Articles tagged with Mammals
PFASs found in hooded seal mothers' plasma and milk, with concentrations higher than those in other species. This exposure can lead to reduced birth weight and developmental effects, threatening the survival of young seals.
A study published by Texas A&M scientists found that red imported fire ants can increase the abundance of small mammals and reduce the number of ticks in an ecosystem. This could lead to a decrease in tick-borne disease transmission to humans and animals.
Scientists have recovered ancient DNA from a West Indian mammal known as the 'Island Murderer,' tracing its evolution back to 70 million years ago. The study sheds light on the impact of humans on recent extinctions in the Caribbean.
A recent study confirms forest elephants as one of the world's slowest reproducing mammals, with females taking up to 23 years to breed and giving birth only once every five to six years. This low birth rate means that forest elephant populations will take nearly a century to recover from poaching since 2002.
Researchers found that logged forests can retain high levels of mammal diversity, especially for small mammals, and should be better protected. However, oil palm plantations show significant losses in diversity for both large and small mammals.
A recent study using cutting-edge 3D dental microwear texture analysis reveals that Sinomastodon and Stegodon were obligate browsers of foliages, while Elephas had a broader diet of grasses and trees. This complex process suggests that biotic factors played a more substantial role in Pleistocene faunal turnovers than previously thought.
Researchers at Yale and Cincinnati Children's Hospital propose that the human female orgasm evolved to stimulate ovulation, a trait shared with many other placental mammals. The study suggests that female orgasm became superfluous for reproduction later in evolution, freeing it for secondary roles.
A global plan is necessary to prevent the extinction of megafauna, including elephants, rhinos, and big cats, which play critical roles in ecosystems. The study highlights the need for coordinated conservation efforts to address threats like illegal hunting, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict.
A 15-year study reveals that Luzon Island, in the Philippines, is home to 56 non-flying mammal species, 52 of which are unique to the island. The research team discovered 28 new species, including four tree-mice with extremely long whiskers and five shrew-like mice that feed on earthworms.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that genes involved in cellular remodeling are conserved across honey bees and mammals, suggesting a common origin for social behavior. These findings provide insight into the evolution of complex sociality in animals.
Genetically modified tobacco plants lacking jasmonates are more susceptible to insect and vertebrate attacks, with a significant impact on reproductive ability. Rabbits prefer to feed on these plants, peeling the stems and reducing flower production, highlighting the importance of nicotine in plant defense.
Scientists from Wits University discovered that mammal-like reptiles evolved hair around 240-246 million years ago, assisting their survival. This discovery suggests a possible link between the evolution of hair and whiskers with the development of mammals.
In early mammals, rods in the mammalian eye developed from color-detecting cone cells, giving them an edge in low-light conditions. This evolution allowed early mammals to take up a nocturnal lifestyle and survive as predators were dominant during the day.
Over 90% of mammal species were wiped out by the asteroid that killed dinosaurs, but they recovered rapidly and diversified in different regions. The recovery took just 300,000 years, with small mammals being key survivors.
A new study of fossil records found that the modern latitudinal diversity gradient for North American mammals is an exception to the rule, with more species at the equator than poles. The team analyzed 63 million years of mammalian life and found a strengthening of the gradient between 10 million and 4 million years ago.
A national assessment of metal contamination in bats reveals high levels of metals such as lead, copper, and cadmium that can cause toxic effects in bat populations. Around 21% of sampled bats contained residues of at least one metal above toxic thresholds, indicating a significant proportion may be affected by metal exposure.
A recent study by the University of Exeter found that roads present a real and growing danger to protected bat populations, disrupting their ability to reach feeding and roosting areas. The research identified over 1,000 bat fatalities caused by collisions with cars.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that subordinate female meerkats track the growth of potential competitors and adjust their own weight gain to stay ahead. The results suggest that competitive growth is a key strategy for social mammals to maintain dominance.
The discovery of a young Rapetosaurus dinosaur provides insights into the early lives of sauropod giants. The findings suggest that these animals developed quickly to function on their own, similar to birds and herding mammals.
A new study reveals that reptiles, like mammals and birds, experience REM and slow-wave sleep patterns. This discovery suggests a common ancestor for these sleep states, evolving over 300 million years ago in amniotes.
Scientists have discovered REM and slow-wave sleep in bearded dragons, a finding that suggests brain sleep dates back at least to the evolution of amniotes. The study's authors believe that this common origin is more plausible than convergent evolution, given the early branching out of reptiles.
Researchers found fossils in Japan that suggest tritylodontids co-existed with early mammals for millions of years, overturning the widely accepted theory about their extinction. The discovery sheds new light on the ecological dynamics of these animal families.
Dinosaurs were already experiencing an evolutionary decline, with many species going extinct faster than new ones emerged. This suggests that the asteroid impact may not have been the sole cause of their extinction.
A UCL-led study reveals that low doses of lithium prolong the lives of fruit flies by blocking GSK-3 and activating NRF-2, a molecule important for cell defense. The benefits were seen in both male and female flies, with average lifespan increases ranging from 13% to 18%.
A recent study has identified malaria's origins in bird hosts, with the parasite then spreading to bats and other mammals before reaching humans. The research, led by Cornell University's Holly Lutz, provides a comprehensive analysis of malaria's genetic code, offering insights into its adaptability and evolution.
A Field Museum study identifies malaria's evolutionary history in bird hosts, revealing its spread to bats and other mammals. The analysis sheds light on the connection between animals and their parasites, providing insights into the natural environments we share with animals and plants.
A new study reveals that adolescent female giant pandas disperse farther from their home ranges during mating season, rivaling males in distances moved. This behavior is uncommon in mammals and has significant implications for conservation efforts.
A molecule has been identified that promotes a sleep-like state in nematode worms, which is similar to the sleep of humans and other mammals. The protein VAV-1 regulates this process and is also involved in maintaining normal amounts of EGFR in the neuron.
Researchers found that birds have sophisticated cognitive skills, matching those of apes, in tasks such as hoarding food and recognizing themselves in mirrors. The brains of birds and apes share similar single modules and prefrontal brain structures controlling executive functions.
Researchers confirm shelled mammal as armadillo's ancestor, revealing recent ancestral connections that have long fascinated biologists. The study sheds light on the glyptodont's place within the Xenarthra group and its extinction during the Ice Age.
Glyptodonts likely originated less than 35 million years ago from ancestors within modern armadillo families, contradicting previous assumptions. The close relatives of glyptodonts include giant armadillos and the four-ounce pink fairy armadillo, challenging existing concepts of their distinctiveness.
A team of researchers from China and CU Boulder confirms the existence of a massive, flightless bird called Gastornis that roamed the Arctic 53 million years ago. The fossil evidence includes a single toe bone found on Ellesmere Island, which was previously discussed but never closely examined.
Researchers found ichnites of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, captorhinids, and synapsids in the Manyanet Valley, providing insights into ancient tetrapod diversity. The study suggests climate changes influenced faunal distribution during the Permian Period.
Researchers estimate that up to 25% of white-tailed deer along the East Coast of the United States are infected with Plasmodium odocoilei, a previously unknown malaria parasite. The discovery fundamentally changes our understanding of malaria distribution and evolutionary history in mammals.
A new study shows that logging in tropical rainforests creates micro-environments that black rats love, facilitating their invasion into the habitat. This can lead to displacement of native small mammals and have negative impacts on the forest ecosystem.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that female mongooses respond to reproductive competition by producing bigger pups. The research, led by Emma Inzani, used ultrasound scans to measure prenatal investment in wild banded mongooses and discovered a link between competition and fetal growth.
A new species of the genus Amphilagus has been discovered in southeastern Siberia, revealing a biogeographic link between Asia and Europe during the Middle Miocene. The discovery confirms the widespread distribution of this group and sheds light on paleogeographic and environmental conditions that favored its expansion.
A comprehensive USGS study finds that human-related mortality in bats is on the rise globally, with wind turbine collisions and white-nose syndrome being primary causes. This trend may not be sustainable and highlights the need for policy and conservation actions to reduce human impact on bat populations.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) reduces preference for sweets and alcohol in mammals by affecting the brain's reward pathway. FGF21 levels are associated with environmental stress, such as extreme dietary changes or cold temperature exposure.
The study analyzed the fossil record and found a burst of evolution into new forms, followed by specialization that resulted in modern mammal groups. The team built an updated tree of life containing over 177 species, revealing a significant increase in mammal diversity after the extinction event.
A study published in Biology Letters found that the eye views of ponies and other mammals are surprisingly similar to those of humans. Researchers used touchscreens to test visual perception in three ponies, comparing their results with studies on dolphins and chimps.
Researchers have discovered a mouse-sized mammal fossil dating back to the Middle Jurassic, which belonged to a single species of 'stem therian' mammal. The new findings indicate that three previously recognized species are actually one, providing novel information about early mammal evolution.
A new analysis of the jaw of Haramiyavia clemmenseni clarifies the timeline of early mammalian evolution. The study found complex teeth and chewing motions adapted for an herbivorous diet, indicating diverse feeding adaptations evolved early among proto-mammal lineages.
A new platform, GEneSTATION, combines diverse 'omics' data with life history information to advance scientific understanding of human pregnancy. Researchers hope it will lead to new treatments for preterm birth and other complications.
A 20-year study in Arctic Alaska examines how woolly mammoths and other ice-age animals handled climate change. The study found that rapid climate changes during the ice age were beneficial for megafauna when rapid warming allowed grasses and forbs to spread.
A new study on the fossil bone growth of Ophiacodon, a distant relative of mammals, reveals that it was at least partly 'warm-blooded', challenging the long-held theory of its origin. The findings suggest that mammalian endothermy evolved earlier than previously thought, dating back to the late Carboniferous period.
The study found that mammal body size decreased by 10-20% during warm periods in the Bighorn Basin, with some lineages experiencing dwarfing. The findings add to evidence of a link between climatic change and animal populations.
The study analyzed past large-mammal extinctions in North and South America to understand their long-lasting ecosystem impacts. Researchers found that the disappearance of mammoths and mastodons led to changes in vegetation, decreased small mammal diversity, and altered landscape dynamics.
New research supports the idea that human hunting contributed to the decline and extinction of large mammals in the Americas. The study found that the animals' demise began between 13,300-15,000 years ago in Alaska and spread southward across North America and into South America.
A recent University of Virginia-led study found that naked mole-rats are not genetically isolated and are actually part of larger wild populations with diverse genetics. This challenges the long-held assumption about their social behavior and mating habits.
A 125-million-year-old fossilized mammal named Spinolestes xenarthrosus has remarkably preserved fur, hair follicles, hedgehog-like spines, organs, and even a fungal hair infection. The study pushes back the earliest record of preserved mammalian hair structures by over 60 million years.
A team of researchers found a fossilized mammal from the Cretaceous period that may have suffered from a fungal infection affecting its fur. The Spinolestes had fused hairs resembling hedgehog spines and reinforced spine structures, indicating a unique adaptation to its environment.
Researchers identified the molecular properties of mammalian melanopsins, a photopigment involved in non-visual photoreception. They found that these proteins possess less stable bonds with retinal, contributing to lower photosensitivity and diverse attachment stability among species.
A mathematical analytical tool developed by University of Cincinnati scientists can predict strontium ratios in surface water, soil, vegetation, fish, and mammal skeletal tissues with high accuracy. The tool is most successful when applied to mammals, making it a valuable tool for ecological and paleoecological research.
A new study by Duke University finds that China's giant panda conservation measures also protect 70% of forest bird, mammal, and amphibian species found in mainland China. The research identifies high-priority areas for conservation to protect endangered native species.
Scientists have identified a new species of pre-mammal, Ichibengops, which lived around 255 million years ago. The species features a unique groove above its teeth, potentially for transmitting venom.
Scientists from the University of Kansas are investigating how climate, plate tectonics and other factors influenced evolution by bringing species together in modern-day Turkey 42 million years ago. The study aims to shed light on the role climate change played in mammalian evolution and its relevance today.
A North Carolina State University study found that domestic cats avoid places where coyotes are common, instead focusing on residential areas. The research, which analyzed over 2,100 sites across six Eastern states, suggests that the presence of coyotes is a key factor in determining cat behavior.
A new study reveals that the rise of the Rocky Mountains predisposed North American mammals to adapt to a cold, dry world during the Grande Coupure event. This led to better survival rates compared to European mammal species, which were overrun by Asian mammals already adapted to colder conditions.
Researchers at UCSB have identified a TRP channel that plays a key role in the insect's fine motor coordination. Null mutations in this channel impair highly coordinated movements while leaving gross motor control intact. The discovery sheds light on molecular processes underlying fine motor control in other animals, including humans.