Archive for the ‘Diversity and adaptations of organisms’ Category

Raising (Whooping) Crane - Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Ultralight aircraft are guiding crane chicks toward Florida wintering grounds. Dangers remain, but it’s a step ahead for Americas’ largest flying bird, once reduced to 21 animals.

At last: Parasites get some respect! - Thursday, July 24th, 2008

Along the coast of Baja, California, a new study finds that parasites outweigh top predators. What does this mean for ecology, and what is the story with “castrating parasites”?

With a little help from a chimp? - Thursday, July 5th, 2007

Are humans the only animals that will help another animal without any expectation of reward? Not according to a recent study, which shows they’re willing to help unrelated apes.

Flying with bats - Thursday, May 10th, 2007

New study shows how they stay aloft, turn on a dime. Freeze-frame pix of bats flying show unexpectedly complex flight patterns. Meet evolution’s second answer to the problem of vertebrate flight.

Eat Me ‘n Die: Toxic Toad Makes Poison Snake! - Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Toxins are nature’s best defenses. The Asian snake can get toxin by eating toxic food. If an Asian snake offers to let you gobble its pretty neck, don’t be tempted!

New Trick for Water Pistol of the Sea - Thursday, October 12th, 2006

How’s a hungry fish supposed to make a living in the shallow water below tropical mangrove trees? Hint: Squirt, squirt!

Parasitic Plant Sniffs its Prey! - Thursday, September 28th, 2006

After its seed sprouts, this parasitic plant must find a host in four days, or else it dies. Solution? Smell the host plant’s unique bouquet.

Malaria Defense: Can Mosquitoes Help? - Thursday, April 27th, 2006

Malaria harms people and mosquitoes. Some skeeters already kill malaria. Shouldn’t we work together to control this global blood parasite?

New Zealand Bugs Do Mouse Work! - Thursday, March 16th, 2006

Small rodents spread lots of seeds in nature, but they were absent from New Zealand. Do giant grasshoppers replace mice and rats in transporting seeds?

Evolutionary Mystery: Bizarre Beetle Horns - Thursday, October 13th, 2005

They may seem like the lowliest members of the animal kingdom, but dung beetles around the world sport a spectacular diversity of ‘horns.’ The strange appendages have forced biologists to reassess their understanding of evolution.

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