Neglected baby beetles evolve greater self-reliance

September 28, 2018, University of Cambridge

In gardens, parks and woods across the UK, the Sexton burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides quietly buries dead mice and other small vertebrates to create edible nests for their young.

Most parents remove the animal's hair and slash the flesh of the carcass to help their newly-hatched larvae crawl inside. Typically they also stay on to defend and feed them, but levels of care vary and larvae can survive without their parents.

In a laboratory in Cambridge's Zoology Department, researchers exploited the insect's unusual natural history to establish two starkly different experimental populations and explore how parental behaviour drives evolution.

The study, published on 28 September in the journal Nature Communications, shows that larvae evolve distinctive adaptations in response to the different levels of parental care.

The scientists behind the research exposed hundreds of beetles to two levels of parental care, for 13 generations. In a No Care environment, parents were removed as soon as they had prepared their mouse carcass nest but before their larvae had hatched. By contrast, in the Control environment, the parents were allowed to care for their young until they were ready to leave home.

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World's first human case of rat disease found in Hong Kong

September 28, 2018

A Hong Kong man has developed the world's first ever human case of the rat version of the hepatitis E virus, according to new research from one of the city's leading universities.

There had previously been no evidence the disease could jump from rats to humans, the University of Hong Kong said Friday, warning the discovery had "major public health significance".

"This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection," the university added.

Rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants, HKU said.

The disease was found in a 56-year-old man who persistently produced abnormal liver function tests following a liver transplant.

He could have contracted the illness through food infected by rat droppings, researchers said, according to details of the findings reported in the South China Morning Post.

The man lived in a housing estate where there were signs of rat infestation outside his home. He is now recovering after being treated for the virus, the SCMP added.

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Secret life of rare antelope revealed

29 September 2018

Image copyright CHESTER ZOO

The world's largest forest antelope has been caught on camera in Uganda for the first time.

The elusive striped antelope, known as the lowland bongo, was snapped in dense forest near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Scientists say there could be more new discoveries in the remote, unexplored, lowland rainforest.

The forest-dwelling antelope is classed as Near Threatened on the extinction list, due to habitat loss and hunting.

Populations in central and western Africa have declined to about 30,000 individuals.

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PCB pollution threatens to wipe out killer whales

September 27, 2018

Source: Aarhus University

More than forty years after the first initiatives were taken to ban the use of PCBs, the chemical pollutants remain a deadly threat to animals at the top of the food chain. A new study, just published in the journal Science, shows that the current concentrations of PCBs can lead to the disappearance of half of the world's populations of killer whales from the most heavily contaminated areas within a period of just 30-50 years.

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) form the last link in a long food chain and are among the mammals with the highest level of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in their tissue. Researchers have measured values as high as 1300 milligrams per kilo in the fatty tissue (blubber) of killer whales. For comparison, a large number of studies show that animals with PCB levels as low as 50 milligrams per kilo of tissue may show signs of infertility and severe impacts on the immune system.

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Invasive snakes ‘hitchhiking’ on planes (Brown Tree Snakes) - via Herp Digest

September 26, 2018, University of Queensland, UQ News

A team of international scientists has discovered why brown tree snakes have become one of the most successful invasive species.

The research team, led by University of Queensland scientists, has been studying why a type of cat-eyed snake has been so effective at devastating native bird populations on the island of Guam.

Associate Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences said the takeover began when the brown tree snake was introduced on the Pacific island during World War II.

“The snake hitchhiked on troop carriers from the Australian region and has since driven multiple native bird species into extinction, with only three species now found on the island,” he said.

“The snakes’ impact was so devastating, it now ranks among the worst pests of all time.”

The team, including UQ PhD students Daniel Dashevsky and Jordan Debono as well as researchers from Florida State University, investigated the species’ toxin, which is particularly venomous to birds.

“The brown tree snake’s venom, while not dangerous to humans, is 100 times more toxic to birds than to mammals,” Dr Fry said.

“It contains a toxin that’s made up of two smaller toxins joined together, a feature that was believed to be unique to brown tree snakes.

“Daniel and Jordan’s research has revealed that this is not the case and that any cat-eyed snakes belonging to the genus Boiga would have caused similar devastation.

"It’s just that this particular species was transported to Guam by accident.”

Cat-eyed snakes evolved in Africa and rapidly spread across the Indian subcontinent, throughout South-East Asia and to Australia, with the team finding the snake’s toxin type was responsible for its explosive natural spread.

“For the last 80 years or so, for the brown tree snake at least, this biological advantage has been aided by the introduction of air travel,” Dr Fry said.

“The United States government is still flying military planes from Guam to Hawaii and the snakes continue to hitchhike.

“They’re regularly intercepted in the Hawaii airports, so if these direct flights are allowed to continue, it’s only a matter of time until they get to Hawaii and wipe out the birds like they did on Guam.

“Now we know more about the snake’s basic biology, we can help in developing a smart approach to preventing and managing this and other invasive species.”

The study has been published in the Journal of Molecular Evolution (DOI: 10.1007/s00239-018-9864-6).

Cambodian reptile cafe slithers into people's hearts - via Herp Digest

AFP, 9/7/18, For anyone terrified of an albino python, an orange corn snake or a scaly, bearded iguana, Chea Raty says getting up close and personal at Phnom Penh's first reptile-themed cafe is the only remedy.

Taking off from the cat cafes already popular in the Cambodian capital, Chea Raty launched his business to revamp the skin-crawling reputation of lizards and snakes and convince haters that they are simply misunderstood.

As customers sip on their lattes and hang out with the reptiles, "they will love them like I do", the 32-year-old told AFP while stroking the scaly neck wattle of an iguana.

The walls of his cafe are lined with lit-up glass tanks containing snakes of various lengths and colours, while a bright macaw screeches in the corner.

Some visitors look hesitantly at the cages, others are bolder in their embrace of the creatures.

There's no entry fee, so visitors can order a coffee and request a sit-down with a serpentine friend from one of the tanks.

An ice tea for a young customer instantly becomes a cool object for a yellow-and-cream-coloured ball python to twist its body around.

A woman giggles as an albino python creeps from her shoulder and wraps behind her head.

Nearby, a bearded dragon iguana perches on a table while a man gently pets it.

Customer Y Navim was wary at first of a corn snake, an orange-coloured serpent that kills its prey through constriction. But it was soon resting on her palm as she sipped her coffee.

"This cafe is quite unique," the 22-year-old said. "I've never seen some of these reptiles before. They are beautiful and scary.”

To critics who say the animals should be left alone in the wild, Chea Raty says his human-bred creatures "cannot survive there”.

All of his cafe creatures are imported from Thailand.

Business is still slow-going due to the common fears of snakes and lizards.

But women, Chea Raty says, are providing an unexpected boost.

"They put the pythons around their neck, take selfies, and they are happy.”

Turtles Come Back To Indian Beach For The First Time In 20 Years After World’s Biggest Clean Up, Prove We Can Make A Difference - via Herp Digest

We are all very much aware of the suffering that we, as human beings, impose on the other species that inhabit our planet. Habitat destruction, over-exploitation, climate change and the introduction of invasive species have all contributed to what is rapidly becoming a sixth ‘mass extinction,’ and this time it’s all down to us.

But what if we could successfully undo some of this damage, and help endangered species to recover? While this is a huge ask, the story of the sea turtles can give us some cause for optimism.

Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years, but have had it seriously tough since humans started encroaching on their habitats. When not being caught and eaten in their millions by people looking for an ‘easy catch,’ their nesting sites have been ruined by development and pollution along beaches, and they have been accidently caught and entangled in the countless nets and hooks that fisheries use and leave behind.

However, a recent study of 299 nesting sites in diverse locations around the world has shown a significant increase in sea turtle nests, indicating that numbers of these magnificent creatures may be making a remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction. This is wonderful news, especially as the research team has credited conservation efforts as the likely cause for the turnaround.

Sea turtles were recognised as vulnerable in the 1970’s, and laws were passed in the USA and Mexico in order to protect them. Since then, conservation efforts have stepped up. WWF are leading the way by introducing circular fish hooks that are much less likely to be swallowed by turtles, as well as specially designed shrimp nets that allow turtles to safely escape. These measures reduce turtle ‘bycatch’ deaths by up to 90%. Other protection methods have included darkening beaches, so hatchlings don’t get disoriented, and mass clean ups of coastal habitats.

The best example of a major beach cleanup comes from Versova beach in the Indian city of Mumbai. Once a putrid dumping ground, waist high in plastics and other trash, the beach has been transformed into a beautiful coastline where turtles can safely nest, thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers.

The effort was lead by Lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah who, not content with initiating what the UN called the “world’s largest beach cleanup project,” removing an incredible 5 million kilograms of plastic in 85 weeks, also personally guarded the first turtle hatchlings to make their way into the sea from Versova beach in many decades. “I had tears in my eyes when I saw them walking towards the ocean,” he told The Guardian.

Bored Panda spoke to a representitive of the volunteer team for an update on the condition of the beach, who was pleased to confirm that it is currently clean. “Every monsoon the ocean pukes plastic and filth onto the beach, but with regular clean ups the situation on ground is changing,” the volunteer told us. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends. We recently also had close to 6000 people on the beach for clean up on 31st May 2018.”

Despite these positive initiatives, the sea turtles are far from out of the woods yet. Just this week, 300 turtles were found dead off the coast of Mexico, likely to have drowned in stray fishing nets. Six of the seven species of sea turtle are still considered highly vulnerable, so while conservation efforts have started to bear fruit, there is still plenty of work to do to ensure that these ancient, beautiful creatures don’t disappear from our oceans forever. Scroll down below for more information, and let us know what you think in the comments!

Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years, but have had it seriously tough since humans started encroaching on their habitats

When not being caught and eaten in their millions by people looking for an ‘easy catch’

They end up tangled up in fishing nets

While climate change, pollution, and development along beaches have destroyed their habitats

Just recently 300 turtles were found dead off the coast of Mexico, likely to have drowned in stray fishing nets

But things are slowly starting to change. A recent study of 299 nesting sites in diverse locations around the world has shown a significant increase in sea turtle nests

Citizen initiatives like this one in Mumbai, India, are cleaning up beaches to make them suitable for nesting again

The effort was lead by Lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah

The UN called it the “world’s largest beach cleanup project,” removing an incredible 5 million kilograms of plastic in 85 weeks

What was once a putrid dumping ground, waist high in plastics and other trash

By clicking this image you confirm that you're 18+ years old

The beach has been transformed

Into a beautiful coastline where turtles can safely nest

“I had tears in my eyes when I saw them walking towards the ocean” Mr. Shah said

Six of the seven species of sea turtle are still considered to be critically endangered however, so there is still plenty of work to do to ensure that these ancient, beautiful creatures don’t disappear from our oceans forever

UPDATE: This is how the beach currently looks. “We have close to 30,000 school kids on a roster system and about 500 volunteers cleaning up regularly on weekends,” a volunteer told Bored Panda

How Much Plastic Does It Take To Kill a Sea Turtle? - via Herp Digest

A new study suggests one piece of plastic has a 22 percent chance of killing a turtle that eats it, and 14 pieces will kill half

By Jason Daley

SMITHSONIAN.COM

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

A lot of attention has been paid to how ingesting plastic impacts seabirds, fish and sea turtles in recent years. It’s logical to assume that nomming on bits of plastic is detrimental, but researchers weren’t certain just how much plastic was too much or even if the plastic found in some sea turtle stomachs was a direct cause of death. Carla Howarth at the Australian Broadcasting Network reports that a new study on sea turtles tried to figure that out, finding that in some cases, nibbling on just one piece of plastic could kill the animals.

In a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists examined data about the deaths of 1,000 sea turtles that washed up on the shores of Australia, looking at the amount of plastic debris found inside their stomachs, intestines and rectums. 

According to a press release, researchers at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia found that a turtle had a 22 percent chance of dying from ingesting one plastic item. Once a turtle gobbles 14 pieces of plastic, the mortality rate jumps to 50 percent. Once an animal eats 200 pieces of plastic death is eminent, reports Matt McGrath at the BBC. 

The researchers estimate that 52 percent of sea turtles across the globe have some plastic in their guts, but plastic ingestion rates are different around the world. In Uruguay for example, Howarth reports 100 percent of turtles sampled had plastic in their intestinal tracts.

Plastics decimated younger turtles, defined as post-hatchling turtles that just started to swim and juvenile turtles the size of a dinner plate or smaller. Researchers found 54 percent of post-hatchling turtles and 23 percent of juvenile turtles had plastic inside of them compared to 16 percent of adult turtles. 

“Young small turtles actually drift and float with the ocean currents as does much of the buoyant, small lightweight plastic,” lead author Britta Denise Hardesty of CSIRO tells the BBC. “We think that small turtles are less selective in what they eat than large adults who eat sea grass and crustaceans, the young turtles are out in the oceanic area offshore and the older animals are feeding in closer to shore.”

The physiology of turtles also makes plastic lethal for them since the animals can’t regurgitate, meaning whatever they eat is on a one-way trip through their gut. Even one small piece of plastic that gets trapped in the wrong place can cause a blockage that leads to death.

Not everyone agrees with the study’s conclusions. Jennifer Lynch at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Hawaii has also looked at plastic in turtles, reports Karen Weintraub at The New York Times. But instead of looking at turtles that died and washed up on the beach, she examined healthy animals that were accidentally caught by longline fishermen and drowned. In her study she found animals with over 300 pieces of plastic in them that were relatively healthy. “They ate a lot of plastic but it did them no harm,” Dr. Lynch said of the animals she’s examined. “They swallow it and they poop it out.”

That doesn’t mean the plastic isn’t doing harm, but Lynch thinks there’s more work to be done to understand the physiological effects of the plastic. She also says it’s more useful to look at the weight of the plastic turtles have ingested instead of focusing on the number of pieces, which can vary greatly in size.

In the next step of their research, reports Howarth at ABC, the CSIRO team wants to combine their recent data with other research on the prevalence of plastic ingestion to come up with estimates of how many turtles per year are killed by plastics.

Eating plastic is not the only problem the marine reptiles face. A study last year also showed that fishing line, discarded fishing gear, six-pack rings, strings, ropes and other plastic debris can get tangled up with the turtles, causing them to drown. The solution is, of course, preventing the plastic from getting into the ocean and cleaning up what’s already there. Both of those projects, however, are easier said than done, though at least one controversial project was recently launched to try and tackle part of the problem.