"Nature, red in tooth and claw.” According to Alfred Tennyson's poem, “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” that line describes "Creation's final law." Scholars say it captures the sometimes ruthless nature of ……
Manta rays tend not to swim alone. Not only do they socialize with their own kind, but they’re also accompanied by a range of different species — from sharksuckers to…
A delicate balance between beneficial and harmful soil fungi associated with tree roots guides the diverse mixture of tree species that thrive in subtropical forests, according to a new study.…
Epiphytes widely misperceived as parasites may actually protect host trees. The ctenid-spider - a bromeliad-specialist. Photo by Edd Hammill. Imagine a plant. Now remove the soil, for it’s not essential.…
Recent experiments concerning hugely-important fig plants (Ficus) and their relationship with small, short-lived fig wasps suggest dire potential consequences due to human induced climate change, finds a study published in…
The sight of a clownfish wriggling through the stinging tentacles of its anemone is a familiar and seemingly well-understood one to most people—the stinging anemone provides a protective home for…
Everyone knows the tiger, the panda, the blue whale, but what about the other five to thirty million species estimated to inhabit our Earth? Many of these marvelous, stunning, and…
Tree shrews and nocturnal rats in the forests of Borneo have a unique relationship with carnivorous pitcher plants. The mammals defecate, and the pitchers are happy to receive. A study…
Invasive ant interferes with gecko's role in pollinating endangered plant Invasive ant interferes with gecko's role in pollinating endangered plant mongabay.com November 28, 2008 Nectar-feeding male P. cepediana day gecko…
Lemurs are key to health of Madagascar's rainforests Lemurs are key to health of Madagascar's rainforests Rhett A. Butler, mongabay.com June 12, 2008 Lemurs play a key role in the…
The disappearance of elephants, giraffes and other grazing animals from the eastern African savanna could send ecological ripple effects all the way to the savanna's ants and the acacia trees…
A vibrantly colored gecko plays a key role in a highly threatened ecological community in Mauritius, reports new research published in American Naturalist. Studying plant-animal interactions in Mauritius, an Indian…
Lavender and symbiotic fungi key to Cypress reforestation in Morocco Lavender and symbiotic fungi key to Cypress reforestation in Morocco Rhett A. Butler, mongabay.com January 20, 2007 Cypress reforestation efforts…
Moray eels and groupers hunt together Moray eels and groupers hunt together mongabay.com December 4, 2006 Moray eels and groupers hunt together according to research published in the December 5…
Tiny crab protects coral Tiny crab protects coral mongabay.com October 23, 2006 Researchers have discovered a symbiotic relationship between tiny crabs and coral in the South Pacific. The relationship between…