Articles tagged with Fish
Researchers have uncovered the mechanics behind the oarfish's distinctive swimming style, which uses independent fin ray rotation to create wave-like motions. This unique anatomy allows the oarfish to propel itself forward and backward with subtle control, making it an efficient hunter.
A review paper highlights the importance of insect biodiversity in supporting vertebrate life, from food sources to shelter and medicine. The study emphasizes the need for insect conservation to address the decline of insect populations, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems.
Fish have designed their perfect partners in a new experiment, revealing simple male preferences for larger females and more complex female tastes favouring traits like longer tails or brighter colours. This approach mimics sexual selection, where attractive traits become stronger down the generations.
Scientists tracked brain activity of schooling glassfish to uncover how animals detect social partners' actions, allowing groups to escape danger. The study found that social behavior is crucial for coordinated escape, with groups responding more effectively to threats than individual fish.
A new species of killifish, Laimosemion laranja, has been discovered in the Brazilian Amazon, characterized by its striking orange coloration. The fish is considered Endangered due to habitat loss and pollution, prompting efforts to protect its habitat.
Restored oyster reefs in Harris Creek exhibit structural complexity and support larger, more diverse fish communities, while harvested areas are dominated by small schooling fish. The study reveals long-term success of oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers developed an AI-based system to detect temperature stress in fish, revealing diverse temperature tolerance among Medaka fish and closely related species. The system accurately predicts the effects of climate change on fish, with implications for conservation and large-scale comparisons among strains and species.
Researchers mapped the brain cells in the electrosensory lobe of African weakly electric fish, revealing a balance between fast and slow changes to cell connections. This balance allows the fish to filter out electrical interference and continually learn and adapt, shedding light on how biological brains learn throughout life.
Researchers found that fish in cloudy water take longer to find food, but individuals in larger groups respond more quickly overall. Sticklebacks change their shoaling behavior to compensate, becoming more coordinated and finding food faster.
A team of researchers led by Texas A&M University has discovered Atlantic herring possess exceptionally high diversity in their MHC class II genes, a group of immune genes involved in recognizing pathogens. This diversity is shaped by natural selection driven by the evolutionary
Researchers found that reef fish exposed to motorboat noise as embryos and juveniles grow smaller and have impaired survival skills. The study suggests that limiting motorboat traffic near reefs during breeding season may help preserve coral reefs.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego used computational models and virtual reality to study the social interaction rules of schooling fish. They found that individual fish 'copy' the movement direction of a randomly-chosen nearby neighbor, leading to highly dynamic behavior in groups.
Dolphins use acoustic cues to navigate and find food, with whistles associated with social behavior and echolocation linked to sound-producing fish. The study reveals distinct patterns in dolphin communication, suggesting dolphins favor different habitats for socializing and hunting.
Researchers discovered a new genus and species of underground earthworm eel, Gangaichthys indonepalicus, living beneath the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Bihar, northern India. The small, colourless creature features physical adaptations suited to life in total darkness.
UTSC researchers suggest governments should rethink round goby management as the invasive species spreads inland, threatening native biodiversity. The team proposes a combination of trapping, electrofishing, physical barriers, and rapid-response programs to reduce local populations and eliminate them.
A new study found that certain carp species, such as goldfish and silver carp, are resistant to the devastating Koi herpesvirus (CyHV-3) and do not easily transmit it to common carp. This discovery offers a hopeful perspective on managing the disease in fish farms and freshwater ecosystems.
Researchers discovered a strong link between environmental variation and thyroid hormone signaling in reef fish, enabling them to adapt to changing habitats. The study found that habitat impacts development by altering gene expression and metabolic profiles, giving animals more flexibility when their environments change.
Researchers sequenced medaka genomes using PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, revealing conserved centromeric sequences and a giant mobile element. The study provides insights into chromosome stability, sex determination, and the phenotypic traits of different organisms.
A new species of shrimpgoby, Tomiyamichthys oriens, has been discovered in Indonesian coastal waters. The fish boasts radiant orange markings and is named after its birthplace, Banyuwangi's 'Sunrise of Java' region.
Researchers found that populations of small invertebrates thrive near rat-infested islands, where seabirds are scarce. In contrast, fish biomass is higher on reefs without rats, benefiting from nutrient-rich guano deposits.
Researchers have identified a unique type of melanoma that spreads between catfish in Lake Memphremagog, behaving like parasites. The discovery sheds light on the spread of cancer in wild animals and raises questions about its origin and ecological impact.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
New study redefines the existence of necks in fish and amphibians, identifying functionally distinct anatomical regions. The project aims to build new definitions that apply more widely across all major vertebrate groups.
Aotearoa New Zealand whitebait can rapidly switch life-cycles in response to environmental changes, adapting to lake conditions and breeding in spring instead of autumn. This adaptation is crucial for survival and has implications for future whitebait aquaculture.
Researchers study blind Mexican cavefish to understand how evolution rewires the brain and shapes behavior. They found that cavefish become more active in light, a response believed to help them avoid predators.
A ten-year experiment with European seabass found that the initial high proportion of male births under intense heat was reversed by the third generation, with more females being born. The study's findings suggest a compensatory mechanism that could counteract the harmful effects of warming on fish populations.
A new species of bumblebee goby, Brachygobius jennie, has been discovered on Hengqin Island in Guangdong Province, China. It is the smallest species within its genus and possibly the smallest known fish in the world.
The study of exceptionally preserved fossils from a 62.2-million-year-old site in Egypt reveals that modern marine fish communities were already established approximately 4 million years after the dinosaur extinction. The Qreiya 3 Lagerstätte, an offshore marine ecosystem from the Danian Age, has yielded hundreds of fossil fishes, incl...
A new study from Stockholm University found that young guppies raised with visual contact to live fish developed larger brains and relatively larger olfactory bulbs compared to those with only screen-based exposure. This suggests that interactive social experiences during development may be important for normal brain growth.
Researchers examine the process of prioritizing river restoration projects using a mathematical computer program called optimization. The study shows that score and rank systems don't always account for barriers in the full river context, leading to stranded investments.
Researchers developed a 'walking fish' robot that mimics modern fish's ability to walk on land, and computer models showed similar modes of locomotion across several unrelated species. This undulating tripod gait is one of life's most ancient solutions to escaping predators or moving habitats.
Researchers successfully created a novel, stably inheritable grass carp germplasm without intermuscular bones using the runx2b gene. The absence of IBs did not affect the fish's quality or nutritional profile, but improved gel strength and resilience were observed.
Researchers discovered layered guanine platelets in deep-sea fish that scatter light in complex ways, unlike traditional mirrors. These findings offer insights into creating highly efficient biomimetic designs for biomedical devices.
Researchers have discovered how diet influences the composition of intestinal tissue in cichlid fishes, a key aspect of evolutionary diversification. The study found that different diets lead to distinct cellular adaptations, including changes in the number and type of cells involved in nutrient absorption.
A large-scale eDNA survey revealed five biogeographic boundaries along the Japanese coast, where fish composition changes significantly due to ocean currents. The study detected 1,220 coastal fish species, providing new insights into how climate change and human activities impact regional ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed over 7,000 salmon stomachs to understand their diet in different regions of the Salish Sea. The study found that year-round, herring are the most important food for adult Chinook salmon, while seasonal changes affect the diversity of prey.
Researchers developed RegVelo, an AI framework that models cellular dynamics and gene regulation to predict cellular fate decisions. The model traces developmental trajectories and simulates regulatory interactions, providing insights into hidden drivers of development and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study reveals that four specific genes are crucial for the Atlantic herring's adaptation to low salinity in the Baltic Sea. The genes, expressed in sperm, eggs, and early embryos, enable the fish to reproduce successfully in brackish water.
A study found that psilocybin, a key magic mushroom ingredient, significantly reduces aggressive attack behavior and energetically costly social behaviors in mangrove rivulus fish. The compound selectively dampens escalated social conflict without suppressing lower-energy social display behaviors.
A year-long study of NYC's East River used environmental DNA to reveal insights into urban wildlife activity, human food consumption and ecosystem health. The findings suggest that urban waterways can become continuous biosensors tracking biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
A new study published in Ecosphere found that drones do not disturb whale sharks when flown directly above them. Researchers attached motion-sensing tags to 13 whale sharks and compared their behavior with periods where no drone was flying overhead, revealing no evidence of disturbance.
Researchers found that fish lineages adapted to scrape algae and shellfish from hard surfaces evolved in more diverse ways than those living in open water. Coral reef fish are thought to have benefited from this adaptation, driving the acceleration of diversification.
New research suggests chalk-stream salmon be classified as a sub-species of Atlantic salmon, with potential benefits for targeted conservation. The study found genetic distinctness between chalk streams and nearby rivers, highlighting the importance of protecting these habitats.
Researchers found that gut microbial communities in estuarine fish are driven by functional traits rather than evolutionary history. The study identified three distinct enterotypes associated with dietary habits and migratory behaviors, revealing specific metabolic adaptations tailored to each host's lifestyle.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that cooperative breeding in Lake Tanganyika's lamprologine cichlids first emerged around 4 million years ago. The study reveals a link between cooperative breeding and smaller body sizes, as well as reduced clutch size.
Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species agree to list 40 additional species on Appendices I and II, including iconic species like cheetahs, hyenas, and great hammerhead sharks. The agreement also includes multi-species conservation plans for key regions like the Amazon.
The Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) aims to tackle the root causes of illegal and unsustainable taking, safeguarding wildlife and livelihoods. The initiative focuses on improving data, strengthening laws, engaging communities, and raising awareness.
Nations are coming together at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) to address declining population trends and extinction threats among migratory species. The meeting aims to establish conservation policies and protections for over 2,000 species under threat.
Researchers found juvenile smalltooth sawfish showing strong site fidelity to the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River, spending up to 87% of their time within a 0.4 square kilometer area. This suggests that the Indian River Lagoon is once again functioning as a nursery for this endangered species.
The interim update to the State of the World's Migratory Species report warns that 49% of migratory species populations are declining, with 24% facing extinction, due to habitat loss and overexploitation. The report highlights the need for coordinated international action to address these threats and protect migratory species.
Research at University of Eastern Finland found that positively charged polystyrene nanoparticles increase early embryo mortality in European whitefish under stressed conditions. The study suggests that surface charge plays a critical role in toxicity assessment, with negatively charged particles experiencing reduced harmful effects.
A new study reveals that the presence of older fish accelerates bar loss in young tomato anemonefish, a process linked to social hierarchy and environmental adaptability. The researchers suggest this may be an insurance policy against invasion, with younger fish losing their bars as they are accepted into the group.
In 2025, global unprovoked shark bites returned to near-average levels, with a significant decrease in the United States. The country accounted for 38% of worldwide incidents, down from over 50% in recent years. Australia followed closely, with 32% of global bites and 56% of fatalities.
The discovery of mature silver European eels in Cyprus highlights the importance of river fragmentation and local environmental conditions on eel populations. The finding also underscores the need for urgent implementation of Eel Management Plans to conserve this critically endangered species.
A juvenile great white shark was incidentally caught in Spanish waters, raising questions about the species' biology and ecology. The study confirms continued, though sporadic, presence of white sharks in Mediterranean waters.
A study found that brief exposure to benzo[a]pyrene disrupted normal development and skeletal health in fish, with effects persisting across multiple generations. The researchers identified specific metabolic signatures that could serve as early warning indicators of long-term toxicity.
New research from Simon Fraser University finds that Canada is failing to monitor the health of Pacific salmon populations, with 44% lacking sufficient data. The decline in monitoring is particularly concerning as salmon face the dual threat of climate change and industrial projects set to be fast-tracked by the federal government.
Researchers at ISTA have found that the zebrafish embryo's geometry is essential for its development, guiding cell division and gene activation. The study's findings could improve IVF embryo assessments by understanding how the embryo interprets its geometry.
A new deep-learning tool can rapidly identify wild and farmed salmon by analyzing fish scales, with 95% accuracy. This technology has the potential to mitigate the ecological impact of escaped farmed salmon on wild populations.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully tracked salmon populations using airborne eDNA, finding that the airborne DNA concentration fluctuated with visual counts reported by the hatchery. The technique links air, water, and fish, providing a valuable tool for population health monitoring and management.