Marine biology – The Conversation

A broad review of shark research shows that sharks play critical roles in keeping ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds healthy.

Despite Brazil’s recent expansions of protected areas, research shows that the favorite habitats of whales and dolphins are still threatened by human activities.

Dozens of animals, some on land but many in the ocean, can produce light within their bodies through chemical reactions. Scientists are still trying to understand when and why this trait developed.

Scientists are using mollusk shells to evaluate the health of Florida’s seagrass ecosystems.

A shark expert whose own curiosity about these fascinating fish was sparked by the movie explains some of their unique features. Many discoveries came in the decades after ‘Jaws.’

Using cameras and trackers attached to Australian sea lions, we explored previously unmapped ocean habitats off the South Australian coast. The data also fed into predictive computer models.

New research shows climate change can drive sudden ocean cooling too. This can have devastating effects on marine life such as bull sharks and manta rays.

The first detailed study of Australian tropical oyster reefs reveals the main species, yet to be named, is related to the Sydney rock oyster – and is just as delicious.

Seashells are the skeletons of sea creatures – and they’re older than you might think.

Breaching is one of the most spectacular behaviors among marine animals. A recent review shows that many shark and ray species breach, and identifies the most commonly hypothesized reasons.

Photographs have provided the first-ever evidence of a brooding red pipefish, resolving a 40-year mystery.

Animal welfare laws don’t protect invertebrates, but there’s evidence that some, such as octopuses, are as intelligent as many mammals – even if their cognition takes very different forms.

The Southern Ocean’s krill-rich waters attract multiple species of filter-feeding whales – and, increasingly, fishing boats.

A tsunami risk in the Mediterranean is real. Coastal towns like Nice can get “Tsunami ready” by coordinating fast, effective preventive and awareness-raising efforts.

Marine viruses attack cells, but the material that spills out helps fuels marine life around the world.

There’s so much we still don’t know about whales. Here’s 3 amazing new things we’ve learnt about whales lately: how humpback whales have sex and give birth – and how baleen whales sing underwater.

The Mediterranean is one of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. A scientific study on shifting distribution dynamics examines how its fish species contend with sea warming.

El Niño can trigger intense periods of extreme ocean warming known as marine heat waves that can devastate marine life.

Healthy coral reefs can significantly reduce hurricane damage for coastlines, yet many still face harms, including pollution and ship damage, that people have the power to stop.