Tag

Ecology

All articles tagged with #ecology

science9 days ago•5 min saved

Deer Glow: Ultraviolet Signposts Reveal Hidden Forest Communication

University of Georgia researchers found that white-tailed deer rubs and ground scrapes glow under ultraviolet light (365 and 395 nm), suggesting deer may communicate using UV-visible ‘signposts’ in the forest. Irradiance measurements showed these spots were brighter than the surroundings, though whether the glow comes from deer secretions, plant compounds, or both remains unclear. The study analyzed 109 rubs and 37 scrapes in a Whitehall Forest during two fall surveys in 2024, and the findings point to a possible new form of deer communication, published in Ecology and Evolution.

via ScienceAlert|

#deer #ecology #photoluminescence

animals13 days ago•68 min saved

Cannibalism in Snakes: Evolutionary Trick Repeats Across 11 Lineages

A review of 503 cannibalism reports across 207 snake species finds that cannibalistic behavior has evolved independently at least 11 times. The behavior appears across continents and contexts, often linked to environmental stress or scarce food, with many captivity cases; jaw flexibility and dietary generalism help some snakes consume conspecifics. Researchers say cannibalism can provide ecological fitness as an opportunistic feeding strategy, though much of the data are anecdotal and more study is needed.

via Live Science|

#animals #biology #cannibalism

science28 days ago•5 min saved

Dusty Salmon Cans Turn Into a Window on Marine Webs

Researchers opened decades-old Alaska salmon cans (1979–2021) and found anisakid worms; the parasites’ increasing numbers in pink and chum salmon trace a healthy, functioning marine food web and ecosystem recovery, with humans kept safe by the canning process.

via ScienceAlert|

#anisakids #canned-salmon #ecology

science-and-technology1 month ago•6 min saved

Truffles hitchhike to new habitats through animal meals

Truffles, underground fruiting bodies of fungi, cannot release spores into the air. Instead they rely on animals eating them and transporting the spores through digestion, depositing them elsewhere and enabling the fungi to spread across ecosystems.

via The Economist|

#animal-mediated-dispersal #ecology #fungi

science1 month ago•3 min saved

The living trap: how ants and fungus rig a plant to catch prey

Researchers describe a three-way symbiosis in the Amazon between the shrub Hirtella physophora, the ant Allomerus decemarticulatus, and a cultivated fungus. The ants fashion a trap by cutting plant hairs and using fungal adhesive to build a stem platform with pores, where they ambush prey much larger than themselves; crickets are overcome and consumed. The plant gains defense and sugar rewards; the ants get prey, and the fungus feeds on waste, making a rare win-win-win interaction.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#ants #ecology #myrmecophily

science1 month 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

science1 month 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

science1 month 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

science2 months 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

biology2 months 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

science4 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

science7 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

science7 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

science8 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

science8 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