Articles tagged with Marine Biology
A new study has documented 289 living invertebrate and fish species arriving from Japan on more than 600 pieces of tsunami debris that crossed the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the debris was manmade material contributing to the transoceanic survival and dispersal of coastal species.
Biologists detected nearly 300 coastal species crossing the ocean on makeshift rafts after Japan's 2011 tsunami. The species, including mollusks and crustaceans, likely survived due to slower ocean currents and durable debris like plastic.
Scientists found anchovies and sardines spawning earlier and longer in Northwest waters due to unusually warm ocean conditions. This change may have unforeseen consequences on the food web, including competing with other species for food.
The study highlights how human activities like tourism, trade, and agriculture impact microbial populations worldwide. Researchers warn of potential extinction risks for some microbes due to increased competition and spreading of antibiotic resistance genes.
A new study found that climate change will impact fish survival globally, with sensitivity varying between ocean-dwelling and freshwater fish. The analysis predicts breaking-point temperatures for over 3,000 species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation strategies to support fish adaptation and migration.
A team of scientists used a novel microscope to measure the density of heterochromatin, a tightly packed form of chromatin found in human cells. The study reveals that heterochromatin DNA is not fully inactive, but rather has physical properties that can be described in live cells.
A recent study published in Nature found that biodiversity is a more powerful predictor of biomass production than climate change, with diverse ecosystems producing higher biomass and toppling climate as the most important factor. The research, conducted by a team at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, analyzed data from ove...
A new study finds that climate change is modifying fish predator prey interactions, with cod moving out of the U.S. Northeast Shelf due to warmer waters and spiny dogfish expanding their range to compensate.
A 1°C warming of the Antarctic Ocean led to a single pioneer species dominating the community, driving a reduction in overall species diversity and evenness. Marine organisms also responded with increased growth rates, particularly in warmer months.
A new study predicts that rising ocean temperatures will exclude sardines from the Galápagos Islands' ecosystem, leading to a decline in Nazca booby populations. The bird's reproductive success has already been affected by the absence of sardines, which were replaced by flying fish over 30 years ago.
Fish are expected to shrink by 20-30% in size as ocean temperatures rise due to climate change. This decline is caused by gill-oxygen limitation theory, where the surface area of gills cannot supply enough oxygen for a larger body.
A new study synthesizes research on coastal armoring and its ecological effects, revealing gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for more studies. The study evaluates a conceptual model that predicts ecological responses to armoring across various soft sediment ecosystems.
A new research paper presents a saturated coordinated path following control method for multiple underactuated USVs on a closed curve. The proposed method guarantees symmetric formation, has minimal communication data, and bounded control inputs.
A new species of deep-water hermit crab, Paragiopagurus atkinsonae, has been discovered off the West Coast of South Africa. The 'Green-eyed' hermit crab is characterized by its distinctive green coloration and unique home preference, living in soft polypy masses built from sand and sea anemones.
Researchers discovered that sea spiders use gut peristalsis to move blood and oxygen throughout their bodies, not hearts. This unique system allows for efficient gas transport and highlights the diversity of solutions in animal physiology.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new material that combines flexibility and stiffness by infusing it with tiny pockets of liquid gallium. The composite exhibits higher energy absorption characteristics than traditional materials, making it suitable for applications such as shock absorbers and biomimetic structures.
A study analyzing five years of Ocean Health Index data for 220 countries found that global ocean health has remained stable, but individual countries have seen changes, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Improvements in fishery management and marine protected areas may have stabilized ocean health scores in other regions.
A new Swansea University study suggests that rising temperatures associated with climate change could drive sea turtle populations to extinction. The research found that warmer incubation temperatures can lead to higher numbers of female sea turtles and increased nest failure, threatening the long-term survival of certain species.
Glass eel larvae can sense Earth's magnetic field and orient themselves using a biological clock, allowing them to migrate towards the coast. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of eel migration and has implications for our understanding of other species' navigation behaviors.
The Republic of Indonesia has published Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data on Global Fishing Watch, revealing commercial fishing locations and activities. This step towards increased transparency aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and support more informed management decisions.
Rotifers have been found to use Terminons, giant DNA sequences, to shield their chromosomes from degradation, which is linked to aging. This finding may help researchers better understand the mechanisms of aging.
A recent study found that changes in temperature variability have a threefold effect on albatross population growth rate compared to changes in mean ocean temperature. The researchers' findings suggest that increased variation in ocean temperatures leads to population decline, while an increase in the mean ocean temperature favors the ...
A new species of pliosaur, a large predatory marine reptile from the 'Age of Dinosaurs', has been found in Russia. The discovery reveals that pliosaurs colonized a wider range of ecological niches than previously thought.
A new study links high-altitude cooling around Antarctica to climate change in the subtropics, affecting Southeast Asia's rainfall patterns. The research uses sediment cores from the Australian continental shelf, providing a long-term history of climate changes.
Researchers captured dramatic footage of wild cuttlefish fighting over a mate, showcasing their unique posturing, skin displays, and aggressive behavior. The analysis suggests that this behavior follows the mutual assessment model of game theory, indicating a high level of cognitive ability.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences used mathematical models to determine the best way to throw an object at a target. They found that underhand throws are best for close, high targets and overhand throws are more accurate for targets below the shoulder.
A new study finds that Antarctica's biodiversity is lagging behind the rest of the world in protected area management and bioprospecting regulation. The region faces threats from warming oceans, melting ice cover, and transnational pollution, despite some successes in invasive species management.
A recent genetic study of clinging jellyfish populations has discovered unexpected connections between communities in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, challenging previous assumptions about their origins. The research suggests that there may be more than one species of Gonionemus, with different variants found in various locations.
Researchers at UNH have developed a new tool to measure both carbon and nitrogen footprints, aiming to reduce campus activities' impact on water quality and climate change. The Nitrogen Footprint Tool Network includes seven institutions, tracking emissions from food waste, energy consumption, and transportation.
Researchers discovered that young European eels detect subtle differences in the earth's magnetic field, helping them swim towards the Gulf Stream, a conveyor belt transporting them to Europe. The findings reveal that juvenile eels use their magnetic map sense to increase their chances of catching a free ride to their destination.
Marine ecologists at HKU have discovered a new species of mangrove-climbing crab, Haberma tingkok, found only in the Ting Kok area of Hong Kong. The crab is small, dark brown, and has elongated legs, representing the second endemic mangrove crab species described in Hong Kong.
A new study suggests that cephalopods, such as octopus and squid, have evolved prolific RNA editing to enable complex behaviors. This mechanism comes at the cost of reduced genomic DNA evolution, with a trade-off between the two processes observed in these animals.
Researchers from the University of Geneva linked marine biological aerosols to ocean water characteristics, enabling indirect study through water analysis. This discovery simplifies aerosol characterization and enhances climate models' accuracy.
The common periwinkle has evolved a unique strategy for detoxifying heavy metals, featuring a three-domain metallothionein with increased binding capacity. This adaptation enables the snail to thrive in polluted environments.
Marine biologists quantify the carbon consumption of bacterioplankton to better understand the ocean carbon cycle. The study found that increased CO2 levels stimulate bacterial respiration, converting organic carbon back to CO2 and limiting the ocean's ability to store it.
In a study published in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, researchers found that fully grown Galapagos penguins who have fledged from their nests continue to beg for food from their parents. This post-fledging parental care is thought to be an adaptation to the fluctuating availability of food in the Galapagos archipelago.
Researchers discovered five previously unknown active hydrothermal vents and a new vent site, featuring unique creatures thriving in extreme conditions. The vents emit hot water and particles, supporting life forms that rely on chemosynthetic bacteria for food.
A new study by University of California - Santa Barbara researchers found that sharks can interact with humans without long-term behavioral impacts. The research used video surveys to monitor shark abundance and behavior at sites with and without a history of scuba diving, revealing no significant differences.
Researchers found that when a species vanishes, other species can change their behavior to compensate, leading to positive or negative effects on ecosystems. The study's findings have important implications for conservation and predicting the consequences of human activity.
The Oxford University Press will publish the Journal of Crustacean Biology, a scientific journal covering crustacean biology and marine arthropods. The journal has undergone a facelift with a new format and style, expanding article types to include Research Notes and comprehensive reviews.
A team of scientists from UC Santa Barbara and colleagues conducted an eight-year study on a healthy shark population on Palmyra atoll. They found a significantly lower density of grey reef sharks than previously estimated, with around 20 sharks per square kilometer.
The study reveals that the ocean's oxygen content has decreased by more than 2% over the last 50 years due to global warming. This decrease can have far-reaching biological consequences for marine life, particularly large fish species.
Deep-sea squids have developed unique eyes to spot two different sources of light: ambient sunlight and bioluminescent flashes. The large eye is adapted for gazing upwards, searching for shadows, while the small eye scans downwards for bioluminescence.
A new MBL study has shed light on the origin of vertebrate gills, indicating they evolved around 600 million years ago. The research corrects a long-held misunderstanding that gills developed separately and independently in two vertebrate lineages.
Researchers identify 'bright spots' of resilience in marine ecosystems affected by climate change. These ecosystem-forming species are either resistant or able to recover from perturbations, with implications for ecosystem-sparing management.
A new study reveals that the weevil genus Laparocerus has undergone an explosion of evolutionary radiation, resulting in 237 known species and subspecies on the islands of Madeira and the Canary Islands. The analysis suggests that sequential radiation events have generated several monophyletic groups within the genus.
The United Nations seeks a new international policy for managing seabed resources in ABNJ areas, where laws are poorly specified. A new policy could address concerns by integrating inputs from research institutions, industries, and NGOs.
Researchers at Stanford University found that large MPAs in the U.S. Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge effectively protected grey reef sharks, with more sharks inside the reserve and fewer fishing vessels outside. The study suggests that expanded MPAs can have a significant impact on shark populations and ecosystem health.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University discover that Cladocerans originated from the north and spread throughout the Palearctic region via Beringia, a land bridge that closed and reopened multiple times. The study uses molecular genetic analysis to shed light on the evolution and dispersal of these small crustaceans.
Researchers have discovered that geostrophic balance becomes invalid at smaller scales, making sea level data unreliable for calculating ocean circulation. At high resolution, sea level can accurately calculate circulation in areas with persistent eddies, but not in areas dominated by internal waves.
Researchers used buoys' trajectories to simulate debris motion, finding areas with high probability for MH370 crash. The analysis is consistent with recently confirmed aircraft debris finds, highlighting the importance of sustained ocean observations.
Limpets' shells can be repaired to match their original strength after damage, but they still face weaknesses from multiple impacts called spalling. This biomimetic discovery could inspire solutions for engineering problems like concrete failure.
Synthetic microfibers from clothing shed during washing, ending up in surface waters and affecting fish and wildlife. Researchers are working on solutions to reduce microfiber pollution.
A landmark global scale study found that populations at the northern and southern range edges are most sensitive to ocean acidification, leading to reduced growth and genetic diversity. The research provides insights into how ocean acidification will shape species' distributions in the future.
A new study suggests the Galapagos Islands' incredible biodiversity emerged approximately 1.6 million years ago when the Equatorial Undercurrent collided with the archipelago, bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface. This event allowed for the growth of unique plants and animals that thrive in the islands' ecosystem.
Researchers have discovered a jet stream within the Earth's molten iron core, moving at over 40 kilometers per year and three times faster than typical outer core speeds. The discovery was made possible by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellites, which provided an unprecedented x-ray view of the planet.
When southern elephant seals find dense prey patches, they adjust their diving behavior to remain in those areas. The seals dive at steeper angles and exhibit more sinuous movement during ascents and descents.
A study found that soil respiration rates increase with temperature up to 25°C, but decrease above this threshold. The Arctic and deserts are most responsive to climate warming due to higher carbon storage in soils.
Researchers discovered that sharks absorb toxic ammonia through their gills and convert it into non-toxic urea. This process helps maintain the fish's moisture levels in salty seawater.
A University of Southampton study reveals that tropical storms are a significant contributor to the decline of river deltas globally. The researchers used archived measurements to detect sediment concentration changes in the Mekong River delta, finding that one-third of the sediment is due to tropical cyclones.