Slow-motion video study shows shrews are highly sophisticated predators
Shrews are tiny mammals that have been widely characterized as simple and primitive. This traditional view is challenged by a new study of the hunting methods of an aquatic member of the species, the water shrew. It reveals remarkably sophisticated methods for detecting prey that allow it to catch small fish and aquatic insects as readily in the... view more... (2008-02-11)
Researchers examine closest living relative to primates
Researchers at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, in collaboration with scientists representing institutions around the world, have discovered the closest living relative to primates. view more (2007-11-02)
University of Pennsylvania Study Reveals Inconspicuous Hosts in the Lyme Disease Epidemic
A study led by a University of Pennsylvania biologist in the tick-infested woods of the Hudson Valley is challenging the widely held belief that mice are the main animal reservoir for Lyme disease in the U.S. view more (2007-11-30)
New studies find amazing concentration of species unique to east African mountains
New studies published this month in the scientific journal Biological Conservation document an amazing concentration of over 1000 species unique—or endemic— to an area slightly larger than Rhode Island in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. view more (2007-01-17)
The flying lemur a close relative
Our pedigree has been revised. Our closest relatives--gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, gibbon apes, and baboons--have been joined by an animal whose appearance hardly resembles that of humans: the Dermoptera or the flying lemur. Flying lemurs live in Southeast Asia. The largest species can be 75 cm tall. This animal can glide between trees... view more... (2002-06-19)
Natural-born divers and the molecular traces of evolution
An aquatic lifestyle imposes serious demands for the organism, and this is true even for the tiniest molecules that form our body. view more (2009-06-29)
Sky islands: metaphor or misnomer?
The term "sky islands" sounds intriguing, but it may be more lyrical than useful when discussing mammal distributions, according to new research from Eric Waltari of the Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History and Robert Guralnick from the University of Colorado at Boulder. view more (2008-08-14)
pHlight of the mayfly
Ecologists at Cardiff University are using genetic techniques alongside classical ecology to help explain why Welsh streams are not recovering from the biological damage done by acid rain. Speaking at the British Ecological Society’s Winter Meeting, to be held at the University of Warwick on 18–20 December 2001, Ceri Williams will... view more... (2001-12-10)
Lost forest yields several new species
An expedition led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to a remote corner of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has uncovered unique forests which, so far, have been found to contain six animal species new to science: a bat, a rodent, two shrews, and two frogs. view more (2007-08-08)
Burrowing mammals dig for a living, but how do they do that?
Next time you see a mole digging in tree-root-filled soil in search of supper, take a moment to ponder the mammal's humerus bones. view more (2007-10-29)
Russian Red Book - Moscow Is Not Inhabited Only By People
Ksenia Avilova, Senior Research Assistant, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, investigates the diversity and quantity of the plant and animal species inhabiting the capital of Russia. According to the latest data the number of higher plants in Moscow makes up 1250 species, including those exotic... view more... (2002-05-17)
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