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.
By Carly Kay
HS-LS2-6
Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
More Stories in HS-LS2-6
- Plants
For some trees, acting as lightning rods helps them survive
Being struck by lightning is usually bad. But for one tropical tree, a mighty zap can kill rivals and parasitic vines.
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As the climate warms, polar bears are facing more germs
Polar bears have been exposed to more viruses, bacteria and parasites in recent decades, a new study shows. These may come from their diet.
- Plants
Insect-eating plants digest faster with a fungal friend
Insects stuck in sundews’ sticky goo break down faster when the plants host an enzyme-making fungus.
- Oceans
Underwater mountains in the Pacific Ocean may be home to 20 new species
A recent expedition to undersea mountain ranges off the coast of Chile revealed a new seamount and a rich world of deep-sea biodiversity.
- Plants
Many flowers and ferns lure in ants as bodyguards
With an offer of a nectar meal, ferns and flowering plants have been bribing ants to fend off predatory insects — since before the rise of T. rex.
- Animals
Hibernating bumblebee queens can survive days of watery submersion
Hibernating queen bumblebees survived accidental submersion, leading researchers to discover their surprising resilience to flooding.
- Oceans
Shading corals during midday heat can limit bleaching
Shading coral reefs during the sunniest part of the day may help corals survive marine heat waves.
- Climate
Some tree leaves are finding it too hot for photosynthesis
Earth’s ongoing fever threatens to push entire forests toward this heat limit — and possible death.
- Earth
Analyze This: Tropical forests have gotten patchier
Although many of the world's forests have gotten less fragmented since 2000, tropical forests have gotten more chopped up, putting animals at risk.
