All articles tagged with #courtship behavior
Scientists successfully transferred a nuptial gift-giving behavior from Drosophila subobscura to Drosophila melanogaster by manipulating a single gene, FruM, in insulin-producing brain cells, revealing how small genetic changes can repurpose existing neural circuits to create new social behaviors and offering insights into evolution and behavior modification.
A study reveals that the fruitless (fru) gene, associated with courtship behavior in fruit flies, operates differently in Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis, challenging the assumption of universal gene functionality across species. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, researchers found that adding fru to females of D. virilis resulted in unique outcomes compared to D. melanogaster, highlighting the importance of cross-species research to fully understand the genetic basis of behavior and development. The findings suggest that conserved genes may not guarantee identical functions across species and open new avenues for studying gene impacts across diverse species.
Exposure to intense light instantly triggers courtship behavior in male fruit flies, including both male-male and male-female courtship. Previous studies have shown that various sensory inputs and internal factors influence courtship behavior in fruit flies. The researchers observed wing extension, chasing, and chaining behavior in response to intense light, as well as the production of male-male courtship songs. Mutations affecting visual and olfactory abilities had significant impacts on courtship behavior, while alterations to auditory and mechanosensory cues did not. The study suggests that intense light enhances courtship behavior in male fruit flies and highlights the importance of visual processing in this behavior.
Two megamouth sharks were spotted together for the first time off the coast of San Diego, California. The larger shark, around 4.6 meters long, appeared to be circling the smaller one, which was 3.7 meters long. The sharks were not observed feeding, and the researchers suggest two theories for their behavior: foraging or courtship. Based on the video evidence and previous insights, the researchers conclude that the two sharks were most likely engaging in pre-mating behavior. Megamouth sharks are famously elusive, and this rare sighting sheds more insight into their lives.
Fishers captured a rare video of two megamouth sharks swimming together off the coast of San Diego, which may show the deep-dwelling beasts in a courtship ritual. The elusive megamouth shark can grow to be 18 feet in length and weigh up to 2,679 pounds. In the 50 years since the species was discovered, there have been just 273 sightings, most involving sharks caught in fishing gear. The video contains the only knowledge we have on megamouth shark sociality, according to a new study analyzing the footage.
Fishermen captured rare footage of two megamouth sharks swimming together off the coast of San Diego, providing insight into the social behavior of the elusive deep-sea creatures. The video shows the sharks engaging in courtship or mating behaviors, with visible male sex organs suggesting one was male and the other likely female. Megamouth sharks are filter feeders that can grow up to 18 feet in length and weigh over 2,600 pounds. The species was only discovered in 1976 and has been rarely seen in the wild, with just five sightings of freely swimming sharks.