Articles tagged with Mammals
Researchers from the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Ancient DNA extracted ancient DNA from two specimens and compared it to extinct relatives. They found that the Falkland Islands wolf diverged from its closest living relative around 16,000 years ago, revealing a 16,000-year-old island colonization process.
A new study led by the University of Washington found that certain South American mammals evolved long, strong teeth in response to the gritty dust and volcanic ash they encountered while feeding in an ancient tropical forest. The discovery contradicts the 140-year-old assumption about the evolution of specialized teeth.
Researchers from Carnegie Museum of Natural History joined an international collaboration to create the most complete picture yet of placental mammals' evolution. The study combined molecular and morphological data on over 83 species, revealing new insights into their ancestry and shedding light on extinct species.
The star-nosed mole's star-shaped snout contains a high proportion of nerve endings sensitive to light touch, with fewer receptors that detect pain. This study highlights the importance of examining diverse species to reveal common biological mechanisms.
Lowland tapirs, the largest terrestrial mammal in South America, have been found thriving in a protected area spanning five national parks. Camera trap data reveals higher abundance under protection than outside, and estimates at least 14,500 individuals exist, making it one of the continent's most important strongholds for conservation.
Future climate changes are predicted to benefit most mammals in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions today, except for some specialists like the Arctic fox and lemming. Human activities will hinder these species from adapting, reducing their distribution instead.
Researchers found that infant gerbils nursed by females given separate vaccines developed antibodies for both illnesses, demonstrating the potential purpose of allosuckling. The study provides a framework for further studying allosuckling in the wild using traceable antibodies.
Scientists have identified a rare form of active 'jumping genes' in mammals, specifically in bats. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying evolution and developing tools for gene therapy.
Scientists re-examined a specimen stored in the Natural History Museum in London, which showed evidence of wild collection in northwestern Australia in 1901. The discovery challenges previous thinking about the species' recent distribution and offers insight into its possible ongoing presence in Australia.
High-altitude mice utilize carbohydrates for energy due to low oxygen levels, a strategy that could be relevant to humans and other high-altitude mammals. This evolutionary adaptation allows them to efficiently use energy in oxygen-poor environments.
A study found that protected areas in Catalonia have a high number of animal deaths on the roads, with amphibians being most susceptible. Researchers suggest building tunnels for amphibians to reduce mortality rates.
A University of Florida study reveals an African spiny mouse's ability to regrow damaged tissues, including ear tissue, through a biological process similar to that used by salamanders. This discovery could lead to new models for skin wound healing and tissue regeneration in humans.
Scientists have identified the genetic building blocks behind the human heart's subtle control system, which shares similarities with birds and reptiles. The study reveals that a spongy inner tissue in fetal hearts stretches out to form a fine network of conductive tissue in adult animals.
A new study shows that crows react to threats in a human-like way, with brain regions activated similarly to those in mammals. The research used a novel approach to study bird behavior, involving awake crows wearing masks, and has implications for reducing stress in captive animals.
A second specimen of Ernanodon antelios sheds new light on the mysterious ancient mammal, revealing it was highly specialized for digging. The fossil skeleton provides key information about its habits, lifestyle, and affinities, resolving long-standing controversies in the scientific community.
Researchers from University of Zurich detect presence of os interparietale in over 300 species using micro-CT imaging, resolving previous assumptions about its existence and evolutionary history. The discovery sheds new light on human anatomy and refutes earlier theories.
New research reveals that tropical forest fragments are nearly emptied of wildlife, with many species like jaguars and lowland tapirs virtually extinct. The study emphasizes the importance of strictly protected areas to conserve biodiversity in these ecosystems.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that avian H5N1 influenza viruses could potentially acquire mutations necessary for airborne transmission in nature. The study suggests that with as few as five mutations, or four mutations plus reassortment, these viruses can become airborne transmissible between mammals and humans.
Research in southeastern Mongolia reveals evidence of ocean basin collapse, while placer mining in British Columbia affects river geometry. New fossil discoveries in Algeria shed light on early mammal evolution.
Researchers at the University of Vienna found that ravens can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar individuals, altering their calls to reflect relationship quality. For three years or more, ravens can recall positive interactions with friends and exhibit distinct vocal patterns.
Dinosaurs laid eggs, which limited their size and competitiveness compared to viviparous mammals. This led to a gap in body sizes, allowing smaller species to occupy niches, ultimately contributing to the dinosaurs' extinction.
Geologists uncover distinct mantle sources for Sierra Nevada volcanism, shedding light on the region's youth and seismic activity. A warmer, wetter climate characterized large mammals in Western Nevada, contrary to today's Sierran orographic rain shadow.
Researchers have discovered that different species of dinosaurs had distinct egg shapes, with some being more elongate and symmetrical than bird eggs. This new research has significant implications for understanding the origins of modern Easter eggs.
The earliest known horse, Sifrhippus sandae, evolved to become smaller over time as the planet warmed. Scientists have now found that rising temperatures directly drove this 'dwarfing' phenomenon, with a one-to-one shift in body size. This study has implications for how animals may respond to future climate change.
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.
A new study maps ecosystems in Bolivia and Peru, revealing a concentration of endemic species along the Andes mountains. The research highlights areas with high levels of 'irreplaceability' and finds that many unique species lack national-level protection.
Researchers have discovered a gene called distal-less critical to the fruit fly's ability to receive and process smells. In humans, this gene has also been linked to autism and epilepsy. The study found that the gene plays a key role in generating and maintaining stem cells responsible for processing odors.
Researchers identified six consecutive waves of mammal species diversity in North America, linked to climate change and temperature fluctuations. The study found correlations between species diversity and global paleotemperatures, shedding light on the impact of climate change on mammal evolution over millions of years.
Researchers discovered the African naked mole-rat's ion channel is altered, making it insensitive to acid-induced pain. The mutation allows for profound impairment of signal transduction, providing a survival advantage in high CO2 habitats.
A species of ancient predator, varanopid 'pelycosaur', survived a major extinction event in the Permian Period. Varanopids had sleek bodies, saw-like teeth, and a diet consisting of over 70% meat, contributing to their long survival.
Human relationships rely on endorphin rewards for motivation, unlike rodents which focus on oxytocin and vasopressin. The study suggests that endorphins enable complex relationship networks to endure and persist.
A massive set of mammal data from GBIF helped quantify the influence of environmental factors on species presence. The study found that climate is the biggest factor influencing mammal species communities at larger scales, while land use and land cover become more important at smaller scales.
A new study published in Nature reveals that neither climate change nor humans alone can account for the Ice Age mass extinctions. The research team found that different species responded differently to climate change and human impact, with some being extinct due to a combination of factors.
A new study using genetic, archeological, and climatic data found that humans and climate fluctuations contributed to the extinction of six large Ice-Age mammals. The research suggests that as the Earth warmed after the last ice age, these species were unable to find alternative habitats, leading to their demise.
Scientists found Asian elephants store thermal reserve by lowering body temperature at night, allowing them to regulate body temperature in hot environments. This mechanism, known as heterothermy, may be more common in mammals than previously thought.
A novel software system developed by SDSC researchers was used in the first global camera trap study of mammals, documenting 105 species across seven protected areas. The study confirms that habitat loss and smaller reserves have a direct impact on mammal diversity and survival.
The green anole lizard's genome has been fully sequenced, offering clues about vertebrate evolution and the origins of human genes. The study also provides insights into how lizards adapted to different islands and evolved diverse communities.
At least 351 species thought to have disappeared over the past 122 years have been rediscovered, but most remain highly threatened and on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss. Researchers stress the need for rapid conservation efforts to prevent further decline.
Researchers at Duke University found that tropical anoles can solve novel problems and remember solutions, demonstrating advanced cognitive abilities. The study's results challenge the notion that reptiles have limited cognitive capabilities and highlight the complexity of animal cognition.
Researchers used a new technique to determine dinosaur body temperatures, finding that sauropod dinosaurs had temperatures similar to those of modern mammals. The study provides insights into dinosaur physiology and suggests alternative explanations for their metabolism and behavior.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
A UBC study found that over 75% of tree holes used by birds and mammals worldwide are created by damage and decay, emphasizing the importance of preserving older, larger trees. This contrasts with North American forests where woodpeckers dominate hole creation.
A new study on Northumberland's Chillingham cattle reveals climate change is altering the timing of their breeding schedules, leading to more winter births and lower calf survival rates. The long-term dataset, dating back to 1860, provides valuable insights into how mammals respond to global warming.
A team of paleontologists discovered that early mammals, including Morganucodon and Hadrocodium, had larger brains than expected for their time. The researchers found that the olfactory part of the brain and the area linked to tactile sensation through fur were enlarged in these early mammals.
Researchers discovered that early mammals developed larger-than-expected brains to enhance their sense of smell. The study used CT technology to reconstruct the brains of two ancient species and found that they had more developed olfactory centers than expected.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
The study found that TRPV3 channels in western clawed frogs have opposite temperature sensitivities compared to mammals, indicating dynamic adaptation to thermal environments. The researchers identified a gene and examined its function, revealing structural differences between frog and mammal channels.
Researchers found evidence that lice began to diversify before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, supporting the idea that major groups of birds and mammals were around before their extinction. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals.
Researchers used a new virus-based technique to map individual nerve pathways in mice and found significant diversity in how the olfactory system is wired. This suggests that each person's unique wiring may contribute to their distinct olfactory experiences, raising questions about how humans perceive smells.
A new study has provided insight into the evolutionary scenario guiding sensory information projections in different species. Researchers discovered that subtle changes in the migration of 'guidepost' neurons underlie major differences in brain connectivity between mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates.
The study found that otters are more common in areas with moderate human impact, where water quality has improved and prey species like fish and crayfish are abundant. The researchers suggest conserving aquatic habitats to encourage greater distribution of the species.
Researchers estimate that if currently threatened species go extinct, the sixth mass extinction could arrive within 3 to 22 centuries. However, they also believe it's not too late to save critically endangered mammals and other species through conservation efforts.
A study published in Nature warns that Earth is on the brink of a mass extinction like those that have occurred five times during the past 540 million years. The study finds cause for hope and alarm, with critically endangered mammals facing an even greater risk of extinction within three generations.
Conservationists may better protect mammal populations by treating their ranges as multiple interacting small populations. This approach considers local environmental factors that influence animal resiliency and can provide a more accurate picture of how species' ranges collapse due to human encroachment.
Researchers found that mammal body size patterns changed dramatically after the dinosaurs went extinct. The study, funded by NSF, reveals a thousand-fold increase in mammalian body size over time.
The study analyzed an enormous database of information about the largest mammals, revealing a consistent pattern in their evolution globally. Mammals evolved to be much larger after dinosaurs went extinct, peaking in size around 34 million years ago.
After the dinosaurs' demise, mammals grew significantly in size, from about ten kilograms to 17 tonnes, with consistent patterns across continents and time. The largest mammal, Indricotherium transouralicum, weighed around 17 tonnes.
After the dinosaurs disappeared, mammals grew dramatically in size, with some reaching 17 tonnes, and ecosystems reset relatively quickly. The study reveals that climate and space availability limit mammalian size, with no single group dominating the largest class.
A team of researchers at Brown University found that the size of prion protein aggregates, not their number, determines their efficiency in spreading in yeast cells. The study suggests that controlling aggregate size may be a more effective strategy for developing treatments for prion infection and potentially other neurodegenerative d...
A new assessment reveals that 20% of the world's vertebrates are currently threatened with extinction, with 52 species moving closer to extinction each year. The study highlights the alarming rate of decline among vertebrate species globally.