Parasites: what causes some species to evolve to exploit others
If you saw the first episode of David Attenborough's new BBC series Perfect Planet, you will have seen the astounding bloodsucking behaviour of the vampire finches. These small birds exist only on two remote islands in the Galapagos and have evolved.....»»
Mini-transmitters show infections with parasites affect local flight behavior of swallows
Swallows infected with parasites move less and in smaller ranges than healthy ones—with detrimental effects on their foraging success and their survival. As a result, infected individuals foraged in less productive areas, such as cultivated farmlan.....»»
Bio-based fibers could pose greater threat to environment than conventional plastics
Bio-based materials may pose a greater health risk to some of the planet's most important species than the conventional plastics they are designed to replace, a new study has shown......»»
Genome sequencing of all four Macadamia species unlocks new potential for crop improvement
A research team has successfully sequenced and assembled the genomes of all four Macadamia species, marking a significant advance in crop improvement efforts for this commercially valuable nut. The findings reveal key genetic traits that could enhanc.....»»
How to get all pets in Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley's 1.6 update allows players to adopt more than one pet. It also brought along turtles as a new species. We'll tell you how to adopt more pets......»»
Only 3% of South Africans can name all five national animals and plants. Why these symbols matter
Alongside a national flag, anthem and coat of arms, most countries have one or more plant and animal species that they designate as national symbols. The national animal of China, for example, is the giant panda, a nation-wide source of pride and dip.....»»
Bats use echolocation to make mental maps for navigation
Despite only working over short distances, echolocation is enough to get bats home. Many species of bats use echolocation to avoid obstacles like tree branches and hunt small inse.....»»
"Wing spreading" adaptation in fruit flies offers insights into female courtship behavior
In the game of evolution, key behavioral adaptations that confer fitness in survival and reproduction, paying tremendous dividends for an individual's progeny, may seemingly arise from thin air—so much so, even familiar species like the humble frui.....»»
New insights into mango evolution: Study reveals extensive hybridization within the Mangifera genus
A research team investigated whole chloroplast genomes and nuclear gene sequences from 14 species, uncovering new insights into the genetic diversity and hybrid origins of mango species. They used the evolutionary relationships within the Mangifera g.....»»
In Hawaii, parasites and viruses team up in the battle against fruit flies—implications for global pest control
Take a stroll along one of the beaches on Hawaii Island in late summer, and you'll likely stumble upon almond-shaped fruits lying in the sand. Known as false kamani nuts, or tropical almonds, they fall from tall, shady Terminalia catappa trees that l.....»»
Can a superstar hippo help save Africa"s rainforests?
The world's first superstar hippo lives in a zoo in Thailand. Moo Deng shot to fame soon after she was born in July this year, thanks to viral videos that showed off her cute expressions and chirpy demeanor. Yet the story of her species is less happy.....»»
Nigeria"s last elephants: What must be done to save them?
Nigeria has a unique elephant population, made up of both forest-dwelling (Loxodonta cyclotis) and savanna-dwelling (Loxodonta africana) elephant species. But the animals are facing unprecedented threats to their survival. In about 30 years, Nigeria'.....»»
AI method captures ecotourism photos to monitor remote animal species
A team of computer scientists, ecologists and statisticians at Stony Brook University, working with a colleague from the U.S. Geological Survey, has found that it is possible to use AI applications to find images captured by ecotourists for use in st.....»»
No "island of garbage" here, Puerto Rico"s new marine reserve
The Caribbean US territory of Puerto Rico, likened to a "floating island of garbage" at a Republican rally in New York, on Wednesday announced the creation of a new marine reserve to protect manatees and other species......»»
One in Three Tree Species Is at Risk of Extinction
A review of 47,282 tree species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that more than one third are at risk of extinction.....»»
Prolonged brain development of marmosets could serve as model for human evolution
The development of primate brains is shaped by various inputs. However, these inputs differ between independent breeders, such as great apes, and cooperative breeders, such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and humans. In these species, gro.....»»
Report reveals a "vital sanctuary" for wildlife and endangered species in Cambodia"s Central Cardamom Mountains
The first-ever camera trap study of the Central Cardamom Mountains Landscape has recorded 108 species, 23 of which are listed at risk (Vulnerable or above) on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the significance of the region as a global stronghold for b.....»»
Advanced imaging uncovers 12 new weevil species
Jake Lewis, an entomologist in the Environmental Science and Informatics Section at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is fascinated by weevils, a diverse group of beetles that includes many species with elephant trunk-like mouth.....»»
Less than 7 mm in length, this Atlantic Rainforest flea toad is the second-smallest vertebrate described in the world
Flea toads, as some species in the genus Brachycephalus are known, are less than 1 cm long in adulthood. Their size is far smaller than a fingernail......»»
Researchers" new outreach strategy sets blueprint for detecting invasive species in Florida
Invasive species in Florida like Nile monitors and Argentine black-and-white tegus pose a growing threat to the Sunshine State's environment, economy and public safety. South Florida's warm climate, disturbed habitats and bustling pet trade have made.....»»
Discovery of critical iron-transport protein in malaria parasites could lead to faster-acting medications
Malaria kills over 600,000 people a year, and as the climate warms, the potential range of the disease is growing. While some drugs can effectively prevent and treat malaria, resistance to those drugs is also on the rise......»»