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Freshwater connectivity can transport environmental DNA through the landscape

Research finds that water movement between lakes can transport environmental DNA, making eDNA a promising tool for tracking aquatic species and monitoring biodiversity. The study highlights the importance of considering landscape connectivity when designing eDNA surveys to ensure accurate biodiversity assessments.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 12, 2023

Water warming study shows unexpected impact on fish size

A 24-year study of freshwater fish exposed to warm water pollution found changes in growth rates, death rates, and size. Despite expectations, the study revealed that warmer waters led to larger fish, contradicting general predictions of global warming's effects on natural ecosystems.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMay 9, 2023

First ever sturgeon to be found in Africa

A fossil of a 'royal fish', estimated to be over 66 million years old, was discovered in Morocco, marking the first time a sturgeon has been found in Africa. This finding suggests that sturgeons may have been more widespread than previously thought, complicating models of their origin.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalCretaceous Research·DateApr 26, 2023

Study identifies a new building block in the navigation system of fish; boundary vector cells in central telencephalon of goldfish enable unique encoding of position, documented here for the first time in the largest group of vertebrates

Researchers identified boundary vector cells in goldfish central telencephalon that encode spatial information for the first time in a vertebrate. These cells enable unique positioning and represent a significant discovery in understanding fish navigation systems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 25, 2023

Inside the shark nursery: The evolution of live birth in cartilaginous fish

Researchers identify egg yolk proteins retained in viviparous sharks and rays, which may provide nutrition to developing embryos. The study suggests that these proteins have evolved a new function in cartilaginous fishes, potentially facilitating the transition from egg-laying to live birth.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Northern and southern resident orcas hunt differently, which may help explain the decline of southern orcas

A new study reveals that northern and southern resident orcas differ in their hunting behaviors, with males catching more salmon per hour than females. Southern resident males outperform females by 152%, highlighting a distinct pattern of foraging that may contribute to the population decline.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalBehavioral Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 10, 2023

Remarkable squirting mussels captured on film

Cambridge researchers observe Unio crassus mussels squirting water jets up to a meter away from the riverbed to increase the chances of their larvae attaching to specific host fishes. This behavior has never been seen in any other mussel species and may be crucial for the endangered species' survival.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEcology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 10, 2023

Release of captive-bred native fish negatively impacts ecosystems, study finds

A new study finds that releasing captive-bred native fish into the wild negatively impacts entire ecosystems, disrupting delicate balances and leading to reduced genetic diversity. The practice, which has been used for over a century, may be doing more harm than good.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2023

Kory Evans wins NSF CAREER Award

Evans' five-year grant will examine how modularity affects the evolution of complex biological structures and provide a framework for their study. The research could advance our understanding of shape change in other complex structures and have cultural and historical significance.

Illinois report says native fish overlooked as invaders in U.S. waters

A new review highlights the lack of understanding about non-game native transplant (NGNT) fish in the US, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems. Researchers urge anglers and aquarium hobbyists to take steps to prevent NGNT invasions, such as not releasing bait fish into different watersheds.

Vocal communication originated over 400 million years ago

A study published by the University of Zurich has found that vocal communication in vertebrates has a common and ancient evolutionary origin, dating back to around 407 million years ago. The research used vocal recordings and contextual behavioral information from 53 species across four major clades of land vertebrates.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

Drones show potential to improve salmon nest counts

A Washington State University study showed that drone photography can effectively estimate the number of rocky hollows in the Wenatchee River where salmon create their eggs. The researchers found roughly double the number of redds using drones compared to ground-level observations, but with high variability. This technology has potenti...

SourceWashington State University·JournalRiver Research and Applications·DateOct 19, 2022

Not so dumb: goldfish show a keen ability to estimate distances

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that goldfish can accurately estimate distances by processing visual cues. The study found that goldfish use 'optic flow' to estimate distance, unlike terrestrial animals which rely on changes in angle between their eye and surrounding objects.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2022

These tiny coral reef fish parents decide when their embryos hatch

A new study finds that neon goby parents help their offspring develop by pushing them out the door at the right time. Offspring hatched by parents are larger and more developed than those that hatch on their own, suggesting a complex parenting behavior. This discovery highlights the surprising complexities of fish parenting behavior.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022

Reef fish evolution driven by biting

A new study reveals that reef fish diversity is driven by a recent innovation among bony fish – feeding by biting prey from surfaces. This feeding method allowed fish to access diverse new prey, promoting the evolution of a wide variety of body shapes and a high rate of diversification.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2022