Environmental Science · Ecology
Acute heat and sublethal imidacloprid exposure interacted to reduce male fruit flies’ reproductive success more than either stressor alone in some conditions. Stress experienced by fathers also reduced offspring fertility, while a more diverse gut microbiome partly lessened the effects on males.
A study of bonobos estimates that moving on two legs could fit into a varied movement repertoire without creating an immediate energy constraint. The findings suggest early human ancestors may have incorporated bipedalism before it became highly efficient.
North Pacific spiny dogfish produced cortisol, challenging the long-standing view that sharks and their relatives do not make the hormone. The study also found that cortisol implants persistently lowered blood glucose, while having little effect on blood osmolytes.
Columbian ground squirrels retained spatial memories through nine months of hibernation, according to a field study in Alberta. When tested again, experienced squirrels performed 41–98% better than squirrels encountering the maze for the first time.
