Behavioral Science
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.
Reported by AI
A pet cow named Veronika has demonstrated flexible tool use by selecting different parts of a brush to scratch various body areas, according to researchers. This marks the first documented case in cattle, challenging assumptions about their intelligence. The findings appear in a study published in Current Biology.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that monk parakeets approach unfamiliar birds cautiously, gradually building trust to avoid aggression. The study, published in Biology Letters, reveals patterns similar to human social interactions and other animals. This cautious behavior helps the birds form strong, beneficial bonds over time.
Reported by AI
Researchers at the University of Oxford have determined that kissing likely originated in the shared ancestor of humans and large apes around 21 million years ago. The study, published in Evolution and Human Behavior, suggests the behavior persisted through evolution and was probably practiced by Neanderthals. This finding highlights kissing as a deep-rooted social trait among primates.