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Categories: Ecology: Extinction, Paleontology: Fossils
Published New research redefines mammalian tree of life



Scientists from around the globe are using the largest mammalian genomic dataset in history to determine the evolutionary history of the human genome in the context of mammalian evolutionary history. Their ultimate goal is to better identify the genetic basis for traits and diseases in people and other species.
Published Ecosystem evolution in Africa



New research pushes back the oldest evidence of C4 grass-dominated habitats in Africa -- and globally -- by more than 10 million years, with important implications for primate evolution and the origins of tropical C4 grasslands and savanna ecosystems across the African continent and around the world.
Published The reasons why insect numbers are decreasing



Researchers are investigating the causes and consequences of the worldwide insect decline as well as considering potential countermeasures.
Published One famous dog and a powerful new approach for understanding biology and evolutionary history



Ever since scientists first read the complete genetic codes of creatures like fruit flies and humans more than two decades ago, the field of genomics has promised major leaps forward in understanding basic questions in biology. Two recent articles break new ground by showing how much valuable information can be found in genomes of a single species, such as endangered orcas, or even in the DNA of an individual. That individual is a sled dog named Balto, who has been immortalized in movies and a statue for helping to bring lifesaving diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska in an epic journey across the Alaskan wilderness in the winter of 1925. With just a snippet of the dog's preserved skin researchers have made great discoveries.
Published Ant mounds are more important for biodiversity than previously thought



The ant mounds on the heath, in the forest and in your garden are oases for life. The heat and nutrients from ant mounds make them the perfect home for unique plant and animal species, according to new research.
Published Researchers explore techniques to successfully reintroduce captive birds into the wild



Studies show that some species may require breeding in captivity within the next 200 years to avoid extinction. This reality places heavy importance on the reintroduction practices used to successfully transfer species from captivity to the wild. A new study looks at some of the most popular conservation techniques and identifies which have the highest likelihood of success for the reintroduction of bird species back into the wild.
Published Twilight zone at risk from climate change



Life in the ocean's 'twilight zone' could decline dramatically due to climate change, new research suggests.
Published Prehistoric scat reveals 'Waves' of extinction in Colombia



Fungal spores found in dung have revealed that large animals went extinct in two 'waves' in the Colombian Andes.
Published Searching for ancient bears in an Alaskan cave led to an important human discovery



Genetic analysis links 3,000-year-old bone found in cave to modern Alaska Natives.
Published Colorado's spicy ancient history of chili peppers



Recently identified chili pepper fossils from Boulder and Denver museums challenge millions of years of global tomato evolutionary history. Now, that's some spicy science!
Published 360-million-year-old Irish fossil provides oldest evidence of plant self-defense in wood



Scientists have discovered the oldest evidence of plant self-defense in wood in a 360-million-year-old fossil from south-eastern Ireland. Plants can protect their wood from infection and water loss by forming special structures called 'tyloses'. These prevent bacterial and fungal pathogens from getting into the heartwood of living trees and damaging it. However, it was not previously known how early in the evolution of plants woody species became capable of forming such defenses. Published today in Nature Plants is the oldest evidence of tylosis formation from Late Devonian (360-million-year-old) fossil wood from the Hook Head Peninsula area, Co. Wexford, Ireland.
Published Neuroptera: Greater insect diversity in the Cretaceous period



An LMU team has studied the biodiversity of larvae from the insect order neuroptera over the past 100 million years.
Published Cheetahs need more space: Reintroduction in India must consider their spatial ecology



In autumn 2022 and winter 2023, a total of 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa were introduced to Kuno National Park in India to establish a free-ranging population -- for the first time since their extinction in India 70 years ago. Although the idea may be commendable, getting it right is not so easy. Scientists see shortcomings in the reintroduction plan: In southern Africa, cheetahs live in a stable socio-spatial system with widely spread territories and densities of less than one individual per 100 km².
Published The climate crisis and biodiversity crisis can't be approached as two separate things



Anthropogenic climate change has, together with the intensive use and destruction of natural ecosystems through agriculture, fishing and industry, sparked an unprecedented loss of biodiversity that continues to worsen. In this regard, the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis are often viewed as two separate catastrophes. An international team of researchers calls for adopting a new perspective.
Published African penguins: Climate refugees from a distant past?



Imagine the view from the western coastline of southern Africa during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) over twenty thousand years ago: in the distance you would see at least fifteen large islands -- the largest 300 square kilometers in area -- swarming with hundreds of millions of marine birds and penguin colonies.
Published X-ray analysis sheds new light on prehistoric predator's last meal



We now know more about the diet of a prehistoric creature that grew up to two and a half meters long and lived in Australian waters during the time of the dinosaurs, thanks to the power of x-rays. Researchers used micro-CT scans to peer inside the fossilized stomach remains of a small marine reptile -- a plesiosaur nicknamed 'Eric' after a song from the comedy group Monty Python -- to determine what the creature ate in the lead up to its death.
Published The diversity of present tree species is shaped by climate change in the last 21,000 years



A new global survey of 1000 forest areas shows how climate change since the peak of the last ice age has had a major impact on the diversity and distribution of tree species we see today. The results can help us predict how ecosystems will react to future changes, thus having an impact on conservation management around the globe.
Published Swimming secrets of prehistoric reptiles unlocked by new study



The diverse swimming techniques of the ancient reptiles that ruled the Mesozoic seas have been revealed.
Published Nullarbor rocks reveal Australia's transformation from lush to dust



Researchers have discovered how long ago the Australian Nullarbor plain dried out, with a new approach shedding light on how ancient climate change altered some of the driest regions of our planet.
Published Fossils reveal the long-term relationship between feathered dinosaurs and feather-feeding beetles



New fossils in amber have revealed that beetles fed on the feathers of dinosaurs about 105 million years ago, showing a symbiotic relationship of one-sided or mutual benefit.