107 posts · 58,752 views
EcoTone is a blog produced by the Ecological Society of America. The blog showcases ecology and ecologists, focusing on ecological science in the news and its use in policy and education. EcoTone welcomes guest submissions and suggestions of timely, relevant news of importance to the broad ecological community. EcoTone is moderated by ESA’s communications officer, Katie Kline. To submit feedback or suggest a post, please e-mail esablog@esa.org.
EcoTone
107 posts
Sort by Latest Post, Most Popular
View by Condensed, Full
- May 20, 2011
- 10:44 AM
- 566 views
The story of the fig and its wasp
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Inside the rounded fruit of a fig tree is a maze of flowers. That is, a fig is not actually a fruit; it is an inflorescence—a cluster of many flowers and seeds contained inside a bulbous stem. Because of this unusual arrangement, the seeds—technically the ovaries of the fig—require a specialized pollinator that is adapted [...]
... Read more »
Kislev, M. (2006) Early Domesticated Fig in the Jordan Valley. Science, 312(5778), 1372-1374. DOI: 10.1126/science.1125910
Jander, K., & Herre, E. (2010) Host sanctions and pollinator cheating in the fig tree-fig wasp mutualism. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 277(1687), 1481-1488. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.2157
- May 11, 2011
- 10:10 AM
- 555 views
Fungus makes zombie ants administer ‘death bite’ at noon
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Researcher David Hughes has expanded research on a parasitic fungus and its carpenter ant host. As explained in an excerpt from a previous EcoTone post: Scientists have found that the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis has possibly been invading carpenter ants (Camponotus) for 48 million years. The parasite not only infects the ant, but it manipulates [...]
... Read more »
Hughes, D., Andersen, S., Hywel-Jones, N., Himaman, W., Billen, J., & Boomsma, J. (2011) Behavioral mechanisms and morphological symptoms of zombie ants dying from fungal infection. BMC Ecology, 11(1), 13. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-11-13
- April 21, 2011
- 03:55 PM
- 535 views
Shrew poo and worm goo are science too
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Last week I had the pleasure of being a speaker at Buck Lodge Middle School’s Career Day. Several public schools in Maryland, where Buck Lodge is located, and other states organize important events like these to get students thinking about future opportunities. Do you remember what it was like to be in middle school? To [...]
... Read more »
Sackett, A., Meyvis, T., Nelson, L., Converse, B., & Sackett, A. (2009) You're Having Fun When Time Flies: The Hedonic Consequences of Subjective Time Progression. Psychological Science, 21(1), 111-117. DOI: 10.1177/0956797609354832
- January 28, 2011
- 09:39 AM
- 504 views
Snow fleas: helpful winter critters
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
As the Northeast of the United States was hammered by thundersnow this week, students, parents and perhaps those working from home had the opportunity to indulge in outdoor winter activities. For many, being in the snow again is losing its luster. As an Associated Press article noted, “The Northeast has already been pummeled by winter [...]
... Read more »
LIN, F., GRAHAM, L., CAMPBELL, R., & DAVIES, P. (2007) Structural Modeling of Snow Flea Antifreeze Protein. Biophysical Journal, 92(5), 1717-1723. DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.106.093435
- November 19, 2010
- 04:59 PM
- 613 views
Trust your gut, it controls more than you may know
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Most people are familiar with the role of DNA: A set of genetic instructions on how a particular living organism should function. This nucleic acid has been widely explored as a way to identify individuals, define illnesses or hereditary diseases and contribute to behavior, among many other clues about an individual. However, there may be another complex feature of human anatomy that influences many surprising aspects of human physiology, immunity and evolution: gut flora.
... Read more »
Lombardo, M. (2007) Access to mutualistic endosymbiotic microbes: an underappreciated benefit of group living. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62(4), 479-497. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-007-0428-9
- September 10, 2010
- 05:40 PM
- 667 views
Spontaneous fermentation: the role of microorganisms in beer
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was once quoted as saying: “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.” While there is certainly some truth to this quote, especially considering water quality in the 1700s, it should be noted that beer’s long history is also fraught with microorganisms—both helpful and harmful in the eyes of the brewer.
... Read more »
Sakamoto, K. (2003) Beer spoilage bacteria and hop resistance. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 89(2-3), 105-124. DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1605(03)00153-3
Nelson, M., Dinardo, A., Hochberg, J., & Armelagos, G. (2010) Brief communication: Mass spectroscopic characterization of tetracycline in the skeletal remains of an ancient population from Sudanese Nubia 350-550 CE. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21340
- August 26, 2010
- 05:22 PM
- 704 views
Inside out: cannibalism, nutrition and swarm formation in locusts
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
It may be difficult to picture just one locust singled out from a swarm. But believe it or not, desert locusts—insects infamous for their contribution to plagues and famine—are naturally solitary creatures. So what causes the group uprising that farmers are so familiar with? Research has shown that the internal workings of a solitary locust can affect the swarming behavior of the entire group.
... Read more »
Anstey, M., Rogers, S., Ott, S., Burrows, M., & Simpson, S. (2009) Serotonin Mediates Behavioral Gregarization Underlying Swarm Formation in Desert Locusts. Science, 323(5914), 627-630. DOI: 10.1126/science.1165939
Bazazi, S., Romanczuk, P., Thomas, S., Schimansky-Geier, L., Hale, J., Miller, G., Sword, G., Simpson, S., & Couzin, I. (2010) Nutritional state and collective motion: from individuals to mass migration. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2010.1447
- July 15, 2010
- 05:35 PM
- 642 views
Gut flora and the human rainforest
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Scientists have known for decades that the human intestinal tract is home to an abundance of diverse bacteria. This microbial rainforest is introduced incrementally to infants as they grow—primarily from their mothers during birth and breastfeeding and from everyday encounters. Many of these microbes aid in digestion and fight off pathogens, but until recently, researchers were not certain if phages, viruses that infect bacteria, were also present in the human gut.
... Read more »
Reyes, A., Haynes, M., Hanson, N., Angly, F., Heath, A., Rohwer, F., & Gordon, J. (2010) Viruses in the faecal microbiota of monozygotic twins and their mothers. Nature, 466(7304), 334-338. DOI: 10.1038/nature09199
- July 14, 2010
- 04:21 PM
- 583 views
Scientists closely examine causes of frog abnormalities
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
urrently, research on the possible causes of limb deformities in amphibians is expansive, with evidence supporting parasite infection, chemical contaminants, UVB radiation and amputation as possible factors. However, as Mari Reeves from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and colleagues explained in an article in the August issue of Ecological Monographs, the most likely cause of amphibian abnormalities is a combination of several stressors.
... Read more »
Reeves, M., Jensen, P., Dolph, C., Holyoak, M., & Trust, K. (2010) Multiple stressors and the cause of amphibian abnormalities. Ecological Monographs, 80(3), 423-440. DOI: 10.1890/09-0879.1
- June 30, 2010
- 04:54 PM
- 500 views
Field Talk: Uniformity and diversity in the Homogecene era
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Imagine a small town where everything is uniform—a tiny community of individuals who eat the same meals and pair up with people with similar qualities and traits. The scenery is stripped down: one church, one pub and cookie-cutter houses. Now add in social interactions. Greetings occur but they have few variations; life is routine. And just a few miles over in a town with the same layout, similar individuals are interacting, eating and greeting, in all the same ways.
... Read more »
Laliberté, E., & Tylianakis, J. (2010) Deforestation homogenizes tropical parasitoid–host networks. Ecology, 91(6), 1740-1747. DOI: 10.1890/09-1328.1
- June 26, 2010
- 09:36 AM
- 615 views
Incorporating science into home gardening
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Blanketing a home garden in pesticides poses a clear risk to the humans and animals who dine on it. But when the garden is compared to a human immune system, another problem becomes apparent: Just like antibiotics, pesticides wipe out the “good bugs” with the bad. These helpful predators and parasitoids are called natural enemies and they help to naturally control pests like aphids and caterpillars. Certain plants attract natural enemies and/or deter pests all together and can be used in pla........ Read more »
Bilu, E., & Coll, M. (2009) Parasitized Aphids Are Inferior Prey for a Coccinellid Predator: Implications for Intraguild Predation. Environmental Entomology, 38(1), 153-158. DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0119
- June 18, 2010
- 05:40 PM
- 661 views
Insect-eating not (just) for the birds
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Nutritious, chemical-free and all-natural, insects are featured as the main protein several Latin American, Asian and African countries. For example, in the Santander region of Colombia, leaf-cutter ants (called "hormigas culonas") are sometimes eaten roasted, salted and have a slightly acidic taste. Mopane worms—the caterpillar for the moth Gonimbrasia belina—are popular in Botswana and are served dried or rehydrated with sauces and other ingredients.
... Read more »
Vogel, G. (2010) For More Protein, Filet of Cricket. Science, 327(5967), 811-811. DOI: 10.1126/science.327.5967.811
- June 17, 2010
- 04:22 PM
- 675 views
Flowers make it rain (and then some)
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
The Amazon rainforest—with its millions of creaking, chirping and buzzing insects, sticky frogs, vibrant birds, and unique fish—may owe its diversity primarily to flowers, said researchers from the University of Chicago. And, they say, just as flowering plants formed the building block of biodiversity in this region, their removal could result in a cascade of declining diversity.
... Read more »
Boyce, C., & Lee, J. (2010) An exceptional role for flowering plant physiology in the expansion of tropical rainforests and biodiversity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2010.0485
- June 10, 2010
- 05:10 PM
- 397 views
Offsetting the 2010 FIFA World Cup
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
It goes without saying that tomorrow, June 11, 2010, literally kicks off the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The media has been throwing around stories on projected winners, South Africa’s history in the making and even possible flu outbreaks from vuvuzelas. Fans around the world wait in anticipation; meanwhile in South Africa, staff from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) ar........ Read more »
Jen Fela. (2010) Dispatches. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 8(5), 228-232. DOI: 10.1890/1540-9295-8.5.228
- June 8, 2010
- 09:28 AM
- 830 views
Female jumping spiders fight to the death
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Male jumping spiders (Phidippus clarus) size one another up before engaging in a fight—whether the aggression is based on rights to mating or territory—and in many cases, the pre-fight displays are sufficient to deter physical contact. The males do not nest but instead wander between female nests looking for opportunities to mate. The females, on the other hand, are not nomads—they build nests from silk and leaves in which they wait while they draw closer to sexual maturity.
... Read more »
Elias, D., Botero, C., Andrade, M., Mason, A., & Kasumovic, M. (2010) High resource valuation fuels "desperado" fighting tactics in female jumping spiders. Behavioral Ecology. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arq073
- June 4, 2010
- 05:17 PM
- 628 views
Saliva from moth larva increases potato crop yields in Colombia
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Many farmers throughout Latin America and around the world rely on pesticides to control pest invasions; in the case of Andean potato crops, this method is not only costly but has been shown to cause adverse health effects as well. Due to the risks involved in pesticide usage, and the ever-increasing demand for high-yield crops, new methods of controlling pest invasions are being explored by researchers regularly. And as counterintuitive as these new findings sound, ecological scientists have d........ Read more »
Poveda, K., Gomez Jimenez, M., & Kessler, A. (2010) The enemy as ally: herbivore-induced increase in crop yield. Ecological Applications, 2147483647. DOI: 10.1890/09-1726
- June 2, 2010
- 05:21 PM
- 446 views
Biodiversity is a delicate recipe
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Unless you enjoy cooking regularly, you probably would not have known the sequence for preparing corn chowder just by the taste. According to a study recently published in Science Express, biodiversity is a similar process. Some scientists go about recreating an ecosystem by adding all of the elements at once into an experiment. The results, however, usually do not replicate the original ecosystem that the researchers were trying to reproduce.
... Read more »
Chase, J. (2010) Stochastic Community Assembly Causes Higher Biodiversity in More Productive Environments. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.1187820
- May 27, 2010
- 02:21 PM
- 578 views
Sexually-mature tortoises are at greatest risk of disease
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Currently, upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and habitat loss are the main contributors to a decline in gopher and desert tortoise populations. And since these reptiles are keystone species—that is, the habitats they create are home to more than 300 other species—their population decline significantly affects the ecosystem. According to a recent study in Ecology, sexually-mature male tortoises were at the greatest risk of carrying and spreading URTD due in large part to their social beh........ Read more »
Wendland, L., Wooding, J., White, C., Demcovitz, D., Littell, R., Berish, J., Ozgul, A., Oli, M., Klein, P., Christman, M.... (2010) Social behavior drives the dynamics of respiratory disease in threatened tortoises. Ecology, 91(5), 1257-1262. DOI: 10.1890/09-1414.1
- May 26, 2010
- 09:46 AM
- 547 views
Ballistics experts of the bug world
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
Meet the ballistics experts of the bug world: A quick draw beetle that fires volatile liquids with the pulse of a Tommy Gun, aphids that self-combust at the threat of a predator and a double-pistoled worm that sprays its victim with streams of goo. Of course, these insects are not the only invertebrates carrying chemical artillery—bees are maybe the most famous projectile-launching bugs around. The below insects, however, give a unique look into chemical warfare on a small scale.
... Read more »
Eisner, T. (1999) Spray aiming in the bombardier beetle: Photographic evidence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 96(17), 9705-9709. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.17.9705
Kazana, E., Pope, T., Tibbles, L., Bridges, M., Pickett, J., Bones, A., Powell, G., & Rossiter, J. (2007) The cabbage aphid: a walking mustard oil bomb. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1623), 2271-2277. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2007.0237
Benkendorff, K., Beardmore, K., Gooley, A., Packer, N., & Tait, N. (1999) Characterisation of the slime gland secretion from the peripatus, Euperipatoides kanangrensis (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 124(4), 457-465. DOI: 10.1016/S0305-0491(99)00145-5
- May 19, 2010
- 11:16 AM
- 601 views
How a polluted environment can lead to illness
by Katie Kline in EcoTone
A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics revealed alarming findings: A link between children diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and traces of the breakdown of organophosphate pesticides in their urine. Pollutants like pesticides can have both direct and indirect effects on human and wildlife health as a result of changes in an ecosystem.
... Read more »
Bouchard, M., Bellinger, D., Wright, R., & Weisskopf, M. (2010) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides. PEDIATRICS. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-3058
Palmer, M., Bernhardt, E., Schlesinger, W., Eshleman, K., Foufoula-Georgiou, E., Hendryx, M., Lemly, A., Likens, G., Loucks, O., Power, M.... (2010) Mountaintop Mining Consequences. Science, 327(5962), 148-149. DOI: 10.1126/science.1180543
Hitt NP, & Hendryx M. (2010) Ecological Integrity of Streams Related to Human Cancer Mortality Rates. EcoHealth. PMID: 20361230
Johnson, P., Townsend, A., Cleveland, C., Glibert, P., Howarth, R., McKenzie, V., Rejmankova, E., & Ward, M. (2010) Linking environmental nutrient enrichment and disease emergence in humans and wildlife. Ecological Applications, 20(1), 16-29. DOI: 10.1890/08-0633.1
topics
join us!
Do you write about peer-reviewed research in your blog? Use ResearchBlogging.org to make it easy for your readers — and others from around the world — to find your serious posts about academic research.
If you don't have a blog, you can still use our site to learn about fascinating developments in cutting-edge research from around the world.
