Richismita Hazra, Amity University Kolkata
Climatic variations affect the abundance, spread, and phenology of species. Removal of microclimates that the butterflies need to survive, along with drastic climatic variations has led to extreme weather alterations and temperature fluctuations. This has affected the survival of butterflies that are ectotherms and hence dependent on external sources of body heat.
Researchers investigated the data collected from UK reserve and the results showed that the bigger and lightly-toned butterflies like the Large White (Pieris brassicae) were able to buffer themselves against environmental variation in the best way. Whereas the bright and colourful butterflies like Peacock (Aglais io) were unable to buffer well and the buffering ability of the smaller relatives like Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) was even worse.
Dr Andrew Bladon, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology, and first author of this report emphasized on the importance of making more diverse landscapes that would help conserve many butterfly species. Even in the garden lawn, grasses could be left to grow longer which would provide shade to the needy butterflies.
Source- Journal of Animal Ecology, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13319
Brain-Eating Amoeba: A water monster?
Prama Ghosh , Amity University Kolkata Brazosport Water Authority, a water treatment plant in Lake Jackson, Texas, showed the presence of Brain-Eating Amoeba, Naegleria fowleri late Friday around 9:30 p.m. A “do not use” advisory was issued across the plant’s service area shortly after. Discovered in 1965, Naegleria fowleri infects the human body by entering […]