Tag Archives: fish
Amazon Freshwater Ecosystems Suffering From Environmental Threats
A new study reports that the freshwater systems within the Amazon are extremely sensitive to environmental damage. An estimated one-fifth of the Amazon river basin area is considered wetlands, including river, lake and swamp ecosystems. The environment is being degraded by the construction of dams and the over harvesting of animal and plant species. Until now, many policies designed to … [ Read more ]
Salmonella Outbreak Infects Hundreds, More Infections Expected
Health authorities have reported hundreds of people in the Netherlands and the U.S. have been infected with salmonella after consuming smoked salmon produced by Dutch fish factory, Foppen. According to the National Institute for Public Health in the Netherlands, “Some 200 people have fallen ill through contaminated salmon.” Foppen supplies smoked salmon to several major supermarket chains including giant retailers. … [ Read more ]
Coral Reefs Under Serious Threat From Climate Change
A new study reports that world coral reefs could experience severe degradation if global warming creates a rise in temperature that exceeds 2 degrees Celsius. As greenhouse gases build in the atmosphere, and temperatures increase in sea surface water, the reefs could suffer from more intense coral bleaching episodes. Green house gases work to increase the acidity in the ocean … [ Read more ]
Sea Life Experiencing “Major Shock”
Scientists warn that sea life in all of our oceans is threatened by ocean acidification, climate change, large scale pollution, loss of habitat and increased specie extinction from commercial fishing. They explain that our oceans went through a mass extinction, called the ‘Great Death’ 250 million years ago. The problem is that now, human factors are accelerating the perilous … [ Read more ]
Climate Change Can Lead To Unusual Adaptation By Fish
An exciting new study offers some good news regarding climate change! A biologist from McMaster University has found that zebrafish raised in warmer water are able to withstand rising water temperatures caused by global warming. Interestingly enough, these fish are not only able to survive in warmer waters, but they are also able to endure colder waters, too! It seems … [ Read more ]
Crustacean Named After Bob Marley
A tiny, parasitic crustacean that feeds on blood within fish in Caribbean coral reefs, has just been named after the famous Reggae singer, Bob Marley. The parasite is known as Gnathia marleyi. Researchers claim that the parasite is as unique to the region as was Bob Marley. These are the most common parasites found on coral reefs and are roughly … [ Read more ]
Cells That Sense Magnetic Fields Found In Fish
New research shows where magnetic field sensing cells are located in fish. These cells give fish the information they need to help them navigate back to their trout hatching grounds. Scientists had discovered magnetic material in birds and fish, but they have never been able to isolate in exactly which cells it was located. This new discovery has implications for … [ Read more ]
Exposure To BPA Leads To Inter-Species Breeding
A new study examined the affect of BPA on fish behavior during selection and mating. The study found that fish exposed to BPA altered the appearance and behavior of Blacktail Shiner and Red Shiner fishes, thus confusing the fish and leading to inter-species breeding. The chemical, BPA or Bisphenol A, is used in the manufacture of certain plastics and can … [ Read more ]
Are Fish Learning To Survive In More Acidic Oceans?
Scientists believe that some coral reef fish have evolved to be better equipped to deal with the rise in CO2 that is occurring in the Earth’s oceans. The research suggests that these fish’s parents, if raised in more acidic waters, are producing babies that are able to survive in these conditions. The pH of ocean water is rising at an … [ Read more ]
