vocalisations provide a remarkable case of acoustic sophistication and versatility in primate
communication. Our study has demonstrated that gibbons not only use unique songs as a response to
predators, but that fellow gibbons understand them."
communication. Our study has demonstrated that gibbons not only use unique songs as a response to
predators, but that fellow gibbons understand them."
It is well known that animals use song as a way of attracting mates, but researchers
have found that gibbons have developed an unusual way of scaring off predators -- by
singing to them. The primatologists at the University of St Andrews discovered that
wild gibbons in Thailand have developed a unique song as a natural defence to
predators. Literally singing for survival, the gibbons appear to use the song not just to
warn their own group members but those in neighbouring areas.
They said, "We are interested in gibbon songs because, apart from human speech, these
have found that gibbons have developed an unusual way of scaring off predators -- by
singing to them. The primatologists at the University of St Andrews discovered that
wild gibbons in Thailand have developed a unique song as a natural defence to
predators. Literally singing for survival, the gibbons appear to use the song not just to
warn their own group members but those in neighbouring areas.
They said, "We are interested in gibbon songs because, apart from human speech, these
Singing For Survival: Gibbons Scare Off Predators With 'Song'
Hybrid Butterfly Found on Cold Mountaintops
Some, apparently, like it cold, thanks to a rare form of genetic mixing
between two butterfly species. The unnamed alpine-dwelling species of
the butterfly genus Lycaeides, seen here, appears to be a genetic mashup
of two known species—Lycaeides melissa and Lycaeides idas—according
to a new study.
"The alpine populations possess a mosaic genome derived from both L.
between two butterfly species. The unnamed alpine-dwelling species of
the butterfly genus Lycaeides, seen here, appears to be a genetic mashup
of two known species—Lycaeides melissa and Lycaeides idas—according
to a new study.
"The alpine populations possess a mosaic genome derived from both L.
years, Iran has been the final stronghold for the Asiatic cheetah,known in Iran as yuz, although there
have been occasional reports of cheetahs in Pakistan.
have been occasional reports of cheetahs in Pakistan.
melissa and L. idas and are differentiated from, and younger than, their putativeparental species," the
authors wrote in a paper published online today by the journal Science.
authors wrote in a paper published online today by the journal Science.
The last cheetahs in India were shot in 1947. Since then, the Asiatic
cheetah has disappeared from most of its former range. In the last 20
cheetah has disappeared from most of its former range. In the last 20
Once distributed from the Indian subcontinent across Afghanistan,
Turkmenistan and Iran to the Arabian Peninsula and Syria, the Asiatic
cheetah is now on the verge of extinction and one of the most
endangered members of the cat family in the world.
Turkmenistan and Iran to the Arabian Peninsula and Syria, the Asiatic
cheetah is now on the verge of extinction and one of the most
endangered members of the cat family in the world.
Cheetahs in Iran bounce back
Glacier could be gone in five years
Wolf packs back to the Scottish Highlands?
SAN FRANCISCO: The principal glacier of the world's biggest
tropical ice cap could disappear within five years as a result of global
warming, one of the world's leading glaciologists predicted yesterday.
The imminent demise of the Qori Kalis glacier, the main component of
the Quelccaya ice cap in the Peruvian Andes, offered the starkest
evidence yet of the effects of climate change, according to Lonnie
Thompson, of Ohio State University.
Although scientists had known for decades that Qori Kalis and the
other Quelccaya glaciers were melting, new observations indicated
that the rate of retreat was increasing, Professor Thompson said.
When he visits this summer, he expects to find that the glacier has
halved in size since last year, and he believes Qori Kalis will be gone
within five years.
tropical ice cap could disappear within five years as a result of global
warming, one of the world's leading glaciologists predicted yesterday.
The imminent demise of the Qori Kalis glacier, the main component of
the Quelccaya ice cap in the Peruvian Andes, offered the starkest
evidence yet of the effects of climate change, according to Lonnie
Thompson, of Ohio State University.
Although scientists had known for decades that Qori Kalis and the
other Quelccaya glaciers were melting, new observations indicated
that the rate of retreat was increasing, Professor Thompson said.
When he visits this summer, he expects to find that the glacier has
halved in size since last year, and he believes Qori Kalis will be gone
within five years.
Reintroducing wolves to the Highlands of Scotland, where they were last seen in
1769, could boost conservation and local economies, a new study suggests.
The idea has been widely debated, but the research concludes that bringing the
animals back could be a cost-effective way of reducing the overwhelming
populations of red deer, which are considered pests in the Highlands.
1769, could boost conservation and local economies, a new study suggests.
The idea has been widely debated, but the research concludes that bringing the
animals back could be a cost-effective way of reducing the overwhelming
populations of red deer, which are considered pests in the Highlands.
head, and a thickly furred tail. A blackish crest of fur on its crown, nape and shoulders add to its
distinctive appearance.
distinctive appearance.
Chimp "Stone Age" Finds Are Earliest Nonhuman Ape Tools
A “strikingly unusual” new mammal has been discovered in the tree forests of
Peru. The large rodent, which has been described by its finders as a “handsome
novelty”, looks similar to a squirrel and yet is most closely related to spiny
rats. It is a nocturnal tree-climbing rodent with long dense fur, a broad blocky
Peru. The large rodent, which has been described by its finders as a “handsome
novelty”, looks similar to a squirrel and yet is most closely related to spiny
rats. It is a nocturnal tree-climbing rodent with long dense fur, a broad blocky
Humans might not be as pioneering as we're cracked up to be.
That's one possible explanation for new evidence that West African
chimpanzees learned to use stone tools on their own to crack nuts at least
4,300 years ago.
That's one possible explanation for new evidence that West African
chimpanzees learned to use stone tools on their own to crack nuts at least
4,300 years ago.
The research pushes back chimpanzee tool use thousands of years. It casts into doubt the long-standing
theory that direct human ancestors were the only animals to independently develop tools—and that
chimps learned to use stone tools by watching humans.
theory that direct human ancestors were the only animals to independently develop tools—and that
chimps learned to use stone tools by watching humans.
New squirrel-like rodent discovered in Peru
Wildlife News
Wild Horses Munch Desolate Marshland Back to Life
CANTERBURY, England -- Close to the cathedral city of Canterbury,
wild horses linked to sinister Nazi experiments are helping to bring
wildlife and rare birds back to once desolate marshlands.
In an intriguing ecological exercise that could revitalise the
countryside, naturalistic grazing is the environmental buzzword --
the horses basically munch the marshes back to life.
wild horses linked to sinister Nazi experiments are helping to bring
wildlife and rare birds back to once desolate marshlands.
In an intriguing ecological exercise that could revitalise the
countryside, naturalistic grazing is the environmental buzzword --
the horses basically munch the marshes back to life.
The hardy Koniks, bred in Poland from the now extinct European Tarpan, are superbly adapted to
living on wetlands and revitalise reed beds as they graze.
living on wetlands and revitalise reed beds as they graze.