Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms with more intense rain, and increasing frequency of heat waves are the planetary derangements that often come to mind when climate change is mentioned. Now two researchers at the University of Michigan say an increased risk of bird flu transmission in wild birds could be added to the list.
After more than a decade trying to mate to perpetuate the species, the last male of the Chelonoidis Abingdoni species, a type of giant tortoise that lived in the Galapagos Islands, has just died. It is estimated that this animal was over 100 years old.
Throughout history, the Earth has experienced five major episodes of mass extinctions associated with climatic changes that have modified the characteristics of the entire planet. An article in the journal Nature, in which researchers from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) have participated, analyzes the forces that "may be driving" a new change in the planetary state and provides possible tools to minimize its consequences.
The American biologist Daniel H. Janzen has received the Frontiers of Knowledge award from the BBVA Foundation in the category of Ecology and Conservation Biology. The scientist has spent decades studying the ecological processes of tropical forests and fighting for their conservation. In addition, he has participated in the development of such innovative techniques as parataxonomy, which uses genetic markers to describe and classify species.
The mere presence of a predator can cause a dragonfly enough stress to literally starve to death, Canadian biologists have found, publishing their findings in the journal Ecology. "How prey respond to fear of being eaten is an important issue in ecology," explains Locke Rowe, co-author of the work.
A Spanish study reveals that small worker ants are faster looking for seeds, while larger ones are better at transporting seeds, and that the seed transport chains in these insects are organized according to the size of the ant.
Tropical carpenter ants (Camponotus Leonardi) live high in the treetops. When infected by a parasitic fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) the behavior of these ants changes dramatically, they behave erratically and act like zombies.
The Bioacoustic Applications Laboratory (LAB) of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) has developed a study that shows that low-frequency sound, produced on a large scale by human activities on the high seas, causes severe damage to auditory structures of cephalopods such as cuttlefish, squid and octopus.
Danni Büchner is invited to Sam Dylan's Halloween party. But the "Goodbye Germany" emigrant has no desire for many other party guests. And find clear words.
