Tag: zoology

A new bird has been found on Bear Island

Modern DNA technology allows biologists to now peer into the genes of historical specimens that are over a century old at the Natural History Museum in Oslo and other museums. Through this method, the researchers made an unusual discovery in their lab.

Missing link found on sharks

On any visit to a rocky seashore, you are likely to spot barnacles, unoffendingly stuck to hard surfaces. But barnacles in a fjord in Norway have become parasites that eat fish through feeding stems.

Birds of prey hit by rat poison

Traces of rat poison have been found in carcasses of golden eagles and eagle owls – in some cases enough to have caused death, analyses show.

Sperm evolution in songbirds

The sperm of songbirds swim ten times faster than human sperm. Sperm cells are the most variable cells in the whole animal kingdom when it comes to size.

Lemmings’ loss is bounty for moss

After a prolific lemming year their corpses can be found strewn around the mountains and woods. This is good news for mosses that have specialised in getting nutrients from these dead rodents.

Nasty nasal parasite

A parasite found in a reindeer’s nose 25 years ago may not be the most appealing creature to most people, except for scientists.

Animals that might exist

Cryptozoology isn’t just about abominable snowmen and dinosaurs hiding out in highland lakes. Normal animals also have their place in the study of creatures that are still hypothetical. Anyway, what do we mean by normal?