Latest news with #Ecology
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How did this shark swim a record-breaking 4,000 miles—a journey once thought impossible
When Turawa Hakeem caught a bull shark near Lagos, Nigeria last summer, the Ghanaian captain had no idea his crew was reeling a record winner onto his wooden fishing boat. The eight-foot-long female had made an epic journey of at least 4,500 miles, the longest known movement of its species and the first time a bull shark was documented swimming through two oceans. The shark traveled from the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, swam around the southern tip of Africa, and then voyaged north through the Atlantic to Nigeria, according to research published this month in Ecology. 'Wow, I was surprised,' says Hakeem. 'I didn't know they could travel that far.' When his crew began butchering the shark to sell its meat at a local market, Hakeem found a black finger-length cylinder inside its body that read: 'Research: Reward if returned.' Curious, Hakeem emailed the address. He reached Ryan Daly, the paper's lead author and a shark ecologist at the Oceanographic Research Institute, a marine science and service facility that leads research projects in the western Indian Ocean. He implanted the acoustic transmitter in the bull shark in South Africa in 2021. Daly was equally shocked—and very skeptical at first. 'I thought it might be a scam,' Daly admits. 'The chances of this happening are like one in a million.' This lucky catch is providing new insights into how bull sharks move and shows how climate change may break down the environmental barriers that historically limited the migration of certain ocean animals. Another study author and marine biologist at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Dunsin Abimbola Bolaji, confirmed Hakeem's story. In the year after she was tagged, the female bull shark was detected 567 times along the east coasts of South Africa and Mozambique by an array of 43 different underwater receivers. Then she disappeared on March 25, 2022 and wasn't seen again until Hakeem's crew caught the shark on July 11 last year. As part of their shark migration research, Daly and his colleagues also tagged and tracked 102 bull, blacktip, tiger and reef sharks in southern Africa. The longest recorded migration among these sharks was 1,400 miles, just one-third the distance traveled by the female bull shark that ended up near Lagos. Bull sharks are coastal species, not known for long-distance travel in the open ocean. They prefer shallow waters where freshwater meets the sea and need water temperature warmer than 65°F. During her voyage north, the female bull shark had to navigate the Benguela upwelling, one of the world's largest cold-water currents that extends along the west coasts of South Africa and Namibia. This upwelling has formed a cold barrier separating Africa's bull shark populations for at least the past 55,000 years. Scientists think this bull shark bypassed the cold water by swimming out around the upwelling, which can extend up to 90 miles offshore. It's also possible she rode pockets of warmer water around South Africa into the Atlantic Ocean during a Benguela Niño event. This climate pattern is similar to the El Niño events that influence sea temperatures off the west coast of the Americas. Certain cold-water fish, like mackerel and sardines, have also been pushed north during Benguela Niño events. As waters warm and upwellings shift due to climate change, Daly says the Benguela's cold water barrier may break down more often, allowing ocean animals to move to different latitudes. These Niño-related water temperature changes can change the entire species makeup of certain marine areas, impacting everything in the food web from algae to plankton to sharks. For bull sharks, however, more movement is likely a positive sign. 'If it means more gene flow, then typically that's a good thing,' Daly points out. 'We need to adapt to survive in a changing world.' Daly thinks that perhaps she was an immature shark who was 'just exploring'. Females don't reach sexual maturity until they are around 20 years old. Then they repeatedly return to the same estuary to reproduce. Until then, however, they may head out to 'find their groove and the pattern that works for them,' Daly says. It's possible that this female's extraordinary journey 'might not be unusual at all', says Rachel Graham, a shark biologist who was not involved in this study and executive director of MarAlliance, a conservation nonprofit based off the west coast of Africa. Bull sharks may have always traveled farther than scientists realized, or perhaps this female was the 'the black sheep in the family, the one who does something completely and utterly different to keep our gene pool robust,' Graham suggests. Despite her long journey, this female won't pass on her genetics after befalling a common shark fate. Globally, sharks' numbers have been halved since 1970. Overfishing drives 90 percent of the decline in sharks—but three-quarters of the estimated 100 million sharks that are caught each year are killed accidentally. As stocks of other fish plummet globally, more people are turning to shark meat for protein—especially in countries in sub-Saharan Africa like Nigeria where people depend on fishing for their livelihoods. 'It had a one-way ticket there because fishery pressure is so extreme,' Daly says. 'Sharks are running the gauntlet. In every country, they're facing different types of threats on top of climate change.' Hakeem says his crew didn't hook the tagged female bull shark on purpose. She took the bait meant for more lucrative grouper and snapper. To ensure sharks—including future record breakers—survive, Graham says that scientists need to rely more on fishers like Hakeem to track sharks and to learn whether other marine species are making transoceanic journeys. 'Small-scale fishers are our allies in science,' Graham says. 'They have PhDs of the sea.' These sorts of novel partnerships may help scientists better understand how and where marine species are moving into new habitats. Warming water may allow tropical species to expand their range polewards, which can relieve fishing pressure or allow them to spread to new homes. But simultaneously, climate change is also creating more intense cold events in their historic ranges, such as an extreme upwelling along the southeast coast of South Africa that killed individuals from 81 species in 2021, including sharks. 'It's kind of like this bait and switch,' Daly says. 'It gets warmer but then these intense upwelling events increase, so they might get trapped down there, at the end of their range for a tropical species and then die off.'
IOL News
7 days ago
- Science
- IOL News
Discovering a new Velvet Worm species in the Swartberg Mountains
Peripatopsis barnardi represents the first ever species from the little Karoo, which indicates that the area was historically more forested than at present. It is one of seven new species from the Cape Fold Mountains described in a paper published in Ecology and Evolution. Image: Savel Daniels In March 2022, Stellenbosch University (SU) student Rohan Barnard was out and about on a farm in the Swartberg Mountains between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn, flipping over rocks looking for ants, reptiles and other critters, when he stumbled upon the finding of a lifetime. Buried deep in the moist sand below a pile of leaf litter at the periphery of a small river, he found a slate black velvet worm. Being familiar with how rare velvet worms are, he took a specimen and also posted an image of it to the biodiversity observation app, iNaturalist. 'I had a basic knowledge of the Cape velvet worms, having found one for the first time on Table Mountain in 2019. My older brother was under assignment from his zoology lecturer, Prof. Savel Daniels, to collect velvet worms. With my interest in ants, I gladly assisted him in this task,' Rohan, now a third year BSc student in Conservation Ecology and Entomology, explained. Velvet worms' lineage dates back to over 500 million years ago., making it a living relic of the Cambrian period. With their soft bodies and non-jointed legs, these critters have changed little over millions of years, earning them the title of 'living fossils'. Little did Rohan know at the time that he had just found a new species of velvet worm, now aptly named Rohan's velvet worm or, in scientific terms, Peripatopsis barnardi. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A new velvet worm species, Peripatopsis barnardi, is named after Rohan Barnard, currently a third year BSc student in Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University. He found a specimen while looking for insects in an ancient forest patch in a kloof in the Swartberg Mountains. Image: Supplied. Even more remarkable is the fact that it representsthe first ever species from the little Karoo, which indicates that the area was historically more forested than at present. In other words, with prehistorical climate changes, and aridification, the species became isolated and underwent speciation. According to Prof. Daniels, an evolutionary biologist from SU's Department of Botany and Zoology and one of South Africa's foremost specialists on velvet worms, it is utterly remarkable that such a prehistorical lineage is still around today. After viewing this rare find on iNaturalist, he visited the same area in July 2022 and collected a paratype and another nine specimens for analysis. The results of his analysis, and the announcement of seven new species of velvet worms, were published in the journal Ecology and Evolution recently. Daniels, the first author on the paper, said South Africa's velvet worms are mainly found in prehistoric Afro temperate forest patches that persist in deep gorges in the Cape Fold Mountains 'The origin of these forest patches can be traced to the early Miocene, about 23 to 15 million years ago, when the region used to be temperate and sub-tropical. During the late Miocene, however, the region underwent significant climatic changes, with a decrease in rainfall due to the advent of the proto-Benguela current along the West Coast and two geotectonic uplifting events. These events resulted in a complex mosaic of habitat connectivity and isolation, what we know today as the Cape Fold Mountains, driving the speciation of habitat specialists such as velvet worms,' he explains. Daniels used new mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequencing techniques, combined with morphological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to determine that P. barnardi diverged from its most recent common ancestor about 15.2 million years ago. Another novel finding from the Cederberg Mountains, P. cederbergiensis, can trace its lineage to 12.47 million years ago. Daniels welcomes the efforts of citizen scientists to share their findings on biodiversity apps: 'It is thanks to citizen science data that we were able to identify the new species. In the Cape Fold Mountains, we now know that every mountain peak has an endemic species. This suggests that in unsampled areas there are likely to be additional novel diversity, waiting to be found.' Most importantly, though, it means that we must conserve these prehistoric forest fragments to limit extinction. To Rohan, it still feels surreal to have such a fossil-like creature named after him: 'It is incredible to realise that I've uncovered a living fossil. It is as if I have found a missing link that we did not even know about. It gives me hope that there is still so much left to discover. But it also makes me worried for the future, that we will lose animals and plants to extinction that we did not even know existed,' he warned. The seven new species are P. fernkloofi, P. jonkershoeki, P. kogelbergi, P. landroskoppie, P. limietbergi and P. palmeri. Apart from P. barnardi, all the new species were named after their places of origin. The results were published in the article titled 'Perched on the plateau: speciation in a Cape Fold Mountain velvet worm clade' in Ecology and Evolution. Why are velvet worms so unique? Like the indestructible water bears (Tardigrades), modern velvet worms are looked on as a separate line of evolution (and placed in a distinct phylum) that arose independently from some long forgotten marine ancestor – probably the Hallicogenia. Fossils show that velvet worms have not changed much since they diverged from their ancient relative about 540 million years ago. This means Onycophorans have been living on Earth ever since what is called the Cambrian period of prehistory. Today, modern velvet worms live on land and are found only in damp, moist habitats in areas that were originally part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Minister expresses ire over tree-felling on Hyder Ali road
Minister for Forests, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre expressed his ire over permission accorded to axe 40 trees on Hyder Ali Road. He was interacting with the Forest Department officials at a progress review meeting here on Sunday. The Minister said permission should be accorded only in such cases when all other options are closed, and it was inevitable to cut down the trees. The felling of 40 giant trees resulted in a public uproar as each of them was over 40 years old and local residents had stated that the existing traffic density did not warrant tree-felling to widen the road. Mr. Khandre said trees that were standing tall for years and posed no danger should not be felled, and all efforts should be made to conserve them. Incidentally, an official inquiry, which probed the issue, has absolved the Forest Department personnel and cleared them of any wrongdoing. The report has come under criticism as it only documented the sequence of events and whether the legal process of issuing permit to fell the trees were complied or not. The Minister also directed the officials to take up massive tree plantation drive in Mysuru during the ensuing Vana Mahotsava.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Indian Express
Known for efforts to save Great Indian Bustard, wildlife conservationist dead in Jaisalmer accident
Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi, a wildlife conservationist and animal rescuer from Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district, died in a road accident Friday along with three others. Bishnoi, about 28 — celebrated for his efforts to protect the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) — had reportedly been tipped off about deer poaching when he and three others met with an accident. Rajendra Kumar, Station House Officer of Jaisalmer's Lathi police station, said that the accident took place around 9:30 pm Friday when the camper Bishnoi and three others were in had a head-on collision with a truck on National Highway 11. The SHO said that how the accident took place is part of the investigation. Apart from Radheshyam, Forest Guard Surendra Choudhary, ex-armyman Shyamlal Bishnoi who was also a conservationist, and one Kanwaraj Singh who runs a gaushala, also died in the accident, the SHO said. He, however, added that he has no information on alleged poachers or whether Bishnoi and others had been tipped off. Born in the village of Dholiya, Bishnoi was deeply influenced by the Bishnoi community's centuries-old tradition of environmental stewardship. His journey into wildlife conservation began at a young age when he started rescuing injured animals. However, as some of them died despite his best efforts, he trained as a veterinary assistant at the Jodhpur Rescue Centre. Bishnoi's conservation efforts were multifaceted. He was instrumental in patrolling GIB habitats, monitoring threats like high-tension power lines and railway tracks, and coordinating a network of local volunteers under the guidance of the Ecology, Rural Development and Sustainability (ERDS) Foundation. His advocacy extended to campaigning for underground power lines to prevent bird collisions, a leading cause of GIB mortality. In response to the Thar desert's harsh conditions, Bishnoi also initiated the construction of over 100 water reservoirs to provide drinking water for wildlife. These reservoirs, filled using water tankers, helped reduce wildlife mortality due to dehydration. He was also known to be an avid photographer, documenting the region's biodiversity through his lens while highlighting and spreading awareness on the threats and the critical need for conservation efforts. Bishnoi also personally rescued and rehabilitated numerous animals and birds, including Himalayan Griffon vultures and Cinereous vultures. He also played a pivotal role in anti-poaching initiatives, providing information that led to the arrest of poaching gangs, apart from being instrumental in registration of several FIRs. His efforts also earned him national recognition, including Sanctuary Nature Foundation's Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award in 2021 under the Young Naturalist category. Sumit Dookia, a wildlife biologist and mentor to Bishnoi, expressed profound grief over the loss. 'Last night, we lost our flag bearer of the GIB Community Conservation Program in a fatal road accident. Even up to the last breath, he was with an anti-poaching patrolling team. Radhe Bishnoi, you gone too early my boy. A true martyr,' he said. Condolences poured in from across and beyond the state too, with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma saying: 'It is extremely painful to hear about the death of Jaisalmer's Radheshyam Pemani, Shyamlal Bishnoi, Kanwar Singh and forest department employee Surendra Choudhary, who were dedicated to the conservation of environment and wildlife, in a horrific road accident in the Lathi area of Jaisalmer'. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said: 'His dedication to nature and wildlife will remain unforgettable. May God give him peace. Om Shanti'.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Why gulls sometimes seem drunk
Many a family seaside trip has been ruined by gulls dive-bombing tables and stealing chips. However, cowering Britons have often enjoyed a period of respite on so-called 'flying ant day', when the opportunistic scavengers appear 'drunk'. It was commonly thought the formic acid within the insects was intoxicating to the birds as they feasted on them. But scientists believe the gulls actually appear disorientated because they are 'so focused' on eating as much as they can, meaning they don't notice their surroundings and appear drunk. Dr Claire Asher, who has a PhD in Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution, told BBC Science Focus: 'Gulls feasting on swarms of flying ants have disrupted traffic and made headlines across the UK. 'Some claim that the gulls are drunk, but can eating ants really intoxicate these birds? 'Many ant species produce formic acid as a defence mechanism and this is toxic to birds. So, it's theoretically possible that gorging on ants might make gulls a little disoriented. 'However, the black garden ants that swarm across UK pavements in the summer only produce very small quantities of formic acid.' Gulls collide with cars Dr Asher said experts think it is the birds' focus on the short-lived supply of insect food that means they 'don't even notice' the cars they sometimes fly into. Flying ant day, a period that usually arrives around mid-July, as the queens emerge and travel to set up new colonies. But, swarms of the insects can appear any time between June and the start of September Organisations often warn drivers to stay vigilant on flying ant day due to 'drunk' gulls. The gulls are known to swarm onto grass verges and feast on the ants as they appear. Over the years, scores of dead seabirds have been found on roads in the aftermath of flying ant day, having collided with oncoming vehicles while gorging on the insects. In 2013, residents across Devon were shocked to find dozens of dead gulls in roads across the county. Last year, East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said it was 'inundated with road casualty gulls' and urged drivers to be cautious.
