Tag Archive for 'Eurasian lynx'

The neurophysiological and functional significance of silver vine response in cats: the olfactory system in cats detects cis-trans nepetalactol emitted from silver vine leaves and then stimulates release of β-endorphin; activation of μ-opioid receptors by a high level of β-endorphin evokes rubbing and rolling, which is inhibited by naloxone, an antagonist of μ-opioid receptors; face rubbing and rolling over transfer nepetalactol with repellent activity against Aedes albopictus from the leaves onto the cat’s face, head, and body fur where it helps to protect them from mosquito bites. Image credit: Reiko Uenoyama, Iwate University.

Bioactive Compounds Found in Catnip and Silver Vine Protect Cats against Mosquito Bites

Jan 21, 2021 by News Staff

Domestic cats and other felids rub their faces and heads against catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) and roll on the ground as...

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus): a female lynx with two cubs. Image credit: Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology.

Researchers Sequence Genome of Iberian Lynx

Dec 15, 2016 by News Staff

A team of researchers in Spain has successfully sequenced and analyzed the genome of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the world’s most endangered feline...