A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that global precipitation patterns, particularly seasonal variability, shape animal diversity. The research found that certain regions with moderate precipitation levels and stable climates have the ideal ecological conditions for a diverse range of predators and herbivores.
A study led by primatologist Gisela Kopp identified the Horn of Africa as the region of origin for ancient Egyptian mummified baboons. Genetic analysis and comparisons with historical records linked Punt to Adulis, suggesting two names for the same place used at different times.
Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.
Archaeological findings suggest that First Nations people buried dingoes alongside humans, indicating a close relationship and almost-human status. The care taken to bury the animals reveals a diet heavily influenced by human scraps, highlighting substantial relationships between humans and dingoes prior to European colonization.
Researchers will study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among deer, including captive and wild populations, as well as its relationship with humans and the environment. The project aims to understand disease ecology in whole systems and inform better management practices for deer producers.
A new study examines the life expectancy and lifespan equality of four marine mammal species in zoos and aquariums compared to their wild counterparts. The study found that marine mammals live longer in captivity, with a three-fold increase in life expectancy and a decline in deaths in the first year of life.
SourceSpecies360·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023
Researchers found that neutral genetic diversity correlates with functional genetic diversity in Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, suggesting a more efficient approach for species conservation. This discovery has implications for endangered species conservation, as it may not be necessary to sequence entire genomes for all cases.
A new study suggests that individual animals, like Lua the Antillean manatee, can be used as flagships to encourage engagement and behavioural change in conservation. These charismatic species often have unique characteristics that make them appealing to humans and can inspire policy changes.
A study from North Carolina State University tracked 16 rehabilitated turtles to monitor their long-term survival and health. The researchers found that turtles moved an average of 100 yards between observations, with some individuals traveling much farther than expected.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has awarded four $15,000 Kessel Fellowships to support the research of Dr. Lucia Mentesana and three others focused on conservation, behavior, evolution, and ecology. The fellowships aim to advance ornithology globally by funding innovative projects.
A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that severe bushfires followed by heavy rainfall are causing platypuses to abandon their homes. The research used environmental DNA sampling to track platypus movement before and after the 2019-2020 megafires, revealing a significant decline in platypus populations in affected areas.
Researchers discovered that monk parakeets possess a unique tone of voice, known as a voice print, similar to humans. This finding raises the possibility that other vocally flexible species may also have a voice print.
A study published in PLOS Biology identifies key genetic loci that distinguish Penstemon species with flowers adapted to different pollinators. The research reveals surprisingly few genetic differences between species with different pollination syndromes, suggesting strong selection to maintain flower traits.
A study by Charité and Leibniz-IZW found that reducing biodiversity in rainforests leads to an increase in virus prevalence among mosquito species. This is because resilient species thrive in disturbed habitats, carrying viruses with them. The research reveals the importance of biodiversity in understanding infectious disease dynamics.
A new EWG study reveals that humans can serve as sentinels for understanding the impact of toxic PFAS on wildlife health. The study's findings show that over 625 species, including fish, birds, and mammals, are contaminated with PFAS, highlighting the need to tackle these persistent chemicals.
A team of scientists has discovered a second toxin produced by the cyanobacterium Aetokthonos hydrillicola, which is highly toxic and similar to substances used in cancer treatment. The findings could lead to the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
A Texas A&M research team found that a population of endangered red-crowned parrots is thriving in urban areas, with four main roosts in the Rio Grande Valley. The parrots' adaptability to human environments and lack of competition for food sources make them an unusual example of a species doing well in urban areas.
Researchers have developed an AI-based camera alert system to detect endangered species like tigers and elephants. The TrailGuard AI system transmits images to park managers in real-time, enabling rapid responses to poachers or human-tiger conflicts.
Research shows that lapwings can hide their eggs by using small variations in the terrain, making them invisible to ground predators. The study found that habitat geometry rather than visual acuity limits the visibility of a ground-nesting bird's clutch to terrestrial predators.
A trained detection dog was found to be more accurate and efficient than humans in detecting sea turtle nests in Florida. The study indicates the potential of using dogs for nest monitoring, which could improve conservation efforts for three sea turtle species.
A new study found that a deadly frog disease, Perkinsea, is more widespread in Central Florida than expected, infecting over a third of sampled frogs. The disease is linked to cooler temperatures and higher precipitation, posing a concern for threatened species like the gopher frog.
Accelerometer sensors can detect sickness behavior in wild boar, allowing for early detection of African Swine Fever. The study found that infected boars were 10-20% less active daily than healthy ones, making this technology a potential tool for disease control and prevention.
Researchers found that wild jackdaws strategically switch friends to get mealworm rewards, but stick with offspring, siblings, and mating partners. The study provides new insights into how animals manage social relationships and how societies emerge from individual decisions.
African lion populations are declining due to various threats including habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict. A new study reveals the importance of considering both ecological and socio-political factors in conservation strategies.
A new method enables efficient isolation of raccoon-borne Escherichia albertii from fecal samples, providing insights into its epidemiology and facilitating improved control of food poisoning. The developed culture medium selectively promotes the growth of E. albertii at a rate of up to 48%.
A new study by Lund University reveals that disease affects blackbirds for three weeks, rather than just a day or two. The simulated bacterial infection stimulates the birds' immune system, causing them to stop their activities earlier in the evenings and have reduced daily activity periods.
Researchers used drones to track Przewalski's horses and found a complex, multilevel social structure similar to human societies. The herd's movements revealed kinship-based relationships and familiarity between animals, with mare-mare bonds playing a significant role in harem formation.
A study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that human shoulders and elbows evolved to facilitate 'downclimbing' - the process of descending from trees without dying. This adaptation allowed early humans to navigate their environment safely, gathering food and deploying tools for hunting and defense.
A new study shows that large herbivores can protect local nature by eating and trampling on invasive plant species. Native plants have evolved to withstand the treatment of these herbivores, while invasive plants usually cannot.
A new study from the University of Washington and Polar Bears International reveals a direct link between cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear demographic changes. The study shows that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help protect polar bears, with implications beyond just this species.
Researchers found that nuclear weapon fallout from 60 to 80 years ago also contributes to the persistent radioactivity in German wild boars. The team measured cesium-137 levels and compared them to cesium-135 using a mass spectrometer, finding that nuclear weapons testing supplied between 10 and 68% of the contamination.
A new study by WCS found that overhunting of fruit-eating mammals and birds can lead to a shift in forest composition, resulting in lower carbon storage. The loss of these species changes the ecosystem, making it more challenging for forests to sequester and store carbon.
Researchers found that white-tailed deer are virus reservoirs, promoting ongoing mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At least 30 infections were introduced by humans, and an estimated 23.5% of deer had been infected at one time or another.
Researchers analyzed data from 31 studies and found that cattle face a higher risk of getting tuberculosis from wildlife through indirect interactions. Indirect interaction rates were 154 times higher than direct interaction rates.
Researchers found that birds allowed people to get much closer than expected, with an average distance of just 39 inches, suggesting a significant decrease in fear response. The study's findings challenge existing theories on bird behavior and may offer hope for North American bird populations threatened by human disturbances.
City-living male song sparrows exhibit increased parental care and reduced nest predation rates, contradicting the notion that urbanization leads to decreased parental investment. Urban males also begin feeding nestlings earlier in the day, indicating a more attentive parenting style.
The invasive orange pore fungus has won the third BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition, highlighting its potential threats to Australian ecosystems. The winning image depicts bright orange fruiting bodies growing on deadwood in the Australian rainforest.
A study by Ohio State University found that urban coyote cortisol levels are higher than those in suburban or natural areas. Chronic stress is also linked to poor physical condition, such as mange infection, and the responsibility of running a pack, with alpha individuals experiencing high stress levels.
The recovery of gray wolf populations in the United States has been broadly successful over the past 30 years, with many regions now sporting robust populations. However, these growing populations face significant threats, including fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and livestock.
A study found that urban great tits have paler plumage than their forest-living counterparts due to inadequate carotenoid intake from city diets. Researchers suggest planting native trees and plants can help provide a healthy diet for these birds.
A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...
A study led by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers uncovered the conditions that trigger curiosity in wild orangutans, including social and environmental factors. Young orangutans were more likely to observe and approach novel objects, while the presence of association partners increased their curiosity.
A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research found that two colonies of white-rumped vultures in Nepal demonstrated stable reproductive rates over an 11-year period. The number of occupied nests and productivity appeared to be stable, indicating a potential turning point for the critically endangered species.
QUT researchers have created a booster vaccine using implant technology to protect wild koalas from Chlamydia disease. The new device allows for in-the-field vaccination without recapturing the animals, reducing human interference and increasing vaccination efficiency.
Scientists successfully removed invasive spectacled caimans from specific areas of the Everglades, reducing competition with native alligators and crocodiles. The efforts demonstrate early detection, rapid response, and persistent removal can effectively control invasive species, with implications for other invasive species management.
A new study reveals that trumpetfish can conceal themselves by swimming closely behind another fish while hunting, reducing the likelihood of detection. This unique strategy, known as 'shadowing', uses a non-threatening species of fish as camouflage to approach prey.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen used a new method to collect airborne DNA particles and found evidence of 64 different animal species in a single football field-sized area. The findings suggest that this technique could be a valuable tool for monitoring biodiversity and tracking the spread of diseases.
A genetic study has found that a captive-bred population of the Orinoco crocodile, one of the world's most endangered species, possesses sufficient genetic diversity and is suitable for reintroduction efforts. The Colombian government can use this research to initiate new populations in areas where the species has been depleted.
In a study published in Animal Behaviour, researchers found that male field crickets adjust their song patterns based on the proximity of rivals. When another cricket is within one meter, males are less likely to sing, suggesting they prioritize territorial defense over courtship displays.
Research shows bat activity decreases when farms switch to organic agriculture, with a potential time-lag before benefits for the environment emerge. The findings suggest that organic farming can have detrimental effects during the transition period, highlighting the need for careful management.
A recent study analyzing camera trap images found six wildlife species, including coyote and gray fox, to be remarkably resistant to the Mendocino Complex Fire's impacts. Small patches of tree cover spared by the fire provided a refuge for these animals, allowing them to recover and even spread back into burned areas.
Researchers tracked eastern wild turkey nesting in five southern U.S. states over eight years, finding slight changes in nest timing linked to temperature and rainfall. However, these shifts were minimal and less than three hours, suggesting turkeys may be inflexible in their reproductive activities.
Researchers found osteochondrosis dissecans in fossil bones of Ice Age predators, with an incidence as high as 7% in shoulder and knee joints. The study suggests dwindling populations may have contributed to the disease's prevalence in these ancient species.
A new study identifies hundreds of at-risk animal and plant species without corresponding protection from international trade. The list includes Endangered and Critically Endangered animals and plants, such as shark and ray species, palm species, and songbird species.
A recent study by Tufts Wildlife Clinic found that approximately 30% of hawks and owls were positive for exposure to neurotoxic rodenticide bromethalin. This discovery expands upon the previous research on anticoagulant rodenticides, which showed that all red-tailed hawks tested were positive for ARs.
The Ngoc Linh Crocodile Newt is a newly discovered species of crocodile newt found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The species is considered Endangered due to its small population size and limited geographic range.
Rutgers researchers argue that animal welfare is often ignored in policymaking, despite its relevance across various domains. New tools aim to integrate animal welfare into decision-making, enabling policymakers to assess the impacts of policies on both humans and animals.
A mathematical approach using statistical methods can estimate when whales like narwhals and bowhead whales will return to their natural behaviour after being tagged. This method allows researchers to avoid discarding too much or too little data, reducing the risk of interfering with research results or animal welfare.
The AOS released its 64th Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds, including species lumps for the Western Flycatcher and Caribbean birds, as well as a species split for the Northern Goshawk. Five additional bird species were recognized in the Caribbean due to revised classification.
Researchers have discovered that rattlesnakes can modulate each other's stress responses when in the presence of a companion, similar to human behavior. This phenomenon, known as social buffering, was observed in wild-caught snakes in Southern California and persisted even after hibernation or mating.