http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/mating_and_breeding/ Animal and plant breeding and reproduction. Read some surprising research on sexual behavior, mating rituals, gestation, and plant propagation. Photos. en-us Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:05:01 EDT Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/mating_and_breeding/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629200636.htm Avoidance of inbreeding is evident among humans, and has been demonstrated in some shorebirds, mice and sand lizards. Researchers now report that it also occurs in a strictly monogamous species of bird, suggesting that the black-legged kittiwake possesses the ability to choose partners with a very different genetic profile. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629200636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701190414.htm Declining bumblebee populations are at greater risk of inbreeding, which can trigger a downward spiral of further decline. Researchers have provided the first proof that inbreeding reduces colony fitness under natural conditions by increasing the production of reproductively inefficient 'diploid' males. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701190414.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630074951.htm Researchers subjected species found in Antarctic waters to increasing levels of water temperature to learn how well they would cope with a warmer ocean. The study shows that several of these species are already living really close to their upper temperature range, and that further increases could easily provoke serious ecological imbalances in this region. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630074951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625100345.htm Researchers studying the nervous control of nematode mating behavior have produced video footage of a male worm preparing to mate with a hermaphrodite. Researchers investigated the role of the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in regulating tail muscles to achieve an exploratory embrace. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625100345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624161631.htm In the mating world of yellow dung flies, large, males almost always get the girl. However, a new study suggests that smaller males rule if presented with an opportunity to woo females when they are not hanging out on cow dung. Small male dung flies, which are traditionally unsuccessful at finding and keeping mates on dung pats, successfully mated with females feeding on composting apple pomace. Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624161631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171401.htm Researchers have identified a protein that helps protect immature mouse sperm from oxidative stress. When male mice over one year old lacking this protein were mated with normal female mice, an increased incidence of miscarriages and fetal developmental defects were observed. These data have clinical relevance, as age-related DNA damage to human sperm is associated with decreased fertility and increased rates of miscarriage and childhood disease. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141458.htm Contrary to predictions, males of high genetic quality are not very successful when it comes to fertilizing eggs. A new study on seed beetles shows that when a female mates with several males, the males of low genetic quality are the most successful in fertilizing eggs. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609220725.htm A research intern working in the wilds of Papua New Guinea has successfully completed what many other field biologists considered "mission impossible" -- the first study of a rare egg-laying mammal called the long-beaked echidna. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609220725.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611192130.htm In order to increase their chances of reproductive success, male flies of the species Drosophila montana try to copulate for much longer than the females would like. Researchers have shown that females engaged in extended intercourse wait longer before they mate again, increasing the first fly's chances of fathering offspring. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611192130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124015.htm Whether baby lizards will turn out to be male or female is a more complicated question than scientists would have ever guessed, according to a new report. The study shows that for at least one lizard species, egg size matters. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124015.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618101510.htm Throughout the animal kingdom brilliant colors or elaborate behavioral displays serve as "advertisements" for attracting mates. But, what do the ads promise, and is there truth in advertising? Researchers theorize that when males must provide care for the survival of their offspring, the males' signals will consistently be honest -- and they may devote more of their energy to caring for their offspring than to being attractive. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618101510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618144002.htm The mystery of giant sperm present in some living animal groups today has now taken on a new dimension -- in one group of micro-crustaceans new evidence shows that it is a feature at least 100 million years old. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618144002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617123443.htm Sport hunters are depleting lion and cougar populations as managers respond to demands to control predators that threaten livestock and humans, according to a new study. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617123443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615112225.htm Scientists have found the existence of two types of males of a fiercely invasive fish spreading through the Great Lakes, which may provide answers as to how they rapidly reproduce. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615112225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122106.htm Same-sex behavior is a nearly universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom, common across species, from worms to frogs to birds, concludes a new review of existing research. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122106.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611160700.htm Jumping genes do most of their jumping, not during the development of sperm and egg cells, but during the development of the embryo itself. The research challenges standard assumptions on the timing of when mobile DNA, so-called jumping genes, insert into the human genome. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611160700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091224.htm Steelhead trout that are originally bred in hatcheries are so genetically impaired that, even if they survive and reproduce in the wild, their offspring will also be significantly less successful at reproducing, according to a new study. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611110831.htm Biologists report that by evolving a morphological shield to protect their genitalia from males' forceful copulatory attempts, females of an Asian species of water strider seem to "win" the evolutionary arms race between the sexes. Instead, females only expose their genitalia for copulation after males produce a courtship "song" by tapping the water surface. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611110831.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142402.htm Some disease-causing bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics because they have peculiar sex lives, say researchers publishing new results in the journal Science. The new study helps scientists understand how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, which is a major challenge for those treating infectious diseases. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611142402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608204055.htm Clonal reproduction of crop species took a step closer to being realized with new research. The advantage of clonal reproduction is that it produces an individual exactly like an existing one -- very useful for farmers who could replicate the best of their animals or crops without the lottery of sexual reproduction. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608204055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604144332.htm Scientists have discovered that a plant hormone called auxin is responsible for development of the egg cell in a plant's embryo sac. In unraveling this fundamental issue in plant biology, the work provides the first definitive report of a plant hormone acting as a morphogen and offers tantalizing new insights into the evolutionary pathway that flowering plants took 135 million years ago when they split off from gymnosperms. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604144332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608162545.htm When female tiger salamanders choose a mate, it turns out that size does matter -- tail size that is -- and that's not the only factor they weigh. Findings of a new study show that animals make more complex decisions about choosing mates than once thought. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608162545.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124021.htm New research shows that when two species of stickleback fish evolved and lost their pelvises and body armor, the changes were caused by different genes in each species. That surprised researchers, who expected the same genes would control the same changes in both related fish. The findings shed new light on how evolution produces diversity in nature, and on the evolution of limb loss. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601151225.htm Hands wring and teeth gnash over the loss of endangered species like the panda or the polar bear. But what happens to the parasites hosted by endangered species? And although most people would side with the panda over the parasite, which group should we worry about more? Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601151225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602122623.htm New research shows some bees brace themselves against wind and turbulence by extending their sturdy hind legs while flying. But this approach comes at a steep cost, increasing aerodynamic drag and the power required for flight by roughly 30 percent, and cutting into the bees' flight performance. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602122623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602122621.htm Penguin poo (guano) stains, visible from space, have helped British scientists locate emperor penguin breeding colonies in Antarctica. Knowing their location provides a baseline for monitoring their response to environmental change. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602122621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214929.htm Fallow deer become hoarse when trying to attract a mate, according to scientists. Sat, 30 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084715.htm Researchers have just defined the reproduction cycle of the Spanish Lynx. Experts have used a method of indirect analysis based on determining the sexual hormones concentration -- estrogen, progesterone and testosterone -- in the feces of these mammals. Tue, 26 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075852.htm They are cursed the world over for contaminating food supplies and are a huge commercial pest, but the humble flour beetle is about to play a significant role in the management of endangered species. The flour beetle -- or Tribolium castaneum -- will be the model in a major new study into the consequences of inbreeding. Tue, 26 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090524170649.htm An emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida is able to complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even though it's missing the genes for reproduction. And it may also do so while infecting us, according to researchers. Mon, 25 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090524170649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517214622.htm Chemical weapons against uninvited dinner guests: Scientists test whether the pollen of certain flowers contains toxins that give bees an upset stomach and protects the plant from the diligent pollen gatherers. Sat, 23 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517214622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515104225.htm Subordinate individuals living within a group of vertebrates sometimes assist a more dominant pair by helping to raise the dominant pair's offspring -- this has been shown to occur among subordinate female cichlids. Scientists suggest that rather than engaging in an act of reciprocal altruism, these subordinate females actually benefit from the care-giving they offer as the more helpful subordinates are more likely to reproduce. Sat, 23 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515104225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519111550.htm New observations of the reproductive biology of crabs living around hydrothermal vents help explain their distribution and provide clues about the selection pressures prevalent in these hostile environments. Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519111550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091515.htm Scientists have described a new species of red algae (Leptofauchea coralligena) in the western Mediterranean. This is the only species of the Leptofauchea genus currently known to be in the Mediterranean. Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517212653.htm Scientists have identified a nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in Gabon, West Africa as the world's largest. The research involved country-wide land and aerial surveys that estimated a population of between 15,730 and 41,373 female turtles using the nesting beaches. The study highlights the importance of conservation work to manage key sites and protected areas in Gabon. Mon, 18 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090517212653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515151615.htm A private beach is a luxury for most, but for the maleo--an endangered bird found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi--an exclusive stretch of sand is now a protected nesting area for the species. Sun, 17 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515151615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090508045726.htm The pollen grains of male plants live in great competition. A grain of pollen that succeeds in manipulating the flower's pistil can emerge victorious from the struggle, according to new research from Sweden. Sat, 16 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090508045726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512093301.htm A mother who experienced trauma prior to becoming pregnant affects the emotional and social behavior of her offspring, according to a new study. The researchers chose to investigate rats, as social mammals with cerebral activity that is similar in many ways to that of humans. Wed, 13 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512093301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506202939.htm Cabbage looper caterpillars are able to alter the expression of genes associated with metabolism, homeostasis and immunity in response to feeding on plants carrying bacteria. Research published in Frontiers in Zoology has shown that, as well as tailoring gene expression within their own digestive systems, the insects are able to pass this information along to their offspring. Wed, 13 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506202939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430121923.htm A new study has revealed that mother birds can provide an early advantage to the chicks that they have sired with their non-social partner (known as extra-pair offspring). Sun, 10 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430121923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144532.htm Fertilized grasslands are more productive but poorer in species. Researchers have now identified the mechanisms that lead to loss of biodiversity through fertilization. The new results show that nutrient enrichment of grasslands must be more strongly controlled if plant diversity is to be preserved. Fri, 01 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421205321.htm Biologists researching the behavior of field crickets have found that female crickets remember attractive males based on the latter's song, and use this information when choosing mates. The researchers found that female crickets compare information about the attractiveness of available males around them with other incoming signals when selecting attractive males for mating. The finding shows that social learning has profound impacts on insect behavior and may act as a linchpin in evolution. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421205321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090416125209.htm The sex chromosomes -- XX in women and XY in men -- date from the earliest mammals, but how did they evolve to look as they do today? While the male-determining Y has received lots of attention, a biologist has now focused on the X, and finds that it tells a fascinating story of adaptation to a shrinking Y. Such adaptation involves dosage compensation and de-masculinization -- loss of genes important only to males. Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090416125209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419202242.htm Scientists have uncovered genetic evidence about the evolutionary path that transformed Salmonella enteritidis from an innocuous bacterium into a virulent pathogen. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419202242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421205316.htm The extent to which sexual harassment from males can damage relationships between females is revealed in a new study. The research uncovers the effect of sexual harassment on the ability of female fish to form social bonds with each other. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421205316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420103740.htm A "humanized mouse" has allowed physician-scientists to conduct HIV/AIDS studies that would have been impossible without such a small animal model of HIV infection. The virus only infects humans and chimpanzees, which are protected as endangered species. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420103740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090413102045.htm In a potential advance toward a male contraceptive pill and new treatments for infertility, researchers are reporting the identification of key biochemical changes that put sperm "in the mood" for fertilization.  Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090413102045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090414153532.htm In an experiment spanning over 20 years, researchers have found that vulnerability to being caught by anglers is a heritable trait in largemouth bass. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090414153532.htm