How climate change created the modern dog
Appearing in Nature Communications, a new study of dog fossils suggests that the evolutionary path of whole groups of predators…
Domestication of dogs may explain success of early humans
A new analysis of European archaeological sites suggests that early modern humans working with the earliest domestic dogs were extremely…
Fences causing “ecological meltdown,” claims new study
A general belief by conservationists that fences can help prevent the spread of diseases, protect wildlife from poachers, and help…
Camouflage or bright colors? What’s better to live long and prosper?
In nature, bright colors are signals that scream, “Don’t eat me!” But how did prey species evolve these characteristics? Now,…
Return of wolves triggers renaissance in Yellowstone ecosystem
Fifteen years after the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park a beautifully revitalized ecosystem is emerging. Oregon State University…
Predator-prey dynamics used to model cloud systems
Mathematical formulae that describe the population dynamics of prey animals such as gazelles and their predators have been used to…
Finally! Something that eats jellyfish
Jellyfish have few predators and the increasing incidence of ocean “dead zones” around the world has seen jellyfish populations explode…
Nutrients from animal carcasses a missing piece of biodiversity jigsaw
A new study in the journal Ecology shows that the carcasses of moose killed by wolves enrich the soil in…
Loss of top predators causing widespread ecosystem disruption
The decimation of “apex” predators such as wolves, cougars, lions or sharks has led to a huge increase in smaller…
T-rex a baby killer
The cinematic cliché of two huge dinosaurs battling to the death may be nothing but fantasy if German scientists are…
Predator-prey relationships a key driver in nature’s synchronicity
Synchronicity in nature is seen in beating hearts and the simultaneous rise and fall of populations across vast reaches. Now,…
Squirrels Use Snake Eau de Cologne
Animal behaviorists have observed California ground squirrels and rock squirrels chewing up rattlesnake skin and smearing it on their fur…
Pregnant Moose Cozy Up To Traffic
Roads and motor vehicles aren’t generally thought of as beneficial to forest critters. But when it’s time for moose to…