Articles tagged with Fish
Researchers found that males vocalize during courtship, with receptive females preferring males associated with playbacks of low-frequency sounds. Females' sensitivity to these sounds varies depending on their sexual receptiveness and hormone levels.
A study found that marine reserves on Australia's Great Barrier Reef produce approximately half of all juvenile recruitment to both reserve and fished reefs. The reserves, which account for just 28% of the local reef area, help sustain valuable fisheries.
The new system identifies fish populations to a forensic level of validation, helping tackle overfishing and illegal fishing. DNA-based tools can be used across the food supply chain and provide an independent method for authenticity testing.
An international team of scientists assesses 163 grouper species and finds 20 at risk of extinction, while 22 are Near Threatened. Groupers take years to mature and are vulnerable to overfishing and habitat loss.
A task force report strongly recommends implementing conservative catch limits for 'forage fish' like sardines and anchovies. These small species are crucial prey for larger species, including salmon, cod, tuna, dolphins, whales, penguins, and seabirds.
The team will examine harvests of healthy stocks before and after the catch shares program, assessing whether fishermen are closer to harvesting their full strong-stock quotas. They will also study the impact of risk pools and computer models on cooperation and conservation in fisheries management.
Researchers tracked Lake Erie water snakes using Lotek Archival Tags (LATs) to study their habits and diet, finding that they spend more time foraging than previously estimated. The findings suggest that native snake species can help combat the invasive round goby fish population in Lake Erie.
Research reveals that well-enforced marine reserves in the Mediterranean have recovered fish biomass five to 10 times greater than fished areas. However, 'protected' areas with allowed fishing saw no improvement over unprotected sites, highlighting the importance of full conservation measures for recovery.
Researchers use DNA barcoding to identify parasitic worms in canned food, ruling out contamination and ensuring kosher certification. The study's findings confirm that the food remains kosher despite the presence of roundworms.
A Yale-led study reveals that tens of millions of years ago, Antarctic fish adapted to new polar conditions and developed 'anti-freeze' proteins. However, today they are endangered due to rapid ocean temperature rises.
A study by Yale University researchers found that spotted salamanders breeding in contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments through rapid evolution. The salamanders' survival and growth rates improve in these conditions, suggesting they have developed a genetic advantage.
Researchers used hydrophones to record 24-hour sounds from the sea floor and found a wealth of biological sounds, including whale and dolphin calls. The study suggests that man-made noise could be a problem for some species, highlighting the importance of passive acoustic monitoring.
Scientists uncover complex fish-coral relationships that have evolved over millions of years, revealing the importance of preserving specific reef types to save coral reefs. The study suggests that protecting the right sorts of reefs is crucial for their survival, and that past mass extinctions can inform conservation efforts.
High CO2 levels in ocean water disrupt fish's central nervous system, impairing hearing, smell, turning, and predator evasion. Fish with high oxygen consumption are likely to be most affected.
Researchers found that hatcheries rapidly select for fish with exceptional survival and adaptation abilities, at the cost of their reproductive success in the wild. This study confirms 'domestication selection' as a primary driver of genetic changes in hatchery-born salmon.
The California Academy of Sciences discovered 140 new species in 2011, including arthropods, sea slugs, fishes, plants, sponges, corals, and a reptile. These findings add to the family tree of life on Earth and provide crucial information for conservation decisions.
Researchers discovered that some tropical fish can adjust to higher sea temperatures by transmitting information between generations. This allows them to cope with elevated water temperatures, but may have penalties such as smaller offspring and reduced reproduction rates.
Researchers found that several native fish species have incorporated the bloody red shrimp into their diet over multi-seasonal periods. The study suggests these fish are adapting to the invasive species, alleviating concerns about its impact on native populations.
The 2011 survey found a significant increase in young-of-year striped bass numbers in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, with over 27 fish per seine haul recorded. This strong year class is expected to grow into a sustainable population, benefiting both recreational and commercial anglers.
In a cooperative breeding system, cichlid males who sire offspring defend more effectively against predators and stay closer to the breeding shelter. Subordinate males' helping behavior is linked to direct fitness benefits, including paternity and increased safety.
A recent study of Glover's Reef Marine Reserve in Belize found that coral communities showed no significant improvement despite 10 years of protected status. The research revealed declines in coral cover and abundance of juvenile corals, with macroalgae dominating the reef and impeding coral growth.
Two key Southern California fisheries have collapsed due to a combination of overfishing of spawning areas and changes in oceanographic conditions. The study found that despite stable catch rates, the population sizes of barred sand bass and kelp bass decreased by 90% since 1980.
Researchers studying seaweed-eating fish and coral reef health may develop new methods to manage seaweed growth. The study aims to determine which mix of fish can control the most damaging seaweeds and protect corals.
A new study reveals that warming seas are changing the composition of fish communities in the northeast Atlantic, with southerly species dominating and colder species declining. The analysis of data from over a million fish across 28 years shows a significant increase in warm-water species and a decrease in cold-adapted species.
A major shift in European fish stocks is already underway due to rapidly rising temperatures, with some species' losses being others' gains. The study found that over 72% of common fish species have changed in abundance related to warming trends, with three out of four species increasing in numbers.
Dams and weirs have a profound effect on the ecosystem of watercourses, causing a significant decline in species diversity. The study found that fish species are 25% lower upstream of weirs compared to downstream areas, while invertebrate diversity is up to 50% lower.
A new species of ancient predatory fish, Laccognathus embryi, has been discovered in North America during the Devonian Period. The 5-6 foot long fish had a wide head, small eyes, and robust jaws lined with large piercing teeth.
The USGS presented several studies on various fish-related topics, including the benefits of habitat restoration for juvenile salmon and the importance of targeting younger silver carp to control their population. Climate change may impact smallmouth bass populations, with warmer temperatures affecting growth in southern climates.
Researchers discovered B chromosomes causing female-biased sex-ratios in a species of cichlid fish from Lake Victoria. The study also identified multiple protein-coding genes in the B chromosomes, suggesting their role in sex determination.
A recent Oregon State University study suggests that parasites in fish can have profound impacts on fish health and contribute to salmon mortality. The research found that heavy parasite loads can affect salmon growth, immune function, and other issues, and are linked to land use changes such as logging and agriculture.
Cabo Pulmo National Park has proven to be the world's most robust marine reserve, with a 463% increase in fish biomass from 1999 to 2009. The park's 'no take' restrictions and local enforcement have been key factors in its success.
Research published in Nature reveals Canadian cod populations are recovering, with haddock playing a dominant role, and a reversal of predator-prey roles contributing to the growth of smaller fish species. The study suggests an ecological transition towards balance is underway.
A UBC graduate student found that the mangrove fish's eyes have separate opsin genes for aerial and aquatic light, enabling adaptation to its environment. The study shows how gene duplication can lead to innovation in organisms.
A new study suggests that the threat posed by invasive Asian carp to the Great Lakes ecosystem is real and warrants action. The research finds that separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through hydrological separation could provide a permanent solution to prevent further ecological and economic harm.
In a study published in Ecology, researchers found that banded tetras play a keystone role in nutrient recycling due to their diet composition and excretion rates. This finding highlights the importance of conservation efforts in maintaining ecosystem function.
A 100-million-year-old mayfly fossil has provided valuable insights into the ecology of ancient ecosystems. The discovery of a rare ovipositor and long antennae sheds light on the life cycle and adaptations of this ancient species.
A ban on fisheries discards in the North Sea is expected to promote fish stock recovery and increase fishermen's incomes, according to new research. The study compared long-term data sets on cod, haddock, saithe, and herring in the North Sea with those in Norwegian waters, where a discard ban was introduced in the late 1980s.
A team of researchers successfully barcoded over 28,000 Australian moth and butterfly specimens, covering 65% of the country's known species. This achievement will transform biodiversity monitoring and biosecurity efforts in Australia.
Researchers used Facebook to accurately crowdsource data on a fish survey in the Cuyuni River. Almost every fish specimen was identified by experts within 24 hours. The successful crowdsourcing project has implications for future scientific studies.
A study found that Atlantic molly females from regular surface streams have difficulty reproducing in dark conditions and are more prone to stress-induced bacterial columnaris disease. The research suggests that permanent darkness severely hampers reproduction in these fish, highlighting the importance of light for their survival.
A growing seal population has led to increased damage to fish and fishing gear, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. Scientists have identified certain seals as specialists in attacking trap equipment, but also found that pot fishing can be a viable alternative to net fishing.
A new study finds that small fish populations are just as likely to have collapsed in the last 50 years as large fish stocks. Small species were up to twice as likely to have suffered a major decline due to overfishing, highlighting their importance in the oceanic food chain.
Researchers found that advancements in brain anatomy and signal processing allowed mormyrids to fully exploit electric signal space, leading to rapid speciation. The study revealed two equally parsimonious ways to reconstruct the fish's evolutionary history, challenging current understanding of brain development.
A new study by UC Davis found that two groups of pupfish from the Bahamas and Yucatan peninsula show extreme evolutionary changes, adapting to specialized diets in just a short period. The research suggests that these rapid evolutions are unique to these specific environments.
Researchers found that copepod carcasses play a crucial role in understanding oceanic food webs. Non-predatory mortality accounted for over 10% of all copepod deaths, providing insights into the fate of these tiny crustaceans.
Two new studies by UC Davis researchers found a direct link between lead ammunition and lead poisoning in scavenger birds like eagles and turkey vultures. The studies suggest that hunting with lead ammunition can have devastating effects on these bird species, causing inability to fly, starvation, anemia, blindness, seizures and death.
Highly diverse reef fish systems are the most vulnerable to human threats, yet they produce a greater range of goods and services. The study found that these ecosystems do not saturate with additional species, and their biomass production is negatively impacted by increasing human density.
A new study reveals that triclocarban (TCC) accumulates rapidly in fish, with levels reaching 1,000 times higher than those in the water. This is the first report of TCC uptake and metabolism in fish species, highlighting concerns about its potential endocrine-disrupting effects.
A year-long study by University of Nevada, Reno researchers found a significant decline in native fish species density at Lake Tahoe since 1951. The team recommends establishing a management plan to protect the nearshore zone habitat critical to native fish populations.
A study in Spain and Greece found that over 30% of hake products sold in these countries were mislabelled, with African fish often labelled as European or American. The error benefits middlemen, not African fishermen.
Predatory fish such as cod, tuna, and groupers declined by two-thirds while small forage fish like sardine, anchovy, and capelin more than doubled between 1880 and 2007. This trend suggests that humans are impacting ecosystems globally.
A new predictive method developed by marine scientists has found that a third of reef fishes studied across the Indian Ocean are potentially vulnerable to climate change. The 'extinction risk index' provides coral reef managers with insights to better protect and manage coral reefs, showing local and regional commitment improves prospe...
Scientists at Smithsonian Institution and Ocean Science Foundation used genetic analysis to identify 10 distinct species of blennies (Starksia) previously thought to be three. The discovery sheds light on the complexity of Caribbean reef life, with widespread species exhibiting geographically restricted ranges.
A new Oregon State University study finds that healthy steelhead runs rely heavily on wild rainbow trout populations, with up to 40% of genes from rainbow trout contributing to steelhead gene pool. This highlights the importance of maintaining healthy trout populations to support steelhead health.
A review of 93 wild and aquaculture fish populations found that regional variance affects reproduction, growth, and stress response in trout, salmon, charr, whitefishes, and graylings. The research highlights the importance of considering local adaptation when transplanting species to new habitats.
A Purdue University study found that Lake Erie's large hypoxic zone negatively impacts aquatic life, but not all fish species equally. The study showed that some species, like yellow perch, were less affected, while round goby and rainbow smelt were more significantly impacted by the low oxygen levels.
Researchers found that communities of similar-looking catfish often comprise multiple species, highlighting the hidden diversity and complexity of neotropical freshwater ecosystems. The discovery has significant implications for environmental conservation, as many rivers are facing large-scale development and habitat destruction.
Scientists have found a difference in visual perception between male and female cichlid fishes, which likely aids in mate selection. The research discovered that males and females detect light differently, with five photoreceptor cones in their eyes, enabling color discrimination.
Researchers argue that the US Fish and Wildlife Service should consider societal values when determining whether species need protection from extinction. A study analyzing public opinions on wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains found mixed results, contradicting the agency's claim that attitudes have improved over time.
In experiments with African cichlid fish, scientists found that females show increased anxiety and decreased attraction when their preferred male loses a fight. Conversely, when the male prevails, the female's brain shows increased activity associated with reproduction and pleasure. These findings suggest that humans may experience sim...