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Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Fast-paced lives demand faster vision: ecology shapes how animals experience time

New international study co-authored by University of Galway researchers shows that how animals live and move determines how quickly they see the world Animals do not just see the world differently from one another, they experience time itself at dramatically different speeds, researchers have revealed. The major new study shows that the speed at which an animal lives and moves strongly predicts how quickly it can visually process the world around it. The team of scientists - a collaboration between the University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin - analysed visual perception across 237 species in the animal kingdom, from insects and birds to mammals and marine life. The findings, published in the international journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, provide the strongest evidence to date that ecology and evolution shape how animals perceive time. The researchers found that that species with fast-paced ecologies - such as flying animals and “pursuit predators”, which chase fast, manoeuvrable prey - have much faster visual perception than slow-moving or sedentary species. Dr Kevin Healy, co-author and Head of the Macroecology lab at the University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “These results support a long-standing idea known as Autrum’s hypothesis, which in simple terms states that sensory systems evolve to match an animal’s way of life. What’s new is that we demonstrate this pattern across the entire animal kingdom, not just within small groups of species.” Lead author Dr Clinton Haarlem, from Trinity’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “From a dragonfly tracking prey in mid-air to a starfish grazing slowly across the seabed, animals live in very different perceptual worlds. Our results show that these differences are not random. Instead, they are closely linked to how animals move, hunt, and interact with their environments.” Measuring the speed of sight To measure how quickly animals can process visual information, the researchers used a standard metric called “critical flicker fusion (CFF)”, which is the fastest rate at which a flickering light can be perceived as distinct rather than continuous. Higher CFF values indicate faster visual processing. While humans typically perceive flicker up to around 60 Hz, some insects and birds can detect changes at more than 200 flashes per second, effectively experiencing a slower-moving world. The team then tested how CFF relates to ecological traits such as locomotion, foraging strategy, body size, and light environment. Among the key results were: Flying species have the fastest visual perception, with CFF values roughly twice as high as non-flying animals. Pursuit predators have significantly higher temporal resolution than species feeding on stationary or slow-moving food Light environment matters: species active in bright conditions generally have faster vision than those living in darkness or deep water In aquatic environments, smaller, more manoeuvrable species tend to see faster than larger ones Dr Kevin Healy, said: “Species which live in low light environments and have slow lifestyles were found to have extremely slow visual systems. For example, the escolar, a deep sea fish, can see less than ten frames a second while deep sea isopods, a type of crustacean, can only see a couple of frames per second. For these species the world likely passes in a blur.” Why perception speed matters Fast visual processing allows animals to react to rapid changes, which is crucial for flight, hunting, and avoiding predators – but that comes at a cost. Rapid neural processing requires more energy, meaning high-speed vision is only favoured when it provides a clear ecological advantage. The findings also raise concerns about the impacts of artificial lighting and flicker in human-modified environments. Dr Haarlem continued: “These findings suggest species with fast visual systems may be especially vulnerable to flickering artificial lights. This could affect their hunting success, navigation, and impact predator–prey interactions, particularly in birds and aquatic predators. Understanding how animals perceive time helps us understand how they behave, evolve, and respond to environmental change. It reminds us that the world we experience is just one version of many.” By linking ecology, evolution, and perception, the study ultimately highlights how animals inhabit fundamentally different sensory realities even when they share the same habitat. The full study in Nature Ecology & Evolution is available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-026-02994-7 Ends

News Archive

Monday, 23 February 2026

University of Galway announces two new scholarships with Davy

Friday, 20 February 2026

Scientists piecing together the puzzle of nerve repair

Thursday, 19 February 2026

EPA-funded projects to address urgent climate and environmental challenges

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Researchers at University of Galway are joining forces with conservationists and the community as part of a mission to save Ireland’s hedgehogs. The group has launched a new initiative, Hedgehog Conservation Ireland, which aims to develop a nationwide conservation strategy to protect the much-loved animals. The initiative brings together researchers, wildlife rescuers and community supporters to stop population declines and ensure hedgehogs can thrive across Ireland. It is led by Elaine O’Riordan, University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, Dr Amy Haigh, Veon Ecology, Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, Natural History Museum Denmark and WildCRU, University of Oxford, and Alan Bell, Eco Restoration Trust. Hedgehog numbers have plummeted across Western Europe, and the species is now listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Populations are estimated to have fallen by 16-33% across their range due to habitat loss, road traffic and pesticides. Long-term monitoring in Britain shows declines of up to 75% in some rural areas, although urban populations appear more stable, highlighting the critical role that gardens, parks, and other managed green spaces play in hedgehog survival. Elaine O’Riordan, a researcher with University of Galway's School of Natural Sciences and lead of the Irish Hedgehog Survey, said: “Since 2021, the Irish Hedgehog Survey has collected over 10,000 records from the public, helping researchers track population trends and understand where hedgehogs live. The Irish public clearly love hedgehogs and want to support them, and I encourage everyone to sign up as a hedgehog helper to learn how they can make a difference at home, at work, or at school. “Everyone can help by taking simple steps to make their garden hedgehog-friendly. For example, leave some areas a little wild, create a small hole in your fence to let hedgehogs pass through, avoid using slug pellets, and cover open drains.” To learn more and become a hedgehog helper, visit https://www.hedgehogsireland.com/ Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, also known as Dr Hedgehog, from WildCRU at the University of Oxford, said: “The European hedgehog is declining rapidly. We are causing this decline! The good news is that there is still time to make amends! If we work together to monitor the population and provide accessible, hedgehog friendly gardens, we can save the hedgehogs.” Dr Rasmussen will also chair a stakeholder workshop in Clontarf. Co Dublin, on February 20th to discuss Ireland’s new hedgehog conservation strategy. Further workshop details are available at https://www.hedgehogsireland.com/ . Ends

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

University of Galway, in partnership with the HRB Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network, has announced the Novo Nordisk Ireland Scholarship recipient. Originally from India, Dr Beenu Maria Joseph, a pharmacist with advanced training in public health, was selected in recognition of her outstanding academic achievements, strong commitment to patient-centred research, extensive community volunteering, and ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes in diabetes and chronic disease. The award will support Dr Joseph’s completion of a Master of Science in Clinical Research this year and enable her to conduct research while strengthening her role within the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network and the broader diabetes community. The Novo Nordisk Ireland Scholarship, supported by the Galway University Foundation, provides full financial support for a student completing their chosen Master of Science in either Clinical Research, Applied Clinical Data Analytics, or Evidence-Based Future Healthcare. Dr Beenu Maria Joseph said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Novo Nordisk Scholarship, which represents a significant milestone in my academic and professional journey. This award provides an exceptional opportunity to further develop my expertise in both clinical and academic research. With a background in pharmacy and formal training in public health, I am committed to building a career that bridges clinical practice, research, and population health. I aim to pursue work where evidence-based research informs practice and policy, contributing to long-term improvements in healthcare systems. My volunteering experiences have been central to shaping this motivation, reinforcing my dedication to patient engagement and the delivery of compassionate, evidence-based care.” Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the HRB Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network and the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “We are delighted to acknowledge Dr Beenu Maria Joseph as the recipient of this scholarship and to commend the impressive achievements she has made to date. Her passion for research, strong academic record and commitment to improving patient care exemplify the purpose of this award. We are deeply appreciative of Novo Nordisk Ireland for their generous support, which allows us to invest in the next generation of researchers whose work will shape the future of diabetes care in Ireland and beyond. Their partnership is instrumental in advancing education, research and patient outcomes.” Dr Jennifer Day, Clinical Research Manager, Novo Nordisk, said: “We are delighted to be working with University of Galway to award Dr Beenu Maria Joseph the Novo Nordisk Ireland scholarship for her research work on diabetes. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases. We are committed to fostering pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk has a 100-year history as leaders within the therapeutic area of diabetes, using our innovations to find solutions for patients with the chronic disease.” Ends

Monday, 16 February 2026

University of Galway is opening its doors to families of all ages for a free, hands-on event designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and showcase the vital role engineering plays in everyday life. As part of Engineers Week 2026, ‘Engineering Our Future: Family Fun Day’ takes place on Saturday February 28th from 10am-4pm, at the Alice Perry Engineering Building. Organised by the School of Engineering, the event offers an exciting programme of interactive demonstrations, creative workshops, and hands-on activities. Visitors can explore the world of engineering through fun experiences like building structures, discovering the science behind water networks, experimenting with robotics and 3D printing, enjoying virtual reality, tackling LEGO challenges and even engineering through slime, and much more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet engineers and researchers, learn about cutting-edge innovations, and see first-hand how engineering shapes homes, cities and the world of tomorrow. Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Engineering turns imagination into reality. Engineers shape the world by solving problems, building connections and improving lives every day. This is particularly important in addressing current global challenges of climate change and providing technology and infrastructure required by the growing human population.” Professor Jamie Goggins from the University’s School of Engineering and Director of Construct Innovate, said: “Children are natural engineers. They love to design and build things, using whatever they can get their hands on. With knowledge, innovation and creativity, engineers change the reality and future of all human beings. Join us for the Engineering Our Future: Family Fun Day and explore Engineering through exciting and fun hands-on activities and shows, as well as meeting with practicing engineers to better learn about the world around us, understand the role of Engineering in our lives and its impact on our future.” Tickets are free and can be booked in advance for some shows and activities, but it will also be possible to attend shows without pre-booking on a first-come-first-served basis on the day. For more information and booking details, visit: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/engineersweek/familyfunday/ The event is supported by Engineers Ireland West, Construct Innovate, Arup and MaREI Centre. Ends