IISER Mohali researchers have found that zebrafish did overcome the challenges posed by reduced visibility in turbid waters after a month of acclimatisation. They show zebrafish use visual cues to navigate to foraging sites especially when turbidity is high and visibility is low. Turbid to extremely turbid water conditions are quite common in areas where … Continue reading IISER Mohali finds zebrafish use landmarks for navigation
Ecology
Human disturbances stress Indian tigers, may reduce fertility
CCMB researchers in collaboration with a Russian team have found that Bengal tigers in three India tiger reserves are 20% more stressed. The stress is caused due to higher anthropogenic disturbances from tourists and visitors and higher population density. Elevated stress in tigers can negatively impact reproductive hormones leading to reduced fertility and reproductive failure. … Continue reading Human disturbances stress Indian tigers, may reduce fertility
Podcast: How species can turn invasive in the same ecosystem
Fruit flies selected for dispersal evolved traits — increased aggression, exploration and activity — which together is more likely to make them more invasive, IISER Pune researchers have found. In response to climate change and habitat destruction, there is an increasing possibility for the evolution of these traits in organisms selected for dispersal. This will lead … Continue reading Podcast: How species can turn invasive in the same ecosystem
IISER Pune find species can turn invasive in the same ecosystem
IISER researchers have been able to show that fruit flies selected for dispersal for as long as 69 generations have evolved traits — increased aggression, exploration and activity — which together is more likely to make them more invasive. In response to climate change and habitat destruction, there is an increasing possibility for the evolution of these … Continue reading IISER Pune find species can turn invasive in the same ecosystem
Himender Bharti gets honoured, has an ant species named after him
A new ant species discovered from the southern foothills of Pir Panjal Himalayas in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir is named after Dr. Himender Bharti from Punjabi University, Patiala. He has so far discovered 77 new ant species from India, and four new species from Southeast Asia. He has been working on ants for about 20 years … Continue reading Himender Bharti gets honoured, has an ant species named after him
Egyptian vultures wintering in India undergo a change in drug-resistance pattern
Researchers found a significant change in the pattern of drug resistance in E. coli seen in Egyptian vultures that come to India for wintering. They were resistant to certain antibiotics when they arrived and developed resistance to certain other antibiotics when they left. The E. coli seen in over 90% of Egyptian vultures that migrate … Continue reading Egyptian vultures wintering in India undergo a change in drug-resistance pattern
IISc researchers witness division of labour emerge in social insects
IISc researchers have been able to witness the minimum conditions required for the emergence of cooperation and division of labour in Indian paper wasps. The reproductive division of labour determines who becomes the queen and reproduces, and who becomes the worker and carries out tasks other than reproduction. The non-reproductive division of labour determines which worker … Continue reading IISc researchers witness division of labour emerge in social insects
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