Dylan G.E. Gomes, Thomas Hesselberg, and Jesse R. Barber The world is a noisy place, yet as visual creatures, humans have largely ignored its potential role as an important niche component in ecology. Only recently has it gained broad attention, as the negative effects of human-made noise (such as the noise from highway traffic) on wildlife have been demonstrably large. Yet, an important question remains … Continue reading Whitewater river noise alters orb-weaving spider abundance, behaviour, and insect capture rates.

Manuel Sapage, Susana A. M. Varela & Hanna Kokko Moving away from one’s birthplace is fraught with difficulties. Not only is the movement through unknown areas potentially dangerous; even if one survives the move, the new place will be less familiar than home. These statements do not only describe human feelings; they describe the challenge of migration to any animal species. For an individual’s locally … Continue reading Animals can choose their mates based on the choices of others, which can influence dispersal and local adaptation

Zachary Emberts and John J. Wiens Many animals often fight with other members of their species. Individuals may fight over food, shelter, or territory, but fights between males over access to females for mating are especially widespread . Many of the most striking and unusual features of animals are associated with these mating-related fights, including the horns of beetles and the antlers of deer. But … Continue reading Animals with enhanced armor are more likely to win fights