#biodiversity
USU herpetologist reports surprising evolutionary shift in snakes
Scientists document example of adaptation to compensate for absence of defensive compounds following change to new class of prey.
24 Feb 2020 ⋅ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Improving assessments of an endangered lion population in India
New monitoring results suggest current management practices perturb Asiatic lions' spatial density.
19 Feb 2020 ⋅ PLOS ONE
Global relationships that determine bird diversity on islands uncovered
It is known that biodiversity is unevenly distributed across the planet. But why do some islands such as the Galápagos and Hawaii harbour so many unique species of birds?
19 Feb 2020 ⋅ Nature
Sweet beaks: What Galapagos finches and marine bacteria have in common
Closely related, abundant clades of marine Polaribacter avoid competition during spring algae blooms via distinct sugar diets.
19 Feb 2020 ⋅ ISME Journal
Biodiversity scientists pull together to document how life works before it’s too late
The Open Traits Network (OTN) is a major global assembly of biodiversity scientists from universities, museums, herbariums (plant equivalent of a museum) and government agencies.
17 Feb 2020 ⋅ Nature Ecology & Evolution
Biodiversity offsetting is contentious – here’s an alternative
A new approach to compensate for the impact of development may be an effective alternative to biodiversity offsetting – and help nations achieve international biodiversity targets.
12 Feb 2020 ⋅ Conservation Letters
Ocean fish farming in tropics and sub-tropics most impacted by climate change: UBC study
Diners may soon find more farmed oysters and fewer Atlantic salmon on their plates as climate change warms Canada’s Pacific coast.
11 Feb 2020 ⋅ Global Change Biology
Can a river sing? ANU researchers say ‘absolutely’
A remarkable new project led by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) will showcase the beauty of the Murray River, and help re-frame the discussion about the waterway’s health.
11 Feb 2020 ⋅
Orb-weaver spiders’ yellow and black pattern helps them lure prey
The experiments demonstrated that the yellow colour alone was very effective at luring nocturnal insects.
11 Feb 2020 ⋅ Functional Ecology
Conflict between ranchers and wildlife intensifies as climate change worsens in Chile
Ranchers blamed the increased aridity for reducing the availability of pasture, which meant there was more competition for grazing between livestock and guanacos.
6 Feb 2020 ⋅ Oryx