Articles tagged with Marine Life
A team of researchers has discovered a novel digestive strategy in shipworms, which could be a game-changer for the industrial production of clean biofuels. The study found that shipworms use enzymes made by symbiotic bacteria stored in their gills to break down wood for nutrition.
Scientists have discovered evidence for a massive mountain range that thrived 600 million years ago, supporting an explosion of life on Earth. The Himalayan-scale range was eroded intensely, releasing nutrients into the oceans that allowed life to flourish.
Researchers found that warm oceans had significantly lower oxygen levels during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, leading to widespread deoxygenation. This discovery could help scientists better understand climate change impacts on marine life.
A new study suggests that electrofishing can effectively remove non-native Brook Trout from small Rocky Mountain streams, preserving native Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations. The method involves using electrical shock to target and remove specific unwanted species, reducing impacts on native fish and macro-invertebrates.
A long-term laboratory experiment showed that young sea stars grow more slowly and eat less in acidic conditions, even after a prolonged acclimation period. The study suggests that young sea stars may not adapt to the effects of ocean acidification, potentially affecting entire ecosystems.
A new study found that in India's human-dominated landscapes, leopards primarily feed on domestic dogs (39%) and domestic cats (15%), rather than livestock. This is due to the relative accessibility of dogs, which are often allowed to roam freely.
A new peer-reviewed paper by the Wildlife Conservation Society suggests that all ivory markets must be closed to conserve Africa's elephant populations. The paper argues that corruption and organized crime make legal trade in ivory a major factor contributing to the decline of elephants.
Researchers in Brazil developed a non-lethal strategy to reduce shark encounters with humans, increasing protected species survival rates and decreasing attacks. The 'simple and humane' approach has been shown to be effective over 8 years, making swimmers safer without harming threatened shark populations.
A new study found that wild yak mothers venture on steeper terrain than either males or females without young, accessing more nutritious food and avoiding predators. The researchers believe this strategy is an adaptive way to cope with climate change and biological challenges in their high-altitude habitat.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia found that high seas fish and aquatic life remove 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, valued at $148 billion US. This compares to the $16 billion paid for 10 million tonnes of caught fish, highlighting their importance as a natural carbon sink.
A historic epidemic of sea star wasting syndrome has exploded along Oregon's coast, with 30-50% of ochre sea stars affected and potentially leading to local extinctions. The outbreak could disrupt the marine intertidal ecosystem, causing widespread damage.
The IPRC Ocean Drift Model has been charting the possible paths of tsunami driftage for nearly 3 years, improving its accuracy by accounting for different shapes and buoyancies. The model predicts the type and timing of material that washes up along windward shores, including oyster buoys, crates, and wood pieces from Japan.
Researchers in Tasmania reveal ancient conditions that stifled evolution for a billion years, but then oxygen levels surged, triggering the 'Cambrian explosion of life'. The study uses a new technique to analyze ancient seafloor rocks, shedding light on the emergence of life and its impact on Earth.
New data shows a continued decline of African forest elephants, with 65% lost between 2002 and 2013. The poaching rate is alarming, with 9% per year, resulting in over 96 elephants killed daily.
Tropical Depression 33W rapidly weakened, with only two isolated areas of heavy rainfall remaining. The depression was expected to move northeast and dissipate over the next day due to high vertical wind shear.
Researchers found that warm ocean currents near Europa's equator and subsiding currents at the poles could create chaos terrains on the surface. This process may help initiate upwelling ice pulses, which form features like these terrains.
A recent Arctic study reveals that tiny crustaceans, known as copepods, may not survive if ocean acidity rises due to increased CO2. Copepods with a wide natural habitat range are likely to be better equipped to handle the changes.
Former Tropical Depression 30W has re-formed in the Andaman Sea, with a medium chance of redevelopment by Nov 9-10, threatening India and surrounding nations.
Researchers quantify the extent of ancient oxygen-free and hydrogen sulfide-rich waters in the ocean during a major extinction event 93.9 million years ago. This discovery highlights the significant impact on ocean chemistry and biological activity, suggesting that even limited euxinia can have profound effects on marine life.
A team of researchers has documented the removal of oxygen from seawater flowing through the deep ocean's rocky crust, suggesting that microbes are scavenging for energy. This finding provides crucial insights into the survival and thrival of life in the 'deep biosphere' beneath the sea floor.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London discovered a novel nanoparticle with magnetic properties, revealing potential applications in battery technology and cancer therapies. The sea urchin-shaped nanoparticles consist of iron-filled nanotubes with unique properties that can be manipulated for various uses.
Scientists discover new clam species, Waldo arthuri, in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. The species has a thin, translucent shell and long willowy tentacles, and lives on the spines of one type of sea urchin in a commensal relationship.
Researchers analyze growth process of brinicles, hollow tubes of ice growing downward into cold seawater near the Earth's poles. The study suggests brinicles could have fostered emergence of life on Earth billions of years ago and may be important for life on other planets with ice-covered oceans
Researchers discovered that purple sea urchins can rapidly evolve in acidic ocean water due to high levels of genetic variation, allowing them to thrive in conditions with high carbon dioxide. This capacity may help some marine species survive in future acidified seas.
Researchers examined biological and environmental properties of invasive species, finding three to four key factors that influence their success. This discovery opens new avenues for marine research and management.
Researchers reconstructed ancient ocean conditions, finding most deep ocean was anoxic, with limited oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. This discovery challenges our understanding of eukaryote rise and animal emergence.
A new model reveals that oxygen-poor toxic conditions in ancient oceans may have delayed the spread of complex life forms. The study shows how bacteria using nitrate in their metabolism controlled the formation of toxic hydrogen-sulphide-rich states.
A collection of fossil animals discovered off the coast of Florida suggests that present-day deep-sea fauna may have evolved earlier than previously thought. The fossils show striking similarities to modern equivalents, indicating that ancestors of these animals lived in deep waters for much longer than believed.
Researchers have gained insight into the microscopic mechanics of a sea urchin's spine, which enables it to absorb impacts and stresses while maintaining strength. The unique structure of the spine allows for an advantageous blend of elasticity and brittleness.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered genes in sea urchins and sea cucumbers that can change collagen elasticity, potentially leading to new ways to keep skin looking young and healthy. The study found peptides that cause rapid stiffening or softening of collagen, which could be used to combat aging-related wrinkles.
A UC Santa Cruz study finds that a thriving sea otter population can lead to the growth of kelp forests, which absorb 12 times more CO2 from the atmosphere than without sea urchin grazing. This phenomenon has significant implications for global carbon sequestration.
A new study examines the impact of natural gradients in food and temperature on deep-sea species across the globe. The results suggest that temperature has a bigger impact on individual-level parameters like metabolism and growth rate, while food is more important for higher-level parameters like abundance and species diversity.
Research reveals histamine plays a central role in controlling purple sea urchin metamorphosis, regulating cell death and settlement. Histamine's presence inhibits programmed cell death, allowing larvae to mature into adult forms.
The Nereus model provides a global view of life in the world's oceans, predicting a decline in large fish biomass and an increase in small fish populations. The model also shows the impact of human activities, climate change, and fisheries management on ocean life.
Researchers have discovered layers of bacterial microbes in underwater caves, each with specialized forms of life adapted to different depths and conditions. The findings suggest that microbial life can thrive in extreme environments, potentially providing insights into the origins of life on Earth and its possibility elsewhere.
Researchers have discovered that massive volcanic eruptions in the late Permian period likely caused the extinction of nearly all marine species and a majority of land life. Mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than today's human-caused emissions, contributing to the loss of 95% of life in the sea.
A team of researchers determined the mass extinction event that wiped out 95% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial life occurred approximately 252.28 million years ago, lasting less than 200,000 years.
Researchers found that sea urchins have limited effect on controlling invasive seaweeds like Caulerpa racemosa and Lophocladia lallemandii in the Mediterranean. High sea urchin densities can limit their establishment, but they exert no control in highly invaded areas.
Researchers found that sea urchins have photoreceptors on the tip and base of their tube feet, allowing them to react to light and potentially use the shadow cast by their skeleton for direction. This unique system enables sea urchins to navigate and function in their surroundings despite lacking eyes.
A new study reveals that ocean low-oxygen zones are expanding and contracting in response to climate changes, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. The research, led by UCLA scientists, found that these oxygen-depleted regions can have devastating effects on marine populations.
A new study found significant organic material buried in deoxygenated layers of sediment, indicating a mass mortality event in the oceans during a greenhouse effect. The research suggests that subtle changes in temperature and CO2 levels can trigger catastrophic effects on ocean sustainability.
Researchers studied 'greenhouse oceans' using core samples from the ocean bed off western Africa, finding significant organic material buried in deoxygenated layers. The study suggests that natural processes can remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, potentially mitigating the effects of climate change.
Existing protected areas may be insufficient to safeguard sea turtles from fishing nets, according to a new study. International cooperation is needed to extend and manage the waters where olive ridley sea turtles spend most of their time.
Tiny single-celled algae and bacteria rebounded quickly after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, consuming oxygen and slowing larger organisms' recovery. This process was driven by volcanic activity and resulting ocean acidification, which fueled explosive algae blooms.
Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and AMNH discover genetic distinct populations of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin formed by currents, surface temperature differences, and environmental barriers. The study sheds light on how environmental factors influence population structure in marine species.
A team of researchers from MBARI and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary will use a robotic submarine to study the biological impacts of a shipping container on the seafloor. The goal is to determine what effects, if any, the container has had on seafloor life.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected 118 outstanding researchers as recipients of the prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships for 2011. These early-career scientists and scholars will receive $50,000 fellowships to support their original research in various fields.
Biologists in the Gulf of Mexico are urging the need for strategic research plans to understand and restore marine ecosystems after environmental disasters. The team identified seven key elements needed for these plans, including population trends and demographic processes.
Researchers have discovered the secret behind sea urchin teeth's ever-sharp quality, which could be mimicked to create self-sharpening tools. The unique biomineral mosaic structure of the teeth allows them to maintain sharpness despite constant grinding and scraping.
The new podcast series aims to raise awareness about the importance of ocean environments and the threats they face. The shows will explore various topics, including climate change, tracking sharks, whaling, and overfishing.
A new understanding of marine ecology has emerged, revealing that mussel populations are connected across vast distances through communication. This discovery has significant implications for the design of marine reserves and fisheries management.
A recent study has discovered that certain marine bacteria can form biofilms on plastic fragments, potentially breaking them down. This research could lead to new methods for cleaning up microplastics and reducing their impact on marine life.
Researchers found that sea urchins prey on crinoids, a type of marine animal known as sea lilies, and suggested that these interactions drove the development of motility in sea lilies. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for an evolutionary arms race between predators and prey dating back over 200 million years.
Early life likely arose from gases and geochemical gradients at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, rather than a primordial soup, according to new research. This alternative theory proposes that the first cells harnessed these energy sources to generate ATP through chemiosmosis.
Researchers estimate that echinoderms, including starfish and sea urchins, produce over a tenth of a gigatonne of carbon per year through calcifying their skeletons. This contribution is more significant than previously thought and must be taken into account in climate models.
A team of researchers found that some microscopic marine organisms recovered within a century after the mass extinction, contradicting previous estimates of millions of years. This discovery suggests that the atmosphere cleared quickly, allowing ecosystems to recover from the impact's effects.
Marine renewable energy devices can boost local biodiversity and benefit marine environments by attracting marine organisms to man-made structures, creating 'artificial reefs'. However, such devices also pose negative environmental impacts from habitat loss, collision risks, noise, and electromagnetic fields.
The NOAA report finds that the sanctuary's marine life and habitats are fair to good overall but face emerging threats like marine debris and ocean acidification. The condition report provides a baseline for monitoring changes in sanctuary resources.
A comprehensive investigation into sea urchins' axial complex has shown that various internal organs are structurally linked. The study uses high-resolution imaging to analyze specimens from multiple orders, providing a re-evaluation of published studies spanning two centuries.
Researchers at UBC found that warmer, more acidic waters enable Purple Ochre Sea Stars to grow twice as fast as normal over 10 weeks. This discovery complicates current assumptions about climate change's impact on marine species.