Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- Plants
Yum! Flies swarm to a flower that smells like wounded ants
A type of Japanese dogsbane emits the distress signal of injured ants — a particular scent — to draw in scavenging flies that end up pollinating its flowers.
- Environment
Nuclear weapons tests many decades ago have left a radioactive legacy
Decades of aboveground nuclear weapons tests, starting in the 1950s, lightly littered the planet with toxic fallout, which appears to have sickened some people.
- Animals
Some Antarctic fish arrange their nests into odd shapes
Scientists found nests organized into curves, clusters and ovals on the Antarctic seabed. Such groupings may protect the fish eggs from predators.
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- Animals
Polar bears leave thousands of tons of food scraps for other species
The new finding quantifies how much of polar bears' food goes uneaten. As these bears decline, Arctic scavengers risk losing a critical food source.
- Animals
Flamingos hunt by creating their own underwater tornadoes
Chilean flamingos use their beaks and feet to create underwater whirlpools that suck in prey.
- Microbes
Ants are the secret ingredient to this tasty yogurt
The traditional yogurt-making technique was once popular in parts of Europe and Asia. But don’t try this at home!
- Animals
Scientists Say: Kleptotrichy
Based on the Greek words for theft and hair, kleptotrichy is a more common bird behavior than people thought.
- Animals
Birds are singing longer, thanks to light pollution
In light-polluted areas, birds spend an average of 50 minutes more per day singing. It’s unclear how that extra time might hurt or help the birds.
- Animals
Ants are better team players than people [COMIC]
For ants, teamwork makes the dream work. For humans, teamwork can be a trip-up.
- Animals
Analyze This: Some bats feast on songbirds midflight
Sensor data reveal greater noctule bats chasing, catching and chewing on birds during nighttime hunts.
- Life
Scientists Say: Benthic
This ecological region teems with life — from coral to insect larvae to crabs.
