Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered seahorses can move their head up to catch prey at incredible speeds, facilitated by a powerful flow of water and spring-like mechanism. This study sheds light on the ecology of seahorses, revealing that longer noses enable stronger suction currents for catching smaller prey.
A new study found that four distinct episodes of volcanic activity coincided with significant environmental changes, including the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, which drove animal and plant diversification. The research suggests that large volcanic eruptions had a profound impact on global temperature and humidity.
Researchers have discovered six new species of glass sponges and two previously unknown species in the waters off New Zealand, revealing a more diverse ecosystem than previously thought. The findings provide important data for protecting these unique habitats from deep-sea mining and fishing.
Researchers have discovered a new species of otter in Germany that dates back to 11.4 million years ago. The Vishnu otter genus was previously known only from Asia and Africa, but this finding suggests they also occurred in Europe.
A new five-year study found that some shark species, like sandbar and tiger sharks, have low mortality rates after being caught and released, while others, like blacktip and spinner sharks, face higher mortality rates. The study's findings are crucial for sustainably managing shark populations.
Researchers developed a method to forecast blue whale locations up to three weeks in advance, enabling proactive conservation and management. The tool helps minimize the burden on ocean users while protecting whales.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported and can be predicted by surrounding land use. The researchers found that areas with more human activity and lower forest cover had higher microparticle concentrations, while lakes with more active microorganisms had...
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a system that enables the production of 'good' bacteria capable of eliminating 'bad' bacteria. This breakthrough technology uses a toxin injection system to target specific types and amounts of toxins, offering an alternative to antibiotics.
A new study explains how genetic islands can occur in marine molluscs by studying the limpet Nacella concinna. The researchers found that an entire generation of offspring descended from a limited number of parents and were carried by ocean currents to one location.
Researchers found that injecting SK/CCK-type neuropeptides into starfish retracts their stomachs and makes them less inclined to eat, even with food in front of them. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary conservation of feeding regulation mechanisms across animals.
A study using environmental DNA found that mountaintop coal mining impacts 40% fewer species in Appalachian streams. The team detected 28 species of fish in all 93 sampled mined streams, comparable to traditional methods.
SECORE International's coral breeding technique shows significant success in closing the gap to scale for coral restoration, using floating mesocosms to produce thousands of coral recruits. The approach promotes genetic diversity and can help corals cope with climate change.
A new study found that global marine ecosystem models differ widely in their representation of key processes, leading to underestimation of climate change impacts. Marine ecosystem models generally agree on biomass decline but disagree on magnitude and location across the world's oceans through the 21st century.
Researchers have identified a massive coral structure in the Great Barrier Reef, measuring 5.3m tall and 10.4m wide, which is not only the widest but also the sixth tallest recorded in the reef.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
Researchers suggest sea snakes mistake divers for rival snakes or potential mates and female sea snakes perceive them as hiding places. Staying still allows divers to avoid escalation and bites.
Researchers at the University of Maine are developing more effective, safe, and sustainable fish vaccines using nanocellulose to protect Atlantic salmon against lethal pathogens. The goal is to reduce vaccine costs and side effects while increasing effectiveness.
Researchers found that cuttlefish can remember specific events, including what they ate and where it happened, up to their last few days of life. Unlike humans, who lose this ability with age, cuttlefish's episodic-like memory is preserved until the end of their lives.
A recent study found that microplastic ingestion by dinoflagellates lowers their growth and abundance, affecting the larger marine animals that feed on them. The impact is significant, with energy transfer up the food chain reduced by as much as 30%.
A Duke University-led study found that bottlenose dolphins burn calories at a lower rate with age, similar to humans. The researchers measured the dolphins' average daily metabolic rate using the 'doubly labeled water method,' finding that older dolphins used 22% to 49% fewer calories each day than expected for their body weight.
University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.
Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a model of how internal states and external stimuli shape the behavior of hydra, a tiny, jellyfish-like creature. By studying their neural networks, scientists can gain insights into fundamental principles that may apply to more complex animals.
A group of researchers studied how animals modify their habitats in response to climate change and found that understanding these modifications can improve predictions of climate change's effects on species. The study highlights the importance of understanding how animals adapt to changing environments, which can inform strategies for ...
Texas A&M researchers found that sea otters' muscles use thermogenic leak to generate heat, allowing them to thrive in cold water. This finding explains how otters maintain their high metabolic rate and survive in marine environments.
A team of scientists has discovered a 120-million-year fossil record in the Yukon wilderness that illuminates a critical period in Earth's history. The find reveals a long-term shift in oxygen levels in the oceans, which likely drove the rapid diversification of complex life during the Paleozoic era.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that various dolphin species can coexist without competing for food, even though they hunt at the same depth. The researchers used stable nitrogen isotopes to determine the trophic level of each species, revealing surprising differences in their diets.
A team of researchers has resurrected a forgotten genus of algae, Philozoon, previously discovered in the late 1800s. The study reveals that these micro-algal symbionts live inside animal tissues and create photosynthetic animals, highlighting their ecological significance.
A newly discovered fossil deposit, Haiyan Lagerstätte, contains exceptionally preserved soft-bodied organisms and rare juvenile fossils. The study provides a unique glimpse into how these ancient animals developed from larvae to adults.
Mesobot, a versatile underwater robot, provides unprecedented insight into the mid-ocean twilight zone. The robot tracks and records high-resolution images of zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, greatly expanding scientists' ability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance.
A study by Tanja Stratmann and colleagues found that sponges attached to manganese nodules provide a habitat for numerous animal species, including small worms, crabs, and clams. Removal of the nodules would disrupt this ecosystem, leading to a significant reduction in animal diversity.
Early amphibians that adapted to terrestrial life had shorter, more curved intercentra, while aquatic species maintained morphologies similar to their ancestors' land-dwelling counterparts. The study's findings contradict earlier notions of what spinal morphologies enabled successful movement on land.
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales has discovered a new population of pygmy blue whales in the Indian Ocean, using data from underwater bomb detectors. The finding, published recently, confirms the existence of this smallest subspecies of blue whales, which can reach up to 24 meters long.
Researchers observed porpoises taking on six different roles during group hunts, including a distant gatherer and shepherd, which led to successful captures of fish. This collaborative hunt is more sophisticated than previously thought, with individual animals sharing information and coordinating their actions.
Scientists have found that exceptionally well-preserved fossils in the Burgess Shale, Canada, could have been moved by mudflows without damage, throwing doubt on the idea that they all lived together. This discovery suggests that early marine animal communities may be more complex and diverse than previously thought.
Purdue University chemists are developing new adhesives inspired by shellfish to replace toxic and permanent options. The goal is to create stronger, more sustainable adhesives for various applications, including medical and household uses.
A new Yale study finds that seabed burrowers were helpful in creating conditions for complex animal life to expand. Bioturbation altered the chemical makeup of the sea and oxygen levels, fostering the emergence of increasingly productive ecosystems during the Cambrian explosion.
Salps, small gelatinous organisms, are competing with protists for food in the ocean, rather than krill. This shift in understanding changes the ecosystem's carbon sequestration and food availability.
A recent study revealed a small yet healthy white shark population along the Central California coast, consisting of around 300 individuals. The researchers identified and tracked individual sharks using unique dorsal fin patterns, showing modest growth in the adult population.
Fossils of land animals from South America found in Antilles, with species migrating via giant sunken islands. Researchers reconstructed Caribbean geography over 40 million years, revealing archipelagos and island connections.
The Yap hadal snailfish genome contains extra genes that help stabilize proteins and DNA under high pressures, enabling it to survive in the deepest parts of the ocean. The fish has lost genes involved in vision, taste, and smell, which are likely unnecessary in its dark environment.
A new study has found Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in endangered Australian sea lions and fur seals, with high concentrations detected in newborns. The presence of PFAS poses a threat to the species' survival, as well as potential risks to humans through contaminated seafood and water.
A new study tracked large sharks in Miami and The Bahamas to understand their responses to major storms like hurricanes. Researchers found that different shark species behaved differently by species and location, with some evacuating shallow waters while others remained or even increased in numbers after the storm passed.
A new global atlas of ungulate (hooved mammal) migrations will help governments and conservationists identify threats to migratory species and advance conservation measures. The initiative, launched with UN support, aims to sustain wildlife migrations in the face of expanding human footprint.
Researchers have identified two new species of microscopic loriciferans found in the waters off Roscoff, France. The discovery provides valuable insights into the rich diversity of life in these ecosystems.
A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that mangroves and seagrasses capture higher concentrations of microplastics than control sites. The study's lead researcher notes that the accumulation of microplastics in these ecosystems may have negative impacts on animal and plant life.
Researchers discovered a species of ascidian capable of regenerating its entire body system after being dissected into three fragments, defying expectations. The animal's ability to regenerate organs is rare among chordates, making it an exciting finding for understanding tissue renewal.
Researchers observed dense networks of sponge spicules indicating mobility in Arctic sponges. The trails suggest the sponges may be searching for food or reproducing, with further studies needed to confirm the reasons behind this surprising behavior.
Biologists have discovered a new type of placental structure in animals, specifically in the group Cyclostomata from the phylum Bryozoa. This unique structure, called coenocytes, is formed through nuclear multiplication and cytoplasmic growth, unlike traditional cell fusion in animals.
The world's plant and animal diversity is declining, but the direction and pace of change in microbial life, including viruses, remain unknown. Microbial evolution can lead to greater or fewer species, with potential implications for the biosphere.
Research highlights biodiversity's crucial link to micronutrient-rich seafood diets, essential in combating 'hidden hunger' and meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals. Preserving aquatic ecosystem biodiversity locally and globally is vital to fulfill nutritional requirements.
Sea urchin larvae use light to control digestion by opening and closing the pylorus, a critical component of the digestive tract. This finding suggests that early brain functions may have included regulating digestion, providing insights into animal evolution.
A study of over 10,000 papers reveals significant impacts of human sounds on marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates, disrupting behaviors such as communication, foraging, and navigation. Researchers suggest solutions like reducing shipping speeds, quieter propellers, and floating wind turbines to alleviate anthropogenic noise.
A new analysis found that only 84 of the 408 farmed species had available scientific studies on their welfare, while the majority lacked information. The researchers warn that aquaculture's expansion poses great risks to individual animal lives due to insufficient knowledge.
A new study has found evidence of sophisticated breathing organs in 450-million-year-old trilobites, revealing they breathed oxygen and had structures resembling gills on their thighs. This discovery helps piece together early animal evolution and situates trilobites between older arthropods and crustaceans.
A proof-of-concept study shows that animal DNA can be collected from air samples, enabling new ecological and health assessments. The technique has potential applications in forensics, anthropology, and even medicine, such as understanding airborne diseases like Covid-19.
A new cyanobacterial neurotoxin called aetokthonotoxin has been identified as the cause of vacuolar myelinopathy in waterbirds and raptors, with exposure to bromide-enriched invasive water plants playing a key role. Bioaccumulation of the toxin affects not only the birds that eat the contaminated plants but also their predators.
Research finds that global awareness of biodiversity is growing, but its value is poorly measured. The Species Awareness Index tracked changes in Wikipedia page views from 2015 to 2020, revealing faster increases for certain species like reptiles and the long-tailed tit.
Marine animals including green sea turtles, sharks, and penguins exhibit similar circling movements at constant speeds, defying efficiency. This behavior may aid navigation or detection of magnetic fields.
A new study builds a multilayered computer model of marine life's history over the last 500 million years, echoing J. John Sepkoski's work on sudden mass extinctions. The analysis reveals a fourth major evolutionary fauna driven by biological interactions between predators and prey.