Tag

Ecology

All articles tagged with #ecology

science1 day ago•23 min saved

Ecology and Social Complexity Shape Primate Same-Sex Behavior

A global synthesis of 491 primate species finds that same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) is widespread and its occurrence is driven by both environmental pressures (drier habitats, food scarcity, predation) and social factors (larger sexual dimorphism, longer lifespans, more complex hierarchies). Structural equation modelling suggests environmental and life-history traits affect SSB mainly indirectly, while social complexity directly promotes it, highlighting SSB as a context-dependent trait shaping primate evolution and sexual diversity.

via Nature|

#ecology #primate #same-sex-behavior

science2 days ago•11 min saved

Tiny, ubiquitous engineers: springtails underpin Earth’s ecosystems

Springtails (Collembola) are tiny, ancient invertebrates found in virtually every habitat on Earth—from Mount Everest to Antarctica and even homes. They use a spring-loaded furcula to leap and a moisture-absorbing collophore to survive desiccation. As key players in regulating bacteria and fungi and in breaking down organic matter, they sustain ecosystems across forests, deserts, caves, and more. Giant springtails living in rotting wood can reach up to 17 mm, and recent work reshapes their classification, revealing a southern-hemisphere split tied to Gondwanan history, while warming and drying climates threaten many populations in Australia and New Zealand—a silent mass extinction for these remarkable yet underappreciated creatures.

via The Conversation|

#biodiversity #collembola #ecology

science10 days ago•3 min saved

AI Advances in Assessing Tourist Effects on Seals

Artificial intelligence is significantly speeding up the process of monitoring seal populations at Newburgh beach in Aberdeenshire, helping researchers assess the impact of tourism on seals by analyzing drone footage more efficiently. This technology allows for better understanding of seasonal seal behavior and human disturbance, aiding conservation efforts.

via BBC|

#ai #drones #ecology

science25 days ago•4 min saved

Scientists Find Earth's Seasons Are Unusually Out of Sync from Space

Scientists using 20 years of satellite data have discovered that Earth's seasons are often out of sync across different regions, even neighboring areas, which has significant implications for ecology, evolution, and climate models, highlighting the planet's complex and diverse seasonal patterns.

via ScienceAlert|

#biodiversity #climate-variability #earths-seasons

biology1 month ago•29 min saved

Exploring the Biodiversity and Evolution of Mushroom-Forming Fungi

This article reviews the current research on mushroom-forming fungi, covering their biodiversity, genomics, ecological roles, and evolutionary history, highlighting recent discoveries in their symbiosis, decay mechanisms, and biogeography.

via Nature|

#biodiversity #biology #ecology

science3 months ago•1 min saved

Nikon Small World 2025: Stunning Microphotography Winners Unveiled

The 51st Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition recognized 71 outstanding images captured through microscopy, with China's Zhang You winning first place for his detailed photo of a rice weevil on rice, highlighting the intricate world of insects and their ecological roles.

via The Washington Post|

#ecology #insects #microscopy

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Photographer Transforms Fear into Fascination with Macro Insect Photography

Marit van Ekelenburg uses macro photography to showcase the beauty and ecological importance of insects and invertebrates, aiming to turn fear into fascination and promote appreciation for these vital creatures through detailed images and educational outreach.

via PetaPixel|

#arthropods #ecology #insects

science6 months ago•4 min saved

De-Extinction Efforts Aim to Bring Back the Giant Moa and Other Extinct Species

Colossal Biosciences plans to use advanced DNA technology and CRISPR to resurrect the extinct giant moa of New Zealand, sparking debates on ecological impact, ethics, and conservation, with potential cultural and economic benefits for the region.

via Indian Defence Review|

#colossal-biosciences #de-extinction #ecology

science6 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Discover Squirrels Hunting and Eating Meat

Scientists in California discovered that ground squirrels, previously thought to be herbivores, actively hunt and eat voles, revealing unexpected dietary flexibility that may help them adapt to changing environments and impact local ecosystems.

via ZME Science|

#behavioral-flexibility #california #carnivory

science7 months ago•2 min saved

A Single Rule Explains Earth's Biodiversity from Oceans to Savannas

A new study reveals a universal rule governing Earth's biodiversity: most species cluster in small hotspots and spread outward, with environmental filtering shaping their distribution, which has significant implications for understanding ecosystems and conservation efforts.

via Phys.org|

#biodiversity #conservation #ecology

science7 months ago•4 min saved

Why a Few Species Dominate While Most Remain Rare

Researchers from UVA have identified a universal mathematical model, the powerbend distribution, that explains the common pattern in nature where most species are rare and a few are very common, across various ecosystems and organisms, with practical implications for biodiversity estimation and conservation.

via Earth.com|

#biodiversity #ecology #microbial-communities

science7 months ago•4 min saved

Researchers Determine Tree Species from Fallen Trees

UVA researchers have identified a universal mathematical model, the 'powerbend distribution,' that accurately describes species abundance across various ecosystems, from trees to microbes, aiding biodiversity conservation and ecological understanding.

via Phys.org|

#biodiversity #ecology #microbial-communities

science1 year ago

Scientists Warn of Global Risks from Synthetic 'Mirror' Microbes

Scientists warn that the discovery of a 'second Tree of Life' could have significant ecological and evolutionary implications. This concept suggests the existence of a separate lineage of life forms that evolved independently from known organisms, potentially disrupting current understanding of biodiversity and ecological balance. The findings could lead to a reevaluation of evolutionary theories and necessitate new conservation strategies.

via The New York Times|

#biodiversity #ecology #evolution

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Record-Breaking Humpback Whale Swims 13,000km Across Oceans for Mating

A male humpback whale set a new distance record for the species by traveling 8,106 miles across three oceans, from Colombia to Zanzibar, in search of mating opportunities. This journey, documented through photographs and published in Royal Society Open Science, reveals that humpback whale migrations are more flexible than previously thought, as the whale interacted with multiple populations along the way. The study suggests that the whale's motivation was likely reproductive, influenced by environmental changes and increased competition among males.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#animalbehavior #ecology #humpbackwhale

science-and-nature1 year ago•4 min saved

Stunning Photo Shows Bird's Hidden Eyelid in Action

Peter Hudson's photograph of a secretary bird closing its third eyelid while catching a locust won the ecology and environmental science category in the 2024 Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition. The image highlights the bird's nictitating membrane, which protects its eyes during feeding. The competition, in collaboration with the Royal Photographic Society, celebrates images revealing hidden scientific phenomena. The overall winner was Angela Albi's aerial photo of sharks hunting in the Maldives.

via Livescience.com|

#ecology #photography #royal-society-publishing-photography-competition