqueak uses deep learning to identify marine mammal calls with high accuracy, even in noisy environments. The tool was originally developed for rodent ultrasound signals but has been adapted to detect sounds at other frequencies, including humpback whales and delphinids.
Research at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology finds that 98% of ocean plastic is buried in the seafloor, with coastal habitats like mangroves also significant sink sites. The discovery resolves a mystery and has significant implications for human health and UN Sustainable Goal 14.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
Researchers found that baby leatherback hatchlings are less sensitive to light than loggerheads, leading to circling behavior and delayed ocean entry. This difference may be an adaptation for detecting prey or habitats in the open ocean.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that a specific bacterial compound, lipopolysaccharide, induces larval marine tubeworms to settle on the seafloor and undergo metamorphosis. The discovery offers hope for coral reef restoration, mariculture, and biofouling prevention.
Researchers have found that Sowerby's beaked whales are faster, more agile hunters than expected, with shorter dives and higher frequency clicks. This unique strategy may help them avoid competition among other beaked whale species.
Researchers found that jellyfish's stinging cells evolved by repurposing a neuron inherited from a pre-cnidarian ancestor. This discovery provides insights into the emergence of new cell types and the evolution of biodiversity, suggesting that co-option of ancestral cell types was an important source for new cell functions.
A study by Swansea University found that people find structures with a wide variety of sea life to be more visually pleasing and interesting, as well as more likely to relieve stress. The research suggests that designing seawalls to support biodiversity can benefit both wildlife and human wellbeing.
A new genetic analysis suggests that vaquitas can recover if deaths from gillnets are halted, despite initial concerns about inbreeding depression. The species' natural resilience and genetic diversity provide a high probability of survival.
Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.
A new study by University of California, Riverside researchers has found that coral-algal symbiosis can initiate without photosynthesis. This breakthrough could help corals survive climate change and ultimately save coral reefs.
A large-scale international study, led by Tel Aviv University's Dr. Omri Bronstein, found that many species of echinoids, including sea urchins, survived a mass extinction event 50 million years earlier than thought. The findings suggest that estimates of evolutionary timelines may err by tens of millions of years.
Paleontologists discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs, including the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The discovery includes a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe, rivaling the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis.
A recent study found that microplastics in the ocean can carry land-based parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia, which can infect humans and animals. The researchers used laboratory experiments to test whether these pathogens could associate with plastics in seawater.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
Researchers found that non-biting midge larvae accumulate pesticides from polluted water and retain them into adulthood. Adult female midges have higher pesticide concentrations than males, which are transferred to their offspring. The study suggests that midges can be a source of pesticides in terrestrial ecosystems.