Microperoryctes longicauda

<p>Millions of birds are negatively impacted by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fireworks-can-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-wildlife/">fireworks</a> on New Year's Eve, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam</a>. The research reveals a startling increase in the number of birds taking flight during these celebrations.</p>



<p>"We already knew that many water birds react strongly, but now we also see the effect on other birds throughout the Netherlands," explained study lead author Bart Hoekstra.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acute-flight-response-nbsp">Acute flight response&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research indicates that on New Year's Eve, the number of birds in the air near fireworks sites can be, on average, 1,000 times higher than on typical nights, with peaks reaching between 10,000 to 100,000 times the normal count.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The most substantial effects were observed within the first five kilometers of the fireworks, although impacts were still notable up to 10 kilometers away.</p>



<p>"Birds take off as a result of an acute flight response due to sudden noise and light. In a country like the Netherlands, with many wintering birds, we are talking about millions of birds being affected by the lighting of fireworks," said Hoekstra.</p>



<p>This phenomenon leads to a significant energy drain for these birds, especially during the harsh winter months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-impacts">Lasting impacts</h2>



<p>Last year, researchers at IBED discovered that geese are impacted by fireworks for more than a week. The study revealed that they spend an average of 10% longer looking for food for at least 11 days after the disturbance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers said the geese apparently need that time to replenish the lost energy or to compensate for the unknown foraging area in which they have ended up, after fleeing from the fireworks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radar-images">Radar images</h2>



<p>For the current study, the team used a new approach, combining data from weather radars and bird counts. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute’s weather radars provided insights during both clear and normal New Year's Eves.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The data was combined with bird count information from Sovon – the Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, gathered by hundreds of volunteers. This dual approach allowed the researchers to accurately identify the species, number, and reaction distance of birds affected by fireworks.</p>



<p>"We already knew that many water birds react strongly, but it was still unclear how birds outside these water bodies react to fireworks. Through the counts we know exactly where which birds are and using the radar images we can see where they actually take off because of fireworks," said Hoekstra.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erratic-flight-behavior-nbsp">Erratic flight behavior&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study revealed that larger birds, such as geese, ducks, and gulls, not only take flight but also reach remarkable altitudes, flying around for hours.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Larger birds such as geese, ducks and gulls fly to a height of hundreds of meters due to the large-scale discharge of fireworks and remain in the air for up to an hour. There is a risk that they will end up in bad winter weather, or that they will not know where they are flying due to panic and accidents could occur."</p>



<p>The researchers found that, in study areas around Den Helder and Herwijnen alone, almost 400,000 birds took flight immediately at the start of the New Year's Eve fireworks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Given that 62 percent of all birds in the Netherlands reside within 2.5 kilometers of inhabited areas, the implications of fireworks are far-reaching.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Flying requires a lot of energy, so ideally birds should be disturbed as little as possible during the cold winter months. Measures to ensure this are especially important in open areas such as grasslands, where many larger birds spend the winter," said Hoekstra.</p>



<p>"The effects of fireworks on birds are less pronounced near forests and semi-open habitats. In addition, smaller birds such as tits and finches live there, which are less likely to fly away from disturbance."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buffer-zones">Buffer zones</h2>



<p>The researchers advocate for the establishment of fireworks-free zones, particularly in areas populated by larger birds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"These buffer zones could be smaller in areas where light and sound travel less far, such as near forests. Furthermore, fireworks should mainly be lit at central locations in built-up areas, as far away from birds as possible," said Hoekstra.</p>



<p>"It would be best for birds if we moved towards light shows without sound, such as drone shows or decorative fireworks without very loud bangs."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fee.2694" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

New Year's fireworks send millions of birds on erratic flights

Millions of birds are negatively impacted by fireworks on New...

<p>A new study led by the <a href="https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruhr University Bochum</a> has scrutinized the memory capabilities of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jackdaws-choose-food-over-friends-but-not-over-family/">jackdaws</a>. </p>



<p>The experts found that, like humans, jackdaws have memories that become less precise and more biased as the workload gets heavier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The research involved training two birds to accurately remember colors, with varying amounts of food offered based on the precision of their responses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers introduced manipulations to assess working memory demands, such as altering the duration of color retention or requiring the birds to remember multiple colors simultaneously.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The reward structure was designed to incentivize the birds to respond with maximum accuracy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-memory-nbsp">Working memory&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Working memory (WM) is a crucial element of the higher cognition of primates and corvid songbirds. Despite its importance, WM has a severely limited capacity and is vulnerable to noise," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In primates, attractor dynamics mitigate the effect of noise by discretizing continuous information. Yet, it remains unclear whether similar dynamics are seen in avian brains."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Here, we show jackdaws (<em>Corvus monedula</em>) have similar behavioral biases as humans; memories are less precise and more biased as memory demands increase."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-overload">Cognitive overload</h2>



<p>The researchers found that there was a decline in the birds’ performance when subjected to higher demands on their working memory.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The functioning of working memory can be seen, for example, in the challenges faced by service staff who have to remember large orders,” said lead author Aylin Apostel, a biologist at Bochum.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-generalized-recollection-nbsp">Generalized recollection&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Similar to humans, jackdaws exhibited reduced accuracy and a propensity for biased representations under increased working memory demands.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This translated into less precise and biased memories, analogous to a waiter delivering two lattes instead of a latte macchiato and a cappuccino, due to heightened working memory demands leading to a more generalized recollection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-attractor-dynamics-nbsp">Attractor dynamics&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers highlighted attractor dynamics as a fundamental biological principle governing this phenomenon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Attractor dynamics act as a fundamental principle in the brains of corvids and primates, which ultimately direct memories into specific categories,” explained senior author Jonas Rose.</p>



<p>This mechanism biases memory representations, enhancing overall memory performance despite a reduction in precision.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Significantly, this principle proved equally effective in the brains of both corvids and primates, despite their divergent evolutionary paths, suggesting a fundamental biological principle for efficient working memory utilization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By comparing primates and jackdaws, the study offers insights into the evolution and adaptability of working memory.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The discovery of common principles in different brains offers promising approaches for the further development of generally valid models that explain the cognitive functioning of animals and humans,” concluded Apostel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study not only deepens our understanding of avian cognition but also provides a foundation for developing comprehensive models to elucidate cognitive functioning across diverse species.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05442-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications Biology</em></a>.</p>



<p>Like what you<em> read?</em> <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

Jackdaws have a human-like response to memory overload

A new study led by the Ruhr University Bochum has...

A,Curious,Humpback,Whale,Calf,In,The,Emerald,Blue,Water

<p>A new <a href="https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/climate-change-and-migratory-species-review/">UN report</a> released at COP28 reveals the severe impacts of climate change on migratory animals. The research emphasizes the dire consequences for migratory species and the potential loss of their crucial ecosystem services.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worldwide-impacts">Worldwide impacts</h2>



<p>The study, prepared by the <a href="https://www.bto.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Trust for Ornithology</a> (BTO), illustrates how climate change - driven by temperature increases, habitat alteration, shifts in ocean currents, and extreme weather events like wildfires - is substantially affecting migratory species worldwide.</p>



<p>The key impacts mentioned in the report include alterations in migratory routes, changes in breeding timings, and reduced reproductive success and survival rates. These changes not only threaten the species themselves but also the global ecosystem functions they support.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anthropogenic-emissions">Anthropogenic emissions</h2>



<p>"Over the last several decades, anthropogenic emissions (primarily of carbon dioxide (CO2)) have rapidly increased global temperatures and altered climate patterns. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred, affecting both average conditions and annual variability, in particular the frequency of extreme events," wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>"Climate change has already caused substantial damage and increasingly irreversible losses to most species groups in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-migratory-species">Threats to migratory species</h2>



<p>"Migratory species are vulnerable to a wide range of threats, both climate-related and non-climate-related, as they move between countries and ecosystems on a seasonal basis."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This potentially&nbsp;exposes them to the impacts of climate change at multiple locations along their migration route, with possible interactions and divergence in the timing of cues at these locations."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-services">Ecosystem services</h2>



<p>Migratory species offer numerous benefits, including nutrition, economic development, and essential services like pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. They play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation and resilience.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, whales sequester significant carbon amounts, and antelopes can mitigate wildfire risks through their grazing patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-evidence">Lack of evidence</h2>



<p>"Overall, there is widespread evidence of changes in the distribution and phenology of migratory species. In particular, poleward range shifts and earlier migration and breeding are already occurring in temperature-driven medium and high latitudes, and more mixed directional shifts are&nbsp;apparent in the tropics, depending on changes in rainfall," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The results of this review suggest that evidence on the impacts of climate change is lacking for several species groups, particularly bats, fish, South American grassland birds, and sharks and rays, as well as regionally for species residing in the tropics and Global South."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-on-migratory-species">Key findings on migratory species</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-temperatures">Rising temperatures</h3>



<p>There is strong evidence that global increases in temperature have affected most migratory species groups, and these impacts are mostly negative.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, rising temperatures are causing changes in the reproduction and survival of krill and are having a negative impact on marine mammals and seabirds that rely on krill as a key food source.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distribution-of-migratory-species">Distribution of migratory species</h3>



<p>Climate change is impacting migratory species distribution and timing of migration. In particular, temperature increases are driving poleward range shifts and earlier migration and breeding.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In some species, such as wading birds, there is a risk this will cause a mismatch between the timing of breeding and the time when prey species are most abundant.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-availability-nbsp">Water availability&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Changes in water availability are causing the loss of wetlands and reduced river flows, which are likely to particularly impact the migration of fish and waterbirds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-events">Extreme events</h3>



<p>Extreme climate-related events such as landslides are causing severe habitat destruction and have already been observed at some seabird breeding sites.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-currents">Ocean currents</h3>



<p>There is strong evidence that migratory seabirds and marine mammals will be impacted by changes in ocean currents. These changes are likely to alter the nature and functioning of many marine and terrestrial ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-demonstration-nbsp">Powerful demonstration&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Steve Barclay is the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.</p>



<p>“Nature underpins the very fabric of our lives – the ecosystems, food and water security upon which we all depend, as well as the health of our economies," said Barclay.</p>



<p>"The challenges that these migratory species face as a result of climate change are a powerful demonstration of the need for coordinated global action to protect our environment, which is why the UK is taking a leading role in efforts to restore nature, halt biodiversity loss and achieve our stretching targets to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-disruptions-to-migratory-species">Severe disruptions to migratory species</h2>



<p>Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of CMS, noted that migratory species are facing severe disruptions due to climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Migratory species are finely tuned to the rhythms of our planet. They depend on a delicate balance, journeying vast distances to reach habitats specifically suited for their survival and reproduction," said Fraenkel.</p>



<p>"However, climate change is severely disrupting these critical paths, altering ecosystems and affecting the availability of resources. This disruption serves as a crucial red flag, highlighting the broader implications of climate change not just for these species, but for the interconnected web of life on Earth."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migratory-species-need-immediate-help">Migratory species need immediate help</h2>



<p>The report stresses the urgent need for action to assist vulnerable migratory species in adapting to climate change. Recommendations include establishing connected protected areas and robust monitoring for successful intervention assessment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The clock is ticking on the future for many iconic species. We owe it to them to raise global awareness that solutions are possible, and call on governments to use this report to take action, seeking out nature based solutions that will help migratory species and that can reduce the impacts of climate change," said Professor Galbraith, Former Chair of the <a href="https://jncc.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joint Nature Conservation Committee</a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you<em> read?</em> <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

United Nations: Urgent need to protect migratory animal species

A new UN report released at COP28 reveals the severe...

Pink,Soft,Coral,With,Sea,Anemone,,(actiniaria)at,Lipe,Island,Andaman

<p>The world's coral reefs, aside from a few that are showing surprising resilience, have been facing unprecedented challenges over the past four decades. This is largely due to the adverse effects of climate change, pollution, unsustainable coastal development, and overfishing. </p>



<p>Scleractinian corals, commonly known as hard corals, have been particularly impacted. However, a ray of hope shines through the resilience of some Caribbean octocorals, also known as soft corals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-soft-coral-resilience">Studying soft coral resilience</h2>



<p><a href="https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/geology/faculty-staff/faculty/mary-alice-coffroth.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Alice Coffroth</a>, a respected professor emerita of geology at the <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University at Buffalo</a>, led a significant study on the resilience of soft corals. Over two years, Coffroth and her team at UB conducted an extensive survey in the Florida Keys. </p>



<p>Their focus was on three species of octocorals that demonstrated an ability to survive heat waves. Coffroth emphasized the importance of this finding, stating, "The resistance and resilience of Caribbean octocorals offers clues for the future of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a>."</p>



<p>Coffroth led a dedicated team including graduate student Louis Buccella, undergraduates Katherine Eaton and Alyssa Gooding, technician Harleena Franklin, and <a href="https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/environment-sustainability/faculty/faculty-directory/howard-lasker.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howard Lasker</a>, professor emeritus. Between 2015 and 2017, they focused on the symbiotic relationship between the octocorals and their algae.</p>



<p>Hard and soft corals rely on symbiosis with single-celled algae. Warmer waters disrupt this relationship, leading to bleaching. Coffroth, who has been studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rescue-underway-florida-is-battling-an-unprecedented-coral-bleaching-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs in the Florida Keys</a> since 1998, explained, "Bleaching can lead to coral death. It’s unclear if the algae leave or are ejected from the coral."</p>



<p>In this study, they examined the mechanisms contributing to the heightened resistance and resilience of three octocoral species during marine heat waves leading to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deepest-known-coral-reef-bleaching-discovered-alarming-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bleaching events</a>. This involved following the genetic makeup and density of symbiont algae before, during, and after major heat waves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered</h2>



<p>Coffroth discovered that Caribbean octocorals predominantly harbor <em>Breviolum</em> symbionts. These symbionts declined in density during heatwaves but recovered quickly, contributing to lower octocoral mortality compared to their scleractinian counterparts.</p>



<p>“The <em>Breviolum</em> densities declined during the heatwaves but recovered quickly,” she explained. “Octocoral mortality was low compared to their scleractinian relatives.”</p>



<p>Following the 2014 El Niño and anticipating a similar event, Coffroth successfully applied for a Rapid Response Research grant from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>. This funding allowed her team to conduct an in-depth 28-month study in the Keys, focusing on the fate of octocorals and their symbionts.</p>



<p>The team's regular visits to the <a href="https://www.fio.usf.edu/keys-marine-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keys Marine Lab</a> facilitated detailed observations and sample collections, enabling a comprehensive analysis of coral resilience, coloration, symbiont density, and genetic identity.</p>



<p>Coffroth highlighted the timeliness and relevance of their findings, given the current global warming trends, increased storms, and major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/devastating-coral-bleaching-is-expected-around-the-world-within-the-next-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bleaching events.</a> She pointed out that corals today are withstanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-coral-reefs-have-naturally-increased-their-heat-tolerance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher temperatures</a> than in the 1960s.</p>



<p>“There is evidence that corals are withstanding higher temperature now than they did in the 1960s,” she said. “That signals evolution, but the problem is that climate change is moving too fast, faster than evolution.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-significance-of-coral-reefs">Ecological significance of coral reefs</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-in-some-parts-of-the-world-actually-benefit-from-warming-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral reefs</a>, beyond their stunning beauty, play crucial roles in protecting coastal regions, providing habitats for significant marine life, supporting tourism, and contributing to medical research. Coffroth remarked on the stark contrast between the coral reefs of the 1970s and the present, underscoring the dramatic changes they have undergone.</p>



<p>“If you a see picture of coral reefs when I started diving in the 1970s and compare it with one now, it makes you want to cry,” she said. “The change is just amazing.”</p>



<p>While acknowledging the importance of their observations, Coffroth stressed the need for further research to understand the variations within the coral and symbiont genera. She noted an increase in both the bleaching of coral species that had previously shown resilience, and the emergence of new resilient ones.</p>



<p>“I’m seeing species bleach that have never bleached before but also corals showing more resilience,” she said. “There is a lot of variation within both the animal and symbiont genera. We need to understand the variation.”</p>



<p>The ultimate goal is to continue exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-coral-recovery-in-the-great-barrier-reef-has-paused/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reef dynamics</a> and the robustness of symbiotic algae, alongside efforts to mitigate environmental damage caused by human activities. </p>



<p>Coffroth concluded, "We can’t stop global warming, but the hope is that we can slow it down," underscoring the urgent need for continued research and action in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj6788" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.</p>

Some corals and reefs are showing surprising resilience as global waters warm

The world's coral reefs, aside from a few that are...

3d,Rendering,Of,Tyrannosaurus,Rex,,And,Its,Young,One,,Storming

<p>A recent discovery sheds light on the dietary habits of a juvenile tyrannosaur, revealing its last meal to be two baby <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-self-regulated-their-body-temperature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>. This finding offers a rare glimpse into the life and development of these prehistoric creatures.</p>



<p>In the Alberta Badlands, a hotspot for dinosaur hunters, a remarkable fossil was unearthed in 2009. It was the ribcage of a juvenile gorgosaurus, a close relative of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-may-have-weighed-up-to-33000-pounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T. rex</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-juvenile-gorgosaurus">Juvenile gorgosaurus</h2>



<p>After meticulous preparation, researchers at the <a href="https://tyrrellmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology</a> discovered the remains of two small bird-like dinosaurs, known as citipes, inside the ribcage.</p>



<p>The juvenile gorgosaurus, about seven years old and weighing approximately 330kg, was in a developmental stage equivalent to a human teenager.&nbsp;Its size was roughly a tenth of a fully grown adult tyrannosaur.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tyrannosaur-dietary-shifts">Tyrannosaur dietary shifts</h2>



<p>The presence of the citipes' hind limbs within its ribcage is "solid evidence that tyrannosaurs drastically changed their diet as they grew up,'' according to Dr. Darla Zelenitsky from the <a href="https://www.ucalgary.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a>.</p>



<p>The findings highlight a significant shift in the feeding habits of tyrannosaurs as they matured.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We now know that these teenage (tyrannosaurs) hunted small, young dinosaurs," explained Dr. Zelenitsky. </p>



<p>Dr. Francois Therrien described these adult tyrannosaurs as "quite indiscriminate eaters." They probably pounced on large prey, "biting through bone and scraping off flesh," he told BBC News.</p>



<p>But, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-tyrannosaurs-were-surprisingly-small/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immature</a> tyrannosaurs were probably not ready to jump into a group of horned dinosaurs, where the adults weighed thousands of kilograms, said Dr. Zelenitsky.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selective-eaters">Selective eaters</h2>



<p>Interestingly, researchers found only the legs of the baby dinosaurs inside the gorgosaurus. This suggests that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-tyrannosaurs-practiced-biting-as-they-waited-for-adult-teeth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young</a> tyrannosaur was selective, possibly preferring the meatiest parts.</p>



<p>"The rock within the ribcage was removed to expose what was hidden inside," explained Dr. Therrien. "And lo and behold - the complete hind legs of two baby dinosaurs, both under a year old."</p>



<p>Dr. Zelenitsky said that the teenage gorgosaurus seems to have wanted the drumsticks - probably because that's the meatiest part.</p>



<p>"This animal was selecting and even dissecting its prey - biting off the legs and swallowing them whole."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-transformations-of-tyrannosaurs">Physical transformations of tyrannosaurs</h2>



<p>As tyrannosaurs grew, they underwent significant physical transformations. Juveniles were lighter and had blade-like teeth, whereas adults developed rounder teeth, dubbed "killer bananas" by Dr. Therrien.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This change in dentition reflects a shift in feeding strategy from selective predation in juveniles to a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-was-even-more-fearsome-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">powerful</a> and indiscriminate approach in adults.</p>



<p>The discovery provides a window into the lives of these ancient creatures, debunking the stereotype of dinosaurs as mindless monsters. </p>



<p>Professor Steve Brusatte is a palaeontologist from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>. He said that seeing prey in the dinosaur's guts gave a real insight into the animals. "They weren't just monsters, they were real, living things and pretty sophisticated feeders."</p>



<p>In the 1993 film Jurassic Park, a giant T. rex chased a car through a fictional theme park. Professor Brusatte noted that an adult T. rex wouldn't have chased after a car - its body was too big, and it couldn't move that fast.</p>



<p>"It would be the youngsters - (like this gorgosaur) - the children of T. rex that you'd have to keep an eye on."</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

Juvenile tyrannosaurs hunted baby dinosaurs as part of their diet

A recent discovery sheds light on the dietary habits of...

<p>In a study led by the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a>, researchers have unveiled striking dynamics in plant-pollinator networks, particularly highlighting the amplifying effect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-expansion-linked-to-global-decline-of-wild-pollinators/">urbanization</a> on seasonal variations. </p>



<p>This research, critical in the era of rapid urbanization, offers novel insights into biodiversity within tropical megacities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urbanization-and-biodiversity">Urbanization and biodiversity</h2>



<p>The global trend towards urbanization is often viewed as a threat to biodiversity. However, the researchers pointed out that flowering plants are often more diverse in cities than in the countryside.</p>



<p>This phenomenon is attributed to the proliferation of flowering plants and agricultural crops in urban areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-pollinator-interactions-nbsp">Plant-pollinator interactions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"All species engage in interactions, and the complex ecological networks resulting from these interactions - such as those between plants and their pollinators - are key components of ecosystems," wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>"While our knowledge on the structure of interaction networks has improved considerably in recent decades, we still know little about how dynamic these interactions are across environmental, spatial and temporal gradients."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team, led by Dr. Gabriel Marcacci, now a postdoc at the Swiss Ornithological Institute and the University of Neuchâtel, embarked on an extensive year-long study in Bengaluru, India.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This bustling metropolis, emblematic of rapid urban growth in the tropics, provided a fertile ground for examining the interactions between plants and their pollinators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights">Key insights</h2>



<p>The study encompassed all local seasons: the mild-dry winter, the hot-dry summer, and the rainy monsoon. By analyzing bee species, the plants they visited, and the frequency of these interactions, the team constructed detailed plant-pollinator networks for each location and season.</p>



<p>The researchers found that the interactions between plants and pollinators, which are important for agricultural production, are surprisingly dynamic.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There was a significant variation in the plant and bee species involved in pollination across different seasons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To identify the factors contributing to the variations in plant-pollinator interactions, the team considered multiple elements: the time of year, proximity to the city center, and the degree of urbanization, indicated by the presence of "sealed surfaces" like roads and buildings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dr. Marcacci emphasized the significance of this research for understanding tropical urban ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Our study provides new insights into the role of urbanization in the dynamics of networks involving plants and pollinators in the tropics, which have been little studied. This is particularly important as current and future urban expansions are largely occurring in tropical regions, where they are subject to different ecological, climate and social factors than in temperate zones," said Dr. Marcacci.</p>



<p>"Our results point to major changes in plant-pollinator networks over the course of the year and to the little-recognized importance of seasonality for the interactions between plants and their pollinators, especially in rapidly growing tropical megacities," wrote the study authors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-planning">Urban planning</h2>



<p>This study not only contributes to our understanding of urban ecology but also calls for thoughtful urban planning and biodiversity conservation, particularly in tropical megacities facing rapid growth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The unique dynamics of plant-pollinator networks in these settings are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring sustainable agricultural production - an aspect that city planners and environmentalists must consider in the face of escalating urban expansion.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.14324" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ecology Letters</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—-&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

Urbanization alters the dynamics of plant-pollinator networks

In a study led by the University of Göttingen, researchers...

<p>A new study predicts a significant expansion in the nesting range of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) due to rising global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/">temperatures</a>.</p>



<p>The Mediterranean green turtle is a species that is often overshadowed in climate change discussions.</p>



<p>A team of researchers led by Chiara Mancino has unveiled how global warming could reshape the nesting dynamics of these turtles, potentially altering the ecological landscape of the Mediterranean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-background-nbsp">Study background&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"Climate change is reshaping global ecosystems at an unprecedented rate, with major impacts on biodiversity. Therefore, understanding how organisms can withstand change is key to identify priority conservation objectives," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Marine ectotherms are being extremely impacted because their biology and phenology are directly related to temperature. Among these species, sea turtles are particularly problematic because they roam over both marine and terrestrial habitats throughout their life cycles."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transforming-the-coastline-nbsp">Transforming the coastline&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts theorized that nesting ground availability for green turtles will increase in the Mediterranean following hotter summers and winters, shifting their nesting locations in response to rising temperatures.</p>



<p>Based on their modeling study, the team predicts that the turtles will expand their nesting range by 60 percent under the worst case emissions scenario.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This expansion is set to transform the Mediterranean coastline, extending the turtles' nesting grounds beyond their current range in Turkey and Cyprus to vast stretches of North African, Italian, and Greek shores.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-predictive-accuracy-nbsp">High predictive accuracy&nbsp;</h2>



<p>For the investigation, Mancino and colleagues developed a model to predict the suitability of various points on the Mediterranean coastline as green turtle nesting locations.</p>



<p>First, the researchers tested the predictive accuracy of their model against 178 verified nesting sites recorded from 1982 to 2019. The findings revealed a high predictive accuracy, with sea surface temperature, salinity, and human population density emerging as pivotal factors influencing nesting site suitability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-on-green-turtles">Key insights on green turtles</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed four distinct greenhouse gas emission scenarios and their implications for green turtle nesting by 2100.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The correlation was clear: more severe climate conditions led to a broader nesting range. The worst-case scenario predicted a dramatic 62.4% increase in nesting range, extending to the North African coastline up to Algeria, significant parts of Italy and Greece, and the southern Adriatic Sea.</p>



<p>"Our models show an increase in nesting probability in the western Mediterranean Sea, irrespective of the climate scenario we consider. Contrary to what is found in most global change studies, the worse the climate change scenario, the more suitable areas for green turtles will potentially increase," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



<p>However, this potential expansion is not without its challenges. The experts warn that this increase in green turtle nesting range in the heavily populated central and western Mediterranean would bring them into increased contact with humans and urbanized beaches, which could negatively affect nesting success.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers emphasize the urgency for future studies to focus on mitigating these potential negative impacts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"To better inform future management of marine turtles, there is the need to understand future threats, as well as to couple predictions of marine turtle distribution with an assessment of exposure to these threats," wrote the study authors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-turtles-and-biodiversity-collapse">Green turtles and biodiversity collapse</h2>



<p>The Mediterranean Sea represents one of the most vulnerable regions in the world when considering the impacts of global warming, noted the researchers.</p>



<p>"The Mediterranean has always been hugely exploited by humans, with important and potentially negative interactions between human activities and climate changes."</p>



<p>"The basin currently hosts more than 500 million inhabitants, a third of whom live along the coasts, and is the first tourist destination in the world with 360 million visitors per year."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The combination of climate change and human impacts clearly generate the starting baseline for a biodiversity collapse, especially for species exploiting at the same time marine and terrestrial habitats as sea turtles."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46958-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you<em> read?</em> <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a>.</p>

Nesting range of green turtles will explode in a warmer climate 

A new study predicts a significant expansion in the nesting...

Microperoryctes longicauda

Taxonomic tree: