Articles tagged with Fish
Researchers observed 10 to 20 snailfish congregating at a depth of 7703 meters, suggesting that few species of fishes survive in the darkness of the hadal zone. The study, published in BioScience, provides evidence that liparids dominate the deep ocean's hadal environment.
Researchers recommend decentralizing forces and forming alliances to counter threats, as seen in the natural world. By adopting these principles, security systems can become more adaptable and responsive to emerging threats.
The Biodiversity of Saba Bank collection provides critical information on the benthic communities and reef fish that inhabit the Saba Bank. The research reveals six new species potentially new to science collected from one of the largest coral reefs in the Caribbean, highlighting the need for marine protected areas to protect this uniq...
This interdisciplinary study explores the role of the Bering Glacier system in the northeast Pacific Ocean and global sea level. The book includes contributions from researchers on various disciplines, including glaciology, geology, and ecology.
A new study shows that hammerheads evolved from a large ancestor, but their distinctive head shape changed over time due to selective environmental pressures. Small hammerheads likely evolved independently twice, and their smaller size may have led to increased energy investment in reproductive activities.
A mass extinction of fish 360 million years ago led to the demise of dominant species and created a new world. The Hangenberg event marked a critical shift in vertebrate diversity, with few surviving species giving rise to modern vertebrates, including humans.
A 12-year study by Wildlife Conservation Society found that fishery closures and gear restrictions in Kenya's coast increased revenue and net profits for local fishermen. The study revealed that closures attracted more preferred species and larger fish, commanding higher prices per pound, which boosted fishers' incomes.
A rare opportunity to study how a critically endangered species copes with an earthquake- induced tsunami has been provided by researchers. The Devils Hole pupfish inhabit a small, shallow pool in the Mojave Desert, and the quake's impact on their habitat and behavior was documented on camera.
Researchers found that common seaweed species in Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals using chemical means. The study suggests that the proliferation of seaweeds may prevent natural recovery from happening at all, especially for reefs damaged by human use or overfishing.
Researchers found trawl fish landings peaked in 1937 at 14 times higher than today and bottom-living fish availability fell by 94%. The decline in popular fish stocks such as cod, haddock, and plaice is more profound than previously thought. The study suggests a longer period of damage to fisheries has taken place
Scientists used DNA barcoding to identify 25% of 'cod' and 'haddock' samples as genetically different species, highlighting a need for transparency in the seafood industry. The study found that smoked fish samples were incorrectly labeled at an 82.4% rate, with some species masquerading as cod or haddock.
New research using DNA barcoding identifies specific tuna species with high mercury levels, which can pose a health risk to frequent fish eaters. The study suggests that consumers can minimize their mercury intake by choosing lower-mercury tuna options like yellowfin, and calls for clearer labeling of tuna species.
Researchers conducted a genetic survey of moray eels across the Indo-Pacific, revealing genetically homogeneous populations with only two species showing notable differences. The team's findings contradict predictions that longer pelagic duration would lead to greater genetic diversity among species.
The IUCN has reclassified beluga sturgeon as 'critically endangered', with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science applauding the move. This classification underscores the need for swift, international protection to help conserve this species from extinction.
A Spanish company, Isidro De La Cal-Fresco, has developed a breeding method for the blackspot seabream using EUREKA funding. They have created a commercial diet, Besugo Power, which helps fish grow quicker and healthier, making it possible to produce the fish at a competitive price.
Researchers found that coastal and open-ocean fish have distinct mercury signatures, ruling out the idea that they pick up methylmercury by eating contaminated coastal fish. Instead, they suggest that mercury is deposited into the open ocean and undergoes methylation in low-oxygen microenvironments.
Researchers found that damselfish can distinguish between different species using only their ultraviolet facial patterns. The fish's ability to see in the UV range allows them to convey information about their identity and attract mates, while remaining inconspicuous to predators.
Damage to Gulf of California habitats can be reversed through conservation efforts, as protected areas have shown increased biomass and flourishing fish populations. Key protection strategies include reducing or eliminating fishing activity in critical spawning aggregation areas and sensitive nursery habitats.
The study reveals rapid increases in fish populations inside no-take reserves, improving ecosystem health and resilience. Additionally, the reserve network helps threatened species like dugongs and marine turtles.
Researchers are working with commercial fishermen to track monkfish migration patterns using electronic tags implanted under the skin. The study aims to improve understanding of the fish's biology and behavior, including its age and growth rate, as well as its interaction with ocean currents and tides.
A team of experts found that knowing fish spawning habits and oceanographic models can increase both conservation and fisheries profitability. Spatial information is key to achieving this balance.
Two NYC high school students used DNA barcoding techniques to discover a zoo of 95 animal species in their homes, including invasive insects and fish. They also found evidence of food fraud, with 11 out of 66 food products mislabeled, posing health risks to consumers.
Researchers discovered that hammerhead sharks have an exceptional stereo view and depth perception due to their unique head shape. The study found that the scalloped hammerhead had a massive binocular overlap of 32 degrees, while the bonnethead shark had a respectable 13-degree overlap.
A genetic tool used to identify species in seafood has found that nearly a quarter of what was labeled as tuna on sushi menus contained bluefin or escolar, two highly endangered species. The research highlights the need for clearer labeling and regulation to prevent economic fraud and protect endangered populations.
Research at the University of Granada found that consuming fish more than 3 times a week during pregnancy is associated with worse cognitive performance in children. Higher levels of mercury exposure also show generalised delays in cognitive, memory, and verbal areas.
A study by NOAA researchers found that about half of 36 fish stocks in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean have shifted northward over the last four decades, with some nearly disappearing from U.S. waters as they move farther offshore. Fish species are adapting to changing temperatures by moving to cooler or deeper waters.
Researchers have developed a technique to distinguish between farmed and wild salmon by analyzing the chemistry of their scales, which grows like tree rings and preserves a record of the water they lived in. The new method achieved 98% accuracy and has the potential to identify farms responsible for releasing wild fish into rivers.
Researchers have named a new species of chimaera, an ancient group of fishes distantly related to sharks, from the coast of Southern California and Baja California. The Eastern Pacific black ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma) is known from nine preserved museum specimens and video footage taken of it alive in deep water.
A 23-year study by Javier Lobón-Cerviá reveals that environmental conditions, including river flow and temperature, significantly impact trout populations. The research shows that optimal conditions for young trout development are characterized by average river flow and suitable temperatures.
Sharp declines in freshwater species are often overlooked, affecting watershed planning and ecosystem restoration. Historical records suggest that species abundances were much greater than today, leading to underestimated effects of European colonization and habitat destruction.
Researchers at UBC found a mutant gene in freshwater sticklebacks that drives their tendency to relocate instead of adapting to new environments. This 'wanderlust gene' is associated with the loss of bony lateral plates and affects salinity tolerance.
A new study by UCLA scientists reveals that mammals and many bird species have exceptional rates of success, while crocodiles and the tuatara have much lower species richness. The research analyzed DNA sequences and fossils from 47 major vertebrate groups to calculate which animal lineages have exceptional rates of success.
A team at UC San Diego School of Medicine may lead to a contraceptive for female sea lampreys, a jawless fish considered an invasive pest species in the Great Lakes. The researchers' findings suggest that compounds could bind specifically to the lamprey estrogen receptor, potentially acting as contraceptives.
A new study proposes banning or restricting fishing gear to aid in the recovery of coral reefs and fish populations. The research found that spear guns, fish traps, beach seine nets, and gill nets can be particularly damaging to corals and fish species, leading to accelerated decline and loss of reef resilience.
A study suggests that banning certain types of fishing gear, such as spear guns and fish traps, could aid in the recovery of reefs and fish populations affected by coral bleaching events. The research proposes that temporary bans or selective gear restrictions offer a middle ground for reef managers and fishers, reducing pressure on th...
Mercury levels in the Mackenzie River delta have been dramatically increased, exceeding previous estimates by an entire year's worth of mercury. This is a significant concern for northern communities that rely heavily on Arctic fish species and Beluga whales as a food source.
A new study suggests that common fish species, such as the nine-spined stickleback, can compare behavior and make choices based on personal experience, leading to better food supplies. This sophisticated social learning capability, called 'hill-climbing', challenges the idea that big brains are necessary for cumulative culture.
A study on stickleback fish found that two related species evolved to lose their pelvises using different genes, contradicting earlier research. This discovery sheds new light on the mechanisms of evolutionary diversity and limb loss in nature.
Scientists have identified distinct genes responsible for the evolution of pelvis and body armor loss in two species of stickleback fish. The study, published in Current Biology, shows that different genes can have similar effects on evolutionary change, contradicting earlier research.
Research by NC State University biologist Dr. Nick Haddad and colleagues found that landscape corridors connecting isolated habitat patches increased plant species beyond the area itself. The study showed that corridors caused a significant spillover effect, especially among bird-dispersed plants, leading to broader conservation benefits.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received the first-ever Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her work developing successful culture systems and feeding regimes for endangered freshwater mussels. The award recognizes Mair's extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation ...
Dr. Dan Bolnick and Dr. John Wallingford, two UT Austin biologists, join the HHMI Early Career Scientist program to explore innovative ideas in evolution and development. They will receive a six-year appointment with a $1.5 million research budget to investigate species coevolution and tissue morphogenesis.
A study finds that nonindigenous fish species, such as catfish and largemouth bass, are preying on juvenile salmonids, posing a significant threat to native populations. The research highlights the need for more funding and attention to invasive species impacts on salmon.
Researchers have identified a newly discovered species of fish, H. psychedelica, characterized by its unusual hopping behavior and distinctive zebra-like stripes. The species is part of the genus Histiophryne and has evolved unique adaptations to its environment.
Researchers discovered that a deep-sea fish's tubular eyes can rotate within a transparent shield, allowing it to peer up at prey or focus forward to see its surroundings. This unique adaptation enables the 'barreleye' fish to capture small prey and navigate through the dark environment.
The rapid decline of Diporeia due to quagga mussel invasion in Lake Michigan has significantly impacted the lake's food web. Fish populations are facing reduced food options as quagga mussels displace more energy-rich prey sources.
Stanford researchers developed a computer simulation to predict the movement of fish farm waste in the ocean. The model, called SUNTANS, reveals that wastes can travel greater distances and in higher concentrations than previously assumed.
Scientists have developed a new computer model predicting climate-driven shifts in commercially important fish species. The study suggests that most fish will migrate towards the Pole, with devastating consequences for developing countries' fishing industries.
Long-term research reveals a quarter-century of data on penguin numbers, showing a decline of over 20 percent in the last 22 years. Penguins are struggling with food scarcity, leading them to nest outside protected areas where they fall prey to predators.
A new species of fish from tropical South America has been discovered, confirming suspected roots to the loricariid catfish family tree. The species, Lithogenes wahari, shares traits with both the Loricariidae and Astroblepidae families, including bony armor and a grasping pelvic fin.
A study by Uppsala University researchers found that females' promiscuity leads to males producing faster and larger sperms. The competition among sperms influences various characteristics, including size and speed.
A study suggests that aquaculture can be a sustainable way to meet growing demand for seafood, reducing pressure on wild stocks and enhancing depleted ones. Improved management techniques have diminished some harmful effects of the practice, but more comprehensive information is needed to guide its growth.
A review of salmonids reveals that captive breeding can rapidly lead to genetic diversity loss, hindering the ability of fish to adapt in the wild. The study highlights the need for more data and alternatives to captive breeding, such as live freezing or population relocation, to conserve biodiversity.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has launched an online information system to identify and generate maps for 1,287 tropical eastern Pacific shore fish species. The system allows users to search by common name, location, shape, and color, and provides detailed information on each species.
Stickleback fish follow a consensus decision-making process to choose their leader, prioritizing size, fatness, and health. As group size increases, accuracy improves, but occasional errors occur due to submission to peers and cascades of incorrect decisions.
The study uses electronic tracking to monitor the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing new insights into their migratory patterns, physiology, and population structure. The data show that fish from different populations forage together on common grounds before moving to distinct spawning areas.
A new study found that salmon smolts survive at similar rates of 70-80% in both the Columbia and Fraser rivers, with differences attributed to stressors such as dams, water temperature, and contaminants. The research used acoustic and transponder tags to track survival rates over a four-year period.
A genetic study of an Antarctic 'antifreeze fish' has revealed a small set of genes that dominate the transcriptional process, enabling it to survive in cold, oxygen-rich environments. The study found high expression of proteins responding to environmental stress, such as heat shock proteins and ubiquitins.
A Caribbean experiment shows that maintaining proper balance of plant-eating fishes may be key to restoring coral reefs, which are declining dramatically worldwide. Research found significant recovery in sections of coral reefs on which fish of two complementary species were caged.
Small-scale fisheries, which employ over 12 million people worldwide, are being disproportionately harmed by eco-labelling initiatives and fuel subsidies. As a result, many small-scale fishers are unable to compete in the market and struggle to survive due to unfair advantages given to large-scale industrial fleets.