ecology – Sivu 2

2025-10-21 @ 17.39.13 ∈ In English

What goes up must come down: The ‘universal thermal performance curve’ that shackles evolution

Crucially, the new UTPC shows that as all organisms warm, performance slowly increases until they reach an optimum (where performance is greatest), but then, with further warming, performance quickly declines.

2025-10-10 @ 11.45.37 ∈ In English

How Europe’s largest bat catches and eats birds mid-air

The bats kill the birds by biting them, then bite off their wings—probably to reduce weight and drag. The researchers believe that the bats then stretch the membrane between their hind legs forward like a pouch and eat the bird mid-flight.

2025-10-07 @ 13.23.36 ∈ In English

The Tiny Scorpions* In Your House

*Pseudoscorpions are not actually scorpions, but a completely different type of arachnid with little claws, but no stinging tail. These tiny guys eat dust mites and other household pests while being some of nature’s most bizarre hitchhikers.

2025-10-02 @ 18.04.09 ∈ In English

Bearded Vulture nests found to have hoards of cultural artifacts—some up to 650 years old

What's unique about some larger bird [species] is that the same nest is used for centuries if it continues to be in a safe space. Generations of birds will continue to occupy and add materials to these nests for hundreds of years.

2025-10-01 @ 12.46.55 ∈ In English

Study reveals wild canids favor structured travel routes, unlike their feline counterparts

The next time you watch your dog visit the same places around your yard or notice that your cat seems to explore a new area every time it ventures outside, consider this: You might be witnessing an ancient evolutionary strategy in action.

2025-09-09 @ 16.45.16 ∈ In English

(Preprint, n = 465)

Beer drinkers are mosquito magnets, according to a festival study

Participants who drank beer were 1.35 times more attractive to mosquitoes than those who didn't. […] The study also revealed that recent showering and sunscreen make people less attractive to the buzzing menace.

2025-09-06 @ 18.53.07 ∈ Suomeksi

Lapin syrjäisestä erämaasta löytyi Suomelle uusi lihansyöjähämähäkki

Liidokki-hämähäkkeihin kuuluva otus on Salmelan mukaan harvinainen myös muualla Pohjois-Euroopassa. Salmelan mukaan lajia tuskin olisi löytynyt nytkään, ellei se olisi sattumalta päätynyt palsasuolla olleeseen [pyydykseen] Kaldoaivin erämaassa.

2025-09-06 @ 18.42.21 ∈ Suomeksi

Heinolan vesipuhvelit hoitavat järveä paremmin kuin koneet

Vesipuhvelit ovat parantaneet lintujen ravintotilannetta. Kun eläimet laiduntavat, maisema avautuu ja linnuille syntyy uusia alueita ruokailuun.

2025-09-05 @ 19.22.03 ∈ In English

Iberian harvester ant queens are cloning different species to produce hybrid workers

This new frontier in reproduction is referred to by the authors as "xenoparous," meaning the ant queens have a need to produce individuals of another species as an inherent part of their life cycle. The exact developmental mechanism of cross-species male cloning is still unknown, but the authors have some theories.

2025-08-25 @ 16.51.03 ∈ In English

(Earlier: Why the UK’s butterflies are booming in 2025)

Why are we seeing so many butterflies in Ireland this year?

Another reason for the 2025 butterfly boom is the weather in Europe. Hot, dry weather creates drought, and butterflies capable of migration escape by altitudinal and geographical migration. By moving north, Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Red Admiral and Painted Lady butterflies can find succulent foodplants for their caterpillars.