Articles tagged with Mammals
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.
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.
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 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.
The star-nosed mole possesses an extremely efficient nervous system that enables it to identify and eat food in under 2 seconds. Its distinctive star organ contains over 100,000 nerve fibers, making it the most sensitive known touch organ in any mammal.
Naked mole-rats can survive for at least five hours without oxygen by metabolizing fructose, reducing their movement and slowing their pulse rate. This unique adaptation may lead to new treatments for patients suffering from low oxygen conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that early mammalian ancestors enhanced their night vision genes, allowing them to thrive in the dark. This study supports existing fossil evidence and sheds light on the evolution of vision in mammals.
A new study found that hunting by humans significantly reduces bird and mammal populations, with declines ranging from 53% to 82% in tropical forests. The research highlights the need for sustainable wildlife management strategies to avoid further defaunation.
A study published in Science found that hunting is a major threat to wildlife, particularly in tropical regions. Within 7-40 km of hunters' access points, mammal and bird populations declined by 83% and 58%, respectively. The impact of commercial hunting was higher than family food hunting, and protected areas were also affected.
Native animals are declining on Melville Island due to reduced habitat and increased cat populations. Rangers are using fire management techniques to create more habitat for native wildlife by burning vegetation in the early season.
Researchers tracked two African elephant matriarchs for 35 days and found they slept an average of 2 hours a day, with some periods lasting up to 46 hours without sleep. This unique sleep pattern raises questions about when elephants experience REM sleep.
Researchers uncovered the fovea's computational architecture and basic visual processing, distinct from other regions of the retina. This discovery helps explain differences in central and peripheral vision qualities.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.
A new study by CSIC researchers reveals that environmental factors were the primary driver of horse diversification over 20 million years. The team found that newly evolved species were ecologically similar, with external factors such as ecosystem fragmentation and energy availability playing a key role.
A new study found that most vertebrate genomes exhibit dynamic behavior, with some species losing and gaining DNA over time. This study provides the first comprehensive comparison of warm-blooded vertebrates, revealing surprising similarities between birds and mammals.
Researchers found that cooperatively breeding mammals better cope with droughts and food scarcity due to helping behavior. These species are more likely to occupy human-modified habitats and colonize new environments.
A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that brumation, the winter dormancy of cold-blooded animals, does not affect memory retention in salamanders. Researchers trained salamanders to navigate a maze and tested their ability to recall the path after a period of brumation.
A new $100,000 grant will support research training and educational outreach in vertebrate paleontology at the University of Kansas. Students will participate in fieldwork in Wyoming and Turkey to study early mammal evolution and migration.
Researchers linked RBC size to oxygen delivery efficiency in extinct mammals and birds using fossilizable indicators. They found that these organisms had smaller RBCs and were likely better athletes than earlier terrestrial vertebrates.
A new study reveals that dingoes help reduce the spread of woody shrubs in Australian deserts by controlling small mammal populations. The research found that areas with fewer dingoes had higher rates of shrub cover and lower rates of seed removal, leading to a cascade effect where shrubs can thrive without top predators.
New research prioritizes preventing feral cat extinctions, testing management tools, and improving coexistence with native fauna. Guardian animals and grooming traps are among the proposed tools for effective feral cat management.
Researchers found evidence of a diaphragm-like structure in early pelycosaurs, dating back over 300 million years. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the evolution of respiratory systems and warm-bloodedness.
Researchers reconstructed the body cavity volume in over 120 tetrapods and found that herbivores have twice as large bodies as carnivores of similar size. The study reveals a fundamental difference in morphological principles between mammals and other tetrapods, with possible implications for respiratory systems.
A new study has found that features in animal teeth can detect unfavourable weather conditions, such as long dry periods or heavy rains. This method, known as reverse engineering, allows researchers to infer annual rainfall and average temperatures from fossil records, providing valuable information about past environmental conditions.
PFASs found in hooded seal mothers' plasma and milk, with concentrations higher than those in other species. This exposure can lead to reduced birth weight and developmental effects, threatening the survival of young seals.
A study published by Texas A&M scientists found that red imported fire ants can increase the abundance of small mammals and reduce the number of ticks in an ecosystem. This could lead to a decrease in tick-borne disease transmission to humans and animals.
Scientists have recovered ancient DNA from a West Indian mammal known as the 'Island Murderer,' tracing its evolution back to 70 million years ago. The study sheds light on the impact of humans on recent extinctions in the Caribbean.
A recent study confirms forest elephants as one of the world's slowest reproducing mammals, with females taking up to 23 years to breed and giving birth only once every five to six years. This low birth rate means that forest elephant populations will take nearly a century to recover from poaching since 2002.
Researchers found that logged forests can retain high levels of mammal diversity, especially for small mammals, and should be better protected. However, oil palm plantations show significant losses in diversity for both large and small mammals.
A recent study using cutting-edge 3D dental microwear texture analysis reveals that Sinomastodon and Stegodon were obligate browsers of foliages, while Elephas had a broader diet of grasses and trees. This complex process suggests that biotic factors played a more substantial role in Pleistocene faunal turnovers than previously thought.
Researchers at Yale and Cincinnati Children's Hospital propose that the human female orgasm evolved to stimulate ovulation, a trait shared with many other placental mammals. The study suggests that female orgasm became superfluous for reproduction later in evolution, freeing it for secondary roles.
A global plan is necessary to prevent the extinction of megafauna, including elephants, rhinos, and big cats, which play critical roles in ecosystems. The study highlights the need for coordinated conservation efforts to address threats like illegal hunting, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict.
A 15-year study reveals that Luzon Island, in the Philippines, is home to 56 non-flying mammal species, 52 of which are unique to the island. The research team discovered 28 new species, including four tree-mice with extremely long whiskers and five shrew-like mice that feed on earthworms.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that genes involved in cellular remodeling are conserved across honey bees and mammals, suggesting a common origin for social behavior. These findings provide insight into the evolution of complex sociality in animals.