Articles tagged with Mollusks
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A study of over 3,200 terrestrial mollusk species found that nearly half were described by non-local researchers, highlighting a neocolonial practice. This 'helicopter science' or 'parachute science' harms local researchers and can lead to less robust studies.
Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea limpet clinging to a sunken log in the Central Pacific Ocean. The discovery provides crucial insights into ocean biodiversity and ecosystem secrets, revealing that even tiny islands of habitat can sustain deep-sea communities long enough for population turnover and dispersal.
Researchers discovered a common parasite of modern oysters has been infecting bivalves for hundreds of millions of years. The parasite, belonging to the spionid group, has remained largely unchanged despite multiple mass extinction events.
Scientists study ancient oyster populations to guide present-day restoration efforts. By analyzing shell size and breakage, researchers can interpret how intensively communities harvested oysters, shedding light on the challenges of rebuilding depleted reef ecosystems.
Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct functional diversity of past ecosystems from fossils, enabling conservationists to compare healthy ecosystems with modern counterparts that have been altered by humans. This information can be used to set restoration and protection goals for endangered species.
A new study from the University of Maine compares two common Atlantic sea scallop farming methods, lantern net and ear-hanging. The research found that ear-hanging production is more advantageous when scallops' life cycles exceed three years, with faster rate of production and larger adductor muscles.
Researchers found that mangrove populations have nearly tripled in areas with oysters, leading to significant acidification of oyster reef sediment. Oyster shell dissolution could impact reef viability and services like filtration and storm surge reduction.
Researchers have discovered a new species of deep-sea limpet, measuring up to 40.5 mm in shell length, found 5,922 meters beneath the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The species, named Bathylepeta wadatsumi, has broader ecological implications as it appears to graze on sediment layers over rock.
A team of researchers has discovered that ancient nectocaridids, thought to be cephalopods, are actually an early descendant of arrow worms. This finding reveals complex predators in the food chain and sheds light on the evolution of these creatures.
A new study maps the geographical distribution of shallow-water marine mollusks, showing how temperature, ocean currents, and paleogeographic development shape their habitats. The research highlights the impact of rapid climate change on marine ecosystems, threatening biodiversity.
A new study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series reveals that seagrass ecosystems along Florida's Nature Coast have remained relatively healthy over the last several thousand years. The research, conducted by conservation paleobiologists, used fossilized mollusk shells to infer ecosystem health and found that these communities a...
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba investigated the developmental fate of shell-forming cells in limpets using single-cell transcriptome and gene expression analyses. They found that the developmental fate of these cells was specified independently of interactions with neighboring cell lineages, contradicting conventional hypothe...
A specialized manufacturing process was used to produce a large-scale production of purple dye in ancient Israel's Tel Shiqmona. The discovery sheds new light on the Iron Age production of this valuable resource.
Researchers found that ancient molluscs Punk and Emo possessed some unique features and were more complex and adaptable than previously known. The study revealed a wider variety of forms and movement strategies in this group of early molluscs, challenging the longstanding view that they were basic and primitive.
A deadly marine cone snail's venom contains a toxin that interacts with human cells in a specific manner, regulating blood sugar levels and hormone balance. This discovery may lead to the design of more effective drugs for treating diabetes and endocrine disorders.
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have achieved the first successful lab rearing of Hypselodoris festiva, revealing a previously unknown growth process. The study describes nine stages of development, from metamorphosis to adulthood, and provides a reference for further research on Chromodorididae species.
A newly discovered fossil, Shishania aculeata, provides crucial insights into the origin of molluscan skeletons. The finding suggests that this stem mollusk is representative of an intermediate between early members of the superphylum lophotrochozoans and more derived mollusks.
A 500-million-year-old fossil reveals the earliest known ancestors of modern molluscs were flat, armoured slugs covered in chitinous spines. These findings provide a unique window into early mollusc evolution and challenge current understanding of their origins.
A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.
Researchers have solved the mystery of shipworms' ability to digest lignin, a tough wood substance. A population of symbiotic microbes in the typhlosole sub-organ produces enzymes that break down lignin, with potential practical applications in biotech and significant impacts on climate change and human health.
Rutgers scientists found thriving and growing surfclam populations off the coast of Virginia, with characteristics similar to those in New Jersey. The study suggests improved environmental conditions or adaptation may be responsible for the rebound.
Scientists have found polyene pigments in fossilized snail shells that are 12 million years old, providing the world's first evidence of intact pigments in fossils. The discovery was made possible by analyzing the pigments using Raman spectroscopy and sheds new light on the chemical composition of ancient organisms.
Researchers have discovered nine new carnivorous land snail species in Papua New Guinea, a region with high biodiversity and threatened by deforestation. The newly named species possess unique characteristics, such as tightly coiled shells and dagger-shaped teeth, and are likely predators.
Researchers discovered 50 genetic changes underlying the switch from egg-laying to live-bearing in marine snails, which evolved within the past 100,000 years. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary process and potential benefits of live-bearing, including increased reproductive success in new habitats.
The current emoji library underrepresents plant, fungus, and microorganism biodiversity while overrepresenting animals. This bias reflects known biases in biodiversity assessments and conservation analyses.
A new study uses marine fossils to infer the health and stability of coastal ecosystems, revealing consistent patterns in population declines and species extinctions. The findings provide a reliable benchmark for conservation efforts and offer insights into the impacts of human activities on marine biodiversity.
A team of citizen scientists discovered a new species of semislugs in the hot lowland forests of Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei. The 'snug' was named after a retiring field centre supervisor, Mr. Md Salleh Abdullah Bat, as a farewell gift.
Researchers at Göttingen University have found fluorescent color patterns in fossils from the Triassic period, making them the oldest of their kind. The study reveals a surprising variety of stripes, zigzags, and flame patterns, similar to those of modern seashells.
A team of ecologists from CU museum identified over 7,000 organisms, mostly bacteria, in the guts of Rocky Mountain snails collected between 1920 and 2018. The findings show that microbiomes can offer insights into how animals interacted with their environments centuries ago.
Fossil analysis reveals mollusk communities were resilient to major climatic shifts but struggled under human-induced changes, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A 15-year study by University of Virginia researchers shows that restored oyster reefs can match natural reef populations in about six years and continue to thrive thereafter. The study's findings suggest that restoration can catalyze rapid recovery of imperiled coastal habitats and help reverse decades of degradation.
Scientists have discovered that the genomes of marine invertebrates have been surprisingly stable across deep time. The study found that chromosomes are remarkably similar among sponges, jellyfish, scallops, and even humans, with some genes traveling together for almost a billion years.
A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...
McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.
A new technique, hyperspectral interference tomography, has been developed to study the structure of nacre, a biomineral found in mother-of-pearl. This nondestructive method allows for the assessment of nacre layer thickness, which records temperature and can be used to analyze fossil mollusk shells and learn about past climates.
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar Ilan University discovered rare fabric dyed with royal purple dating back to King David and King Solomon's time. The dye was produced from species of mollusk found in the Mediterranean Sea and is often mentioned in the Bible.
Climate change causes red knot birds to shrink and develop shorter beaks, limiting access to high-quality food sources. This can lead to reduced survival rates among birds born in warm Arctic years, according to a 33-year study.
Chitons have eyes with mineral-based lenses in their shells, allowing them to visualize predators and respond quickly. The size and complexity of individual chiton eyes impact the local mechanical performance of their armor, highlighting trade-offs between protection and sight.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered the earliest stages of nacre formation in a mollusk shell. The team used spectro-microscopy to observe the transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate into crystalline aragonite, revealing new insights into biomineral creation.
Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind brachiopod shell formation, revealing evolutionary conserved genetic programs among invertebrates. The study identifies unique proteins and structural resemblances to other animal phyla, providing new insights into the evolution of biomineralization.
Researchers identified two optical structures in a mollusk's shell that reflect blue light, producing its bright stripes. The team believes this natural phenomenon could lead to the development of color-selective, controllable displays for windows and glasses.
Researchers found intact thin sheets of shell proteins preserved for up to 15 million years in fossilized Ecphora shells from southern Maryland. The discovery shares characteristics with modern mollusk shell proteins, providing a unique window into the evolutionary history of these creatures.
Researchers used a combination of traditional and innovative model-building techniques to create a lifelike reconstruction of an ancient mollusk. The model revealed key characteristics of the creature, including its dense spines and shells, which had splayed out and decayed prior to fossilization.
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison find that nacre's microscopic structure can be used to measure water temperature and depth, providing a new tool for reconstructing ancient environments. The material's unique signature also holds information on environmental conditions.
A population of the freshwater limpet Rhodacmea filosa, thought to be extinct since the mid-20th century, has been rediscovered in a tributary of the Coosa River in Alabama. The discovery is a conservation success story and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity in rapidly changing environments.
Scientists have discovered ancient mollusk fossils that may indicate how warm the planet will become if carbon dioxide levels are stabilized at current values. The findings suggest summertime Arctic temperatures could increase by 2-5 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to a permanent ice cap melting and further heating the planet.
Pittsburgh University researchers teamed up with Berkeley biophysicist George Oster to create a computer program generating complex shell patterns. The model shows how mollusks' neural networks process sensory information and past experiences.
A team of scientists led by University of Washington paleontologist Peter Ward has found a similar gap during the same period among non-marine arthropods, largely insects and spiders. They believe a precipitous drop in the oxygen content of Earth's atmosphere is responsible for this phenomenon.
Recent findings by Illinois researchers identified two new serotonin metabolites in the nervous system of marine mollusks, suggesting different chemical pathways exist to convert serotonin. This discovery could provide novel means to target tissue-specific diseases related to serotonin signaling.