Video: Nowhere to Hide

A couple of weeks ago, we heard from Dr Craig DeMars about his recent publication on linear features and predator-prey dynamics in the forests of Canada. Craig has been kind enough to share some of the camera-trap footage obtained from this study, which we have used to create a short video summarising the research. Check it out below! Nowhere to hide… from Journal of Animal Ecology … Continue reading Video: Nowhere to Hide

Divergent Migration in Lake Sturgeon

Studying aquatic animals has never been easy. Hidden from view beneath the water surface, they can be hard to find let-alone study in terms of their long-range movements. A recent paper published in the Journal of Animal Ecology investigated migratory behaviour in lake sturgeon. Lead author Steven Kessel from the Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research at the John G. Shedd Aquarium is here to … Continue reading Divergent Migration in Lake Sturgeon

A practical guide for inferring reliable dominance hierarchies and estimating their uncertainty

There are thousands of academic papers published each year. But how do they all come about? Damien Farine and Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar share the ‘behind the scenes’ story of their recent paper on dominance hierarchies, and how it was all due to a fortunate encounter… Do you have a great #StoryBehindThePaper to share? Get in touch! One of the growing challenges in research is data analysis. Here are … Continue reading A practical guide for inferring reliable dominance hierarchies and estimating their uncertainty

Dodgy gut? Have a lemur cuddle!

According to new research published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, physical contact may be good for your health.  Well, at least if you’re a lemur. Scientists have found a direct link between physical contact and gut bacteria in red-bellied lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer).  The study aim was to better understand causes of diversity within the animal’s gut microbiome.  These communities of belly bacteria play a key … Continue reading Dodgy gut? Have a lemur cuddle!

High Society – The social network of vultures

When you think of vultures, you might just think “feathered carrion-eaters”.  But do you think of their social networks, foraging strategies, and daily lives?  Probably not!  Dr Adam Kane (University College Cork) and Dr Kevin Healy (University of St Andrews) are postdoctoral researchers working on the behaviour, conservation and evolutionary ecology of scavengers.  As International Vulture Awareness Day was on the 3rd September, they have … Continue reading High Society – The social network of vultures

Why Mark Twain was wrong about lizards

In the many discussions regarding Mark Twain, relatively few probably relate to his opinion on lizards.  However, this is the focus of our guest post by Professor Shai Meiri from Tel Aviv University, which aptly marks World Lizard Day (14th August)! One of humanities greatest wits – and one of the first modern tourists – Mark Twain, visited the Holy Land some 150 years ago … Continue reading Why Mark Twain was wrong about lizards

Marine Mammal Conservation in the Light of Marine Spatial Use

Earlier this month, the European Cetacean Society (ECS) held their 31st annual conference in Middelfart, Denmark.  Established in 1987, ECS has several hundred members from more than 25 European countries as well as several countries outside Europe.  It aims to promote and advance the scientific studies and conservation efforts of marine mammals, and to gather and disseminate information about them to members of the Society … Continue reading Marine Mammal Conservation in the Light of Marine Spatial Use

Shining a Light on Coastal Light Pollution

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Dogwhelks on the rocky shore. ©Martin Talbot.

The creation of artificial light has dramatically changed the natural environment.  Light pollution from buildings, vehicles and streetlights has the potential to alter the behaviour of many animals. Continue reading “Shining a Light on Coastal Light Pollution”

Video: Animal host–microbe interactions special feature open call – find out more

There is only one month to go before the open call for papers for the special feature on animal host-microbe interactions closes. In this video Executive Editor Ken Wilson chats about what types of papers he is looking for and why he believes this topic is going to be a growth area in the future.

Continue reading “Video: Animal host–microbe interactions special feature open call – find out more”

Animal host–microbe interactions Special Feature Open call – Only 2 months to go!

There armicrobal-large-web-ade only 2 months left to submit your paper to the Journal of Animal Ecology Special Feature on animal host–microbe interactions. Through this open call, launched by Executive Editor Ken Wilson in June, we aim to open up the process of publishing Special Features by inviting potential authors from emerging fields to contribute. We welcome papers that take differing, or even contrary, viewpoints as we hope to publish a broad spectrum of ideas on animal host–microbe interactions. The Journal has a long history of publishing papers on parasite and disease ecology, as far back as the first issue of the journal in 1932 with a paper by A.D. Middleton on “Syphilis as a disease of wild rabbits and hares” and most recently on the blog we have an excellent post by Associate Editor Andy Fenton on “The role of ecology in managing vector-borne diseases: Zika and beyond”. Continue reading “Animal host–microbe interactions Special Feature Open call – Only 2 months to go!”