A new study shows that hummingbirds continue to diversify and adapt to different ecological niches all across North America, South America and the Caribbean. Researchers used genetic studies to reconstruct the family tree of the smallest birds and have found that hummingbirds invaded South America 22 million years ago and diversified into 338 known species […]
Tag: animals
Zebra stripes may deter biting flies
Why do zebras have stripes? A new study suggests that rather than serving as camouflage, they may have evolved as a way to avoid fly bites. Researchers found that among equids (horse-like animals), striped species such as zebras overlapped the range of flies known to avoid black and white surfaces. Moreover, they didn’t find any […]
Predators are the main drivers of the Arctic tundra food chain
A new study shows that predators (Arctic fox, wolves, stoat, snowy owls) are the main drivers of the Arctic tundra food chain. Usually, predators regulate the food chain in a given ecosystem, but researchers previously thought that this view did not apply to the Arctic tundra as there are too few herbivores such as caribou, […]
Portrayals of animals in children’s books
A new study shows that children who read books where animals were described using anthropomorphic language (e.g. talking, arguing) or images (e.g. wearing clothes) were more likely to attribute anthropomorphic characteristics to real non-human animals that those who heard a story with realistic language or images. The authors say that such books impact children’s […]
Why do prairie dogs do ‘the wave’?
When one prairie dog in a colony does a “jump-yip” display, the rest respond contagiously, like sports fans doing ‘the wave.’ However the purpose of this behaviour has been debated. New research shows that prairie dogs that start the wave adjust their behaviour based on how many responses they get and how delayed those responses […]
State of Canada’s Birds | Webinar recording
State of Canada’s Birds – June 26, 2012 There’s nothing more symbolic of Canadian summer than the call of the loon. But is the status of birds in Canada a loon call or a swan song? How are Canada’s over 450 bird species doing? Since the 1970s, birds have undergone an overall decline in numbers, […]
The state of biodiversity research in Canada | Webinar recording
The state of biodiversity research in Canada – November 17, 2010 The Council of Canadian Academies released an expert panel report on Thursday, November 18th 2010 at 7am EST. The report is an assessment of biodiversity science and taxonomy in Canada. To help media cover this event, the SMCC organized an embargoed web conference with […]
