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Categories: Ecology: Animals, Ecology: General
Published Threatened sharks and rays caught off Cyprus



Sharks and rays from threatened species are being caught off northern Cyprus, according to a new study by scientists who are working with local authorities and fishers to protect the animals.
Published Crust-forming algae are displacing corals in tropical waters worldwide



Over the past few decades, algae have been slowly edging corals out of their native reefs across the globe by blocking sunlight, wearing the corals down physically, and producing harmful chemicals. But in recent years, a new type of algal threat has surfaced in tropical regions like the Caribbean -- one that spreads quickly and forms a crust on top of coral and sponges, suffocating the organisms underneath and preventing them from regrowing. Marine biologists report that peyssonnelioid alga crusts, or PACs, are expanding quickly across reefs worldwide, killing off corals and transforming entire ecosystems.
Published Large herbivores such as elephants, bison and moose contribute to tree diversity



Using global satellite data, a research team has mapped the tree cover of the world's protected areas. The study shows that regions with abundant large herbivores in many settings have a more variable tree cover, which is expected to benefit biodiversity overall.
Published New secrets about cat evolution revealed



By comparing genomes of several cat species, the project has helped researchers understand why cat genomes tend to have fewer complex genetic variations (such as rearrangements of DNA segments) than other mammal groups, like primates. It also revealed new insights into which parts of cat DNA are most likely to evolve rapidly and how they play a role in species differentiation.
Published To restore ecosystems, think about thwarting hungry herbivores



Re-establishing plantings of trees, grasses and other vegetation is essential for restoring degraded ecosystems, but a new survey of almost 2,600 restoration projects from nearly every type of ecosystem on Earth finds that most projects fail to recognize and control one of the new plants' chief threats: hungry critters that eat plants.
Published Research outlines how sex differences have evolved



Researchers have shown that sex differences in animals vary dramatically across species, organs and developmental stages, and evolve quickly at the gene level but slowly at the cell type level.
Published Investigators examine shifts in coral microbiome under hypoxia



A new study provides the first characterization of the coral microbiome under hypoxia, insufficient oxygen in the water.
Published Buzz around new centralized pollination portal for better global bee data



A powerful new way to fill major gaps in public bee data -- including from Africa, Asia and other under-reported zones -- has been addressed with a centralized tool for consolidating bee pollinator occurrences around the globe.
Published Giant dinosaur carcasses might have been important food sources for Jurassic predators



Carnivorous dinosaurs might have evolved to take advantage of giant carcasses, according to a new study.
Published Dam removals, restoration project on Klamath River expected to help salmon, researchers conclude



The world's largest dam removal and restoration project currently underway on the Klamath River in Oregon and California will aid salmon populations that have been devastated by disease and other factors. However, it will not fully alleviate challenges faced by the species, a team of researchers conclude.
Published Researchers observe wolves hunting and killing sea otters and harbor seals on Alaska's Katmai coast



Firsthand observations of a wolf hunting and killing a harbor seal and a group of wolves hunting and consuming a sea otter on Alaska's Katmai coast have led scientists to reconsider assumptions about wolf hunting behavior.
Published Australasia's hidden pollination crisis could threaten biodiversity and food security



Australasia's hidden pollination crisis, mirroring global threats, could pose a significant risk to regional biodiversity and food security, new research has found.
Published Amazon deforestation linked to long distance climate warming



Deforestation in the Amazon causes land surfaces up to 100 kilometers away to get warmer, suggests a new study. The research suggests that tropical forests play a critical role in cooling the land surface -- and that effect can play out over considerable distances.
Published Study uncovers hundred-year lifespans for three freshwater fish species in the Arizona desert



New study finds some of the oldest animals in the world living in a place you wouldn't expect: fishes in the Arizona desert.
Published Amphibians have one more thing to worry about--mercury



The first widescale assessment of methylmercury in adult amphibians in the U.S. to date shows that, in amphibians, this toxic compound is common, widespread and, at least for some, can reach very high levels.
Published Two bee species become one as researchers solve identity puzzle



A new study has found that what were thought to be two different species of native Australian bee are in fact one.
Published Evolutionary chance made this bat a specialist hunter



It is generally believed that, for millions of years, bats and the insects they hunt at night have adapted to each other in an evolutionary arms race to become better at finding or avoiding each other. Now, a new study shows that this may not be the case at all.
Published Researcher finds proof of menopause in wild chimpanzees



A team of researchers studying the Ngogo community of wild chimpanzees in western Uganda's Kibale National Park for two decades has published a report showing that females in this population can experience menopause and post-reproductive survival.
Published Fruit, nectar, bugs and blood: How bat teeth and jaws evolved for a diverse dinnertime



Noctilionoid bat species evolved wildly different faces as they adapted to exploit diverse food sources -- including insects, fruit, nectar, blood and fish. New research shows that those adaptations include dramatic, but also consistent, modifications to tooth number, size, shape and position.
Published 'Robin Hood' approach for tracking biodiversity



Researchers have developed a framework that can help scientists understand trends in biodiversity by using data from well-characterized species to provide insights on data-deficient species. The framework provides a how-to guide for researchers and practitioners to implement.