Genetic diversity of Sri Lanka’s ‘spa fish’ highlights need for informed conservation
by Malaka Rodrigo on 25 May 2021
An endemic freshwater fish species known as the “stone sucker” (Garra ceylonensis) has six genetically different populations spread in different river basins in Sri Lanka despite managing to sport similar looks, a new study shows.
The research estimates that the ancestor of G. ceylonensis first colonized Sri Lanka around 3 million to 4 million years ago via rivers on the land bridge between India and Sri Lanka and that subsequent climatic events trapped them on the island, causing the fish to evolve as a distinct species along with genetic variances.
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Honeybee numbers and dance skills harmful combination for native species
A Curtin University study has found the introduced European honeybee could lead to native bee population decline or extinction when colonies compete for the same nectar and pollen sources in urban gardens and areas of bush.
Picture: Kit Prendergast
Published in the ‘Biological Journal of the Linnean Society’, the research found competition between the native bees and the introduced European honeybee could be particularly intense in residential gardens dominated by non-native flowers, and occurred when the bees shared the same flower preferences.
Under these conditions, it would appear that European honeybees, being very abundant, and effective foragers, with the ability to exploit a wide range of flowers, can outcompete native bees for nectar and pollen resources.
2021-04-08 10:35:48 GMT2021-04-08 18:35:48(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
SYDNEY, April 8 (Xinhua) A study unveiled by Australia s Curtin University on Thursday found that introduced European honeybee may cause local bee population decline or extinction when they need to fight for limited nectar and pollen source.
Published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, the research found competition between the native bees and the introduced European honeybees could be particularly intense in residential gardens dominated by non-native flowers, and occurred when the bees shared the same flower preferences.
The research, conducted for over two years in urban gardens and areas of native vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain in Perth of Western Australia, also revealed a complex relationship between native and introduced bees.
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