Plicatula gibbosa

<p>Experts have identified a fascinating new species of dinosaur, Garumbatitan morellensis, which inhabited the Iberian Peninsula approximately 122 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The remains were uncovered in the Morella region of Spain, highlighting the region's significant contribution to the understanding of dinosaur diversity in Europe. Sedimentary deposits in this region have been found to contain an abundant record of dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-sauropod-nbsp">New sauropod&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Garumbatitan morellensis belongs to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-sauropod-dinosaur-discovered/">sauropod</a> group, characterized by their immense size, quadrupedal stature, herbivorous diet, and distinctive long necks and tails.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new dinosaur was identified by a team of Spanish and Portuguese paleontologists, whose findings were recently published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-significance">Historical significance</h2>



<p>Morella has a history of significant fossil discoveries, with the region yielding some of Spain's first dinosaur fossils. In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the discovery of relevant Mesozoic vertebrate fossils, including a notable collection of ornithopod dinosaurs like Morelladon beltrani and other sauropods.</p>



<p>One of the unique aspects of Garumbatitan morellensis is its distinct anatomical characteristics, separating it from other known sauropods. Its femur shares similarities with those of later sauropods from the Late Cretaceous, while the elements forming the foot exhibit unique morphologies.</p>



<p>“One of the individuals we found stands out for its large size, with vertebrae more than one meter wide, and a femur that could reach two meters in length," said Pedro Mocho, a paleontologist at the University of Lisbon. "We found two almost complete and articulated feet in this deposit, which is particularly rare in the geological record."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-implications">Evolutionary implications</h2>



<p>“Our study highlights the enormous complexity of the evolutionary history of sauropods from the European Cretaceous - in particular, from the Iberian Peninsula, with species related to lineages present in Asia and North America, as well as some groups related to forms from the African continent. Our results suggest the existence of periods of faunal dispersal between these continents," explained Pedro Mocho.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The future restoration of all fossil materials found in this deposit will add important information to understand the initial evolution of this group of sauropods that dominated dinosaur faunas during the last million years of the Mesozoic era," noted study co-author Francisco Ortega of the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-garumbatitan-morellensis">Garumbatitan morellensis</h2>



<p>The name Garumbatitan morellensis carries significant meaning. “Garumbatitan” translates to “the giant of Garumba,” referencing the base of Mola de la Garumba where the specimen was found.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Meanwhile, “morellensis” pays homage to the location of the deposit, Morella. These fossil remains are now part of the extensive collection of the Iberian Mesozoic at the Temps Museum of Dinosaurs in Morella, contributing to the Valencian Community Museum Network’s offering.</p>



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



<p>The introduction of Garumbatitan morellensis to the scientific community not only emphasizes the rich dinosaur diversity in the Early Cretaceous but also provides crucial insights into their evolutionary history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With the promise of future restoration and study of these fossils, the discovery may ultimately help to clarify the initial evolution of the sauropod group that dominated the dinosaur landscape of the Mesozoic era.</p>



<p><em>Image Credit: Grup Guix</em></p>



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Colossal new dinosaur was hidden in Spain's Early Cretaceous fossils

Experts have identified a fascinating new species of dinosaur, Garumbatitan...

<p>Periodontal disease is a prevalent issue among canines, impacting at least 80 percent of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/typical-american-dog-knows-18-words-and-love-is-at-the-top-of-the-list/">dogs</a> over the age of three. The disease begins with gingivitis, characterized by red, inflamed gums that may bleed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If untreated, the condition escalates to periodontitis, leading to progressive alveolar bone damage and potential tooth loss, while also increasing the risk of cardiovascular and lung diseases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oral-hygiene-nbsp">Oral hygiene&nbsp;</h2>



<p>With poor oral hygiene identified as a principal cause of periodontal disease, leading to plaque and tartar build-up, regular teeth brushing for dogs is advised by veterinarians.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, many people do not comply with this advice, often because their dogs will not cooperate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-plaque-and-tartar">Reducing plaque and tartar</h2>



<p>Dr. Jerzy Gawor is a veterinary dentistry practitioner and researcher at the Arka Veterinary Clinic in Krakow, Poland, and lead author of a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1241197" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Frontiers in Veterinary Science</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Here we show that an additive to drinking water, based on pomegranate extract, can reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar in dogs,” said Dr. Gawor. “This additive thus helps dogs to maintain healthy gums, and may ultimately help to limit the occurrence of periodontal disease.”</p>



<p>The researchers examined Vet Aquadent® FR3SH™ - an over-the-counter oral hygiene product developed by French veterinary company Virbac.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We did this study after obtaining evidence that the main ingredient, pomegranate extract, limits the growth of oral bacteria in dogs in vitro, including species involved in periodontal disease," said study co-author Dr. Celine Nicolas, an employee of Virbac.</p>



<p>"There was also evidence that the other components, inulin and erythritol, likewise play a role in the maintenance of a healthy oral microbiome in dogs."</p>



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



<p>The product, which can be easily added to dogs’ drinking water, was tested on 40 dogs representing 14 breeds. All subjects had mild to moderate gingivitis but were otherwise healthy.</p>



<p>The dogs were monitored over 30 days after a professional dental cleaning session. The research involved thorough oral health assessments, dental charting, and mouth radiography under general anesthesia.</p>



<p>Dogs were then divided into two groups: one receiving water with a 1% solution of Vet Aquadent® FR3SH™ daily, and the other receiving plain water. During the study, no other oral hygiene practices were implemented.</p>



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



<p>After 30 days, dogs receiving the pomegranate extract additive had a 47 percent reduction in plaque and a 24 percent decrease in tartar. Furthermore, the gums of dogs in the treatment group were completely healthy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The results showed that 30 days after the dental cleaning and polishing, dogs which had received the additive daily scored 47% lower for the amount of plaque, and had a 24% lower score for the amount of tartar, compared to dogs in the control group. The gum was also completely healthy in the active treatment group,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthier-dog-teeth">Healthier dog teeth</h2>



<p>The study thus affirmed that the additive effectively limits plaque and tartar reformation post professional dental cleaning.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Gawor and team suggest that the product works by restricting the growth of harmful bacteria, especially preventing bacterial biofilms formation.</p>



<p>"Daily oral hygiene and prophylaxis are essential to prevent periodontal diseases in dogs. This includes active methods like brushing, passive methods like dental chews or water additives, or a combination, as well as regular clinical dental checks," said Dr. Gawor.</p>



<p>"The frequency of the latter should depend on the dog’s age, breed, size, and predisposition, as determined by veterinary clinicians."</p>



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Mouthwash with pomegranate helps prevent gum disease in dogs

Periodontal disease is a prevalent issue among canines, impacting at...

<p>Scientists have recently uncovered remnants of DNA within the fossilized remains of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossilized-sea-turtle-flattened-dinosaur/">sea turtle</a>, closely related to contemporary Kemp’s ridley and olive ridley turtles, dating back six million years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding marks one of the infrequent instances where genetic material has been identified in ancient vertebrate fossils. The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2023.2254356" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bone-cells-nbsp">Bone cells&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The fossil, discovered along the Caribbean coast of Panama in 2015, presented notably well-preserved bone cells, known as osteocytes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Though the fossil is incomplete, featuring a relatively intact carapace - the turtle’s shell - but lacking the rest of the skeleton, researchers estimate the turtle would have measured about a foot (30 cm) in length during its lifetime.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-remnants">DNA remnants</h2>



<p>In some of these osteocytes, the cell nuclei remained intact and responded to a specific chemical solution. This reaction allowed the scientists to detect the remnants of DNA, essential for an organism’s development and functioning, explained study lead author Edwin Cadena, a paleontologist at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.</p>



<p>“I want to point out that we did not extract DNA, we only were able to recognize the presence of DNA traces in the nuclei,” Cadena said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Given its perishable nature, DNA preservation in ancient remains is rare, but not unprecedented, with discoveries of DNA remnants dating back to around two million years in some ancient specimens from Greenland.</p>



<p>The only vertebrate fossils older than the newly studied turtle and showing similar DNA remnants belonged to two dinosaurs – Tyrannosaurus, from around 66 million years ago, and Brachylophosaurus, from about 78 million years ago. DNA remnants have also been reported in insects dating back tens of millions of years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-history-nbsp">Evolutionary history&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The turtle in question belongs to the genus Lepidochelys, which includes two of the seven existing sea turtle species – the Kemp’s ridley, primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico, and the more widespread olive ridley.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This fossil is pivotal in shedding light on the evolutionary history of this genus, which remains largely unclear.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Due to the incomplete nature of the remains, the researchers have refrained from identifying the turtle by its species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biomolecular-remains-nbsp">Biomolecular remains&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Each fossil, each fossil site has specific conditions of preservation that in some cases could have favored preservation of original biomolecular remains such as proteins and DNA," said Cadena.</p>



<p>"Maybe in the future and with more studies of this kind, we could be able at some point to sequence very small pieces of DNA and to infer things about their close relatives or involve that information in a broader molecular evolutionary study."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ridley-turtles-nbsp">Ridley turtles&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Ridley turtles, specifically those in the Lepidochelys genus, are known for their relatively small size compared to other sea turtles and unique nesting habits.</p>



<p>There are two species within this genus: the Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size">Size</h3>



<p>Ridley turtles are among the smallest sea turtles, with adults usually weighing between 75 and 100 pounds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shell">Shell</h3>



<p>Their carapace (upper shell) is broad and somewhat heart-shaped, typically olive-green in Kemp’s ridleys and grayish-green in olive ridleys.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limbs">Limbs</h3>



<p>They possess flippers with clawless tips, which are adapted for swimming in open oceans.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-and-distribution">Habitat and distribution</h3>



<p>Kemp's ridley is primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast of North America. These turtles prefer coastal habitats like bays, estuaries, and lagoons.</p>



<p>Olive ridley is found in tropical regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They are often found in open waters but migrate to coastal areas for nesting.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nesting">Nesting</h3>



<p>One notable behavior of ridley turtles is “arribada,” a mass nesting phenomenon where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Olive ridley turtles are particularly known for this behavior, with significant arribada events occurring in places like Ostional, Costa Rica.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



<p>Ridley turtles are omnivores, consuming a variety of food items, including crabs, shrimp, mollusks, jellyfish, and occasionally algae and seaweed.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h3>



<p>Both species of ridley turtles are listed under the IUCN Red List. Kemp's ridley is classified as critically endangered, with major threats including habitat loss, accidental capture in fishing gear (bycatch), and climate change affecting their nesting sites.</p>



<p>Olive ridley is listed as vulnerable, facing threats like illegal egg collection, bycatch, and habitat destruction.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-nbsp">Conservation efforts&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Various conservation programs and legal protections are in place to help conserve ridley turtles, such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>Establishing protected areas and wildlife refuges.</li>



<li>Implementing regulations and initiatives to reduce bycatch.</li>



<li>Engaging in public education and awareness campaigns.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arribadas-nbsp">Arribadas&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The synchronized nesting events, or arribadas, are crucial for the survival of these species as it overwhelms predators, ensuring that more hatchlings can safely reach the ocean.</p>



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DNA remnants found in six million-year-old sea turtle

Scientists have recently uncovered remnants of DNA within the fossilized...

<p>A new study led by the University of South Carolina (USC) has found that distinct variations in the attributes of wildflowers, depending on their respective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-not-just-attracted-to-plants-by-scent-but-also-by-humidity/">pollinators</a>, are driven by a small number of key genetic differences.</p>



<p>Wildflowers exhibit unique sets of characteristics - termed “pollination syndromes” - that have evolved to cater to specific animal pollinators, such as insects or birds.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-penstemons">Penstemons</h2>



<p>While most species within the Penstemon genus present wide, blue flowers, serving as landing spots for bees, evolution has led some species to develop narrow, red, tubular flowers, catering to hummingbird pollination.</p>



<p>The North American wildflower genus&nbsp;<em>Penstemon</em>&nbsp;displays remarkable floral syndrome convergence, with at least 20 separate lineages that have evolved from ancestral bee pollination syndrome (wide blue-purple flowers that present a landing platform for bees and small amounts of nectar) to hummingbird pollination syndrome (bright red narrowly tubular flowers offering copious nectar).&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Related taxa that differ in floral syndrome offer an attractive opportunity to examine the genomic basis of complex trait divergence,” the authors explained.</p>



<p>The objective of this research was to explore how these distinctive pollination syndromes are preserved genetically.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team sequenced the DNA of 229 plants from three related species of the Penstemon genus: <em>P. neomexicanus</em> and <em>P. virgatus</em>, which are bee-pollinated, and <em>P. barbatus</em>, adapted to hummingbird pollination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite the stark differences in floral attributes, the experts found a relatively small number of genetic differences between <em>P. barbatus</em> and its bee-pollinated relatives.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, plants from the same geographical vicinity exhibited greater genetic similarity compared to those from varied locations, regardless of the species. These findings suggest that a genetic blending occurs between wildflowers adapted to both bee and hummingbird pollination.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-pollinators-nbsp">Varied pollinators&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, the researchers identified 21 sites that showcased consistent differences among species with varied pollinators. These sites are dispersed throughout the genome, suggesting an increased likelihood of the disruption of complementary floral traits by recombination, resulting in hybrids with diminished success.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Interestingly, three of these identified genetic variances were located proximal to genomic regions that determine flower color, width, and nectar volume - traits distinctive to different pollination syndromes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-flower-traits">&nbsp;Flower traits</h2>



<p>The study provides evidence of occasional hybridization between neighboring bee- and hummingbird-pollinated Penstemon species, alongside an intense selection pressure to retain flower traits adapted to each type of pollinator.</p>



<p>“Although bee- vs. hummingbird-pollinated species are easily distinguished in the field, based on unmistakable differences in flowers and the overall stature of the plant, a surprisingly small number of genetic regions distinguish these different species at the genetic level,” concluded Carolyn Wessinger, an assistant professor of Evolution and Plant Biology at USC.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002294" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLoS Biology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Just a few genetic differences tailor flowers to specific pollinators

A new study led by the University of South Carolina...

<p>In a recent study, scientists have investigated some curious behavior among fish-eating killer whales in the Pacific Northwest.&nbsp;For decades, these toothed whales have been harassing and killing porpoises, but without eating them.</p>



<p>The research was co-led by Deborah Giles of Wild Orca and Sarah Teman of the <a href="https://www.seadocsociety.org/killer-whale-facts#:~:text=Three%20distinct%20types%20of%20killer,as%20shown%20in%20recent%20studies." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SeaDoc Society</a>, a program of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysterious-conduct-nbsp">Mysterious conduct&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team examined over 60 years of interactions between Southern Resident killer whales and porpoises in the Salish Sea to clarify this mysterious conduct.</p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-prey-is-changing-the-behavior-of-killer-whales/">killer whales</a>, an endangered group with a count of only 75, are significantly dependent on Chinook salmon for their survival. These fish are also endangered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-ecology">Unique ecology</h2>



<p>Giles pointed out that the killer whales, despite residing in the same waters as their marine mammal-eating counterparts, possess a distinct ecology and culture, making them exclusively fish-eaters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“I am frequently asked, why don’t the Southern Residents just eat seals or porpoises instead?” said Giles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It's because fish-eating killer whales have a completely different ecology and culture from orcas that eat marine mammals - even though the two populations live in the same waters."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"So we must conclude that their interactions with porpoises serve a different purpose, but this purpose has only been speculation until now.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plausible-theories-nbsp">Plausible theories&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study authors analyzed 78 documented porpoise harassment incidents from 1962 to 2020, proposing three plausible explanations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One suggestion is that this behavior serves as social play for the killer whales, allowing them to bond, communicate, and enjoy themselves, ultimately benefiting group coordination and teamwork.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alternatively, harassing porpoises might be a method for the whales to sharpen their salmon-hunting skills, using the porpoises as practice targets without intending to eat them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A third hypothesis introduces the concept of “mismothering behavior,” where whales may offer care to perceived weaker porpoises, mirroring their instinct to assist group members.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mothering-challenges">Mothering challenges</h2>



<p>“Mismothering behavior - also known as ‘displaced epimeletic behavior’ to scientists - might be due to their limited opportunities to care for young,” explained Giles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our research has shown that due to malnutrition, nearly 70% of Southern Resident killer whale pregnancies have resulted in miscarriages or calves that died right away after birth.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-animals">Complex animals</h2>



<p>The exact motivations behind porpoise harassment by these whales may remain elusive.&nbsp;The study confirms that porpoises are not included in the Southern Resident killer whale's diet, as these whales feed almost exclusively on Chinook salmon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Killer whales are incredibly complex and intelligent animals. We found that porpoise-harassing behavior has been passed on through generations and across social groupings. It’s an amazing example of killer whale culture,” said Teman.</p>



<p>“Still, we don’t expect the Southern Resident killer whales to start eating porpoises. The culture of eating salmon is deeply ingrained in Southern Resident society. These whales need healthy salmon populations to survive.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-conservation">Salmon conservation </h2>



<p>This dietary constraint underlines the crucial need for salmon conservation efforts in the Salish Sea to ensure the Southern Residents' survival and the health of the region’s ecosystem.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study received funding and support from numerous institutions, including Wild Orca, SeaDoc Society, University of Exeter, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Orca Behavior Institute, NOAA, Cascadia Research, The Whale Museum, Center for Whale Research, ORCA at Everett Community College, Bay Cetology, North Gulf Oceanic Society, George Mason University, and Marine-Med.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.13073"><em>Marine Mammal Science</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p><em>Image Credit: Wild Orca</em></p>



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Killer whales have been killing porpoises for decades, but why?

In a recent study, scientists have investigated some curious behavior...

<p>An emerging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-sea-stars-more-susceptible-to-disease/">disease</a> that was believed to only cause hoof deformation in elk appears to trigger molecular changes throughout the entire animal system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is the conclusion of an epigenetic study by experts at <a href="https://vetmed.wsu.edu/departments/veterinary-microbiology-and-pathology/elk-hoof-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a> (WSU), who set out to gain a better understanding of elk treponeme-associated hoof disease.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapidly-spreading-disease-nbsp">Rapidly spreading disease&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In a previous <a href="https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2021/09/16/wsu-researchers-discover-one-way-elk-become-infected-devastating-hoof-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study from WSU</a>, researchers discovered that healthy elk can contract the disease by simply walking on soil contaminated by infected hooves. </p>



<p>The experts described the disease as "devastatingly painful," noting that it often leads to death.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Affected elk suffer with deformed hooves, lameness, and increasingly poor health as a result of the infection," said the report.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The disease is spreading unabated and has been found in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physiological-changes-nbsp">Physiological changes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The results of the latest study indicate that the molecular changes caused by hoof disease might not be limited to where the infection is visible, but could potentially be affecting the entire physiology of the elk.</p>



<p>According to the researchers, the illness severely impairs the elk’s ability to find food and escape predators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heritable-impacts">Heritable impacts</h2>



<p>The research suggests that the disease-induced changes may be heritable, but it is not yet clear whether this means subsequent generations of elk may be more prone to catching the disease.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It’s not just the absence or presence of the infection. It’s affecting the animal’s entire physiology, all the cells,” said study senior author Michael Skinner, a WSU biologist. “It shows that there's a molecular impact by the presence of the disease organisms.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-epigenetic-changes-nbsp">Epigenetic changes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Epigenetics refers to stable molecular processes that influence gene behavior, independently of the DNA sequence.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These changes in an organism’s epigenetics can be brought about by various factors such as nutrition or the environment. The current study suggests that infectious diseases can also play a part.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team analyzed cells from the leg tendons of 55 Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk, both infected and uninfected.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These specimens were provided by hunters and procured by wildlife agencies across five states: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and South Dakota.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the findings reveal epigenetic changes associated exclusively with the disease in the infected elk.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Considering that the tendon cells were located away from the hoof infection, this suggests that the changes induced by the treponeme-associated hoof disease could be systemic.</p>



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



<p>According to Margaret Wild, this research is only the tip of the iceberg.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We’re building foundational knowledge to understand this disease,” said Wild. “By doing this epigenetic study, we can see apparent systemic impacts from the infection, even though we don't see those pathological changes when we look at the elk.”</p>



<p>The disease's name originates from the treponeme bacteria. However, researchers now theorize that it might be caused by multiple bacterial strains.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-nbsp">Future research&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Wild and her team are currently undertaking studies in captive elk to identify the transmission mode of the disease. This research could also shine a light on factors like diet that may alter the animals' vulnerability to the infection.</p>



<p>While elk remain the only wild species detected with the disease, WSU researchers are exploring possible connections to bovine digital dermatitis found in cattle.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There's also an ongoing effort using computer modeling to identify environmental factors, such as soil type, moisture, and geography, which might determine where elks are more susceptible.</p>



<p>“This is a brand-new emerging disease that hardly anything is known about,” Wild said. “We are taking a multi-pronged approach and conducting a broad range of exploratory studies."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Our goal is to do as much research as we can to learn about all the impacts this disease is having on individuals and elk populations to help wildlife managers address the disease.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42546-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a>.</p>



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Emerging hoof disease may cause physiological changes in elk

An emerging disease that was believed to only cause hoof...

<p>The capacity for individual innovation is often seen as a marker of intelligence across species, with elephants being a focal point of such studies due to their nuanced problem-solving skills.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study led by the <a href="http://www.cuny.edu/">City University of New York</a> (CUNY) has reported the findings of a six-month investigation, shedding light on the capabilities of individual wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-asian-elephants-shrinking-habitats-will-increase-conflicts/">Asian elephants</a> in securing food by solving puzzles that unlock storage boxes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capacity-to-adapt">Capacity to adapt</h2>



<p>“An animal’s capacity for innovation or solving novel problems likely has important implications for how quickly they can adapt to environmental change. Asian elephants,&nbsp;<em>Elephas maximus</em>, living in zoos have previously demonstrated a capacity to innovate, but problem solving has never been studied experimentally in a wild elephant population,” the authors explained.</p>



<p>“This is the first research study to show that individual wild elephants have different willingness and abilities to problem solve in order to get food,” said lead author Sarah Jacobson, a doctoral student in Animal Cognition at CUNY.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is important knowledge, because how animals think and innovate may influence their ability to survive in environments that are rapidly changing due to human presence.”</p>



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



<p>This study was carried out at the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, utilizing motion-activated cameras to monitor 77 wild Asian elephants as they decided whether to engage with puzzle boxes containing aromatic jackfruit within three uniquely configured compartments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The methods of access varied: elephants could pull on a chain, push a door, or slide a door open, each method requiring a different approach. The elephants were left to interact with the puzzle boxes autonomously to learn the unlocking mechanisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Out of the elephants observed, 44 decided to engage with the boxes, showing varying levels of innovative interactions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts found that elephants which engaged more frequently and persistently with the boxes had higher success rates in accessing food from all the differently configured compartments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the end, 11 elephants managed to solve one type of compartment, eight cracked two types, and five elephants showcased the highest level of innovation by solving all three.</p>



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



<p>“Conflict involving humans and elephants is increasing due to loss of natural habitat and agricultural encroachment into what is left of it,” said senior author Joshua Plotnik, a professor of Psychology at CUNY.</p>



<p>“Investigating innovation and problem solving in elephants can inform our understanding of wild elephant cognitive flexibility and its potential impact on conservation management and human-elephant conflict mitigation,” he concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-elephant-innovation">More about elephant innovation</h2>



<p>Elephants are remarkable animals, known for their intelligence and complex social behaviors. As mentioned by the CUNY team, their "innovations" are more about adapting and evolving to their environment over time, rather than inventing or creating new tools or technologies.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-structures">Social structures</h3>



<p>Elephants have intricate social structures, which they use to manage group dynamics, support each other, and protect young members.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication">Communication</h3>



<p>They use a variety of vocalizations and even subsonic rumbles that can travel long distances to communicate with one another.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory">Memory</h3>



<p>Known for their excellent memory, elephants can remember the locations of water sources over vast distances and recall these during dry seasons.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-problem-solving-abilities">Problem-solving abilities</h3>



<p>Elephants are known to work together to solve problems. For example, they might coordinate efforts to move obstacles or assist a member in distress.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empathy-and-mourning-nbsp">Empathy and mourning&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Elephants display empathetic behaviors and even engage in rituals that resemble mourning when a member of their group dies.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-of-tools">Use of tools</h3>



<p>While not as advanced as some species, elephants do use basic tools. They might use branches to swat flies, or utilize their trunks in sophisticated ways to gather food, drink water, or give themselves dust or mud baths for skin protection.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-and-imitation">Learning and imitation</h3>



<p>They have the ability to learn new behaviors, both from other elephants and through direct experience. They can also imitate sounds and behaviors.</p>



<p>While these may not be "innovations" in the human sense, these adaptations and evolved behaviors highlight the intelligence and complexity of elephants as a species.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.08.019"><em>Animal Behavior</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Wild Asian elephants exhibit strong capacity for innovation

The capacity for individual innovation is often seen as a...

Plicatula gibbosa

Taxonomic tree: