スコットランドの離島に生息する小さなミソサザイが、本土の個体よりもはるかに大きく成長しており、新種の誕生につながる可能性のある独特な形質を発達させている。
バーミンガム大学の研究チームは、シェトランド諸島、フェア島、アウター・ヘブリディーズ諸島、セント・キルダ島など、スコットランドの孤立した4つの場所に生息するミソサザイの個体群を調査した。セント・キルダ島の個体は体重が13〜16グラムに達するが、英国本土の個体は7〜10グラムである。セント・キルダ島の最大級のミソサザイは、本土の最小の個体と比較して2倍以上の大きさがある。
A nightingale weighing just 25 grams builds energy reserves to cross the Sahara. Lund researchers used miniature sensors to track ten birds on their migration from Sweden to southeastern Africa.
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Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that Seychelles warblers with closer social ties share more similar gut microbes, particularly anaerobic types spread through direct contact. The study on Cousin Island suggests social interactions drive this microbial exchange. Similar effects likely occur among humans living together.
Paleontologists have identified a new raptor-like dinosaur species that lived about 70 million years ago in southern Patagonia. Named Kank australis, the creature likely hunted fish using adaptations similar to those of modern herons.
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Researchers have discovered that aggressive green wall lizards, dubbed 'Hulk' lizards, are rapidly outcompeting and eliminating yellow and orange color morphs that coexisted for millions of years. The common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, across the Mediterranean now shows only white-throated individuals in many populations. A study analyzing over 10,000 lizards revealed this shift in evolutionary dynamics.
Sibanye-Stillwater has relocated a tailings dam at its Keliber lithium mine in Finland after discovering droppings from an endangered flying squirrel. The adjustment creates a 100m buffer to protect the nocturnal species. This reflects Finland's strict conservation rules amid Europe's first lithium project.