Albeit irksome, termites are one of the fascinating insects we have around us that play a major role in the recycle of nutrients. Found in mounds made of soil, their nests reveal a host of information about the surroundings. In a recent study, researchers have investigated the relationship between the abundance and distribution of termite mounds, and the impact of soil properties and the fragmentation of the natural forests on the same. Since studies on termites found in Asia are very few, the researchers claim this study opens up a lot more fascinating information in the world of termites of southern India   

Migration of birds is a spectacular event in its own right. It is a rare chance to spot those uncommon feathered visitors who are on a massive journey, sometimes spanning thousands of kilometers. Have you ever wondered why birds migrate? What are some of the factors that trigger migration? And how about some amazing tales of migration? Read about all these and more in this feature on migration of birds on account of World Migratory Bird Day.

Conserving wildlife seems to be the biggest concern for most ecologists who think habitat destruction, coupled with climate change, can spell doom for many animals on earth. The first step to know how badly a particular species is affected is by counting them. As simple as it sounds, counting populations, especially in the wild, is a daunting task. In addition to the sheer physical strain, social structures of certain animals like the elephants could result in errors in such population estimations. Now, a new study has leveraged the power of computer simulations to accurately estimate wild populations at the comfort of your desk. 

Why does a fish, so commonly sold in the supermarkets, demand a day of observance in its honour? Perhaps, the answer lies in the question! On World Tuna Day, observed on 2nd of May every year, we present some insights into the factors leading to the near extinction of one of the most sought after fish in the world -- Tuna. While some species of Tuna are already critically endangered, some are fast approaching this status, threatening to wipe out the entire family of tunas from the face of the Earth. How can you help save them? Read to know more...

Most methods that farmers follow today to control pests and save their crop are mostly reactive, which is done ‘after’ the damage has started. In addition, these methods either destroy other crops, or cause harm to animals that feed on them, or pollute the soil or air. Researchers have now found a ‘green’ and ‘clean’ way to detect crop pests before they start the damage. They have built a highly sensitive sensor that detects pheromones or chemicals released by insects for mating, which signal the presence of pests and thus prompt the farmers to take remedial measures.   

Forests are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. But what decides the distribution of this rich flora and fauna? How do some species of trees end up in selected pockets of the forest? In a recent study, scientists have examined this connectedness in patchy shola forests of the Western Ghats and have given some insights into what dictates tree distributions in such patchy forests and what connects these patches. This study, the researchers say, provides key details on the micro and macro ecology of the forests.

Scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, have discovered a new species of plant Eriocaulon parvicephalum in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. This plant belongs to the family Eriocaulaceae or commonly called pipeworts, due to their long naked stalks with a bulb like bud at the top. Although it looks similar to another species - Eriocaulon palghatense, of the same family, it was identified as a separate species after DNA analysis showed remarkable difference in the genetic make-up.

Cotton pests have been the cause of decreasing cotton yields in the country. Despite several attempts to controls these insects, their numbers remain unaffected. Rhynocoris fuscipes is a species of insect belonging to the family Reduviidae, which are known to be the natural predators of many cotton pests. Now, scientists from St. Xavier’s College, University of Florida and US Horticultural Research laboratory have proposed rearing Rhynocoris fuscipes in microenvironmental cages and then using them as predators to control cotton pests.

A new species of arboreal crab - Kani maranjandu, has been discovered in the Western Ghats in Kerala. Sightings of the crab were first reported to a team of researchers surveying the region, by the local Kani tribe of Kerala, after whom the new species was named. They reported having seen a long legged species of crab that could climb trees. The researchers, with the help of members from the Kani tribe, were finally able to capture a specimen of the species on September 05, 2015.

When Charles Darwin put forth his theory of natural selection, he argued that all species of life evolved by adapting to their environments to survive. Most of such adaptations are evident in those life forms living in their natural habitat. But what about those that are locked up in laboratories and used as ‘model organisms’ in experiments to understand biological systems? How are their natural habitats and what kind of adaptations have they developed to survive in these habitats? A series of studies by scientists have now thrown some light on these questions in the life of zebrafish, a commonly used fish in laboratories.