Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- December 13, 2017
Two UCSC biologists receive Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor awards
Biology professors Beth Shapiro and Erika Zavaleta won HHMI funding for their innovative science education proposals.
- December 07, 2017
Heart monitors on wild narwhals reveal alarming responses to stress
As sea ice melts, new findings add to concerns about the effects of ocean noise and increased human activity on deep-diving Arctic whales.
- December 05, 2017
Study finds variation within species is a critical aspect of biodiversity
Researchers compared the ecological consequences of variation within species and among species, and found similar effects in many cases.
- November 28, 2017
A horse is a horse, of course, of course—except when it isn’t
An analysis of ancient DNA has revealed a previously unrecognized genus of extinct horses that once roamed North America.
- November 28, 2017
Researchers seek clues to tropical biodiversity in study of spiral gingers
Biologist Kathleen Kay leads an investigation into the origins of plant diversity in the tropics with funding from the National Science Foundation.
- November 20, 2017
Video tags reveal surprising details of blue whale feeding behavior
Like most vertebrates, blue whales tend to be 'right-handed,' but they roll to the left when attacking from below to feed on patches of krill near the surface.
- November 16, 2017
Passenger pigeon genome shows effects of natural selection in a huge population
A new analysis of DNA recovered from museum specimens explains the surprisingly low genetic diversity of the passenger pigeon population.
- October 25, 2017
Want to save 41 percent of the planet’s highly threatened vertebrates? Work on islands
A new study has mapped the world’s most vulnerable island species and identified invasive species as a key threat to their survival.
- October 18, 2017
Understanding the coevolving web of life as a network
A new study exploring how mutualistic species coevolve suggests rapid environmental change can destabilize networks of interacting species.
- October 17, 2017
Into the heart of a frozen continent
Antarctica has a hold on James McClintock (biology, ’78, Cowell), who has made 15 journeys to this unforgiving place. His research has included studies on ocean acidification, the effects of climate change on marine life, and the discovery of chemicals contained in seaweed and sponges.
- October 11, 2017
UC Santa Cruz to dedicate new Coastal Biology building on October 21
The newest building on UCSC's vibrant Coastal Science Campus is now home to the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
- August 30, 2017
Study uncovers hidden factors that shape sea life around islands and seamounts
A study of reef fish on a chain of volcanic seamounts and islands off the coast of Brazil has enabled scientists to extend to marine organisms the landmark theory of island biogeography.
- August 30, 2017
American pika disappears from large area of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains
Study documents local extinction of pikas from the largest area yet reported and projects climate change will cause drastic decline for the charismatic mammal within decades
- August 29, 2017
Century-old seal pelts reveal changes in Ross Sea ecosystem
Scientists found valuable samples for comparison to modern Weddell seals in the huts of Antarctic explorers Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott.
- August 29, 2017
Giving fish a fighting chance
Alumnus Brycen Swart identified how warmer river temperatures were hurting Chinook salmon fry—and he earned a medal for conserving them.
- July 26, 2017
Marine biologists John and Vicki Pearse honored at international conference
Marine biologists John and Vicki Pearse were honored for their contributions to echinoderm research at the 2017 North American Echinoderm Conference.
- May 26, 2017
Evolutionary biologist John Thompson awarded Darwin-Wallace Medal
Named for Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, the prestigious award recognizes major advances in evolutionary biology.
- May 18, 2017
New coral reef fish species shows rare parental care behavior
Evolutionary biologist Giacomo Bernardi and his students discovered a new species of damselfish that cares for its young.
- May 16, 2017
Gary Griggs stepping down after 26 years as director of Institute of Marine Sciences
Peter Raimondi, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will serve as director on an interim basis starting July 1.
- May 16, 2017
'Ecosystems of California' wins gold medal in California Book Awards
Coedited by UC Santa Cruz ecologist Erika Zavaleta, the book will be honored by the Commonwealth Club of California.
- April 24, 2017
Lyme disease researchers seek consensus as number of cases grows
Reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States have tripled in the past 20 years.
- March 22, 2017
Colorful new species of sea slug named after Long Marine Lab's Gary McDonald
McDonald, who has spent decades studying and documenting California nudibranchs (sea slugs), was honored by fellow researchers.
- March 15, 2017
Need for speed may contribute to dolphin and whale strandings
The energetic cost of swimming at high speed when startled may be a factor in strandings of dolphins and whales.
- March 13, 2017
Flowering times shift with loss of species from a grassland ecosystem
Loss of biodiversity may exacerbate changes in the timing of biological events already being driven by climate change, study finds.
- March 08, 2017
Study supports increased funding for long-term ecological research
Despite critical importance to scientists and policymakers, funding for long-term ecological and environmental studies has declined while funding for short-term studies has increased.
- February 21, 2017
Exploring the dark waters of grief
Alumna Shannon Fowler, whose life changed in an instant with the tragic death of her fiancé, finds acceptance of death and grief—and has rediscovered her love of the ocean.
- February 10, 2017
'Ecosystems of California' book wins PROSE Award for Excellence
Coedited by UCSC ecologist Erika Zavaleta, the book won two prestigious awards from the Association of American Publishers.
- February 07, 2017
Drought identified as key to severity of West Nile virus epidemics
Researchers found that drought dramatically increases the severity of West Nile virus epidemics in the United States.
