Latest news with #Ecosphere
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Olive Ridley turtles choose mates of similar size, reveals new study
A study published in the journal Ecosphere by scientists from the Kolkata-based Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Michigan revealed that olive ridley sea turtles—a vulnerable species listed on the IUCN Red List—prefer mating with partners of similar size. Some species of animals where males maintain a territory, are bigger in size as compared to females. In contrast to these animals, Olive Ridley females are bigger in size to accommodate the eggs inside their body. The Olive Ridley Sea turtles do not mate with random sized mates. They are mating with a preferred sized mate, the research finds. The research, conducted over two years at Odisha's Rushikulya rookery, one of the world's largest mass nesting sites for the species, involved capturing, tagging, and measuring 134 mating pairs. The study found a strong positive correlation between the sizes of male and female turtles, indicating size-assortative mating behaviour. 'This preference may be shaped by biological advantages,' said Dhriti Banerjee, ZSI director. 'Larger females tend to lay more eggs, and larger males may have a competitive edge during mating.' The team also recorded signs of intense mating competition, including bite marks on females and instances of multiple males attempting to mate with a single female. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Olive Ridley turtles are important because they are crucial in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. They are a vital part of the food chain, helping regulate populations of other marine organisms, like jellyfish. Additionally, their nesting habits on beaches enrich coastal ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity. Their nesting on beaches enriches the environment by contributing to the nutrient cycle and providing habitat for other species. The research was led by Basudev Tripathy and Anil Mohapatra of ZSI, along with Anshuman Swain from the University of Michigan and Ashis Kumar Das and Sandeep Kumar Mohapatra from ZSI's Gopalpur-on-Sea centre. The study not only sheds light on a previously little-understood aspect of olive ridley behaviour but also underscores the importance of targeted conservation. 'There are many unknown aspects of the biology of olive ridleys. Monitoring and reducing high sea mortality is essential for their long-term survival,' added Banerjee. The Rushikulya rookery, discovered in 1994, has shown a steady rise in nesting females thanks to sustained conservation efforts. Tripathy, who has monitored the beach for nearly three decades, noted the positive trend: 'The number of nesting females has been growing due to our persistent protection and habitat monitoring work.' The need to protect Olive Ridley turtles and their nesting grounds underscores the importance of their role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Study reveals dogs outperform humans in detecting killer pests: 'The extra time ... is not as important as it is to find them"
Dogs could help save your local vineyards and forests with their amazing sense of smell, according to Cornell University. A new study published in the journal Ecosphere found that trained dogs can detect the eggs of spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect that kills grapevines, apple trees, hops, and other plants we need. The discovery offers fresh hope for catching these destructive pests before they spread. Spotted lanternflies first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014 and have spread to 18 other states. The insects threaten American farms and forests. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When they attack vineyards, they can kill up to 100% of the vines in just one growing season. Farmers often have no choice but to increase pesticide use by 170% to fight back. But there's good news: A Labrador retriever and Belgian malinois, trained by experts at the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and Working Dogs for Conservation, proved better than humans at finding lanternfly egg masses in forests near vineyards. While people spotted more eggs in the vineyards themselves, the dogs excelled in complex forest environments where the eggs are harder to see. This can help protect both farms and wild spaces. The study found that areas of vineyards closest to forests faced the highest risk. "If you're searching in a vineyard close to the forest, that's more likely where they're going to be," said Angela Fuller, study lead author and Cornell professor. "The extra time that dogs take to find them is not as important as it is to find them in the first place, because you need to detect the egg masses in order to eradicate them," Fuller explained. "A spotted lanternfly infestation in a vineyard can cause 80% to 100% mortality of the vines in one growing season," she added, showing how early detection by these talented dogs could make all the difference in protecting our food supply and natural areas. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
