Articles tagged with Mammals
The star-nosed mole possesses an extremely efficient nervous system that enables it to identify and eat food in under 2 seconds. Its distinctive star organ contains over 100,000 nerve fibers, making it the most sensitive known touch organ in any mammal.
Researchers found that early mammalian ancestors enhanced their night vision genes, allowing them to thrive in the dark. This study supports existing fossil evidence and sheds light on the evolution of vision in mammals.
Naked mole-rats can survive for at least five hours without oxygen by metabolizing fructose, reducing their movement and slowing their pulse rate. This unique adaptation may lead to new treatments for patients suffering from low oxygen conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.
A study published in Science found that hunting is a major threat to wildlife, particularly in tropical regions. Within 7-40 km of hunters' access points, mammal and bird populations declined by 83% and 58%, respectively. The impact of commercial hunting was higher than family food hunting, and protected areas were also affected.
A new study found that hunting by humans significantly reduces bird and mammal populations, with declines ranging from 53% to 82% in tropical forests. The research highlights the need for sustainable wildlife management strategies to avoid further defaunation.
Native animals are declining on Melville Island due to reduced habitat and increased cat populations. Rangers are using fire management techniques to create more habitat for native wildlife by burning vegetation in the early season.
Researchers tracked two African elephant matriarchs for 35 days and found they slept an average of 2 hours a day, with some periods lasting up to 46 hours without sleep. This unique sleep pattern raises questions about when elephants experience REM sleep.
Researchers uncovered the fovea's computational architecture and basic visual processing, distinct from other regions of the retina. This discovery helps explain differences in central and peripheral vision qualities.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.
A new study by CSIC researchers reveals that environmental factors were the primary driver of horse diversification over 20 million years. The team found that newly evolved species were ecologically similar, with external factors such as ecosystem fragmentation and energy availability playing a key role.
A new study found that most vertebrate genomes exhibit dynamic behavior, with some species losing and gaining DNA over time. This study provides the first comprehensive comparison of warm-blooded vertebrates, revealing surprising similarities between birds and mammals.
Researchers found that cooperatively breeding mammals better cope with droughts and food scarcity due to helping behavior. These species are more likely to occupy human-modified habitats and colonize new environments.
A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brumation, the winter dormancy of cold-blooded animals, does not affect memory retention in salamanders. Researchers trained salamanders to navigate a maze and tested their ability to recall the path after a period of brumation.
A new $100,000 grant will support research training and educational outreach in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in fieldwork in Wyoming and Turkey to study early mammal evolution and migration.
Researchers linked RBC size to oxygen delivery efficiency in extinct mammals and birds using fossilizable indicators. They found that these organisms had smaller RBCs and were likely better athletes than earlier terrestrial vertebrates.
A new study reveals that dingoes help reduce the spread of woody shrubs in Australian deserts by controlling small mammal populations. The research found that areas with fewer dingoes had higher rates of shrub cover and lower rates of seed removal, leading to a cascade effect where shrubs can thrive without top predators.
New research prioritizes preventing feral cat extinctions, testing management tools, and improving coexistence with native fauna. Guardian animals and grooming traps are among the proposed tools for effective feral cat management.
Researchers found evidence of a diaphragm-like structure in early pelycosaurs, dating back over 300 million years. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the evolution of respiratory systems and warm-bloodedness.
Researchers reconstructed the body cavity volume in over 120 tetrapods and found that herbivores have twice as large bodies as carnivores of similar size. The study reveals a fundamental difference in morphological principles between mammals and other tetrapods, with possible implications for respiratory systems.
A new study has found that features in animal teeth can detect unfavourable weather conditions, such as long dry periods or heavy rains. This method, known as reverse engineering, allows researchers to infer annual rainfall and average temperatures from fossil records, providing valuable information about past environmental conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.