Articles tagged with Aquatic Animals
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In a groundbreaking study, cuttlefish are found to exhibit self-control by delaying gratification, similar to humans and primates. The creatures can wait for up to 50-130 seconds before accepting a better reward, showcasing their ability to exert control over their desires.
A new study reveals that global warming can reduce energy transfer in plankton food webs by up to 56%, threatening the survival of larger animals. Warmer temperatures cause metabolic rates to accelerate faster than growth rates, leading to less efficient energy flow and reduced biomass.
A new study reconstructs the ancient habitat of early dinosaurs in the UK around 200 million years ago. The research reveals that small dinosaurs and lizard-like animals coexisted on flooded tropical islands, contradicting previous assumptions about their desert habitats.
Researchers found that amphipod claws snap at nearly 100 km/h, accelerating to over 30 meters per second. This unique adaptation could inspire human engineering for fast-repeated movement.
Researchers successfully extracted DNA from marine shells, revealing insights into the genetics of animal shrinking. The technique sheds light on how animals like lemurs and lizards adapt to human hunting pressure.
A recent study in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals the existence of stationary animals attached to a boulder on the sea floor beneath Antarctica's ice shelves. The discovery raises more questions than answers, such as how they got there and what they're eating.
A recent review of over 300 studies found that cancer is linked to pollution in around 30 aquatic species, including skin and liver cancers. The study highlights the need for further research on the effects of chronic low-to-medium level exposure to oncogenic pollutants on wild animal health.
A recent study by Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals that juvenile white sharks are being forced to migrate northward due to a loss of suitable thermal habitat caused by climate change. The researchers analyzed electronic data records from tags deployed on the sharks and compared them to ocean temperatures to map the cold edge of their ther...
A tiny amphipod has been found to snap its claw shut 10,000 times faster than the blink of an eye, thanks to its small size and aquatic environment. This unique movement is repeatable, making it a significant challenge for engineering.
Researchers mapped regions with high numbers of undersized fish and crustaceans, which are typically discarded due to size limits. This helps identify areas for fishing restrictions to ensure more sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts.
A global team of researchers found overwhelming evidence that human-made noise impacts marine life from invertebrates to whales, disrupting behavior, physiology, reproduction, and causing mortality. They identify actions to restore healthy ocean sounds and reduce noise levels in the shipping industry.
Researchers found surface slicks to be critical nurseries for commercially and ecologically important fish species, containing 39% of the study area's larval fish and 75% of its organic debris. The diversities of fishes in slicks represent nearly 10% of all recorded fish species in Hawai'i.
A global study shows that human disturbances, such as hunting and recreation, trigger significant changes in animal movement, forcing species to travel 35% more or less than usual. This widespread impact threatens biodiversity and ecosystem processes, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis, which has features in common with both sea lilies and modern-day starfish. The exceptionally preserved fossil is a missing link for scientists trying to piece together its early evolutionary history.
A new study reveals that California's coastal gillnet fisheries took a greater toll on harbor porpoises than previously thought, with the population recovering dramatically since their ban. The Morro Bay stock has rebounded by seven-fold, from an estimated 570 animals in 1991 to approximately 4,200 porpoises today.
Researchers found that haemoglobins in diverse species, including humans, molluscs and crustaceans, originate from a single ancestral gene. This discovery suggests that the appearance of haemoglobin in these species was not an independent invention but rather a result of evolutionary inheritance.
A remarkably preserved 57,000-year-old wolf pup named Zhùr has been uncovered in the Yukon, offering a unique window into the lives of ancient wolves. The mummy's genome analysis revealed that she was descended from wolves from Russia and Siberia, and her diet consisted mainly of aquatic resources like salmon.
A University of Birmingham team used Daphnia to test the effects of Roundup on keystone species. They found significant harm to animals' metabolism and gut function, even at approved regulatory levels. The results offer a starting point for tracking herbicide impacts across different species.
A new genus and species of ichthyosaur, Thalassodraco etchesi, has been discovered in the UK, measuring 2m in length and dating back to the Late Jurassic period. The specimen was found buried head-first in limestone, preserving its soft tissues and providing valuable insights into the biology of these marine reptiles.
Researchers found that sea urchins are more affected by low oxygen levels than ocean acidification when exposed to high temperatures. The study revealed that severe heat, hypoxia, and acidity do not have a synergistic effect on the urchins' performance.
A well-preserved specimen of a new ichthyosaur species, Thalassodraco etchesi, has been identified from the Late Jurassic period in England. The creature may have been capable of diving very deeply due to its deep rib cage and large eyes.
Scientists track animal activity levels using new satellite technology, providing insights into their responses to environmental changes. The study's findings open up new research opportunities for understanding climate change impacts on marine species.
Researchers at MBL found that small marine animals with multiple propulsers create negative pressure behind them to propel forward. This phenomenon, dubbed 'suction thrust,' is common among animals with metachronal kinematics.
A new study reveals that dolphins adjust their heart rate to suit the length of their planned dive, conserving oxygen and avoiding decompression sickness. This conscious adjustment allows them to safely dive for long periods, providing insights into marine mammal physiology.
A new genus and species of Loricifera have been discovered in Japan's deep sea, improving the understanding of the species' diversity. The discovery was made by researchers from Tohoku University, who found the species inhabiting areas between 177m to 1059m below the sea.