Poisonous moths use bright red spots to warn predators to avoid them -- but natural variation in these wing markings doesn't provide clear indications of how toxic individual moths might be -- new research shows.
University of Exeter scientists studied six-spot burnet moths, which produce cyanide-based compounds to make themselves a bad snack for predators, to...
Toxic toad invasion puts Madagascar's predators at risk, genetic evidence confirms
The recent introduction of the common Asian toad to Madagascar has led to fears that the toxic amphibian could wreak havoc on the island's already severely threatened fauna. Now, researchers report genetic evidence in the journal Current Biology on June 4 showing that those fears are well founded: virtually all predators native to Madagascar are...
Upgrading the toolbox for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research with a new rabbit model
Scientists rely on the use of animal models to improve our understanding of lethal muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and to develop safe new therapies. A newly developed rabbit model, created through the use of CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing, exhibits greater clinical similarity to human patients than the mouse models currently in use, with huge...
How to achieve a peaceful coexistence between wolves and humans
The persecution of wolves in order to remove them from human settlements has culminated in their near-disappearance in numerous European countries, like Spain and Sweden. Following a recovery of the species, a team of scientists has determined what geographic areas in the Scandinavian country would be most suitable for a redistribution of the specie's range,...
Vets issue ‘bunny spoilers’ ahead of Rabbit Awareness Week
Bacteria ensure square meal for bloodsucking ticks
How do ticks live solely on blood? A study presented in Current Biology (May 31, 2018) has elucidated the crucial role played by symbiotic bacteria that synthesize B vitamins. These nutrients are scarcely found in the blood ticks ingest but are essential to their life cycle. Thus ticks cannot survive to adulthood or reproduce without...