marine animals

DNA fingerprinting method may thwart false labeling of shark meat

harminka — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:31:20 -0600

Researchers in Spain are reporting that a new DNA identification method could thwart false labeling of shark species used in various seafood products, including the expensive Chinese delicacy known as shark fin soup.

Increased number of sea lions have bacterial infection this year

harminka — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:53:18 -0500

The Marine Mammal Center is seeing a large number of leptospirosis cases in California sea lions this year and is leading a study to determine when and why the sea lions contract this disease. Every four to five years, the Center sees a surge in the number of sea lions admitted as a result of this bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be lethal for patients.

New light on dolphin coordination during predation

harminka — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:40:15 -0500

Spinner have long been known for their teamwork in capturing prey but a new study using high-tech acoustics has found that their synchronization is even more complex than scientists realized and likely evolved as a strategy to maximize their energy intake.

Effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals

harminka — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:53:08 -0500

The Marine Board-ESF published its 13th Position Paper, which presents a view from marine mammal specialists on the research needed to assess the effects of anthropogenic sound upon marine mammals.

First-Ever Free-Swimming Leatherback Turtles in New England

harminka — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:53:41 -0500

University of New Hampshire researchers have tagged one male and two female leatherback turtles off Cape Cod. They are the first free-swimming leatherbacks ever tagged in New England.

Predicting the distribution of creatures great and small

harminka — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:55:20 -0500

In studying how animals change size as they evolve, biologists have unearthed several interesting patterns. For instance, most species are small, but the largest members of a taxonomic group -- such as the great white shark, the Komodo dragon, or the African elephant – are often thousands or millions of times bigger than the typical species.

Leatherback turtles' migration route may be roadmap to salvation

harminka — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:11:17 -0500

With a name like "Leatherback Turtle" you might think the sea turtles could stand up to just about anything the ocean can throw at them, and for more than a hundred million years, they have. But tough, long-lived critters though they are, the population of leatherbacks in the eastern Pacific Ocean has plummeted by over 90 percent in the last 20 years.

Study shows rise in Cornwall's dolphin, whale and porpoise deaths

harminka — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:56:46 -0500

Four weeks on from the shocking incident that led to the death of 26 dolphins near Falmouth, research released today (7 July 2008) sheds new light on the extent of the problems facing Cornwall's marine mammals.

Genomics of large marine animals showcased in the Biological Bulletin

harminka — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:01:09 -0500

Though the slow moving purple sea urchin may look oblivious, lacking a head, eyes and ears, this prickly creature has an impressive suite of sensory receptors to detect outside signals. And don't overlook this animal's self-defense abilities: it has much more ammunition to activate its innate immune system than humans have.

Worm-like marine animal providing

harminka — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:25:26 -0500

Research on the genome of a marine creature led by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is shedding new light on a key area of the tree of life.

2 dolphin stocks may be recovering from tuna fishing practices

harminka — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:46:07 -0500

The numbers of Northeastern offshore spotted and eastern spinner dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are increasing after being severely depleted because of accidental death in the tuna purse-seine fishery between 1960 and 1990, according to biologists from NOAA's Fisheries Service.

Over 50 percent of oceanic shark species threatened with extinction

harminka — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:51:54 -0500

The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. These findings and recommendations for action are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.