#Ecology9

26 Jan 2026

Environment shapes gut bacteria of Etosha herbivores

Researchers sampled feces from 11 herbivore species in Etosha National Park, Namibia, and used DNA sequencing to test for phylosymbiosis. Five closely related bovid species showed the pattern, while others did not.

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Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Unsplash

26 Jan 2026

Sourdough study shows how microbes live together

Researchers at Tufts University used real sourdough starters to test whether simple pairwise interactions can predict which microbes coexist. The model worked well and improved when it included the starter’s feeding-and-use cycle.

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21 Jan 2026

Warmer temperatures may make monarchs more vulnerable

New research finds that higher temperatures can make monarch butterflies less able to cope with a parasite. Infections have more than tripled since 2002, and warmer conditions reduced monarch tolerance to infection.

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21 Jan 2026

Low pesticide exposure speeds aging in fish

Researchers found that long-term exposure to low levels of a common agricultural insecticide caused faster physiological aging and shorter lifespans in wild and laboratory fish. The study links telomere shortening and lipofuscin buildup to chlorpyrifos exposure.

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30 Dec 2025

Salt and large African herbivores

A study with the University of Zurich shows many large wild herbivores in Africa lack enough sodium. Researchers used maps, animal data and fecal tests to see where animals get salt and why they travel for it.

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24 Dec 2025

Microbes colonize new lava at an Iceland volcano

Scientists sampled fresh lava at the Fagradalsfjall volcano after eruptions between 2021 and 2023. They tracked how microbes arrived, how diversity changed after the first winter, and where the microbes likely came from.

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17 Dec 2025

Warmer temperatures make invasive brown anoles more aggressive

A Tulane University study found that rising temperatures increase aggression in invasive brown anoles more than in native green anoles. Researchers tested pairs of lizards in controlled enclosures and say warming could favour the invasive species.

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10 Dec 2025

Beaver mimicry to restore waterways

A Washington State University review finds that human-made beaver dams, or beaver mimicry, can help rivers and streams. The studies show benefits for water storage, cooler summer temperatures, biodiversity and fire resistance, but more research is needed.

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4 Jun 2025

The Importance of Mangroves in Ghana

Mangroves along Ghana's coastlines are essential for combating climate change. They help reduce carbon emissions, protect against erosion, and support local communities.

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