Articles tagged with Wildlife
Researchers found that voles in Inner Mongolia, China, trim tall grasses when shrikes are nearby, decreasing predation risk. The voles' behavior is an example of ecosystem engineering, where they modify their environment to improve survival.
Researchers have successfully created artificial egg cells from northern white rhino stem cells using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This breakthrough brings the team closer to achieving their goal of creating artificially generated rhino oocytes, a crucial step towards saving the subspecies from extinction.
A new study finds that large wild animals like elephants and whales can help restore ecosystems and battle climate change by dispersing seeds, clearing vegetation, and increasing albedo. Protecting these animals also supports local biodiversity and ecological resilience in temperate, tropical, and subtropical grassland ecosystems.
A new study finds that trade-confiscated pangolins in Viet Nam harbor SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses, shedding light on the risks of international wildlife trade. The research underscores the need for enhanced regulation and risk assessment measures to curb pandemic and epidemic prevention.
A new species of fish, the Rose-Veiled Fairy Wrasse, has been described by a Maldivian researcher and colleagues as part of the California Academy of Sciences' global Hope for Reefs initiative. The discovery reveals that the species is actually two different species with potentially more restricted distributions.
A new study at Tel Aviv University reveals prehistoric humans collected and recycled old stone tools, mostly to preserve the memory of their ancestors. The researchers propose that they had an emotional urge to collect old human-made artefacts, as a means for maintaining connectedness with place and time.
Researchers discovered that tadpoles raised without helpful microbes can't stand the heat, and are five times more likely to die in high temperatures. The team also found that microbes help tadpoles deal with heat by regulating their metabolisms and energy production.
A mange outbreak in Argentina's San Guillermo National Park has caused a domino effect, impacting pumas, condors, and grasslands. Vicuña populations plummeted from 17 individuals per square kilometer to just 1 by 2020, while condors disappeared due to the loss of their primary food source.
A Yale University study found that a mange outbreak in vicuñas had unique effects on vegetation and biodiversity in the Argentine Andes. The research tracked the cascading effects of the disease on the ecosystem, revealing diverging outcomes based on which was the dominant source of mortality for the vicuñas.
Researchers found that yellow-bellied marmot's biological aging stalls during hibernation, with epigenetic changes playing a key role. The study suggests that hibernation may be a natural way to slow aging and promote longevity in other mammals.
Higher elevation mountain forests are using more water on average during droughts, reducing water availability downstream for cities and wildlife. Researchers found that these forests tend to be located above 3,280 feet and have increased water use due to rising temperatures and changes in tree species composition.
Research shows female chimpanzees tend to avoid villages and farmland, while males are more likely to encounter humans, leading to smaller social gatherings for females. This sex difference in risk perception could have significant consequences for the survival of chimpanzees.
A study on wild baboons reveals that they prioritize socializing and safety over sleep, even after poor sleep quality. The research used non-invasive technology to monitor sleep patterns across a group of individuals, showing that animals in the wild face competing demands that disrupt sleep homeostasis.
The study demonstrates the importance of protecting nature to keep tourism revenue flowing, with key findings showing that infrastructure supports tourism hotspots where roads and hotels are easily accessible. Researchers suggest creating a nationwide accounting system to track the value of natural assets and provide long-term habitat ...
Research suggests that genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals may contribute to the evolution of deadly pandemic strains. The study found that ColV plasmids in pigs, cattle, and chickens can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and extra-intestinal infections in humans.
Rising temperatures are causing the world's coldest forests to shift northward, threatening biodiversity and increasing wildfire risks. Soil nutrient availability also plays a key role in the response of boreal vegetation to climate change.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
Camera trap surveys in six sites across the Annamite Mountains have provided new insights into the occurrence and distribution of two threatened species, the Annamite striped rabbit and dark muntjac. The study identified factors influencing their presence, including elevation and proximity to human settlements.
A review by Nathan et al. showcases big-data revolution in movement ecology, revealing new insights into animal behavior and habitat use. Reverse-GPS systems, such as ATLAS, track animals with high accuracy, while acoustic telemetry tracks aquatic life, providing crucial data for conservation.
Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research discovered a previously unknown localisation of the porcine sperm protein 'AWN', strengthening its involvement in sperm-egg fusion. The findings are crucial for improving assisted reproduction methods, including artificial insemination.
A team of scientists used genetic testing to uncover the tactics of international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The analysis linked most large ivory shipments to a handful of interconnected smuggling networks, expanding efforts to track and seize illicit shipments.
Researchers examine the complex relationship between bushmeat consumption and global health, finding that Western definitions of progress may overlook local cultures. By reframing conservation perspectives, they aim to create a more balanced narrative around this contentious trade.
Research suggests a possible silver lining for great ape conservation: a decline in respiratory illnesses among wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The reduced number of outbreaks correlates with decreased human-gorilla proximity and additional health measures.
A UCLA study reveals that lions and leopards in Zambia's conservation areas are injured at rates much higher than previously thought. The research found that over 37% of the lions and 22% of the leopards had snare scars and tooth notches, indicating a significant problem with poaching.
Researchers found that 37% of lions and 22% of leopards in Zambia have wire snare injuries, while 27% of lions have shotgun pellet embeds. The study suggests poaching and land protection threats are significant in protected areas.
Researchers sequenced genetic material from 88 bats and identified four unique rabies viruses, providing baseline data for future epidemiological investigations. The study highlights the importance of monitoring bat populations for rabies transmission and informs vaccine effectiveness.
A new study by University of Western Ontario researchers finds that fear of predators can reduce prey population growth rates over generations. The study, led by Professor Liana Zanette, demonstrates for the first time in any free-living wild animal that fear itself can halve populations in a short period.
A new study suggests that implementing primary pandemic prevention actions, such as better surveillance and wildlife management, can reduce the economic costs of emerging infectious diseases by up to 10%. These actions have a substantial co-benefit of preventing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving water supplies.
A new study suggests that preventing pandemics could save around 1.6 million lives and reduce mortality costs by $10 trillion annually by investing just 5% of the estimated annual economic losses associated with human deaths from COVID into environmental protection and early-stage disease surveillance.
A Japanese squirrel's feeding behavior on poisonous Amanita species has been observed, suggesting a potential mutualistic relationship. The study found that the spores of these fungi may survive being eaten and excreted by squirrels, facilitating their dispersal.
A new species of leafhopper, Phlogis kibalensis, has been discovered in the Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The insect belongs to a rare genus that was last recorded in Central African Republic in 1969.
New research reveals that zoos and aquariums can prioritize evidence-based environmental enrichment to benefit a wider range of species. The study highlights the need for greater diversity in enrichment types and species researched, as well as more attention to social enrichment.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that younger people are more interested in owning exotic pets, such as pythons, than older generations. The research suggests a growing trend towards unusual pet ownership among younger populations.
A study from North Carolina State University demonstrates the accuracy of a less invasive technique for monitoring wildlife health using dried blood spots. Researchers found that this method is comparable to traditional techniques, allowing for easier and less stressful data collection from wild populations.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a mange outbreak in San Guillermo National Park, Argentina decimated the wild vicuña and guanaco populations, with nearly three-quarters of the animals lost between 2017-18. The authors suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have triggered the outbreak.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
A high protein diet may harm polar bears, with captive bears showing signs of kidney disease and shorter lifespans. Researchers propose adopting a diet with a fat-protein ratio similar to that found in the wild to improve bear health and longevity.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning from eating contaminated carcasses has reduced bald eagle population growth by 4-6% annually in the Northeast. The researchers emphasize the need for hunters to choose copper-based ammunition to mitigate this issue, which could impact other species as well.
A new study reveals that the US has played a significant role in the trafficking of tiger parts, with San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta emerging as major entry points. The research suggests that the scale of trade may have been underestimated, with seizures of illegal tiger products totaling 292 during 2003-2012.
The study found that most USSE facilities were installed on grasslands, pastures, and agricultural lands, potentially impeding Florida panther dispersal. Restoration of dispersal corridors and gene flow is critical to the species' survival, benefiting biodiversity and resiliency at the landscape-scale.
A team of researchers found that animals with strong site fidelity, which is returning to the same places to eat, travel, and raise their young, may not survive or reproduce as well in changing landscapes. This can lead to population declines, especially in species like mule deer affected by human development.
A recent study reveals significant differences between the gut microbiomes of male and female American minks, suggesting a surprising sexual distinction in carnivores. The findings have implications for future wildlife research, as analyzing fecal samples may not provide accurate assessments of population sex.
A study published in Nature found that a type of MRSA called mecC-MRSA originated in hedgehogs over 200 years ago, long before the clinical use of antibiotics. The researchers believe that the bacteria evolved as an adaptation to living on the skin of hedgehogs with a fungus that produces its own antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Washington documented a mass mortality event among Magellanic penguins in Punta Tombo, Argentina, due to extreme heat. The January 2019 heat wave killed at least 354 adult penguins and 90 chicks, with nearly three-quarters of the deceased being adults primarily due to dehydration.
A recent study by North Carolina State University and Northern Michigan University found that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in black bears' guts. The researchers analyzed gut samples from 35 bears and found lower biodiversity in those with a diet rich in processed foods.
A study using wildlife cameras in Berlin gardens found that foxes, raccoons, and martens avoided domestic cats, while cats exerted dominance over local wildlife. Lockdowns allowed scientists to observe interactions between these species in urban environments, shedding light on their rules and behaviors.
Researchers have found COVID-19 infection in white-tailed deer in six northeast Ohio locations, suggesting the virus may be spreading among wildlife. The study's findings indicate that infected deer can potentially harbor new strains of SARS-CoV-2, complicating human mitigation and control plans.
Researchers analyzed the largest cross-species database to assess species-specific cancer mortality rates and found conclusive proof that cancer risk is largely independent of body mass and life expectancy. The study highlights potent mechanisms of cancer resistance in larger species, contradicting intuitive expectations.
Researchers identify previously unknown population of white-handed gibbons in Peninsular Malaysia, showing unusual mutations and potential local speciation. The discovery informs conservation efforts for translocation and reintroduction programs.
A new study investigates the impact of climate change on human-elephant conflict in Africa's Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. The research finds that households and communities have adaptive capacity to cope with these challenges, but institutions need to support effective risk mitigation strategies.
A recent study reveals that narwhals are highly affected by noise pollution from ships and seismic airgun pulses, triggering stress and altering their behavior. Researchers hope that better management of noise pollution will protect these unique Arctic animals.
Researchers discovered 70 new species, including beetles, sea slugs, ants, fish, scorpions, and flowering plants, from five continents and three oceans. The discoveries advance the Academy's mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
A University of Otago study finds caries in wild primates occur at low frequencies but vary among groups, with distinct tooth patterns compared to fossil humans. The research provides a new perspective on human evolution and living primate behaviour.
Researchers discovered that forest mammals eavesdrop on monkey meals to access fruit dropped by messy eaters. This eavesdropping strategy is crucial for these animals' survival, particularly during periods when almond trees produce abundant food.
Researchers have discovered ancient DNA in soil samples from the Yukon, revealing that mammoths and North American horses persisted until as recently as 5,000 years ago. The findings provide new insights into the population dynamics of megafauna and challenge previous beliefs about their extinction.
A study predicts that 6,150 km of new Pacific salmon habitat will emerge in the Pacific mountains by 2100, with most occurring in Alaska and the transboundary region. This newly formed habitat can support rapid colonization by salmon populations, offering local opportunities for some species but posing challenges under climate change.
A study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals that thousands of tigers are bred on farms and used to produce illegal traditional medicines. Buyers in Vietnam prefer wild tigers' bones over farmed ones due to perceived potency, while also seeking high tiger bone content.
Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.
Ocean predators survive on small, scattered areas of food rather than average concentrations found in the water. Acoustic tools reveal dynamic layered maps of ocean life by interpreting echoes from sound pulses, providing insights into how animals adapt to find and exploit resources.