Researchers from Arizona State University developed a new geochemical technique to study the Earth's largest mass extinction event. The study found that the period of oceanic anoxia was much shorter than previously estimated, occurring at most tens of thousands of years before the extinction event.
Researchers found that terrestrial biodiversity recovered in about 5 million years, compared to the 15- to 30-million year recovery period estimated earlier. This suggests a more rapid recovery than initially thought and rules out theories stating a severe spill-over effect into the terrestrial realm.
A team of researchers found that metazoan-dominated reefs existed again in the US southwest just 1.5 million years after the devastating Permian mass extinction, challenging the previous assumption of a five-million-year recovery time frame.
A new decision-support model developed by scientists can guide allocation of conservation funding to save more species from extinction. The model incorporates both ecological and economic information, prioritizing conservation activities based on a yearly budget.
A new model suggests that Siberian mantle plume contained recycled oceanic crust, leading to exceptional magmatic eruptions and mass extinction. The team's study provides new insights into the origin of the Siberian Traps and their relation to the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event.
Researchers investigate the cause of the Permian-Triassic extinction, finding that ocean acidification may have played a significant role. Additionally, studies suggest that reforestation on historically productive, snow-free land could contribute to climate change mitigation even in northern latitudes.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that preserving just 9 key sites could protect habitat for 84% of all marine mammal species on Earth. The study identified critical conservation locations off the coasts of Mexico, Canada, Peru, and other countries as areas with high species richness.
At least 351 species thought to have disappeared over the past 122 years have been rediscovered, but most remain highly threatened and on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss. Researchers stress the need for rapid conservation efforts to prevent further decline.
An international team of scientists assesses the population status of several fish species, classifying seven as threatened with extinction and four as 'near threatened' for the IUCN Red List. The study highlights the need to protect against overexploitation driven by high prices, which are putting pressure on global fish populations.
Researchers at Yale University found a ceratopsian horn fossil buried just five inches below the K-T boundary, suggesting that dinosaurs did not go extinct prior to the impact. The discovery provides further evidence for the impact hypothesis and may have closed the 'three-meter gap' in the fossil record.
A new study examining climate change impacts on plant and animal species finds that predictions are generally accurate, with many species already declining. The research covers a wide range of species worldwide and confirms human-induced climate change as a threat to global biodiversity.
Researchers tracked bird populations over 25 years in isolated forest fragments and found that many species returned after being thought extinct. The study suggests that local extinction is accompanied by continual recolonization, dependent on habitat size.
Researchers use genome sequencing and analysis to identify individuals for captive breeding programs, aiming to maximize genetic diversity and prevent extinction. The study provides insights into the impact of European settlement on Tasmanian devil genomic diversity.
A population of the freshwater limpet Rhodacmea filosa, thought to be extinct since the mid-20th century, has been rediscovered in a tributary of the Coosa River in Alabama. The discovery is a conservation success story and highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity in rapidly changing environments.
A new study has assessed the extinction risk of individual seagrass species worldwide, revealing that 10 out of 72 species are at elevated risk of extinction. The research highlights the critical role seagrasses play in maintaining marine ecosystems and human livelihoods.
A recent study by McGill biologist Jonathan Davies and colleagues suggests that the criteria for assessing risk of extinction in plants should be revised. The researchers found that species with small population sizes, even if not limited to a specific geographical range, can also be at high risk of extinction due to their youth.
A recent study by an international team of researchers found that the processes of extinction and speciation are linked in plants, with young species often appearing at high risk of extinction. This challenges the application of the same threat criteria across living organisms and regions.
A new study claims that species extinction rates have been overreported by as much as 160%, using widely used methods. However, the global extinction crisis is still very real, according to researchers. The study's findings suggest that habitat loss is not as dire as previously thought, but conservation efforts are still necessary.
A 247 million-year-old fossil from China has been reclassified as an archosaur, revealing that the bird and crocodile family trees split earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides new evidence for the evolution of archosaurs and sheds light on the origins of these dominant land vertebrates.
Researchers describe a new species of land crab that documents the first crab extinction during the human era, likely caused by the arrival of humans to the Hawaiian Islands. The loss of the crab had a significant impact on the ecology of the islands.
A team of researchers studied the evolution of parareptiles, finding that they were not hit as hard by the end-Permian extinction as previously thought. The study used evolutionary relationships to infer missing diversity and revealed new patterns in the fossil record.
A 360-million-year-old mass extinction event devastated fish populations, allowing crinoids to thrive and diversify. The study found that the ripple effects of this extinction event could last millions of years.
Researchers conclude that amphibian population declines are complex and multifaceted, driven by various natural forces and human activities such as habitat destruction, climate change, and disease. This understanding highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the crisis and avoid exacerbating the problem.
A new index called SAFE (Species Ability to Forestall Extinction) measures how close a species is to extinction. The index provides a formula for calculating the minimum viable population size, allowing conservationists to prioritize resources on species most likely to be brought back from the brink of extinction.
Researchers found evidence that lice began to diversify before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, supporting the idea that major groups of birds and mammals were around before their extinction. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals.
A new review suggests that conservation efforts should focus on protecting vulnerable species and habitats rather than those with lower extinction risk. The proposed 'vulnerability assessment' would use a wider range of data to provide a more accurate picture of which species are most at risk.
Tiny single-celled algae and bacteria rebounded quickly after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, consuming oxygen and slowing larger organisms' recovery. This process was driven by volcanic activity and resulting ocean acidification, which fueled explosive algae blooms.
Researchers estimate that if currently threatened species go extinct, the sixth mass extinction could arrive within 3 to 22 centuries. However, they also believe it's not too late to save critically endangered mammals and other species through conservation efforts.
A study published in Nature warns that Earth is on the brink of a mass extinction like those that have occurred five times during the past 540 million years. The study finds cause for hope and alarm, with critically endangered mammals facing an even greater risk of extinction within three generations.
A new predictive method developed by marine scientists has found that a third of reef fishes studied across the Indian Ocean are potentially vulnerable to climate change. The 'extinction risk index' provides coral reef managers with insights to better protect and manage coral reefs, showing local and regional commitment improves prospe...
Researchers discovered a direct link between Late Ordovician mass extinction and cooling climate, contradicting previous theories. They used new paleothermometer method to determine average temperatures during glacial periods, marking the first time overcoming ice-volume effect for ancient ocean analysis.
Scientists developed a mathematical model to describe interactions within ecological food webs, illustrating how human intervention can aid species conservation. The study found that over 70% of extinctions are preventable by balancing the system with available resources.
Researchers found layers of coal ash in rocks from the extinction boundary that provide direct proof of massive volcanic eruptions and burning coal. This discovery supports models for significant greenhouse gas generation during the late Permian extinction.
Invasive species can halt natural speciation processes, leading to mass extinction events. The Late Devonian ecosystem collapsed due to dominant invasive species, wiping out locally adapted species and preventing new life forms from arising.
Woolly mammoths living north of the Arctic Circle began weaning infants up to three years later than modern African elephants, potentially contributing to their eventual extinction. This adaptation to harsher environment and prolonged nursing may have made them more vulnerable to climate change and human hunting.
A new study predicts that the Mariana crow will go extinct in 75 years due to a low first-year survival rate of 40%. The species is critically endangered and faces threats from invasive species like feral cats and brown tree snakes.
Research reveals a pattern of reptile extinctions on Greek islands, with habitat specialists and northern species most affected. The study suggests that preserving habitat corridors will enable plants and animals to migrate in response to climate change.
After the dinosaurs' demise, mammals grew significantly in size, from about ten kilograms to 17 tonnes, with consistent patterns across continents and time. The largest mammal, Indricotherium transouralicum, weighed around 17 tonnes.
After the dinosaurs disappeared, mammals grew dramatically in size, with some reaching 17 tonnes, and ecosystems reset relatively quickly. The study reveals that climate and space availability limit mammalian size, with no single group dominating the largest class.
A recent study found that invasive species and over-exploitation of water resources are the biggest threats to fish in the Mediterranean basin. The researchers used data on 232 fish species and their distribution range to show that fish communities are exposed to the greatest threat of extinction when these pressures are present.
A new study found that plants that can self-pollinate have higher extinction rates than those relying on external pollinators. This is because they often lack the genetic diversity needed to adapt to changing environments, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
The University of Cincinnati presented multiple papers at the Geological Society of America annual meeting, focusing on Permian extinction understanding, oceanic oxygen depletion, nitrogen cycles, ancient plant water use, and fossil classification. Research by UC geologists shed light on climate change mechanisms.
A team of researchers led by Thomas Algeo from the University of Cincinnati analyzed chemical evidence from rocks formed during the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which wiped out 90% of all living species. The study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia and global climate change contributed to the catastrophic event.
Texas A&M University is part of a global conservation study that reviews the status of thousands of species and finds worldwide efforts have fallen short of biodiversity targets. Ongoing global-conservation efforts prevent extinction rates from worsening, with 50 species moving closer to extinction each year.
A study published in Science reports that one-fifth of vertebrate species are threatened, with declines accelerating over the past few decades. Conservation measures have mitigated this trend, with certain approaches proving more effective than others, such as controlling invasive species.
A global study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that 33% of shark, skate, and ray species are threatened with extinction. Conservation actions have benefited a few vertebrate species worldwide, but insufficient efforts to slow the overall increase in threatened species.
The study confirms an extinction crisis with one-fifth of species threatened, but highlights the positive impact of global conservation efforts. Conservation actions have prevented a decline in biodiversity by nearly 20%, with 64 species improving in status and three species being re-introduced back to nature.
A new assessment reveals that 20% of the world's vertebrates are currently threatened with extinction, with 52 species moving closer to extinction each year. The study highlights the alarming rate of decline among vertebrate species globally.
Researchers used DNA analysis to identify the Passenger Pigeon's closest living relatives, revealing that it was most closely related to other North and South American pigeons, not the Mourning Dove. The study also sheds light on the bird's extinction, which was caused by human hunting and habitat destruction.
A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona challenges conventional wisdom about dinosaurs' spread across the world. The fossil suggests that dinosaurs took advantage of a natural catastrophe to move into North America, rather than overpowering other species.
A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona suggests that dinosaurs did not spread globally by overpowering other species but instead took advantage of a natural catastrophe. The fossil, which lived around 190 million years ago, shows that sauropodomorphs started out small and later evolved to large size.
The study of fish teeth reveals ocean circulation patterns that differ from present day, shedding light on heat transfer and oxygenation. An iridium anomaly is linked to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, reaffirming the link between impact and mass extinction.
Researchers developed a statistical model to detect early warning signs of extinction in deteriorating environments, which can predict the approach to a tipping point. This study has implications for understanding drastic changes in complex systems, including the human brain and ecosystems.
A new study suggests that a massive reduction in green pastures and the spread of forests may have been the primary cause of the decline of mammals like the woolly mammoth. The research found that climate change and habitat changes made grazing difficult for large mammals, leading to their extinction.
A new infectious disease, white-nose syndrome, is killing millions of bats and predicted to cause regional extinction of the little brown myotis. The disease affects hibernating bats and disrupts their hibernation, causing them to wake early and lose critical fat reserves.
Researchers propose that human hunters triggered the loss of large mammals, including woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats, by providing new competition with major predators. The study suggests that humans were not the primary cause of extinction but rather the initial trigger for a trophic cascade.
A new study suggests that the extinction of woolly mammoths and other large mammals may have been triggered by the addition of a predator: humans. The researchers argue that human hunters provided new competition for major predators, leading to a trophic cascade that ultimately caused the decline of herbivores and carnivores alike.
Scientists found a way to pharmacologically induce a memory of safety in the brain of rats by administering brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the prefrontal cortex. This procedure prevented rats from expressing fear to a tone that had been previously paired with a shock, suggesting new treatments for anxiety disorders.
A team of researchers has discovered a protein that can mimic the effect of training in rats, inducing a memory of safety. The protein, BDNF, supports the growth and survival of neurons and was found to be effective in extinguishing fear memories in rats.
Scientists confirm asteroid ended the age of dinosaurs through a review of geological evidence, including the Chicxulub crater. The research group rejects an alternate hypothesis that long-term volcanic activity caused mass extinctions.