Articles tagged with Mammals
The Permian-Triassic mass extinction marked the origin of endothermy in both synapsids and archosaurs, with evidence suggesting a 'switch' around 250 million years ago. This coincided with the emergence of erect posture and hair in mammal ancestors, as well as feathers in bird ancestors.
A tiny jaw from Greenland has revealed the earliest known example of dentary bone with two rows of cusps on molars and double-rooted teeth, offering insights into mammal tooth evolution. The discovery suggests that complex occlusion and double-rooted teeth developed together in early mammals.
Research on 200 million-year-old mammal teeth reveals they functioned like reptiles, living up to 14 years. Fossilized cementum rings were used to determine lifespan, contradicting previous warm-blooded mammal assumptions.
A 2014 seal flu outbreak revealed how avian flu viruses can adapt to infect mammals. Researchers found that specific mutations in the hemagglutinin protein enabled the virus to become transmissible via air between ferrets and potentially other mammals.
Researchers analyzed dietary signatures of African and South American mammals to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. They found a similar mean dietary carbon isotopic value between Amazonian and African closed-canopy rainforests, but lacked highly negative values used to infer rainforests in fossil records.
Researchers analyzed isotopic data from Amazonian and African mammals to understand feeding habits and ecosystems. The study found no significant difference in dietary carbon isotope signatures between the two regions, but noted Amazonian mammals had more limited dietary resources.
A study on fossils reveals that native South American mammals were disproportionately extinct, leading to a higher number of North American ancestors in the region. This biotic exchange event resulted from the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.
A study in Borneo found that degraded tropical forests have a high conservation value for 28 tropical mammal species. Mammals tend to avoid heavily degraded areas with open canopies and reduced vegetation density, highlighting the importance of maintaining good quality forest habitat.
Researchers use innovative microscopy method to analyze bird brain structure, finding similarities with mammalian neocortex. The study reveals horizontal and vertical layers, refuting long-held assumptions about avian brain organization.
Two studies found that birds' pallium exhibits a layered architecture similar to mammals', potentially enabling complex cognitive abilities like consciousness. This structure may have been present in the last common ancestor of birds and mammals 320 million years ago, or evolved independently through convergent evolution.
Researchers found that human activity such as habitat change and overhunting are responsible for the overwhelming loss of mammal diversity across Latin America. More than half of species in medium and large mammals have died out since European colonization.
Newly hatched tortoises preferentially orient toward face-like representations, which may be an evolutionary leftover from a common ancestor of mammals, birds, and reptiles. This exploratory behavior could play a role in learning and development.
A new study reveals that civil wars have a negative impact on native mammal populations, with increased access to automatic weapons and suspension of anti-poaching patrols leading to population collapse. The authors warn that restoring depleted wildlife populations may take many decades and require active intervention efforts.
A new study finds that human impact is responsible for 96% of all mammal extinctions over the last 126,000 years. The research suggests that mammals were resilient to extreme fluctuations in climate and that current climate change poses a significant threat to species
A recent study published in Conservation Letters reveals that conservation efforts have prevented the global extinction of at least 28 bird and mammal species since 1993. The species include the Puerto Rican Amazon, Przewalski's Horse, and Iberian Lynx, among others.
Research by a University of Queensland-led team shows that protected areas have doubled the populations of 80% of monitored mammal species over the last 50 years. Protected land is home to 10% of analysed species, highlighting their importance in conserving biodiversity.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats have poor hearing due to six mutations in genes associated with hearing loss. Without cochlear amplification, the constant noise they produce doesn't harm their hair cells, making this adaptation beneficial for their survival.
A new global review found that big mammals like elephants, rhinos, and primates are threatened with extinction in national parks of the world's poorest countries. Illegal hunting is a major driver of population declines, particularly in Asia where stricter protected areas have higher rates of illegal hunting.
A recent study by researchers at Swansea University found that inbreeding can reduce cooperation in banded mongooses. Inbred pups that receive extensive care from adults have similar survival rates to outbred pups, but eventually become bad carers when they are older.
A new study of over 44,000 species reveals herbivores have consistently faced the highest threat of extinction in modern times, past decades, and the late Pleistocene era. The research also shows that ocean predators are facing greater existential pressures than their land-dwelling counterparts.
The study reveals a remarkable genetic connection between the tuatara, a reptile that lived with dinosaurs, and mammals such as platypus and echidna. The genome analysis shows an unusual combination of mammalian and reptilian components, with some sequences similar to those found in platypus.
A new study suggests that mammalian immune cells may be less effective at detecting and responding to microorganisms from other planets, potentially posing a threat to space missions. The researchers tested the immune response of mice to peptides containing amino acids rare on Earth but common on meteorites.
A groundbreaking study using MRI scans of 130 mammalian brains found that brain connectivity levels are equal in all species, including humans. The research revealed a universal law: Conservation of Brain Connectivity, which suggests that the efficiency of information transfer in the brain's neural network is the same across mammals.
A new PLOS Biology paper proposes a set of principles for creating and governing lists of the world's species, aiming to address the lack of an agreed list of all species. The proposed governance mechanism ensures that taxonomists' decisions are informed by stakeholders' needs.
Changes in land use, such as deforestation and urbanization, alter animal behavior, leading to increased disease emergence in humans. Research highlights the need for further studies on disease spread and its link to animal ecology, pathogen ecology, and land-use change.
A team of experts has conducted a review study on the impact of land-use changes, such as deforestation and urbanization, on the behavior of animals and the risk of disease transmission to humans. The study reveals that there are significant gaps in understanding how these factors affect the spread of diseases from mammals to humans.
The vertebrate ear's unique structure and development have puzzled scientists. A new study proposes that this complexity increased the
Researchers have identified at least four new species of African leaf-nosed bats, which are cousins of horseshoe bats suspected of carrying the virus that caused COVID-19. The discovery highlights the importance of studying these animals to better understand disease transmission and prevention.
Researchers measured oxygen consumption in wild-caught lesser treeshrews across various temperatures. The study found that Bornean treeshrews have a high upper limit of the thermoneutral zone, contradicting current assumptions.
Analyses of four fossilized molars found in Peruvian Amazon reveal a new primate lineage, Ucayalipithecus perdita, with features distinct from the known Platyrrhini. This discovery suggests that another group of primates may have crossed the Atlantic Ocean around 35-32 million years ago, settling in the New World.
A new analysis published in Mammal Review suggests natural selection drives size differences between males and females. The study proposes that males and females evolved to differ in size to exploit resources such as food.
Research compiled demographic data for 134 populations of 101 mammalian species, finding that 60% of female mammals live longer than males. Mortality risk is lower among females at all ages, but the rise in mortality with age varies between sexes.
A study examines the impact of sex on the lifespan and aging rate of mammals. Wild female mammals have an average 18.6% longer lifespan than their male counterparts in 60% of analyzed populations.
A new study reveals that collecting water and sediment from Scottish and English rivers can detect over 20 wild British mammals. The technique uses DNA shed by animals to identify the local mammal community, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional survey methods.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have discovered a new species of shrew, the Sulawesi hairy-tailed shrew, which has thick hair on its tail and climbs trees. The discovery highlights the significant diversity of mammals in Indonesian islands, with many habitats remaining unexplored.
The study reveals that species richness is largely determined by the evolution of animal niches and their subsequent dispersal across the continent. The researchers used models to calculate species richness in South America and found a clear pattern following natural habitats or vegetation biomes.
A recent study led by University of Southampton researchers reveals that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and vital to their environments. The research highlights the importance of charismatic species, such as Emperor Penguins and Leopards, which play unique roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Scientists have developed a new method using zinc isotope analysis to determine the diet of fossil vertebrates. The study found that the ratio of special zinc isotopes in dental enamel can identify whether an animal was a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore.
Researchers discovered that bush-crickets' ear canals work similarly to mammals' ears, amplifying sound and modulating pressure. This breakthrough could lead to the development of better acoustic sensors for human use, enhancing directional hearing and monitoring applications.
University of Kansas researcher Jorge Sobero'n proposes a new method for calculating the correlation between geographic space and species numbers, refining the species-area relationship. The Grinnellian-niche approach accounts for factors beyond area size, such as temperature and environmental conditions.
A new study from Harvard University and the Field Museum of Natural History sheds light on how changes in spines happened in mammal evolution. Researchers found that regions evolved long before new spinal functions, suggesting a combination of developmental changes and adaptive pressures played a significant role.
Researchers found that birds and mammals have encapsulated Golgi tendon organs set directly at the muscle-tendon junction, detecting tension in precise areas. This allowed for controlled motion and a selective advantage that conserves energy.
Researchers have developed a coating that releases water vapor to dissipate heat from running devices, outperforming existing strategies in cooling efficiency. The coating uses metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and can absorb moisture from the air, providing effective cooling and quick recovery.
A new study finds that female chimpanzees with high-ranking mothers are more likely to stay in their birth group, despite the risks of inbreeding. The benefits of having a powerful mom, including access to prime foraging spots and social clout, may outweigh the costs of staying.
Climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum significantly predicts community structure in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Human activities also play a crucial role in shaping mammal communities globally.
Researchers discovered that events from 20,000 years ago or more are still impacting the diversity and distribution of mammal species globally. The study found that historic climate does a better job than current climate in explaining present biodiversity patterns.
Research reveals that current patterns of tropical and subtropical mammal diversity are shaped by both past and present climate and human impacts, with specific effects varying by region. The study found that legacies of the ancient past continue to structure patterns of life on Earth today.
Researchers discovered that Savannah monitor lizards have lung structures with a complex airflow pattern that is part bird and part mammal. The unique system distributes air into tiny chambers and exhibits unidirectional airflow during both inhalation and exhalation.
Researchers discovered a pattern of mechanisms improving retinal oxygen supply that evolved with enhanced vision in all bony vertebrates. The findings add to our understanding of the evolution of the eye, highlighting its dynamic morphology and relationship with retinal oxygen supply.
A school-based citizen science project improved children's knowledge of UK mammals, increasing their ability to name species and distinguish between native and introduced species. The project also fostered a connection to nature, leading to increased outdoor learning in schools.
The new species Origolestes lii, a stem therian mammal from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, provides evidence for the separation of hearing and chewing modules. The discovery bridges the morphological gap between transitional and definitive mammalian middle ear evolution.
New fossil species Origolestes lii sheds light on transitional gap in mammalian ear evolution. The discovery provides a crucial reference point for understanding the decoupling of jaw and hearing systems, paving the way for improved hearing and chewing capabilities in future mammals.
A new study in Science documents life's rebound after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event through a collection of fossils found in central Colorado. The findings provide a detailed snapshot of the first million years of taxonomic and ecological recovery, revealing a dynamic interplay between plants, animals, and climate.
In the Triassic period, early mammal ancestors (therapsids) turned to a nocturnal lifestyle to overcome thermoregulation challenges. Their rapid endothermy led to elevated body temperatures, posing a risk to sperm quality. By becoming active at night, these mammals could preserve sperm quality.
A study of stickleback fish found that male parental care is accompanied by changes in gene activity in the brain, similar to those experienced by mammals. The researchers identified genes associated with mothering and aggression, suggesting a molecular link between fish and mammal parents.
Researchers found a key driver of nutrient absorption synchronization with Earth's day-night light cycle, linking it to weight gain. The commensal bacteria program the metabolic rhythms by activating protein histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), which enhances fat absorption.
A study by Macquarie University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that the extinction of giant mammal species like mammoths led to a decline in their interactions with smaller mammals, such as deer and coyotes. The loss of these large species altered ecosystems, potentially making them more vulnerable to future extinctions.
A collaborative study between University of Montana and Universidad de Concepcion in Chile found substantial gaps in scientific information relevant to conservation planning for threatened and endangered terrestrial mammals. The research highlights the importance of developing strategic research agendas for at-risk species worldwide.
The study reveals that complexin cannot be the fusion clamp in mammals, but syt-1 is, preventing errant signals across synapses. The discovery highlights the importance of fusion clamps in the nervous system's speed and accuracy, with implications for neurological diseases.
Historical analysis of 9,000 records reveals associations between human disturbance, climate change and local mammalian extinction. Large mammals experienced earlier and larger population declines, highlighting the impact of global cooling and warming on habitat sizes.