Melissa Ramsay
@melissa-e-ramsay.bsky.social
PhD researcher at St Andrews' Centre for Biological Diversity and the Scottish Oceans Institute. Sensory ecology - animal (multi)sensory processing - intertidal - social foraging.
🦀🌊🐟🫧
EastBio Student/EDI Rep
(she/her)🌈🍉🌱
🦀🌊🐟🫧
EastBio Student/EDI Rep
(she/her)🌈🍉🌱
Pinned
Another bright morning at the rocky shore with some members of 'Team Fish'🐟🦀☀️🌊 @animalsdoingstuff.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
New octopus dropped down in Coral City 👽✌️🐙 #octopus #cephalopodsofcoralcity #cephalopod #headfoot #alien #dropdown #peaceout #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #coralcity
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
New octopus dropped down in Coral City 👽✌️🐙 #octopus #cephalopodsofcoralcity #cephalopod #headfoot #alien #dropdown #peaceout #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #coralcity
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🐦Community composition coupled with habitat fragmentation drives acoustic divergence in bird assemblages
"We demonstrate how birds adjust their sound frequencies via acoustic niche partitioning driven by both community composition and habitat fragmentation"
📖 Read the full paper ➡️ buff.ly/B75UgYW
"We demonstrate how birds adjust their sound frequencies via acoustic niche partitioning driven by both community composition and habitat fragmentation"
📖 Read the full paper ➡️ buff.ly/B75UgYW
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🐦Community composition coupled with habitat fragmentation drives acoustic divergence in bird assemblages
"We demonstrate how birds adjust their sound frequencies via acoustic niche partitioning driven by both community composition and habitat fragmentation"
📖 Read the full paper ➡️ buff.ly/B75UgYW
"We demonstrate how birds adjust their sound frequencies via acoustic niche partitioning driven by both community composition and habitat fragmentation"
📖 Read the full paper ➡️ buff.ly/B75UgYW
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
What's that? You didn't know boxfish made sound? Me neither...
It turns out all species (Atlantic & Pacific) do, yet little is known about how this evolved. A novel structure found only in the Atlantic species offered the answer, but it isn't quite what you think...🌍 🧪
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
It turns out all species (Atlantic & Pacific) do, yet little is known about how this evolved. A novel structure found only in the Atlantic species offered the answer, but it isn't quite what you think...🌍 🧪
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
What's that? You didn't know boxfish made sound? Me neither...
It turns out all species (Atlantic & Pacific) do, yet little is known about how this evolved. A novel structure found only in the Atlantic species offered the answer, but it isn't quite what you think...🌍 🧪
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
It turns out all species (Atlantic & Pacific) do, yet little is known about how this evolved. A novel structure found only in the Atlantic species offered the answer, but it isn't quite what you think...🌍 🧪
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🧵1/9 There are 35,000+ fish species, but we have formal social-behaviour classifications for a tiny fraction. Most knowledge lives in the experience of researchers, fishers, divers, aquarists, naturalists, and Indigenous communities, but almost none of it is centralised. So we built ShoalBase.org.
ShoalBase | Join, Explore, Contribute Now
ShoalBase offers a global database on fish social behaviour, supporting research, conservation, and ecology through community contributions and visual data mapping.
ShoalBase.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🧵1/9 There are 35,000+ fish species, but we have formal social-behaviour classifications for a tiny fraction. Most knowledge lives in the experience of researchers, fishers, divers, aquarists, naturalists, and Indigenous communities, but almost none of it is centralised. So we built ShoalBase.org.
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Hello everyone. Today in "one day, one paper", concert noise and artificial lighting reshape bat activity, reducing foraging minutes and delaying peaks in sensitive species, highlighting urban festivals as overlooked drivers of ecological disturbance 🌎
Behavioural shifts of bats during urban music festivals
We investigated how large outdoor music festivals affect bat activity in an urban green spaces. Although total nightly activity did not decline on concert nights, we showed activity during concert ho....
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Hello everyone. Today in "one day, one paper", concert noise and artificial lighting reshape bat activity, reducing foraging minutes and delaying peaks in sensitive species, highlighting urban festivals as overlooked drivers of ecological disturbance 🌎
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🎉 After decades of negotiation, the #HighSeasTreaty is officially on the countdown to entry into force!
The Treaty enters into force on 17 Jan 2026: a milestone for global ocean protection.
How will you celebrate this historic day?
#BBNJ #60ToGlobal
The Treaty enters into force on 17 Jan 2026: a milestone for global ocean protection.
How will you celebrate this historic day?
#BBNJ #60ToGlobal
November 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🎉 After decades of negotiation, the #HighSeasTreaty is officially on the countdown to entry into force!
The Treaty enters into force on 17 Jan 2026: a milestone for global ocean protection.
How will you celebrate this historic day?
#BBNJ #60ToGlobal
The Treaty enters into force on 17 Jan 2026: a milestone for global ocean protection.
How will you celebrate this historic day?
#BBNJ #60ToGlobal
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
#teamSTRANGE goes to Switzerland! @mikemwebster.bsky.social talking @ Uni Bern about sampling biases in animal behaviour research and how acknowledging them helps us improve replications and ask cool new questions!
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
November 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
#teamSTRANGE goes to Switzerland! @mikemwebster.bsky.social talking @ Uni Bern about sampling biases in animal behaviour research and how acknowledging them helps us improve replications and ask cool new questions!
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41... 🧪
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Transmission of Urgency Levels in the Alarm Calls of the Oriental Reed Warbler | doi.org/10.1002/ece3... | Ecology and Evolution | #ornithology 🪶
Transmission of Urgency Levels in the Alarm Calls of the Oriental Reed Warbler
Previous studies revealed that oriental reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis) produce alarm calls containing diverse syllable types in response to intruders. We selected three distinct syllable typ...
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Transmission of Urgency Levels in the Alarm Calls of the Oriental Reed Warbler | doi.org/10.1002/ece3... | Ecology and Evolution | #ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Approving the Rosebank oil field would be a catastrophic mistake for Scotland’s climate, economy, and communities.
Rosebank will not lower bills or improve energy security. What it will do is lock us into climate chaos while profits flow to shareholders and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
Rosebank will not lower bills or improve energy security. What it will do is lock us into climate chaos while profits flow to shareholders and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
November 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Approving the Rosebank oil field would be a catastrophic mistake for Scotland’s climate, economy, and communities.
Rosebank will not lower bills or improve energy security. What it will do is lock us into climate chaos while profits flow to shareholders and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
Rosebank will not lower bills or improve energy security. What it will do is lock us into climate chaos while profits flow to shareholders and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
NEW SPECIES of mangrove crab discovered in Western Australia, and registered to the Ocean Census. Congratulations to Ocean Census Science Network member Dr Andrew Hosie and Ana Hara from #WAMuseum. 👇
visit.museum.wa.gov.au/learn/news-s...
@cirripedia.bsky.social
visit.museum.wa.gov.au/learn/news-s...
@cirripedia.bsky.social
New species of mangrove crab discovered in Western Australia | Western Australian Museum
Deep in the mangroves of Exmouth Gulf, scientists have identified a new species of crab: Parasesarma otiense.
visit.museum.wa.gov.au
October 22, 2025 at 8:10 AM
NEW SPECIES of mangrove crab discovered in Western Australia, and registered to the Ocean Census. Congratulations to Ocean Census Science Network member Dr Andrew Hosie and Ana Hara from #WAMuseum. 👇
visit.museum.wa.gov.au/learn/news-s...
@cirripedia.bsky.social
visit.museum.wa.gov.au/learn/news-s...
@cirripedia.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🐟🔊
New publication about all the exciting additions we made to FishSounds throughout versions 2 and 3: doi.org/10.1111/geb....!
Since then, we've added even more recordings thanks to the FishEye Collaborative, and we have a lot more planned for next year!
New publication about all the exciting additions we made to FishSounds throughout versions 2 and 3: doi.org/10.1111/geb....!
Since then, we've added even more recordings thanks to the FishEye Collaborative, and we have a lot more planned for next year!
November 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🐟🔊
New publication about all the exciting additions we made to FishSounds throughout versions 2 and 3: doi.org/10.1111/geb....!
Since then, we've added even more recordings thanks to the FishEye Collaborative, and we have a lot more planned for next year!
New publication about all the exciting additions we made to FishSounds throughout versions 2 and 3: doi.org/10.1111/geb....!
Since then, we've added even more recordings thanks to the FishEye Collaborative, and we have a lot more planned for next year!
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
👋〰️🛸〰️ #southernstingray #stingraysofcoralcity #stingray #flyingsaucer #magiccarpet #flapflap #overhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #coralcity
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🏆 Green Gown Award WINNER! Huge congratulations to the St Andrews Nature Networks project for winning in the Nature Positive category. 🌿 Check out the project here👇
https://ow.ly/pCFV50Xocml
#EverToExcel
https://ow.ly/pCFV50Xocml
#EverToExcel
November 7, 2025 at 7:21 AM
🏆 Green Gown Award WINNER! Huge congratulations to the St Andrews Nature Networks project for winning in the Nature Positive category. 🌿 Check out the project here👇
https://ow.ly/pCFV50Xocml
#EverToExcel
https://ow.ly/pCFV50Xocml
#EverToExcel
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Thompson et al. Making “scents” of how plant volatiles influence agriculturally important insects: a review academic.oup.com/ee/article/d...
Making “scents” of how plant volatiles influence agriculturally important insects: a review
Abstract. Plants emit hundreds, if not thousands, of different volatile chemical compounds, although the function of most individual volatiles remains elus
academic.oup.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Thompson et al. Making “scents” of how plant volatiles influence agriculturally important insects: a review academic.oup.com/ee/article/d...
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
“Nothing has improved in Gaza… Medicine is still blocked. Even food has not changed.
“We hear about a truce, but we feel no safety or relief.”
Gaza residents talk to our Hasan Jaber in Bureij refugee camp
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
“We hear about a truce, but we feel no safety or relief.”
Gaza residents talk to our Hasan Jaber in Bureij refugee camp
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
‘Truce is just a name’: Israel has killed more than 220 Gazans since start of ceasefire, Palestinians say
Next phase of peace plan not moving forward, with remains of seven Israeli hostages still unaccounted for
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
“Nothing has improved in Gaza… Medicine is still blocked. Even food has not changed.
“We hear about a truce, but we feel no safety or relief.”
Gaza residents talk to our Hasan Jaber in Bureij refugee camp
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
“We hear about a truce, but we feel no safety or relief.”
Gaza residents talk to our Hasan Jaber in Bureij refugee camp
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
This week, we’re at #EvidenceWeek in Parliament with @senseaboutsci presenting evidence on on chemical ecology-inspired solutions for sustainable crop protection to MPs, peers and parliamentary staff, to support them in scrutinising government policy in this area.
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This week, we’re at #EvidenceWeek in Parliament with @senseaboutsci presenting evidence on on chemical ecology-inspired solutions for sustainable crop protection to MPs, peers and parliamentary staff, to support them in scrutinising government policy in this area.
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
How noisy are small boats underwater?
Our new paper shows that slower speeds aren’t always quiet and the importance of particle motion!
doi.org/10.1121/10.0... @asa-news.bsky.social @sophienedelec.bsky.social
@andyradford.bsky.social @profstevesimpson.bsky.social
#Bioacoustics #OceanNoise
Our new paper shows that slower speeds aren’t always quiet and the importance of particle motion!
doi.org/10.1121/10.0... @asa-news.bsky.social @sophienedelec.bsky.social
@andyradford.bsky.social @profstevesimpson.bsky.social
#Bioacoustics #OceanNoise
a boat that has a license plate that says lc 8816 n.
ALT: a boat that has a license plate that says lc 8816 n.
media.tenor.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
How noisy are small boats underwater?
Our new paper shows that slower speeds aren’t always quiet and the importance of particle motion!
doi.org/10.1121/10.0... @asa-news.bsky.social @sophienedelec.bsky.social
@andyradford.bsky.social @profstevesimpson.bsky.social
#Bioacoustics #OceanNoise
Our new paper shows that slower speeds aren’t always quiet and the importance of particle motion!
doi.org/10.1121/10.0... @asa-news.bsky.social @sophienedelec.bsky.social
@andyradford.bsky.social @profstevesimpson.bsky.social
#Bioacoustics #OceanNoise
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
#Halloween has arrived at sea! 👻🎃
From the surface to the seafloor, the ocean never runs out of strange, spectacular, and spooky sights.
No costumes needed. 💙
From the surface to the seafloor, the ocean never runs out of strange, spectacular, and spooky sights.
No costumes needed. 💙
October 31, 2025 at 9:22 AM
#Halloween has arrived at sea! 👻🎃
From the surface to the seafloor, the ocean never runs out of strange, spectacular, and spooky sights.
No costumes needed. 💙
From the surface to the seafloor, the ocean never runs out of strange, spectacular, and spooky sights.
No costumes needed. 💙
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Huang et al. Humans perceive but animals don’t: pitfalls in using plasticine models for assessing biotic interactions royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Humans perceive but animals don’t: pitfalls in using plasticine models for assessing biotic interactions | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Observation methods are crucial for understanding ecological processes. One widely
used method is the application of plasticine models that visually mimic prey organisms
in assessing biotic interactio...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Huang et al. Humans perceive but animals don’t: pitfalls in using plasticine models for assessing biotic interactions royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Birds but they get spookier each time. 🎃👻
Enter if you dare...🚪
Enter if you dare...🚪
October 31, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Birds but they get spookier each time. 🎃👻
Enter if you dare...🚪
Enter if you dare...🚪
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Crab Treadmill.
You heard it here, folks.
You heard it here, folks.
Can the Deadliest Catch crab fishery survive warming seas? —researchers are on it on the latest on the @science.org podcast w/ Warren Cornwall
www.science.org/content/podc...
www.science.org/content/podc...
October 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Crab Treadmill.
You heard it here, folks.
You heard it here, folks.
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Our newest paper has just published from Royal Society Open Science!! 🦀
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Mutualism on the deep-sea floor: a novel shell-forming sea anemone in symbiosis with a hermit crab | Royal Society Open Science
Interspecific species interactions are fundamental evolutionary forces that shape
the traits and adaptive strategies of biological communities. However, their diversity
and dynamics in deep-sea ecosys...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Our newest paper has just published from Royal Society Open Science!! 🦀
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
🐟 Our special issue "Measuring Fish Cognition: Empirical-based Guidance for Designing Cognition Assays" is out! From acclimation protocols to automated tracking, these studies tackle a range of methodological issues. Check it out: tinyurl.com/vdprfbf4 #FishCognition #AnimalBehaviour
Special Issue: Measuring fish cognition: Empirical based guidance for designing cognition assays: Journal of Fish Biology: Vol 107, No 4
The <em>Journal of Fish Biology</em> is a leading international ichthyology journal, addressing all aspects of fish biology, their exploitation and importance to human society.
tinyurl.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
🐟 Our special issue "Measuring Fish Cognition: Empirical-based Guidance for Designing Cognition Assays" is out! From acclimation protocols to automated tracking, these studies tackle a range of methodological issues. Check it out: tinyurl.com/vdprfbf4 #FishCognition #AnimalBehaviour
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
The yellowtail parrotfish face off and throw down in the Stadium with their mohawks up 🦜🐟😤😤🦜🐟 #yellowtailparrotfish #parrotfishjungle #parrotfishcapitaloftheworld #slowmotion #faceoff #throwdown #mohawksup #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #coralcity
October 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The yellowtail parrotfish face off and throw down in the Stadium with their mohawks up 🦜🐟😤😤🦜🐟 #yellowtailparrotfish #parrotfishjungle #parrotfishcapitaloftheworld #slowmotion #faceoff #throwdown #mohawksup #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #coralcity
Reposted by Melissa Ramsay
Our Special issue on Visual Ecology in Challenging Environments is out: #coral reef & #deep-sea fishes, #reindeers on polar daylight, #bioluminescence, non-visual #pigments & life in dark caves. Happy to co-edit with Sara Stieb + thks to all contributors! See in Functional Ecology: buff.ly/z5AYxZQ
October 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Our Special issue on Visual Ecology in Challenging Environments is out: #coral reef & #deep-sea fishes, #reindeers on polar daylight, #bioluminescence, non-visual #pigments & life in dark caves. Happy to co-edit with Sara Stieb + thks to all contributors! See in Functional Ecology: buff.ly/z5AYxZQ