Articles tagged with Mammals
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Despite extensive research, fossil pollen from Central and West Africa provides no definitive evidence for communities of rainforest trees at the beginning of the Cenozoic. Paleobotanist Bonnie F. Jacobs and her colleagues have mapped out the limited fossil record, which consists of only 82 sites, most dating back to 50 million years ago.
Scientists at University of Cambridge discover how sloths evolved their unique neck skeleton, finding early bone formation in distal neck vertebrae. The study reveals that sloth's bottom neck vertebrae are developmentally similar to ribcage vertebrae of other mammals.
Researchers found that desert night lizards stay with their parents and siblings for several years after birth, forming family groups. The study suggests that viviparity provides the opportunity for prolonged interaction between mothers and offspring, predisposing animals to form cooperative behaviors.
Mammoths, reindeer and woolly rhinos found in Iberia during cold climate periods, coinciding with global cooling in Greenland. The species' presence indicates a biological crisis as temperatures warmed up, leading to habitat loss.
The discovery of fossilized bones with cut marks in Ethiopia pushes the timeline of stone tool use and meat consumption back by nearly a million years. The evidence suggests that early human ancestors, such as Australopithecus afarensis, used stone tools to butcher meat from large mammals.
Scientists report the discovery of a unique Cretaceous creature with mammal-like teeth, challenging traditional views of ancient animal life. The new species, Pakasuchus, was found in Tanzania and is believed to have been a land-dwelling, insect-eating creature that thrived during the middle Cretaceous period.
A study of orangutans found they used remarkably low energy levels, similar to those of sloths. This adaptation may be an evolutionary response to food shortages in their native rainforests, where ripe fruit is unpredictable and scarce.
Large mammal populations in African national parks have declined by up to 59% since 1970, with some species experiencing dramatic decreases. Despite this, improved management and conservation efforts in southern Africa offer a glimmer of hope for the long-term survival of these iconic species.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that the brains of humans and chickens share comparable regions for analyzing auditory inputs. The study found laminated layers of cells linked by narrow columns in both species, indicating that complex cognitive functions may have evolved from ancient vertebrates.
At high altitudes, mountain mice use more carbohydrates than fat to fuel exercise, saving oxygen and increasing energy yield. This adaptation allows them to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Researchers discovered a novel protein complex that regulates around 4000 genes in Drosophila, with implications for human biology. The Non-Specific Lethal (NSL) complex helps MOF bind to promoters and determine gene expression in both sexes.
A new global approach reveals that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era. The study shows that continents with larger 'climate footprints' experienced more extinctions, supporting the idea that past climate changes contributed to global extinctions.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers links the number of diseases in a region to its climate and biodiversity, with hot, wet climates having more pathogens. The prevalence of diseases, however, is influenced by health-care spending, particularly in regions with low spending.
The study provides a comprehensive atlas of transcription factor combinations, indicating which factors can combine to determine cell fate. The researchers identified nearly 1,000 different pairs of TF proteins that can be wired together, representing the blueprint of all possible combinations that direct gene expression in mammals.
Research shows that eye position has no effect on speed and agility in mammals, with some species able to travel as fast as cheetahs without blurring vision. The vestibulo-ocular reflex is adapted through muscle switching, allowing the brain to cope with changing eye positions.
Research by Tel Aviv University's Prof. Yoram Yom-Tov reveals that animals at higher latitudes are adapting to rising temperatures by altering their diets and body sizes. This adaptation is seen in birds getting smaller and mammals getting bigger, allowing them to cope with warmer temperatures.
Researchers have identified a dozen protein building blocks in the venom of male platypuses, which cause excruciating pain. The study's findings suggest that one of these substances, Heptapeptide 1, triggers pain by interacting with nerve cell receptors.
Prof. Michael Gurevitz's research isolates genetic sequences for neurotoxins in scorpion venom and develops methods to produce and manipulate toxins for restricted toxicity in certain insects or mammals. This work paves the way for a new, ecologically sound pest control method.
John Flynn, Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals and Professor at the American Museum of Natural History, has been awarded the distinction of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Flynn's research focuses on vertebrate paleontology, especially carnivore evolution and faunal succession in South America.
Researchers analyzed mammal diversity data from 30 million years ago and 500 years ago, finding a significant loss of species following human arrival in North America. The study suggests humans are causing another mass extinction event, with potential conservation efforts able to stem the tide.
A new fossil species, Kombuisia antarctica, discovered in Antarctica, reveals that some land animals may have survived the end-Permian extinction by living in cooler climates. The discovery fills a gap in the fossil record and contributes to understanding of vertebrate survival during this mass extinction event.
Researchers found female mice created from two mothers but no father lived significantly longer than normal mice, living up to a third longer on average. The findings suggest that sperm genes may have a detrimental effect on lifespan in mammals.
Veterinary scientists harnessing 'barcodes' of microbes to develop a single, effective vaccine for all mammals. Tiny variations in TLRs could be key to adapting vaccines across species.
The study found that mammals are protected from the majority of fungal pathogens due to their elevated body temperature, which is too high for most fungi to survive. This theory could help explain why mammals rose to dominance after the dinosaur extinction event.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found a common link between bird flocks, breast milk, and trust, regulated by neurochemicals oxytocin and mesotocin. Blocking mesotocin in female zebra finches reduced social preferences, while administering it increased social behavior.
A study found substantial changes in rodent size and shape over the past century, tied to human population density and climate change. Rodents from around the world, including Channel Island deer mice and white-footed mice, exhibited significant anatomic changes, with increases and decreases in 15 traits measured.
A study reveals that the lesser short-tailed bat's walking ability evolved in an ancient Australian lineage, contradicting previous assumptions. The bat's unique adaptations, such as adhesive grooves and extra talons, have advantages only in specific circumstances, not due to competition from other mammals.
Research finds that mice fed sunflower oil (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) run faster than those on linseed oil (n-3 fatty acids), achieving a 6.3% boost in sprint speed. This effect is significant for small mammals, such as mice and their predators.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a critical piece in the puzzle about how stress causes sexual dysfunction and infertility. Stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids like cortisol, inhibit the body's main sex hormone GnRH, while also increasing another hormone GnIH, which directly inhibits GnRH.
Researchers analyzed fossil teeth from two sites in Florida representing different climates and found dramatic changes in mammalian diets during interglacial periods. The study suggests that climate-driven environmental changes can lead to shifts in animal groups' dietary niches, complicating future modeling of mammal distributions.
Scientists successfully constructed a non-native pathway in mice that increased fatty acid metabolism and resulted in resistance to diet-induced obesity. The glyoxylate shunt, unique to plants and bacteria, was introduced into the mitochondria of liver cells to create an additional pathway for converting fatty acid into carbon dioxide.
Researchers found that interglacial warming resulted in dramatic changes to the diets of animal groups, with some becoming mixed feeders that grazed on grasses. The study highlights the importance of the fossil record in understanding long-term ecological responses to climate change.
A major international study by the FANTOM consortium has found that genes are not controlled by 'master regulators' as previously thought. Instead, a more subtle and coordinated approach is needed for cellular differentiation and cancer development.
Researchers found that nocturnal mammals have an inverted chromatin arrangement in their rod nuclei, which acts as micro-lenses to focus light. This unique organization enhances night vision and provides new insights into the evolution of mammalian retinas.
Researchers have discovered that nocturnal mammals' rod cell nuclei are inverted, allowing for reduced light scatter and enhanced low-light vision. This unusual organization enables these animals to perceive light as much as a millionth of daylight's intensity.
Research suggests that female mammals use olfactory cues to select genetically dissimilar mates for healthier offspring. Mammals may prefer males with unique scents over those with parasites or dominant traits. This line of research reveals the importance of mammalian mate choice, challenging traditional assumptions.
Scientists propose that rapid sea level rises over the past 5 million years led to habitat compression, causing species extinction locally. A study of 325 mammal species mapped their ranges across the peninsula, revealing a 600-kilometer gap with 30% fewer species than expected.
Researchers uncover how opposing genetic forces determine the correct pattern of tooth formation in mammals, revealing a potential pathway for tooth regeneration and combating birth defects. The study's findings suggest that careful regulation of competing pro- and anti-tooth initiation signals controls the sequence of tooth development.
Genetic research reveals black rats carried a pathogenic protozoan that exterminated two endemic species on Christmas Island. The study is the first to demonstrate extinction in a mammal due to disease, contradicting most scientists' view of pathogens' effect on species.
The Global Mammal Assessment project has identified seven Texas mammal species as threatened, including the Mexican long-tongued bat and desert pocket gopher. The IUCN Red List reveals that one in four mammalian species are currently at risk of extinction.
Research by Queen Mary University of London scientists found that some bat species' echolocation genes are similar to those of fruit bats, indicating possible independent evolution of the trait. This suggests that echolocation may not be a single evolutionary event but rather an example of convergent evolution.
Researchers studied the Prestin gene in echolocating bats and fruit bats, finding similarities in distantly related species. This suggests that echolocation has evolved more than once in bats, defying conventional wisdom on evolutionary relationships.
Researchers found that higher-ranking males produced groans with lower minimum fundamental frequencies and to a lesser extent, with lower formant dispersion. Dominance status was the factor most strongly related to mating success, with higher-ranking males having higher mating success.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that magpies exhibit self-recognition in a mirror test, recognizing their own image as themselves. This discovery indicates that non-mammalian species can engage in self-recognition behavior, challenging the assumption that advanced cognition is exclusive to mammals.
A new study using ecological niche modeling found that small mammals on mountaintops in the Great Basin are not as isolated as previously believed. The research used climate data to 'backcast' species distributions at the height of the last ice age, finding most species lived at lower elevations and had larger ranges.