Articles tagged with Mammals
A new study led by Harvard University researchers finds that mammal spines have gained new regions during evolution, which enabled them to adapt to different environments. The research challenges the long-held idea that mammal-specific characteristics emerged from a single ancestral blueprint.
A new study reveals that getting smaller was crucial for mammalian evolution, reducing jaw stresses while maintaining feeding power. The research used CT scans and computer simulations to analyze fossil skulls and lower jaws, providing a new explanation for the mammalian jaw's unique structure.
Researchers discovered that sea otters rely on the sensitivity of their paws and whiskers to hunt for food, distinguishing between grooves as small as 2mm with remarkable accuracy. This unique ability enables them to quickly locate prey in cloudy Monterey Bay waters.
Researchers found that dominant meerkat breeders exhibit accelerated aging due to the physical and social stresses of leadership, yet they consistently outlive their subordinate counterparts. This study suggests that being a dominant breeder is key to longevity in meerkats.
A newly discovered mammal fossil contains fossils of 38 babies, providing insight into the evolution of mammals' reproductive strategies. The discovery suggests that a key development in mammalian evolution was trading brood power for brain power.
Researchers mapped the evolutionary journey of animal guts to defend against microbial attack. They discovered that tunicates, a simple animal related to vertebrates, had an intermediate gut lining with both chitin and mucous coexisting. This finding suggests a missing link between invertebrate and mammalian gut defenses.
A 19-year analysis of forest ecology reveals that high rodent densities and low predator populations contribute to increased Lyme disease risk. Acorn production also plays a significant role, as high abundance boosts rodent numbers and increases infected nymphal tick populations.
The article examines 12 leporid species introduced by humans, highlighting their effects on ecosystems, including providing food resources for predators and competing with native herbivores. Conservation biologists must carefully consider these impacts when planning management strategies.
A new study reveals human activity is driving mammals to adopt nightlife, changing behavior and physiology; high levels of disturbance lead to increased nocturnal activity by a factor of 1.36.
A comprehensive survey of mammalian microbiomes found humans to have a significantly lower diversity of skin microorganisms compared to other mammals. This difference may be attributed to modern hygiene practices, habitat, and co-evolution between host and skin microbial communities.
A nearly 130-million-year-old fossilized skull found in Utah is evidence that the super-continental split occurred more recently than previously thought. The study suggests that early mammal relatives migrated across several continents during the Early Cretaceous period, occupying various niches similar to modern mammals.
Research by Ingo Titze and Anil Palaparthi found that animals' high radiation efficiency is due to wide mouths, high frequencies, and body acoustical reflecting chambers. Humans lack these traits, limiting our ability to make long-range calls like animals do. The study aims to improve human call efficiency for emergency situations.
A global biomass census yields 550 Gt C, with land biomass surpassing marine by two orders of magnitude. Human activities have led to significant reductions in wild mammal, fish, and plant biomass.
Researchers used functional MRI to study Nile crocodiles and found that complex stimuli like classical music trigger activation patterns in the brain. This suggests that fundamental neuronal processing mechanisms of sensory stimuli formed at an early evolutionary stage.
A previously undescribed species of Cretaceous period island-dwelling mammal has been discovered in present-day Romania, exhibiting a domed skull and an extremely small brain relative to body size. The mammal's adaptability to island environments developed early in the evolutionary history of mammals.
A new study by Felisa A. Smith et al. found a substantial bias in mammal extinction during human dispersal periods, with species that went extinct being two to three times bigger than surviving mammals. This trend is evident globally and reflects hominin-mammal interactions.
A new study links human activities to a massive extinction event that wiped out large mammals globally. The research suggests that size-biased extinctions started at least 125,000 years ago in Africa and spread to other continents as humans migrated, leaving only smaller mammals behind.
A study of aquatic mammal body size evolution found that environments constrain body size more than terrestrial habitats do. The analysis suggested that thermoregulation and metabolism force aquatic mammals to grow larger than their terrestrial counterparts.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 57 platypuses across Eastern Australia and Tasmania, establishing a family history and kinship in unprecedented detail. The study provides insights into population structure, diversity, and evolutionary forces at work, shedding light on the conservation challenges facing this unique species.
New research reveals that fish was a dominant source of protein in the Stone Age diet, with 50-60% of protein intake coming from marine sources. The study uses stable isotopes to analyze human bones and finds that fishing was surprisingly common, even in areas where land mammals were scarce.
The Hispaniolan solenodon's genome sequence reveals it survived the dinosaurs and provides crucial insights for conservation. The data supports subspecies split within the population, requiring independent breeding strategies to ensure their survival.
A new study reveals that primitive air-breathing fish, such as the South American lungfish, exhibit similar mechanisms controlling the heart as mammals. These mechanisms include a periodic breathing pattern and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), which enables the fish to maximize oxygen uptake during air-breathing bouts.
Researchers found that ancient proteins in insect and mammal brains share common ancestry as regulators of body temperature rhythms crucial to metabolism and sleep. This discovery may lead to new treatments for circadian clock diseases and sleep problems.
A recent study published in the Journal of Mammalogy reveals that over 1000 new species of mammals have been described globally during the last dozen years. This rate of species discovery parallels that seen in global amphibians, driven by advances in DNA analysis methods and field exploration.
Researchers analyzed over 270 million years of data to find that mammals and birds are better equipped to evolve and adapt to a changing climate. They have the ability to regulate their body temperature, allowing them to thrive in colder temperatures.
A global study by researchers at Senckenberg Nature Research Society and Goethe University Frankfurt found that mammals cover half to one-third of their usual distances in human-modified areas. This reduction affects ecosystem functions, including nutrient transport and species interactions.
A study found that human footprint reduces mammalian movement by two to three times, with no geographic or size-based exceptions. This affects ecosystem functions like nutrient transport and food web interactions, highlighting the need for further research on critical thresholds in human land use.
New study finds that mammal movements are reduced by up to three-fold in areas with high human activity, affecting not only individual animals but also ecosystems. Movement distances vary by species and resource availability, suggesting a complex interplay between humans and wildlife.
A global study finds human alterations to natural habitats reduce mammal travel distances by at least half, with some species relying on humans for resources. This disruption can impact ecosystems and food webs.
Researchers found that mammals move up to 2-3 times less in human-modified areas compared to natural habitats. This study, led by Penn State researcher Duane Diefenbach, analyzed movement data from 57 mammal species across the globe.
Research found that dingo removal decreased abundance of small mammals, while fox removal increased ground-dwelling and arboreal mammal populations. The study also revealed interactions between predators and their effects on cat populations.
A comprehensive study revealed that the common silky anteater is actually a complex of at least seven different species, including three previously revalidated and three newly described species. The discovery was made using genetic and anatomical data from 33 DNA samples and over 280 museum specimens.
A study found that a fusion protein composed of pentraxin and carbonic anhydrase VI affects fish swimming ability. Zebrafish embryos with silenced CA VI gene exhibited impaired swimming, highlighting the importance of this protein in aquatic animals.
Researchers have identified 6,000 families of genes exclusive to mammals, which play a crucial role in defining their unique characteristics. These genes are involved in the structure of skin, mammary glands, and defense against pathogens.
Biologists document changes in teeth and skull structure in two mouse species over the past 50 years, with the white-footed mouse showing more pronounced changes. The findings suggest a reversal in population proportions and highlight the consequences of climate change for small mammals.
Researchers propose hypothesis that prenatal stress affects offspring in two ways: early stages leading to slow growth and later stages leading to fast growth. Study across 21 mammal species supports this idea, predicting outcomes in offspring development and performance.
Researchers used fossil records to infer a semidesertic environment in the Iberian Peninsula during the middle Miocene. The study analyzed body sizes of mammalian species to reveal a dry climate with high precipitation seasonality.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have identified 52 potential wildlife corridors in Tanzania, linking protected areas across the country. The study found that nearly a sixth of previously identified corridors may be separated by land conversion.
A new study reveals that mammals began living in the daytime approximately 66 million years ago, shortly after the dinosaurs' disappearance. The ancestors of simian primates were among the first to abandon nocturnal activity, with their visual adaptations comparable to diurnal reptiles and birds.
A new molecular pathway controlling lifespan and healthspan has been identified in worms and mammals. Excess levels of proteins called Kruppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) can extend lifespan and improve blood vessel function, highlighting a potential target for age-related diseases.
An international team has produced a catalogue and atlas of the world's reptiles, linking it with existing maps for birds, mammals, and amphibians. The new data reveals urgent conservation concerns, including drylands and deserts, where conservation action is vital.
The study found that neurons on the upper-layer cerebral cortex play a crucial role in gyrus formation, and that Cdk5 is an important gene involved in this process. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of brain evolution and development, as well as new treatments for diseases caused by gyrus impairment.
Researchers have identified a motor pathway in the sea lamprey that regulates swimming speed, which could be relevant to understanding movement disorders. The study suggests that dysfunction of this pathway may contribute to symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Midwestern University discovered that the muscles controlling mammalian perineal structures follow a simple ancient pattern, dating back over 360 million years. This finding defines placental mammals as a group and reveals the evolutionary innovation of cloacal separation into distinct structures.
A study found a dramatic genetic rift between bat populations on either side of the Northwest and Northeast Providence Channels in the Bahamas. The researchers suggest that bats from Florida colonized the northern islands while those from other parts of the Caribbean likely colonized the southern Bahamas.
A genome-scale analysis of 82 mammalian species reveals continuous placental mammal diversification despite the KPg extinction. The findings support the fossil record and challenge the notion that the event hindered their diversification.
Researchers create complete map of fruit fly larva brain's learning center, a crucial step towards understanding animal brains. The project could guide scientists in charting connections among neurons in mammals' brains.
Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences used genetic information gathered from their vast mammal collection to elevate a subspecies of giant sengi to full species status. The team discovered that a white-tailed subspecies was genetically distinct enough to be recognized as a separate species.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide and Lund University have discovered brain cells that enable dragonflies to predict the movement of their prey, allowing them to hunt successfully. This knowledge could lead to advances in fields like robot vision and artificial intelligence.
Researchers found that northern elephant seal males use the memory of rhythmic patterns to identify rival calls, distinguishing between subtle changes in tempo and tone. This ability is crucial for their survival, allowing them to choose strategies in mating and territorial battles.
A new study finds over 30% of vertebrate species are declining in population size and range, with tropical regions hit hardest. The research suggests that the disappearance of species tells only part of the story of human impact on Earth's animals.
A new study found that players who lost Wimbledon matches produced higher-pitched grunts than those who won. The researchers analyzed television footage of 50 matches and discovered that the likely match outcome became apparent from the outset, suggesting longer-term physiological or psychological factors at play.
Researchers measured habitat fragmentation for over 4,000 species of land-dwelling mammals and found that species with more fragmentation are at greater risk of extinction. The study has implications for global mammal conservation, suggesting urgent action is needed to protect remnant habitats and restore connectivity.
A new study reveals a third species of flying squirrel in North America, known as Humboldt's flying squirrel. The species was previously unknown and inhabits the Pacific Coast region from southern British Columbia to southern California.
A study has identified a specific combination of mechanisms that allows auditory neurons to measure the difference between sound signal arrival times at the two ears with high accuracy. The researchers found that certain structural features of the nerve cells' wrapping play a crucial role in this process.
A new fossil discovery in New Mexico reveals that the earliest primates, known as plesiadapiforms, were adapted to living in trees. The 62-million-year-old skeleton shows flexible joints for climbing and clinging to branches, contradicting previous theories of terrestrial lifestyles.
Researchers observed Cuban boas in bat caves and found that coordinating their positions formed a wall across the entrance, making it difficult for bats to pass without getting within striking distance. This cooperative hunting strategy was always successful, with more snakes present leading to faster capture times.
Researchers from the Universities of Cape Town and Bonn suggest that warm-bloodedness may have originated 20-30 million years ago in land animals. This is based on analysis of long-extinct animal fossils, which show signs of fibrolamellar bone structure indicative of warm-bloodedness.
Scientists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown mammal, Baidabatyr, in Western Siberia. The animal is believed to be a herbivore and lived during the Early Cretaceous period, with its species going extinct around 20 million years ago.
Despite gaps in scientific understanding, Lyme disease researchers have identified key areas of agreement and promising strategies for controlling the disease. These include reducing deer populations to impact tick abundance and using acaricides to target host animals.