Article
Environmental Sciences
Andre Pardal, Aline S. Martinez, Ronaldo A. Christofoletti, Simon Karythis, Stuart R. Jenkins
Summary: Metal contamination can alter ecological interactions between prey and predators, potentially impacting community structure and ecosystem functioning. Despite causing increased barnacle mortality and reduced predation, copper contamination did not affect interaction strength, indicating a potential decrease in energy flow that could lead to significant ecological changes.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eliseo Fica-Rojas, Alexis M. Catalan, Bernardo R. Broitman, Alejandro Perez-Matus, Nelson Valdivia
Summary: Ecological stability depends on interactions between different levels of biological organization. Insurance effects occur when increasing species diversity leads to more stable community-level properties. This study investigates how species richness and population-level parameters influence community invariability.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Patrick Derviche, Paulo da Cunha Lana
Summary: This study assessed the impacts of the Pacific epizoic brittle star Ophiothela mirabilis on the feeding performance of its preferred host Leptogorgia punicea and estimated its effects on the benthic-pelagic coupling processes of a rocky shore system. The results showed that although hosting O. mirabilis may impair polyp opening and extension, the feeding performance of the host remains similar. Additionally, Leptogorgia punicea plays a significant role in the benthic-pelagic coupling processes.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ignacio Garrido, Luis Miguel Pardo, Ladd E. Johnson, Dirk Schories
Summary: The study described the feeding behavior of the Patagonian sea star Cosmasterias lurida, revealing that while this predator may be a generalist-opportunist, it actually exhibits high selectivity for certain species, thereby playing a key role in structuring subtidal benthic communities in Patagonia.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sofia Castell y Tickell, Natalie H. N. Low, Robert W. Lamb, Margarita Brandt, Jon D. Witman
Summary: Sea stars in Galápagos have diverse diets and play important roles as consumers in benthic ecosystems. Different species show distinct feeding habits and have different ecological impacts on prey, highlighting the importance of understanding their functional roles for ecosystem management.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Maria Aleksandra Bitner, Arnold Mueller
Summary: Thirteen species belonging to eleven genera have been identified in the lower Oligocene rocky-shore deposits at Mammendorf, central Germany. The occurrence of three species extends their stratigraphic range back to the early Oligocene, and they have an affinity to the early Oligocene brachiopod fauna of the Mainz Basin.
ANNALES SOCIETATIS GEOLOGORUM POLONIAE
(2022)
Article
Biology
A. W. E. Galloway, S. A. Gravem, J. N. Kobelt, W. N. Heady, D. K. Okamoto, D. M. Sivitilli, V. R. Saccomanno, J. Hodin, R. Whippo
Summary: The recent collapse of predatory sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) due to sea star wasting disease (SSWD) has led to the proliferation of sea urchin barrens and loss of kelp forests on the North American west coast. Experiments and a model were used to test whether restoring Pycnopodia populations could help recover kelp forests by consuming nutritionally poor purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) found in barrens. The results show that Pycnopodia has a significant impact on regulating sea urchin populations and maintaining healthy kelp forests.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Antonia Mendrinos, Balaji Ramesh, Corrine W. Ruktanonchai, Julia M. Gohlke
Summary: This study investigates the association between home proximity to poultry concentrated animal-feeding operations (CAFOs) and adverse birth outcomes. The results show that infants born in close proximity to CAFOs have lower birth weight and shorter gestational days.
Article
Ecology
Samantha J. Sawyer, Micky D. Eubanks, James C. Beasley, Brandon T. Barton, Robert T. Puckett, John M. Tomecek, Jeffery K. Tomberlin
Summary: This study shows that human altered landscapes can significantly reduce the ability of blow flies to use carrion and reproduce, due to the presence of vertebrate scavengers and an invasive ant species.
Article
Limnology
Matthew S. Woodstock, Tracey T. Sutton, Yuying Zhang
Summary: Fish-mediated carbon export plays a significant role in oligotrophic regions. A model was developed to estimate carbon transport and fluxes in the mesopelagic Gulf of Mexico, taking into account species-specific traits and individual variability. The study found that gelatinous zooplankton-consuming fish had higher daily intake rates than predators of cephalopods and fishes, and myctophids and stomiids were the main contributors to carbon export.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher J. Kotalik, Joseph S. Meyer, Pete Cadmus, James F. Ranville, William H. Clements
Summary: The response of stream ecosystems to the immediate elimination of metal inputs was investigated in a study on the North Fork of Clear Creek in the USA. Results showed a significant decrease in metal concentrations within months at the most contaminated sites, and benthic communities responded with increased abundance and diversity. However, downstream stations remained impaired due to residual sources of metals and elevated major ion concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
David Ruiz-Garcia, Pablo Garcia-Salinas, Juan Antonio Raga, Andre E. Moura, Morgane Dromby, Claudio Barria
Summary: On 15 March 2021, a male bluntnose sixgill shark was accidentally caught in the Gulf of Valencia at a depth of 550-730 meters. It measured 251.8 cm in length, weighed 86.2 kg, and had a fully developed reproductive system, making it the smallest mature male of its species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea. The shark was found to harbor a ectoparasitic copepod and had remains of a Stenella coeruleoalba calf in its stomach, indicating its feeding behavior of preying on live cetaceans or scavenging on carcasses.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nicolas Spilmont, Laurent Seuront
Summary: Behavioural interactions between introduced predators and introduced prey are often underestimated. This study examined predation by the Asian shore crab on different prey species under controlled laboratory conditions. The results showed that male and female crabs had different preferences in their choice of prey, and the crab did not exhibit a strict preference for any type of prey when given a choice. These findings suggest that the Asian shore crab is not a naive predator and further research is needed to understand the interactions between the crab and its prey.
Article
Zoology
Maximilian L. Allen, Miha Krofel, Koji Yamazaki, Emmarie P. Alexander, Shinsuke Koike
Summary: This study conducted a systematic literature review on cannibalism in bears and revealed that polar bears engage in cannibalism more frequently than other bear species. Cannibalism is often associated with infanticide and conspecific strife, especially among males. The study suggests that cannibalism in bears may be more opportunistic rather than a deliberate life history strategy.
Article
Ecology
J. A. Buechner-Miranda, H. N. Jaramillo, L. P. Salas-Yanquin, F. Marquez, A. Averbuj, M. S. Zabala, F. J. Paredes-Molina, V. M. Cubillos, O. R. Chaparro
Summary: The temporary loss of an animal feeding structure can be replaced by a new one, but the animal may be limited in its ability to feed during the replacement period. In the case of the muricid gastropod Acanthina monodon, the naturally lost labral tooth can be recovered, although the characteristics and shape of the recovered tooth may differ from the original tooth. The recovered teeth are more fragile and easier to break, depending on the shape of the new tooth. Snails without the labral tooth experience difficulties in feeding and have lower energy intake, at least during the recovery period.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2023)