Monarchs evolved mutations to withstand milkweed toxins; so did their predators
Monarch butterflies and their close relatives thrive on poisonous milkweed, thanks to genetic mutations that block the effects of the plant's toxins while allowing the poisons to accumulate in the caterpillar or adult insects as deterrents to hungry.....»»
Aphids make tropical milkweed less inviting to monarch butterflies, study finds
Many gardeners will tell you that aphids are the bane of their existence. According to a new study from the University of Florida, these tiny pests also pose problems for the iconic monarch butterfly. The study found that when oleander aphids infeste.....»»
Dinosaurs and the evolution of breathing through bones
Dinosaurs' hyper-efficient breathing system also evolved in two other lineages. Enlarge / It takes careful study and the right kind of bones to determine how something like this breathed. (credit: Tito Aureliano et. al.).....»»
Older evolved stars passing through a star-forming region could have heated an early Earth
Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London have spotted a "retired" asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star passing through a young star-forming region, something which was previously thought not to happen......»»
Where to watch Shark Week 2023: live stream for free
It's that time of the year when we celebrate one of the ocean's apex predators as Discovery hosts Shark Week 2023......»»
How eelgrass spread around the world
Seagrasses evolved from freshwater plants and use sunlight and carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis and are able to thrive in depths down to 50 meters. In contrast to algae, they possess roots and rhizomes that grow in sandy to muddy sediments. Th.....»»
Large pterosaurs were better parents than their smaller, earlier counterparts, study finds
Small pterosaurs were born with comparatively strong, large wings, which meant they could leave the nest swiftly, while the cumbersome baby large pterosaurs required parental protection from predators, scientists have discovered......»»
How fish evolved their bony, scaly armor
About 350 million years ago, your evolutionary ancestors—and the ancestors of all modern vertebrates—were merely soft-bodied animals living in the oceans. In order to survive and evolve to become what we are today, these animals needed to gain so.....»»
Small-winged and lighter colored butterflies likely to be at greatest threat from climate change
The family, wing length and wing color of tropical butterflies all influence their ability to withstand rising temperatures, say a team led by ecologists at the University of Cambridge. The researchers believe this could help identify species whose s.....»»
Size does matter: Group size and mating preferences drive deeper male voices
Deeper male voices in primates, including humans, offer more than sex appeal—they may have evolved as another way for males to drive off competitors in large groups that favored polygyny, or mating systems where a male has multiple mates, according.....»»
Caterpillar venom study reveals toxins borrowed from bacteria
Researchers at The University of Queensland have discovered the venom of a notorious caterpillar has a surprising ancestry and could be key to the delivery of lifesaving drugs......»»
Microbial predators cause seasonal fluctuations in wastewater treatment, study shows
A community of microbial predators influences the composition of the bacterial community in wastewater. This explains seasonal variations in the microbial community that affect the efficiency of water treatment. This is the result of a study conducte.....»»
The ancient practice of livestock guardian dogs is highly successful on Australian farms today
Guardian dogs do a great job of protecting Australian livestock from predators......»»
Seven things you should know about blue-green algae
It happens every summer: blue-green algae bloom into vast blankets of colorful scum in lakes, disrupting ecosystems and potentially exposing people to toxins......»»
Warmer and murkier waters favor predators of guppies, study finds
Changes in water conditions interact to affect how Trinidadian guppies protect themselves from predators, scientists at the University of Bristol have discovered......»»
Scientists identify gene crucial for male meiosis during homologous pairing and synapsis
Meiotic recombination-related gene (e.g., DMC1, HFM1, MEIOB, MAJIN, C14ORF39/SIX6OS1, STAG3, SYCE1, SYCP2-3, TERB1-2) mutations have been identified in human subfertility or infertility. Surprisingly, most patients have been found to have aberrant sp.....»»
5 simple Apple Watch tips and tricks everyone should be using
The Apple Watch has been around for almost 10 years now. While much has evolved with watchOS – and Apple is about to revamp the … The post 5 simple Apple Watch tips and tricks everyone should be using appeared first on BGR. The App.....»»
Humans Are Predators of at Least One Third of All Vertebrate Species
Humans prey on more vertebrate species for use as pets and in medicine and other products than we do for food.....»»
Seasonal specialization in butterflies determines responses to a changing climate
Summer and winter seasons constitute vastly different living conditions for animals and plants in many parts of the world. So how have different organisms evolved to cope with this variation? A study by researchers at Stockholm University published i.....»»
A jaw-dropping conundrum: Why do mammals have a stiff lower jaw?
From the 20-foot-long jawbones of the filter-feeding blue whale to the short, but bone-crushing, jaws of the hyena and the delicate chin bones of a human, the pair of lower jawbones characteristic of mammals have evolved with amazing variation......»»
Study reveals reason hellbenders are disappearing
The gigantic, slimy salamanders known as hellbenders, once the apex predators of many freshwater streams, have been in decline for decades, their population constantly shrinking. No one knew why. William Hopkins, professor in the Department of Fish a.....»»