Articles tagged with Invertebrates
Researchers developed a novel machine learning procedure that resolved Paleozoic biodiversity to within 26,000 years, clarifying diversification and extinction events. The improved resolution revealed new aspects of Paleozoic biodiversity and showed a correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and paleobiodiversity change.
A study of 15 South Tyrolean waterways found that extensive pastures increase biodiversity in streams and rivers. Aquatic macroinvertebrates perform more diversified tasks in pastures, with greater species diversity than in woodland and rocky areas.
Scientists warn that Antarctic species are at risk due to declining oxygen levels in the ocean, which could lead to extinction for larger marine invertebrates and fish. The study found that some species have evolved mechanisms to compensate for reduced oxygen, but many large species will likely be impacted by climate change.
The study analyzes genome data from multiple species, including humans, mice, and zebrafish, to understand the evolutionary transition from invertebrates to vertebrates. The research identifies key differences in gene regulation between vertebrates and invertebrates, highlighting complex gene regulation and specialization.
A new invasive species, Bugula neritina, has been detected in the Ketchikan region of Alaska, along with three other non-native species. The discovery highlights the importance of early detection and monitoring to control the spread of invasive species in Alaskan waters.
A recent study reveals that the marine heatwave had a significant impact on fish and invertebrate communities across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. The loss of coral was only part of the story, with changes also occurring in other animal populations.
Researchers from University of Texas at El Paso discover that high desert winds disperse small invertebrates and colonize hydrologically disconnected basins. The findings have large implications for understanding the wind-aided dispersal of freshwater organisms, which are crucial to the food web.
Researchers mapped the global impact of shrinking glaciers on river invertebrates, revealing a consistently patterned response across diverse regions. The study highlights the potential to track environmental impacts on invertebrate groups using trait-based approaches.
The discovery of 15 new species in the genus 'smiley faced' spiders challenges previous estimates of biodiversity in the Caribbean. Researchers named these species after notable figures including Obama, Sanders, David Bowie and DiCaprio to promote awareness about human rights, equality and climate change.
A new study sheds light on the largely understudied area of vertebrate scavenging ecology. Researchers found that vertebrate communities are efficient at locating varying sized carcasses, but not as efficiently in warmer months when invertebrates and microbes are more active.
A new study reveals that marine invertebrate predators have increased in size over the past 500 million years, while their prey has remained relatively constant. The 'escalation hypothesis' is supported by the findings, which show a significant increase in predator-prey size ratio driven by changes in marine ecosystems.
Conservation assessments for endemic earthworm species in KwaZulu-Natal Province are hindered by lack of common names. Assigning English names facilitates inclusion in environmental impact assessments, highlighting the importance of biodiversity preservation.
A team of European paleontologists challenged the fundamentals of echinoderm evolution by discovering that some ancient groups survived the end-Paleozoic extinction. The findings revealed that these surviving echinoderms coexisted with modern sea urchins and brittle stars, stretching across various paleo-environments by the late Triassic.
A new study suggests that warmer water temperatures may not accelerate leaf litter decay as much as previously predicted, with an estimated 5-21% increase in breakdown rates. This could imply a more consistent balance between carbon dioxide release and retention in solid form.
The study reveals three new species of land flatworms from the Brazilian Araucaria forest, contributing to the region's high biodiversity. The discovery sheds light on the importance of these organisms as bioindicators for habitat impact assessment.
Researchers found that invasive species on Hawaii Island are successful invaders due to their scavenging abilities, which create a nutrient resource for other invasive scavengers. Invertebrates and vertebrates consumed 55% and 10% more carcasses than invertebrates alone, respectively.
A new family of earthworms, Kazimierzidae, has been established for a South African genus with an exclusive circulatory system. The species are restricted to small areas along the western and south-western Atlantic coast of South Africa.
A scientist at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry has discovered that a dip in beer can sedate and immobilize tiny snails before a terminal dunk in ethyl alcohol, reducing physical distress. This humane method is similar to those used with domestic animals.
A new species of scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes barrybrowni, has been discovered in the Caribbean by a team of scientists using a manned submersible. The fish is found at depths between 95m and 160m, making it the deepest-living member of its genus in the western Atlantic Ocean.
A study found that temporary streams suffer from a significant decline in invertebrate species during droughts, with only three species remaining after a long drought and 24 species after shorter dry spells. The research highlights the potential consequences of climate change-related increases in drought length on aquatic ecosystems.
Brazilian researchers have discovered five new species of marine invertebrates, the ascidians, which are rich in natural compounds with potential uses in medicine. The newly found species contain substances that can eliminate cancer cells but also destroy healthy cells.
A long-term study on house sparrows found that offspring of older parents produced fewer young. This transgenerational age effect was confirmed by researchers for the first time in free-living animals.
The study found that disease was the primary culprit, accounting for 26% of mass die-offs, while direct human effects and biotoxicity from algae blooms contributed significantly. The number of mass mortality events has been increasing by about one event per year over 70 years.
A genomic analysis of a newly discovered virus prevalent in symptomatic sea stars has linked Sea Star Associated Densovirus to the devastating wasting disease, potentially triggering an unprecedented ecological upheaval. The research lays the groundwork for understanding how the virus kills sea stars and what triggers outbreaks.
Researchers have discovered tetrodotoxin, a potent paralysis-inducing neurotoxin, in two species of terrestrial flatworms. The toxin was found to be used during predation to subdue large prey and may also play a role in defense through egg capsules.
A new coral reef species, Echinophyllia tarae, has been discovered in the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia. The species is a zooxanthellate coral that grows on dead coral fragments and contributes to coral reef formation.
Scientists have developed a new procedure to rapidly induce nerve regeneration, restoring partial function within days and full function within two to four weeks. The approach mimics the cellular mechanism used by invertebrates to repair damaged nerve axons.
Caltech researchers have designed jellyfish-inspired pumps that utilize flexible designs and adaptable tissue composition to create efficient fluid transport systems. The pumps are optimized for medical applications, such as delivering medication or removing excess fluids from the body, without causing damage to surrounding tissues.
Research by ecologists at Brown University found that faster water flow speeds promote greater diversity of invertebrate species on rocks under the ocean. The study showed consistent results across three regions, suggesting that water flow is a key factor in determining marine biodiversity.
Coral reefs are surprisingly noisy places with fish and invertebrates producing clicks and grunts that provide useful information about the state of the reef. Healthier reefs were found to be louder, with a clear association between overall noise level generated and the amount of living coral.
Researchers found that male African cichlid fish exhibit a fear response when fighting their own reflections, characterized by increased activity in the amygdala region of the brain. This discovery suggests that fish may have more complex cognitive abilities than previously thought.
Australian yabbies possess a remarkable capacity for facial recognition, studying found that they can identify and distinguish between individuals. This ability is comparable to that of humans and some vertebrates, but rare in invertebrate species.
Researchers discover sea animals can spontaneously clone themselves, providing new insight into chordate evolution. The larvae of echinoderms form an outgrowth that pinches off and grows into a second, normal-looking larva, a process that was previously unrecognized.
In contrast to many other introduced species, most marine invertebrates increase in size after invasion. This size increase may have significant implications for the impacts of these species on native ecosystems. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into the effects of invasive species on non-native regions.