Tag: Zoology

  • Weekly Science Picks

    Weekly Science Picks

    I’m loath to begin a weekly roundup on a low note, and I’m truly sorry to have to, but this most certainly needs to be discussed. It’s been a turbulent week this week in the science blogging world. Turbulent and full of raised concerns over the state of things for those in a science communication…

  • Rare echidna species not so extinct after all?

    Rare echidna species not so extinct after all?

    Speaking as a European, Australia has something of a reputation for having some rather unusual wildlife. Easily the most unusual are the small handful of monotreme species – the echidnas, and the duck-billed platypus. The only species of egg-laying mammals in the world today, these little creatures may once have been quite widespread. Now, however,…

  • Social networks and culture among dolphins

    Social networks and culture among dolphins

    Recently published research in Nature Communications ‘Social networks reveal cultural behaviour in tool-using using dolphins‘ is exploring social networks of dolphins. In particular, it finds evidence for homophily on a learned skill which leads that there’s an exclusion and cultural contagion even among cetaceans. Abstract Animal tool use is of inherent interest given its relationship to…