Articles tagged with Mammals
Researchers have found that small mammal diversity decreased with increasing human modification and that modern communities are fundamentally distinct from past ones. Even protected spaces can conserve native small mammal communities, highlighting their importance in urban conservation projects.
Researchers have identified two time periods of increased strike risk for hares at Dublin Airport: sunrise and midnight hours. By focusing prevention efforts on the hare population, the study aims to reduce costly 'runway roadkill' incidents worldwide.
Western gorillas in zoos have developed a novel vocalization to get attention and food from their human caregivers. Researchers observed this unique behavior in response to food availability and interaction with zoo staff.
Researchers discovered the earliest direct evidence of brood care among insects in the Middle-Late Jurassic Daohugou Biota. Fossils of a water boatman insect showed it carrying a cluster of eggs on its left mesotibia, providing protection from predation and environmental risks.
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
A new study found evidence that multituberculates, an extinct group of mammals, likely reproduced in a placental-like manner. This discovery questions the long-held idea that marsupials were less advanced than placentals in terms of reproductive strategy.
Researchers discovered a vast network of ultrasonic signals among moths, revealing complex acoustic mimicry rings. These sounds may be used by moths to evade bats and are found in many species beyond previously known tiger and hawk moths.
A team of international scientists found that endothermy appeared in mammalian ancestors about 233 million years ago, well before the origin of mammals. Fossils from South Africa's Karoo region played a key role in this discovery, providing an unbroken record of life's evolution.
Over 50 sightings of manatees have been reported between the Gatun Lake and Miraflores Locks since 1977, leading to speculation about their possible entry into the Eastern Pacific Ocean. A population of 20-25 manatees was estimated in the Gatun Lake in 2015.
Researchers have discovered that pocket gophers cultivate and harvest their own root crops to meet their high energy demands. This unique behavior, known as root cropping, is believed to be a key factor in the gophers' ability to maintain extensive tunnel systems.
The study reveals that TAD boundaries, insulating properties of which are based on the binding of protein CTCF, can vary in strength depending on individual site properties. This finding has implications for understanding genetic diseases and cancer.
A team of researchers developed a mathematical model to simulate the impact of gene drives on mammal populations at a landscape scale. The X-shredder drive has been shown to potentially eradicate mice, rats, and rabbits, but with varying probabilities of success and eradication times ranging from 18 to 48 years.
Researchers found traces of plastics in over half of the species examined, including polyester, polyethylene, and polynorbornene. Four out of seven species, such as European hedgehogs and field voles, were identified as 'plastic positive', highlighting potential impacts on conservation status.
Researchers found global redistribution of histone H3 modifications with time, particularly in intergenic regions and near transcription start sites. Caloric restriction diet feeding reduced the extent of changes occurring during the first year of life in these genomic regions.
Researchers found no association between social behavior and parasite infection in Asian elephants, despite studying three key aspects of their social life. The study suggests that social benefits may outweigh the costs of sociality for these animals.
Researchers analyzed historical data from ice ages to understand how cold-adapted Arctic mammals responded to severe climate fluctuations. The study identified common patterns in the responses of different species and provided new models for interpreting their behavior.
Researchers found that frog-eating bats trained to associate a phone ringtone with a tasty treat could remember what they learned for up to four years in the wild. The study, led by May Dixon at Ohio State University, used 49 bats and introduced three other ringtones without food rewards.
A new study finds that polar bears and brown bears have a complicated evolutionary history due to interbreeding. The analysis of modern bear genomes and ancient DNA from a 115,000-year-old tooth reveals gene flow from brown bears into polar bears, challenging previous hypotheses.
The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.
Biologists at the University of Rochester have identified two key systems controlling gene expression related to longevity: circadian networks regulating negative lifespan genes and the pluripotency network controlling positive lifespan genes. This research provides new insights into understanding how longevity evolves and may lead to ...
A major new study is investigating the effects of beavers on the Arctic landscape, other animals, and local Indigenous communities. The project aims to understand the complex interlinkages between ecological and sociological changes as beaver numbers increase.
Researchers found that greater mouse-eared bats imitate the buzzing sound of a stinging insect to avoid predatory owls. The study, published in Current Biology, provides evidence of interspecific mimicry between mammals and insects.
Research finds that bat box design and landscape placement significantly impact the energetic balance of endangered Indiana bats. A study by University of Illinois researchers tested five bat box designs and four landscape placements to determine their effects on bat metabolism, development, and survival.
A threatened South American coati was recorded in Canoas, Brazil's fourth most populous city, using a camera trap at a remaining green space. The finding underscores the significance of urban areas for species adaptation and highlights the need for conservation efforts beyond protected zones.
Urban mammals adjust their daily activities to evade human encounters, altering predator-prey dynamics and increasing human overlap. This multi-species study reveals the timing of mammalian behavior changes in response to urbanization.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
A new study published in Animal Behaviour found that newborn African savannah elephants can keep up with their mothers' daily movements, contrary to previous assumptions. This remarkable ability allows the calves to benefit from protection against predators and integration into the herd's social structure.
A study published in Current Biology found that consuming non-essential amino acids can curb appetite and encourage physical activity in mice. This mechanism is thought to be rooted in evolutionary history, where eating these amino acids promoted the urge to seek out more nutrient-rich food sources.
A comprehensive study of 8,000 birds in Israel found significant changes in bird morphology over the past 70 years, likely due to global warming. Some species became lighter while others gained size, increasing their surface area-to-volume ratio to facilitate heat loss.
A new study analyzed brown dog ticks, canine and human infections, and climatic data to understand how Rocky Mountain spotted fever spreads. The research found that the vectoring capacity of the brown dog tick may be spreading outside its known region, putting a larger portion of the country at risk.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that mammals with larger brains than similar-sized species were more likely to have survived extinction. The researchers investigated brain sizes of 291 living mammal species and 50 extinct species, discovering a significant correlation between brain size and survival.
Researchers used camera traps to monitor interactions between Panama's epiphytic Zamia pseudoparasitica and animals, revealing that a nocturnal tree-dwelling mammal called northern olingos may be responsible for seed dispersal. The study sheds light on the plant's persistence in the forest canopy.
A study reveals that red fox populations in Western Europe became larger than before the rabies vaccination campaign, only to decline since the 2000s. Higher numbers of foxes supported the outbreak of other diseases, while their impacts were limited.
A new rice rat species, possibly arboreal, was discovered in Ecuador through detailed skull analysis. The species, Mindomys kutuku, has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from its sister species.
A comprehensive analysis of brain cellular composition across amniotes shows that mammals and birds have dramatically increased neuron numbers in the telencephalon and cerebellum, associated with higher cognition. The study suggests that only a handful of unique evolutionary events augmented brain processing power in these groups.
A new analysis has identified common demographic and life history traits among species at risk of extinction. The study found that these traits contribute to patterns of vulnerability, with some species exhibiting higher extinction risks due to factors like smaller population sizes and slower reproductive rates.
Arizona State University professor Katie Hinde explores successful public engagement in science, highlighting the power of stories and narratives in teaching children about science. Her March Mammal Madness game has reached over half a million students, featuring simulated animal battles and providing educational resources for educators.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that untrained captive orangutans can complete two major steps in making and using stone tools: striking rocks together and cutting using sharp stones. This suggests that the use of stone tools may have existed in our last common ancestor with orangutans 13 million years ago.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that amylin peptide plays a crucial role in regulating social contact-seeking behavior in female mice. The researchers discovered that isolation leads to a decrease in amylin levels, while social reunion increases them.
A team of scientists has identified a previously unknown brain region involved in maternal behaviors in mice, which is linked to hormone-sensitive neurons. The discovery sheds new light on the biological mechanisms underlying pregnancy and its effects on brain circuits.
A recent study evaluated pet cages, running wheels, and hay racks sold in German retailers and found that many failed to meet animal welfare standards. The research highlights concerns about the quality of pet supplies sold in retail stores.
A global study using thousands of camera trap stations found that protected areas have a positive impact on mammal diversity, even when experiencing human disturbances such as recreational use and logging. The study's findings suggest that expanding protected areas could help conserve larger mammals and their critical roles in ecosystems.
Researchers compared microscopic inner ear structures of two main bat groups, revealing extra neurons and specialized ear structures that align with a split in bat evolution. This discovery provides the first physical evidence to support genetic data on the split of bats into two major groups.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changing climate conditions 23,000 years ago expanded food options for humans in Israel's Sea of Galilee region. The research analyzed animal remains at the submerged archaeological site of Ohalo II, revealing a diverse diet with multiple prey sources.
Researchers found that Yin and Yang bats have unique inner ear structures that enable distinct styles of echolocation. This discovery provides the first anatomical evidence for these differences, confirming previous genetic findings.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that these large mammals help regulate plant diversity, productivity, and biomass in understory areas. The spatial structure of plant communities is also influenced, with the Jussara palm playing a key role in attracting animals and dispersing seeds.
Lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest are at risk of extinction due to population isolation and habitat fragmentation. The species' survival is threatened by hunting, highways, and lack of gene flow, with only a few viable populations remaining.
A recent comprehensive assessment reveals drastically increased species extinctions and declining populations, indicating the onset of the Sixth Mass Extinction. The study emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts and a recognition of humanity's common responsibility to mitigate the crisis.
A new study found that Tasmanian devils have picky diets and only consume their favorite foods, unlike most other scavengers. The researchers tracked the eating habits of 71 devils using whisker samples and found that most devils choose to dine on specific foods.
A recent study by North Carolina State University and Northern Michigan University found that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in black bears' guts. The researchers analyzed gut samples from 35 bears and found lower biodiversity in those with a diet rich in processed foods.
Oceanographers replaced ship-based studies with sensors attached to seals to navigate icy waters, revealing seasonally varying water flows and their impact on biological production. The study found that warm, low-salinity water appears during autumn, positively affecting seal foraging behavior and potentially enhancing prey availability.
A recent study has found that snake venoms and mammalian salivary proteins share a common origin, suggesting that the foundation for venom to evolve exists in both snakes and mammals. This discovery reveals that the line between venomous and non-venomous mammals is blurrier than previously thought.
A new study provides a detailed timeline of mammal evolution, confirming that modern placental mammal groups postdate the K-Pg extinction. The researchers used a novel computational approach to analyse a large genomic dataset and answer a long-standing question about mammal origins.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have identified 14 new endemic species of shrews on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, a significant milestone in understanding the island's extraordinary biodiversity. This discovery highlights the importance of taxonomy in understanding and preserving life.
Researchers discovered that forest mammals eavesdrop on monkey meals to access fruit dropped by messy eaters. This eavesdropping strategy is crucial for these animals' survival, particularly during periods when almond trees produce abundant food.
A new species of opossum, Marmosa adleri, was discovered in a tropical forest in Panama and named after UW Oshkosh biologist Greg Adler. The novel species has distinctive characteristics, including a very long tail, and is considered one of the smallest measured of its subgenus.
Scientists found that seven genes associated with bright-light vision are absent in burrowing snakes, demonstrating extensive vision gene loss over millions of years. This challenges the hypothesis that all modern snakes evolved from extreme burrowers, suggesting a different evolutionary path for these subterranean snakes.
African and Asian primates evolved stronger resistance to cobras' venoms, while Madagascan Lemurs and Central and South American monkeys lacked this defense due to reduced eyesight
Researchers provide evidence that mammalian and avian primitive streaks evolved independently, using different mechanisms to form the body plan. They suggest alternative landmark for ethical oversight in human embryological research.
A new study used machine learning to predict the zoonotic capacity of 5,400 mammal species, identifying those at high risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2. The model, which combined data on biological traits with ACE2 receptor information, predicted 72% accuracy and identified numerous additional species with potential to transmit the virus.