Articles tagged with Nocturnal Animals
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Researchers have identified new hosts for Chagas Disease vectors, including tayras, monkeys, sloths, porcupines, and coatis, using DNA analysis. This discovery increases knowledge of Chagas disease transmission in rural environments and will support efforts to control the disease, particularly in poor, rural populations in South America.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used carrion flies to survey tropical forest mammals, detecting 20 species that were not found by traditional methods. The method was more effective than camera traps and transect counts, but had limitations, such as failing to detect certain species that produce small droppings.
A recent expedition to Mindanao, Philippines, revealed 126 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 40 frogs, making up 36% of known Philippine species. The research team used genetic and morphological analysis, international collaboration, and rigorous fieldwork to uncover the island's biodiversity hotspot.
Researchers found that hibernating pygmy-possums can detect smoke and respond to danger when their body temperatures reach around 24 degrees Celsius. However, at colder temperatures, their reactions are slow and basic. This study has implications for prescribed bushfires in Australia.
A UCI-led study found novel molecular clues behind nocturnal behavior, suggesting the eyes play a more central role in controlling the sleep/awake cycle. The research challenges the long-presumed master role of the suprachiasmatic clock in determining sleep and wakefulness patterns.
African straw-colored fruit bats, ecosystem service providers, cover greater distances than any other bat species during the dry season. They disperse seeds and pollen across large areas, playing a crucial role in maintaining forest ecosystems.
Rats exposed to frequent stress during adolescence showed improved problem-solving skills and foraging efficiency under high-threat conditions in adulthood. This study provides insights into how humans respond to adolescent stress and may inform research on human maltreatment and adverse environments.
Researchers found a 24-hour day 'bicycle' mechanism turning key brain neurons on or off with sodium and potassium currents, awakening animals in the morning and putting them to sleep at night. This ancient mechanism is conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution and may lead to new drug targets for sleep-wake trouble.
Researchers tracked five pandas with GPS collars for three years, finding they exhibit three daily activity peaks - morning, afternoon, and midnight. This unique pattern may be linked to their low nutrition quality from bamboo consumption, allowing them to adapt to their environment.
A Louisiana State University chemistry professor has secured a grant to study the habits of the elusive three-toed amphiuma. The research aims to document the animal's life cycle and determine if they are territorial using radio transmitters, underwater cameras, and video recordings.
Research suggests that ancient synapsid relatives, including the famous Dimetrodon, had eyes best suited for low-light conditions at night, 100 million years before the evolution of modern mammals. The findings indicate that nocturnal activity may have evolved in some synapsids as early as 300 million years ago.
Research shows eastern grey squirrels modify their behaviour when approached by humans, reducing unnecessary responses and improving urban survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding animal adaptations to urbanization, enabling conservation efforts and habitat management.
Use of insulin analogs among privately insured patients with type 2 diabetes increased significantly between 2000 and 2010. Out-of-pocket expenditures for insulin prescriptions also rose substantially during this period.
Researchers analyzed predator-prey interactions among carnivorous mammals and birds of prey to explain the evolution of antipredator traits. They found that noxious spraying is favored by nocturnal animals, while sociality is favored by diurnal species.
Researchers from Mainz and Antananarivo have identified a previously unknown primate species, the Lavasoa Dwarf Lemur, with an estimated population size of less than 50 individuals. The newly described species inhabits isolated forest fragments in southern Madagascar and is considered extremely rare and endangered.
African ball-rolling insects guide themselves along straight paths under starlit skies but lose orientation under overcast conditions. Dung beetles exploit celestial cues like the Milky Way for navigation, suggesting other nocturnal insects might follow suit.
Three new species of slow loris were identified, revealing distinct differences in body size, fur thickness, habitats, and facial markings. This reclassification may increase legal protections for the endangered or threatened animals, as well as highlight the cruelty of keeping them as pets.
Coyotes have adapted well to urban life, thriving in small territories and changing their diet and behavior. The success of coyote communities in cities poses a challenge for human coexistence with larger carnivores like wolves, mountain lions, and bears.
Researchers tracked Malayan colugos using accelerometer packs and found they glide to save time, but not energy. The animals cover long distances gliding, which helps them forage more efficiently and protects them from predators.
New research reveals that some dinosaurs, such as big plant-eating dinosaurs, were active both day and night due to their need for constant food intake. Velociraptors, on the other hand, hunted at night like modern nocturnal animals, challenging the traditional assumption about dinosaur activity patterns.
A new study reveals that dinosaurs, like velociraptors, were nocturnal hunters, while plant-eaters were active during the day and night. The research uses eye measurements to separate ecological and phylogenetic signals, providing insight into how environment influences evolution.
Researchers found that Fat Sand Rats exhibit symptoms of depression when exposed to short light hours, similar to those experienced by humans with Seasonal Affective Disorder. The rats responded well to common SAD therapies, including bright light exposure and medications, suggesting a viable animal model for studying affective disorders.
Researchers found that environmental factors like temperature and light are equally important to the Azara's owl monkeys' natural rhythms as their internal biological clock. The study suggests that moonlight is a key adaptation for primates to exploit the nocturnal niche, with activity patterns changing in response to lunar cycles.
A new study reveals that Africa's big cats, including leopards, tend to avoid croplands and favor specific habitats. This research provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution of carnivores in Tanzania, shedding light on the impact of habitat conversion and climate change.
A study analyzing bird persecution in Spain over 14 years reveals a significant decline in direct attacks on wildlife. The drop in hunting activities and increased awareness among urban populations have led to an end in the 'war' against wildlife in southern Europe.
Male Jamaican anole lizards use visual displays to mark their territory, including push-ups, head bobs, and dewlap extensions, to warn other males away. This behavior helps avoid physical confrontations and establishes dominance before dawn and dusk, when these lizards are most active.
Male Anolis lizards engage in push-ups, head bobs, and dewlap extensions to defend their territory at dawn and dusk. This behavior is unique among animals, marking the first recorded use of non-acoustic signaling at these times.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mice deficient in fragile X and related genes have disrupted sleep-wake cycles, leading to a lack of rhythm. This finding provides new insights into the causes of fragile X syndrome and its impact on patients.
Scientists have quantified and compared the 3D volumes for sensation and movement in electric fish, finding a restricted sensory space due to energetic constraints. This overlap between sensory and movement volumes can provide insight into optimal control strategies for guiding behavior.
Fossils from Russia demonstrate that advanced hearing evolved much earlier than previously thought, around 260 million years ago. These early reptiles possessed a surprisingly modern ear with a large eardrum and bone structures similar to those found in modern animals.
Research by G. Edgar Folk and colleagues found that Arctic animals, including rodents, maintained a 24-hour cycle of rest and activity despite living in continuous light. The study suggests that these animals may be conscious of the sun's position in the sky and use it as a cue to regulate their circadian rhythm.
The Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania and Kenya are home to over 1000 endemic species, many with ancient lineages. Effective conservation requires addressing human needs and securing protected areas to preserve biodiversity.
Researchers found that moderate amounts of alcohol improved laboratory rats' memories, especially in recalling negative events. High doses of alcohol damaged brain and liver tissue, suggesting a protective effect for low-level consumption.
Despite their limited light sensitivity, nocturnal bees learn and remember visual landmarks around the nest entrance before foraging. These bees use these landmarks to orient themselves upon return, showcasing impressive navigational abilities.
A study published in Vision Research found that the size of animals' eyes is linked to their body weight, with larger animals having bigger eyes on average. However, when broken down into smaller groups, such as birds and primates, eye size becomes more complicated and varies greatly.
Researchers have discovered a complete specimen of phacopoid trilobite Erbenochile, featuring giant eyes with unique lobes that resemble lens shades or baseball hat brims. This finding provides new insights into the evolution and behavior of these ancient creatures.
Fossil teeth from Egypt's Fayum desert have provided evidence of the earliest known ancestors of bushbabies and lorises, dating back to the Eocene epoch. The finds confirm earlier genetic studies suggesting that these primates diverged much earlier than previously thought.
Advanced sensors and communication platforms can monitor complex tropical environments to track elusive animals and study their behavior. Technologies like automated telemetry systems, high-quality sound recordings, and radiotransmitters are being developed to aid conservation efforts in the Amazon basin.