Articles tagged with Carnivores
A new study found that age at sexual maturity and average rainfall significantly correlated with cranial shape in carnivores. Skulls of species living in regions with higher precipitation showed elongated features, while those with narrower diets exhibited stiffer lower elements.
A Montana State University ecologist has received a prestigious Swedish professorship to further his research on predator-prey relationships and conservation of Africa's top carnivores. The award allows him to collaborate with experts in molecular ecology and explore how human activities isolate ecosystems.
A two-year-old female Far Eastern leopard was found with severe neurological disease and euthanized due to poor health. The discovery confirms canine distemper virus in the species, which is already critically endangered.
Researchers used trained detection dogs to locate cheetah scat and signs in Western Zambia, detecting the species throughout a survey area. The study estimates a cheetah density of 5.9-6.6 individuals per 1000 square kilometers.
The first Iberian lynx infected with the pseudorabies virus has been identified, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. The study found that the virus can have a negative impact on wild Iberian lynxes under threat of extinction, and researchers suggest vaccination as a potential strategy.
Researchers reconstructed the body cavity volume in over 120 tetrapods and found that herbivores have twice as large bodies as carnivores of similar size. The study reveals a fundamental difference in morphological principles between mammals and other tetrapods, with possible implications for respiratory systems.
A recent study by the Spanish National Research Council found that half of large carnivore attacks are due to human imprudence. The researchers recommend educating people about risks and following basic rules to coexist with animals, reducing the likelihood of attacks.
A team of researchers found that current harvest levels for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains have led to decreased survival and reproduction rates. The study suggests that policies regulating wolf hunting are not sustainable and should be revised to prioritize population growth.
The article highlights four ways in which current hunting policies for large carnivores do not align with ecological theory and data. The authors emphasize the need to account for different methods of sampling effort and detection, as well as evaluate policies state by state.
A nearly complete skeleton of a well-preserved early carnivorous mammal, Galecyon, has shed light on the ecology and evolutionary relationships of hyaenodontids. The fossil, dating back to the Eocene Epoch, suggests that these ancient animals were adaptable ground-dwelling creatures, unlike their tree-climbing or runner relatives.
A newly discovered skeleton of the hyaenodontid Galecyon provides insight into the ecology and evolution of early mammalian carnivores. The study reveals diverse habitat preferences among early hyaenodontids, explaining how they coexisted despite similar diets and body sizes.
Researchers found that hippos consume meat, challenging their dietary status as herbivores, and increasing their susceptibility to anthrax outbreaks. This behavior may be linked to the unique characteristics of antelope carcasses infected with anthrax.
Researchers used modern carnivore models to infer prehistoric diets, finding a strong signal driven by ancestry and skull size. They successfully distinguished between hypercarnivores and generalists using biomechanical attributes, shedding light on extinct species like Thinocyon velox and Oodectes herpestoides.
Researchers analyzed the host range of canine parvovirus (CPV) and found that viruses in domestic dogs and raccoons could infect a wider range of wild carnivores than previously thought. The study identified specific genetic changes associated with host adaptation, suggesting that these mutations can overcome barriers to infection.
Research on carnivore size and range shows that larger animals receive more study attention, while smaller species are often overlooked. This bias may be due to human perspective in planning research agendas rather than actual conservation needs.
Research reveals steep declines in global large carnivore populations, with 77% of studied species decreasing in number. Habitat losses have serious environmental consequences, affecting ecosystems and human societies.
A study by Michigan State University neuroscientist Sharleen Sakai found a correlation between the size of carnivores' frontal cortices and their social nature. The coatimundi, a highly social animal, had the largest frontal cortex, while raccoons had the smallest.
The discovery of the olinguito is the first carnivore species to be found in the Western Hemisphere in over 35 years. The animal was discovered in cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador through a combination of DNA testing, museum specimens, and field expeditions.
The discovery of the olinguito reveals that the world is not yet completely explored, with many species still unknown to science. The team's findings also highlight the critical need to protect the cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia, which are under threat from human development.
A study proposes that a group of carnivores died intentionally in an ancient Spanish cave due to a lack of exit points. The researchers suggest that the scarcity of herbivore remains indicates the cavity was clearly visible and avoided by these animals.
Researchers found that reducing the population size of one carnivore can cause another similar species to become extinct due to changes in food webs. This highlights the need for an ecosystem-based approach to conservation.
A Michigan State University study reveals that people's attitudes towards tigers are influenced by benefits and pragmatic costs of having tigers nearby, suggesting a combination of psychological responses drives tolerance. The research provides critical information on how to protect species by understanding human-neighbour relationships.
A study by Lund University researchers reveals that meat-eating is linked to the timing of weaning in mammals, which may have contributed to human population expansion globally. The study found that carnivorous species, including humans, have shorter breast-feeding periods than herbivores and omnivores.
A recent study found that carnivorous mammals, including humans, tend to have shorter breast-feeding periods than herbivorous or omnivorous species. This may be due to the higher-quality diet that allows for earlier brain development and weaning. The research suggests that meat-eating played a crucial role in human evolution and popula...
A new study has traced the evolutionary history of mammal diets, revealing that omnivores, including primates, bears, and dogs, came from ancestors that primarily ate plants. The study found that diet is linked to species diversification, with plant-eaters proliferating faster than meat-eaters.
Spotted hyenas adapt to changing human food sources during the 55-day Abye Tsome (Lent) fast, shifting from scavenging to hunting, with donkey hairs found in their droppings increasing significantly during Lent
A study by Spanish researchers confirms ticks' ability to adapt to climate, posing a risk to public health and animal conservation. The parasites carry exotic illnesses and increase the prevalence of endemic pathogens, especially in arid environments.
Researchers found that carnivores can track yearly differences in rowan fruit abundance and prefer the most productive trees. They also helped disperse seeds by picking up fallen fruit, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between carnivorous mammals and plants.
A newly examined fossil of Miacis uintensis reveals that some early carnivores were built to walk on the ground at least part of the time. The analysis suggests that adaptations for terrestrial or semi-terrestrial locomotion were more common than previously suspected in early fossil carnivores.
Researchers suggest that many commonly grown plants, including petunias, have some carnivorous characteristics, and may even digest trapped insects. The study reviews the different levels of carnivory in plants and challenges traditional definitions.
A new study reveals that Africa's big cats, including leopards, tend to avoid croplands and favor specific habitats. This research provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution of carnivores in Tanzania, shedding light on the impact of habitat conversion and climate change.
Researchers define global conservation priorities for endangered carnivores considering socioeconomic and life-history factors. The study identifies 41 ecoregions worldwide as key areas for cost-effective conservation investments.
Researchers Finarelli and Flynn challenge the Social Brain Hypothesis, finding that increased brain size is not routinely associated with sociality in carnivores. They document at least six separate changes in brain sizes across different lineages of mammals.
Researchers used a novel technique to conclude that Smilodon fatalis was likely a social animal, living and hunting like lions. The study found large social species made up a far larger proportion of attracted animals than expected.
A study by the University of Exeter found that only 30% of captive-born carnivores survive in the wild, with most deaths caused by humans. The research highlights the need for conservation projects to better prepare animals for living in their natural environment.
Scientists used detection dog teams to study a Pacific fisher population in the Sierra National Forest, finding dogs three and a half times more successful than cameras. The method also only needed one visit per site, aiding land management decisions by providing insights into ecosystem health.
A new study in journal Ecography analyzes Bergmann's rule in European carnivore mammals, partitioning body mass variation into historical and ecological components. The findings show that patterns can be better explained by recent and independent evolution of each species as a response to environmental conditions.
Researchers used fingerprints to count fisher populations, identifying individual animals and tracking their numbers in the wild. This method is simpler and less expensive than DNA fingerprinting, offering a promising tool for conservation.
Researchers from WCS discover Jackson's mongoose, a rare and poorly-known carnivore, in Matundu Forest, Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting nearby forests to conserve this unique species.
A global study found that carnivore extinction risk is more closely tied to biological traits such as small geographic distribution and high trophic level. Human population density plays a lesser role in determining extinction risk, but can exacerbate it when combined with these factors.
A new model predicts that many carnivores are at high risk of extinction due to their biology and proximity to densely populated areas. The researchers suggest focusing conservation efforts on species with long gestation periods living in areas with rapid human population growth.