Ecology (Biology and Medicine)

In the summer, the females migrate long distances in search of mates more

Various animal species possess enzymes that enable them to break down PHA plastics more

The European oil beetle's parasitic larvae emit a floral scent that attracts wild bees. This allows the larvae to sneak into the bees' nests more

Ultraviolet-induced blue-green biofluorescence reveals a previously undetected trait in a well-studied amphibian more

Upwelling of phosphorus-rich deep water promotes an N-fixing symbiont of the Sargassum algae giving it a competitive advantage. more

Analysis of nitrogen isotopes provides evidence of the earliest known photosymbiosis in corals of the Devonian more

The devastating storms, rainfall, heatwaves and droughts of the past year have become more likely and more severe as a result of global warming more

When metabolizing spruce bark, the insect’s fungal partners release volatile compounds that bark beetles  recognize through specialized olfactory sensory neurons more

Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena honoured for her discoveries on plant natural product biosynthesis more

Experiments with chicken chicks and artificial peacock butterflies prove that predators are intimidated by eyespots more

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Jana Wäldchen has played a key role in developing the plant identification app, Flora Incognita. We discussed with her how being able to identify different plants contributes to species diversity, which plant species are particularly under threat and how non-native species are suppressing local plants more

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Around 40 percent of all species on Earth are parasitic – apparently a highly successful way of life. Even a fish such as the three-spined stickleback is plagued by up to 25 different parasites. more

Bacterial pathogens cause infected flies to produce more sex pheromones and so expand their deadly reach more

Host plants communicate warning signals through a parasite network, when insects attack more

Scientists discover mussels and sponges in the deep sea which can thrive on oil with the help of symbiont bacteria more

Phenotypic plasticity of gecko calls reveals the complex communication of lizards more

The volatile compound bergamotene increases the moths’ pollination success and protects tobacco leaves against their voracious offspring more

Household income and knowledge about health risks drive the consumption of wild animal meat in West Africa more