The reef manta ray is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, one of the largest rays in the world. They are typically 3 to 3.5 m in disc width, with a maximum size of about 5.5 m. First described in 1868 by the Australian researcher Gerard Krefft, they tend to reside and feed in […]
Tag: parasite
Rats May Not Be As Dirty As We Thought, According to New Study
Rats often have a bad reputation for being dirty and carrying loads of diseases. However, according to a new study, these preconceptions may be unfair as they were found to carry no more pathogens than other mammals. In a study by Georgetown University, they examined 3,000 mammal species and looked for how many diseases they […]
Butterflies released in Finland contained parasitic wasps – with more wasps inside
When caterpillars of a beautiful butterfly were introduced on to the tiny island of Sottunga in the Åland archipelago, scientists hoped to study how the emerging butterflies would disperse across the landscape. But researchers did not realise that their introduction of the Glanville fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) led to the emergence of three other species on […]
Video: Zombie Parasites by Anand Varma
What if, unbeknownst to you, someone—or something—was controlling your behavior for its own nefarious ends? Join photographer Anand Varma as he reveals this nightmare scenario being acted out over and over across the natural world, as unsuspecting hosts are compelled to nurture and protect mind-sucking parasites. This video was first published by National Geographic on […]
Poll: Should Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs be used to handle feral cats?
Feral cats are cats who have had little or no significant contact with humans. These cats are used to fending for themselves and don’t do well as an indoor pet cat. Many cat lovers have turned to Trap-Neuter-Return programs (also known as TNR) to handle the feral cats in their communities. There may already be […]
Bromeliads may actually protect fruit trees from pest damage
Imagine a plant. Now remove the soil, for it’s not essential. In fact, an estimated one-tenth of all plant species have liberated themselves from soil and evolved into epiphytes—plants that grow on other plants. Although growing on others can seem parasitic, botanists have traditionally acquitted epiphytes of stealing from their hosts—except for the parasitic mistletoe—regarding […]
Imported bumblebees pose risk to UK’s wild and honeybee population
Over three-quarters of the thousands of bumblebee colonies imported into the UK every year are riddled with parasites, a new study has revealed. Scientists say the discovery has “alarming” implications for the health of the UK’s wild bees and honeybees, many of which are already in serious decline, and that urgent action is required to […]
Fish company investigated after salmon farm pollutes Scottish loch
Marine Harvest, one of the world’s largest fish-farming companies, is under investigation after its salmon farms polluted a Scottish loch with toxic pesticide residues hundreds of times above environmental limits. Sampling tests around salmon cages on Loch Shell in the Outer Hebrides by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) found that levels of Teflubenzuron, used […]