How exactly does ocean acidification impact animals whose genetic makeup can shift depending on environmental cues? A study published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology addresses this question through the “eyes” of oysters.
Tag: Animal Science
Certain dog breeds will suffer from climate change, says expert
Bulldogs, pugs, and boston terriers all have one thing in common – their short snouts, and experts say as climate change worsens, they are going to suffer.
Meet the Persian Gold Tarantula: a new species discovery just on time for Tarantula Appreciation Day 2023
The Persian Gold Tarantula (Chaetopelma persianum) is a newly described species recently discovered in northwestern Iran. In fact, the “woolly, golden hairs” the scientists observed and examined on a single specimen, were one of the features so unique that it was not necessary for additional individuals to be collected and physically studied.
[VIDEO] Dogs With Less Complex Facial Markings Found to Be More Expressive in their Communication with Humans
New study explores the relationship between a canine’s facial appearance and how expressive they appear to be when communicating with their human companions.
Number cruncher calculates whether whales are acting weirdly
We humans can be a scary acquaintance for whales in the wild. This includes marine biologists tagging them with measuring devices to understand them better.
Similar to humans, elephants also vary what they eat for dinner every night
Elephants eat plants. That’s common knowledge to biologists and animal-loving schoolchildren alike. Yet figuring out exactly what kind of plants the iconic herbivores eat is more complicated.
Horses living in groups are better at following human indications than horses living in individual paddocks
A new study shows that horses living in big enclosures and in groups of at least three horses are better at following directional indications from humans than horses kept in individual paddocks.
Most plastic eaten by city vultures comes straight from food outlets
Since the 1950s, humanity has produced an estimated 8.3bn tons of plastic, adding a further 380m tons to this amount each year. Only 9% of this gets recycled.
Citizen scientists discover new ‘snug’ in Brunei forest, name it after retiring field centre manager
Semislugs, or ‘snugs’ as they are affectionately known among mollusc researchers, are like the squatters of the snail world: they do carry a home on their back but it is too small to live in. Still, it offers a sort of protection, while not getting in the way of the worm-like physique of the slug.
British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) and International Alliance for Phytobiomes Research (PA) Announce Partnership
The partnership will enable both organizations to engage in discussions and dialogue on key global issues related to animal science and phytobiomes research.
Human contact makes for happier and healthier dairy calves
Calves’ well-being, including their physical and emotional health, is always top of mind for those in the dairy industry, particularly during the weaning stage.
Scientists lure Burmese pythons using radio telemetry during mating/breeding season
The University of Florida has partnered with several federal and state agencies on a large-scale python removal project to protect the Everglades. The project combines Burmese python ecology with removal efforts to maximize opportunities to expand knowledge of their biology and habitat use and estimate their abundance and ultimately reduce the population in the Everglades.
Whiskers help nectar-eating “acro bats” hover like hummingbirds
From dragonflies to hummingbirds, hovering flight is among the most complex and captivating forms of animal movement—a physiological feat of size, musculature and wing development.
Piggy in the middle: Pig aggression reduced when a bystander pig steps in
A small study suggests that when two pigs are fighting, a bystander pig can intervene to either reduce the number of attacks by the aggressor or to help reduce the anxiety of the victim.
These mice grow bigger on the rainier sides of mountains. It might be a new rule of nature.
Scientists studying mice from the Andes Mountains in Patagonia noticed something they couldn’t explain: the mice from the western side of the mountains were bigger than the ones from the east, but DNA said that they were all from the same species.
Lonely Old Deers: Ageing Red Deer Become Less Social as They Grow Older
A multidisciplinary team led by researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh has found that wild red deer become less sociable with age.
Does this ring a bell? Wild bats can remember sounds for years
There are certain skills that once we acquire them, we rarely have to relearn them, like riding a bike or looking both ways before crossing a street.
Seal Whiskers, the Secret Weapon for Hunting
The deep ocean is a dark place, yet deep-diving seals can easily locate their prey in that darkness.
‘Democracy’ governs mass jackdaw take-offs
Jackdaws use a “democratic” process to decide when to leave their roosts en masse, new research shows.
Watch Dolphins Line Up to Self-Medicate Skin Ailments at Coral “Clinics”
If a human comes down with a rash, they might go to the doctor and come away with some ointment to put on it. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins get skin conditions, too, but they come about their medication by queuing up nose-to-tail to rub themselves against corals.
Discovered: 150-year-old platypus and echidna specimens that proved some mammals lay eggs
Jars of tiny platypus and echidna specimens, collected in the late 1800s by the scientist William Caldwell, have been discovered in the stores of Cambridge’s University Museum of Zoology.
Future veterinarian overcomes language barrier to find success at Iowa State
Valeria Miranda Ortiz spoke no English when she arrived at Iowa State. No matter: She spent hours learning the language — and two others — to achieve her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Cattle grazing and soybean yields
Each corn harvest leaves behind leaves, husks and cobs. Research shows cattle can take advantage of this food resource without damaging field productivity.