http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/endangered_animals/ Endangered species news. Read about threatened species and comebacks. From antelopes to zebras, get the latest updates on endangered animals. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/endangered_animals/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121050.htm Despite their fearsome fangs, male sabertoothed cats may have been less aggressive than many of their feline cousins, says a new study of male-female size differences in extinct big cats. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145249.htm Some 350 experts from 50 nations gathering in Mexico for their 3rd global meeting will outline the latest creative applications of DNA barcoding, including several projects related to human health, fraud, smuggling, the food chain and reconstructing environmental history. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106111214.htm Predictions made over the last decade about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity may be exaggerated, according to a paper published in the journal Science. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106111214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132706.htm Scientists have an ambitious new strategy for untangling the evolutionary history of humans and their biological relatives: Create a genetic menagerie made of the DNA of more than 10,000 vertebrate species. The plan, proposed by an international consortium of scientists, is to obtain, preserve, and sequence the DNA of approximately one species for each genus of living mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132706.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103112249.htm Researchers found that removing all of the trees from a section of the forest had a negative effect on amphibians during their later life cycles, but had some positive effects during amphibians' aquatic larva stages at the beginning of their lives. To lessen the negative effects during the later life stage, scientists recommend partial or selection cuts to forests rather than completely removing trees from an area. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103112249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121456.htm A recent assessment finds some positive trends among indicators of biodiversity loss in China -- notably, growth in forest coverage and improvements in marine ecosystems. However, other indicators, such as the rate of discovery of invasive species, are worsening. Many animals are under growing threat. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028140043.htm Researchers are using a remotely operated vehicle and satellite-linked data loggers to learn more about turtle behavior in commercial fishing areas and to develop new ways to avoid catching turtles in fishing gear. This marks the first time an ROV has been used to follow turtles in the wild to learn about their behavior and how they interact with their habitat Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028140043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090530.htm One of the first-ever analyses of the effects of global warming on endangered primates has examined how El Niño warming has affected the abundance of four highly threatened New World monkeys. All four monkey species showed drops in abundance relating to large-scale climate fluctuations. The study suggests that the consequences of intensified climate fluctuations could be devastating for several primate species. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027101411.htm Researchers have developed an 'ecological risk assessment' a three-step method that considers targeted and incidentally caught species, as well as threatened, endangered and protected species. Ongoing research is further developing the method for habitats and ecological communities. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027101411.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027111451.htm Surveys have confirmed that the finest montane forests in Timor-Leste, and possibly the whole island of Timor, are to be found on the inaccessible Mount Mundo Perdido -- literally, "Lost World." With 22 of the restricted-range species of the Timor and Wetar Endemic Bird Area found so far, Mount Mundo Perdido has been recognized as Timor-Leste's seventeenth Important Bird Area. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027111451.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026220014.htm A new article unveils for the first time a method to accurately distinguish between all eight tuna species from any kind of processed tissue using genetic sequencing. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026220014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019141538.htm A workshop at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama has nearly doubled the number of people capable of quatitatively testing for chytridiomycosis, dramatically improving the ability of conservationists and regulatory agencies to monitor the spread of one of the deadliest frog diseases on Earth. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019141538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094045.htm A new study sheds light on oil and gas development potential in the US Intermountain West. Maps accompanying the study show the impacts to greater sage-grouse populations in relation to potential energy development. If business as usual continues and more forward-thinking development strategies are not considered, sage-grouse populations will decline an additional 7 to 19 percent, the study's authors predict. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002102415.htm Hybrids of the invasive Australian plant species Casuarina exist in Florida, scientists have found. These fast-growing, pine-like trees were historically planted widely as ornamentals and along boulevards in south Florida, and are currently being proposed as a windbreak in citrus groves. However, the trees are frequently the tallest in the canopy and can be very damaging during storms and hurricanes. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002102415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203418.htm Researchers have discovered a new, giant Nephila species (golden orb weaver spider) from Africa and Madagascar. They also reconstructed size evolution in the family Nephilidae to show that this new species, on average, is the largest orb weaver known. Only the females are giants with a body length of 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) and a leg span of 4-5 inches (10-12 centimeters); the males are tiny by comparison. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203418.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019134716.htm Supervolcanoes and cosmic impacts get all the terrible glory for causing mass extinctions, but a new theory suggests lowly algae may be the killer behind the world's great species annihilations. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019134716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104344.htm Conservation biologists are setting their minimum population size targets too low to prevent extinction, according to a new study. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064444.htm Discovered only in 1992, the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) that inhabit remote valleys along the border of Lao PDR and Vietnam are fast approaching the point of extinction. An emergency meeting of wildlife biologists, government agencies and other key organizations from four countries in Lao PDR urged prompt action to save the rare Asian animal. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903064444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019123118.htm A shocking decline in the Russian Federation's wild tiger population highlights the importance of eliminating trade in and demand for tiger parts, the International Tiger Coalition has said.  Research shows that Siberian tigers may have suffered a serious drop in numbers over the past four years. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019123118.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112639.htm An international partnership of 54 countries led by the United Kingdom's Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is celebrating a decade of work to set aside seeds for future generations from 10 percent of the world's wild flowering species. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112639.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091011184419.htm The world will miss its agreed target to stem biodiversity loss by next year, according to experts convening in Cape Town for a landmark conference devoted to biodiversity science. Growing water needs and mismanagement are leading to 'catastrophic decline' in freshwater biodiversity, according to experts. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091011184419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104340.htm Known to science only by two century-old specimens, a critically endangered crow has re-emerged on a remote, mountainous Indonesian island, thanks in part to a American ornithologist. The Banggai Crow will be listed now in the latest edition of an influential ornithology handbook. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728223020.htm Hungry, sexual organisms replaced well-fed, clonal organisms in the Caribbean Sea as the Isthmus of Panama arose, separating the Caribbean from the Pacific, report researchers. The fossil record shows that if a species could shift from clonal to sexual reproduction it survived. Otherwise it was destined for extinction, millions of years later. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728223020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009120839.htm The secret lives of some of Africa's iconic carnivores, including big cats, are revealed in a new study. The results shed light on how different habitats are used by some of Tanzania's most elusive meat eaters, such as the leopard. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091009120839.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164102.htm The catastrophic decline around the world of "apex" predators such as wolves, cougars, lions or sharks has led to a huge increase in smaller "mesopredators" that are causing major economic and ecological disruptions, a new study concludes. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164102.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915154859.htm If future warming trends that scientists have projected are realized, one of the country's most aggressive exotic plants will have the potential to invade more US land area, according to a new study. The study found that tamarisk -- prevalent today in some parts of the region, but generally limited to warm and dry environments -- could expand its range into currently uninvaded areas. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915154859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927170957.htm Conservationists trying to prevent the extinction of Northern Bald Ibis are distraught that one of the last remaining wild birds in the Middle East has been shot by a hunter in Saudi Arabia, bringing the known wild Middle Eastern population of this critically endangered species to just four individuals. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927170957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927151724.htm A bird-eating fanged frog, a gecko that looks like it's from another planet, and a bird which would rather walk than fly -- these are among the 163 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region last year that are now at risk of extinction due to climate change, says a new report. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927151724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922160100.htm Everyone knows that frogs are in trouble. But a recent analysis of frog surveys done at eight Central American sites shows the situation is worse than thought. Under pressure from an invasive fungus, the frogs in this biodiversity hot spot are undergoing "a vast homogenization." "We're witnessing the McDonaldization of the frog communities," comments the lead author of the new study. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922160100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922112211.htm Researchers exploring strategies for conserving the Diamondback Terrapin along Alabama's Dauphin Island coastline are working to keep the once-celebrated turtle off the endangered species list. The Diamondback Terrapin has been a national delicacy, a source of state taxes and a casualty of commercial development and victim of new predators. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922112211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091601.htm When a whale dies, it sinks to the seafloor and becomes food for an entire ecosystem. Researchers have discovered previously unknown species that feed only on dead whales -- and have used DNA technology to show that the species diversity in our oceans may be higher than previously thought. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921091601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917170914.htm Whether for introduced muskrats in Europe or oak trees in the United Kingdom, zebra mussels in United States lakes or agricultural pests around the world, scientists have tried to find new ways of controlling invasive species by learning how these animals and plants take over in new environs. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917170914.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131540.htm In the late 1920s, people intentionally introduced birds known as Japanese white-eyes into Hawaiian agricultural lands and gardens for purposes of bug control. Now, that decision has come back to bite us. A recent increase in the numbers of white-eyes that live in old-growth forests is leaving native bird species with too little to eat, according to a new report. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916133515.htm A new analysis of extinct sea creatures suggests that the transition from egg-laying to live-born young opened up evolutionary pathways that allowed these ancient species to adapt to and thrive in open oceans. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916133515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915113550.htm Researchers have sequenced DNA "barcodes" for as many as 25 hunted wildlife species, providing information that can be used to better monitor the elusive trade of wildlife products, or bushmeat. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915113550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172644.htm A comparative psychologist who has conducted extensive studies in animal cognition says there is growing evidence that animals share functional parallels with human conscious metacognition -- that is, they may share humans' ability to reflect upon, monitor or regulate their states of mind. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914142720.htm A new article shows that DNA barcodes can quickly and accurately determine the species identity of specimens collected from of all seven endangered sea turtles. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914142720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122331.htm After the End-Permian extinction 250 million years ago, ammonoids diversified and recovered 10 to 30 times faster than previous estimates. The surprising discovery raises questions about paleontologists' understanding of the dynamics of evolution of species and the functioning of the biosphere after a mass extinction. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911145030.htm A wide-ranging study of big cat skulls has shown that tigers have bigger brains, relative to their body size, than lions, leopards or jaguars. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911145030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165105.htm Researchers have published the DNA barcodes of commonly traded bushmeat from Central Africa and South America. DNA barcodes -- short genetic sequences that can be readily obtained and pinpoint the species of origin of any product -- offer wildlife enforcement a new tool in the international trade of wildlife. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825203335.htm Scientists warn that the world's largest species of fruit bat, known as the "large flying fox," could be driven to extinction in Peninsular Malaysia at the current hunting rate allowed of around 22,000 every year. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090825203335.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814101839.htm In the near future, butterflies in China are likely to be monitored using European monitoring methods. Ecologists from several Chinese research institutions and from Germany recently laid the foundations for this cooperation. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814101839.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143727.htm Canadian scientists have identified a drastic invasion of round goby into many Great Lakes tributaries, including several areas of the Thames, Sydenham, Ausable and Grand Rivers. A number of the affected areas are known as "species-at-risk" hot spots. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811143727.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723081800.htm The ice is melting, the sea level is rising and species are conquering new habitats. The warming of the world climate has many consequences. Researchers now report that climate change influences the size of aquatic organisms. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723081800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163723.htm Species living in restricted environments such as the tropics may lack adequate variation in their genes and be unable to adapt to climate change, according to a new study. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826215020.htm Finding economical and practical solutions for conserving endangered carnivores is a continuous challenge for conservationists. In a new paper, a team of Brazilian researchers define global conservation priorities that encompass socioeconomic and life-history factors for endangered carnivores. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826215020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803210148.htm Laysan ducks, one of the world's most endangered waterfowl, are native to only the Hawaiian archipelago. For 150 years, Laysan ducks were restricted to an estimated 4 square kilometers of land on Laysan Island in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In 2004 and 2005, in an effort to rebuild the population, biologists released 42 Laysan ducks on Midway Atoll, located one day's boat ride from Laysan. Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803210148.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810162148.htm Over 350 new species including the world's smallest deer, a "flying frog" and a 100-million-year old gecko have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, a biological treasure trove now threatened by climate change. A decade of research carried out by scientists in remote mountain areas endangered by rising global temperatures brought exciting discoveries such as a bright green frog that uses its red and long webbed feet to glide in the air. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810162148.htm