Ecology & Zoology

Anaerobic Metazoans Found In Mediterranean Sea

Three new species of anaerobic multicellular organisms have been discovered deep under the Mediterranean Sea. The small animals, new members of the group Loricifera, live their entire lives without oxygen and surrounded by 'poisonous' sulphides. ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 8 2010 - 5:03pm

Humboldt Squid Acquitted; Colossal Squid On Tour

So it looks like Humboldt squid don't kill divers after all. At least, they haven't done so yet. ...

Article - Danna Staaf - Apr 11 2010 - 10:19pm

Varanus Obor- Komodo Dragon Relative Discovered In Indonesia

Researchers have discovered a new species of monitor lizard, a close relative of the Komodo dragon, on the Moluccan islands of east Indonesia. The lizard was discovered just last spring  and belongs to the mangrove monitor, V. indicus group. The discovery ...

Article - News Staff - Apr 26 2010 - 5:46pm

Organic Farming Not So Wildlife Friendly, Study Finds

The case for so-called organic farming has always been pretty weak, and a new study in Ecology Letters isn't helping the cause. The study found that the environmental benefits generated organic farming don't compensate for the lower yields produc ...

Article - News Staff - May 5 2010 - 11:33am

Colossal Squid Are Just Really Big Glass Squid

Yes, I am still here! Did you miss me? You totally missed me! Maybe just a little. I emerge from my thesis-writing cave to spread the word that teuthologists Rui Rosa and Brad Seibel--who, incidentally, are both a hoot to hang out with on a boat in the mid ...

Article - Danna Staaf - May 10 2010 - 11:55am

How Spiders Spin Silk- Researchers Unravel A Key Step

Scientists from the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) and the University of Bayreuth say they have discovered how spiders form long, highly stable and elastic fibers from the proteins  stored in the silk gland. The results of their study are published ...

Article - News Staff - May 12 2010 - 2:00pm

Organic Labels Not For The Birds

Birds wouldn't be happy in a Trader Joe's, it seems.   Stuffed with aisles full of organically grown, gluten-free, range fed deliciousness, birds would see through expensive marketing and know that, nutritionally, organic food is no better, it is ...

Article - Hank Campbell - May 19 2010 - 10:00pm

Bomber Worms And Far Out Frogfish: Top Ten New Species For 2009

The International Institute for Species Exploration  has announced their top 10 new species described in 2009. Making the cut are a minnow with fangs, golden orb spider and carnivorous sponge. ...

Article - News Staff - May 21 2010 - 2:37pm

Male Antelopes Fake Fear To Have Sex

Male antelopes, observed in southwest Kenya, send a false signal that a predator is nearby only when females in heat are in their territories. When the females react to the signal, they remain in the territory long enough for some males to fit in a quick m ...

Article - News Staff - May 24 2010 - 11:57am

Mirids: A Case Study For Indirect Ecological Effects Of GMOs

The development of genetically modified organisms has been a potentially explosive topic for those who see themselves as scientists, environmentalists, or just plain eaters-of-food.  Although some evidence suggests that GMOs can be enormously beneficial, p ...

Article - L.K. Tuominen - Feb 23 2012 - 11:40pm