Scientists discovered a 5-foot-long fossil turtle with an extremely circular shell in Colombia. The shell may have discouraged predators and helped the cold-blooded turtle regulate its body temperature. This new species adds to evidence that tropical reptiles were larger than they are now after the dinosaurs' extinction.
Researchers found a young megalosaur with filamentous integument, revealing its body was covered in feathers, which may have been present in all predatory dinosaurs. The discovery also sheds light on the changing diets and lifestyles of juvenile dinosaurs as they grew older.
A new study in Nature finds that the presence of lines of arrested growth (LAG) in dinosaur bones does not indicate ectothermy. Instead, LAGs provide insight into how animals adjust their metabolism in response to seasonal changes.
A three-year $900,000 grant was awarded to Drs. Brian Brown and Art Borkent to inventory all species of flies living in a 100x200 meter area in Costa Rica, estimated to discover at least 3,000 new species. This project aims to better understand the importance of insects in ecosystems and gauge the impact of habitat change.
The study of Acanthodes bronni, a 290-million-year-old fossil fish, sheds light on the evolution of early jawed vertebrates. The researchers found that the common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates resembled a shark, with features such as cartilaginous jaws and primitive sensory organs.
Biologists at The University of Texas at Austin discovered that humans, fish and frogs share neural circuits responsible for diverse social behaviors. These circuits have existed for over 450 million years, indicating a common genetic framework for the evolution of new behavior.
The tuatara's unique chewing technique, using its lower jaw to slice food apart, raises doubts about the link between chewing and high metabolism in mammals. This specialized mechanism allows the tuatara to eat a wide range of prey, including beetles, spiders, and small lizards.
A 345-million-year-old eel fossil, Tarrasius problematicus, has been found with a human-like spine, contradicting the long-held assumption that such complex anatomy is exclusive to land-dwelling animals. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of spinal organization in fish species.
Scientists have found a 60-million-year-old giant turtle with a shell measuring 172 centimeters long, making it one of the largest turtles ever discovered. The turtle's massive size allowed it to thrive in its ecosystem, where other giant reptiles like snakes also existed.
Researchers studied a giant pliosaur specimen from the Upper Jurassic and discovered signs of an arthritis-like disease that eroded its left jaw joint. The animal, believed to be an old female, lived with a crooked jaw for many years, still able to hunt despite its condition.
A $373,256 grant will be used to re-curate and modernize the West Virginia Biological Survey Museum, which houses over 21,000 specimens. The project aims to preserve the nation's largest museum collection of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles from West Virginia.
The Map of Life project demonstrates a Web-based endeavor to show the distribution of all living plants and animals on the planet. The database contains hundreds of millions of records on species abundance and distribution, enhancing knowledge of biodiversity.
Scientists develop transforming mechanisms inspired by nature to create camouflage effects in soft, stretchy materials. The technology can be used in smart clothing, scaling up to an adaptable skin that stretches and deforms.
A recent study has identified 24 new species of skinks, a type of lizard, on Caribbean islands. The newly discovered species are threatened with extinction due to the introduction of invasive mongooses that have been responsible for their decline.
A recent study found that mammalian families in North America maintained similar niches throughout the past 56 million years, despite significant climate changes. The research suggests that family diversity played a crucial role in their ability to adapt and maintain larger ranges.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that sexual reproduction allows for the weeding out of damaging DNA elements within a few generations. This leads to healthier individuals flourishing and passing on their DNA, while weaker ones are more likely to die without reproducing.
Spotted hyenas adapt to changing human food sources during the 55-day Abye Tsome (Lent) fast, shifting from scavenging to hunting, with donkey hairs found in their droppings increasing significantly during Lent
Scientists at the University of Leicester discovered a correlation between tooth roughness and diet in animals. Tooth surfaces can reveal what an animal has been eating, providing a reliable method for studying wild diets.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, including its kinematics and potential for stepover structures. Additionally, studies on landslide prediction, gas domes in soft sediments, and regional moisture balance control offer new perspectives on geological phenomena.
A rare fungus has been identified as the cause of mass deaths among eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in southern Illinois and similar cases in the northeast US. The fungus, Chrysosporium, is not normally seen in free-ranging animals but has been linked to disease in captive reptiles.
Four new species of miniaturized lizards have been identified in Madagascar, with some species as small as match heads. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts for microendemic species threatened by deforestation.
Scientists discovered a new link between mutations in an evolved gene module and syndromic autism, specifically Joubert syndrome. The study found that alterations in cellular primary cilia led to malformation or underdevelopment of the cerebellum and brainstem.
Researchers have discovered patterns of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Galapagos reptiles living close to human settlements. Feces collected from these sites harbored resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica bacteria, highlighting the potential exposure of vulnerable species to human pathogens.
Research suggests that Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades can survive in marine and estuarine environments for several months, raising concerns about their potential spread to nearby islands. The study found that hatchling pythons could live up to five months with only salt water to drink.
A study published in Frontiers in Zoology has found a hybrid system in pearl-perch that utilizes characteristics of both slow and fast systems for sound production. This discovery takes researchers closer to understanding the evolution of superfast sonic muscles that drive swimbladder vibration.
A recent study found that a drop in carbon dioxide led to the Antarctic ice sheet's formation, with levels below 600 parts per million triggering cooling and ice sheet initiation. The team pinpointed this threshold in ancient algae samples from deep-sea cores, suggesting carbon dioxide's importance in past and future climate.
The review found consistent patterns of reproductive dysfunction in animals exposed to atrazine, with effects observed in amphibians, fish, reptiles, and mammals. Atrazine has been shown to disrupt hormone function and sexual development, leading to feminization of male gonads in many species.
A team of researchers determined the mass extinction event that wiped out 95% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial life occurred approximately 252.28 million years ago, lasting less than 200,000 years.
Researchers used satellite imagery to assess the conservation status of endangered species in the Comoro archipelago, finding that only 9% of the island area is still covered by natural forest. This approach allows for precise estimation of remaining habitat extent and prioritization of future protected areas.
A newly discovered fossil of a mosasaur, with well-preserved soft tissue, is providing scientists with unique insights into the biology of an extinct marine lizard. The study found that the mosasaur was able to minimize its frictional drag in the water and relied on its tail for propulsion.
Research reveals that West Nile virus transmission is highest in urbanized and agricultural areas, with the American robin playing a key role as a 'super-spreader'. Mosquito species that feed on robins are more important in transmission than other birds.
Research finds West Nile virus transmission is highest in urbanized and agricultural habitats, with robins and specific mosquito species playing a crucial role. The virus has had an impact on human health, particularly due to its ability to target abundant bird species.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that most vertebrates, including humans and fish, share a common electroreceptive system. The researchers found that the sensory organs develop in the same pattern from the same embryonic tissue, confirming their evolutionary heritage.
Researchers have discovered a remarkable fossil site in Nevada where the remains of nine 45-foot-long ichthyosaurs suggest an even larger and more cunning sea monster existed: a Triassic kraken. The evidence implies that this ancient cephalopod was capable of intelligent manipulation of bones and preyed on these massive reptiles.
A species of mosquito capable of transmitting West Nile virus has been found on Galapagos Islands, posing a significant risk to the archipelago's unique wildlife. Strict insect control measures and further research are recommended to prevent the disease from reaching the islands.
A new study led by a University of Florida researcher verifies that the pet trade is the No. 1 cause of invasive amphibian and reptile introductions in Florida. The study documents 137 non-native species, with about 25% traced to one animal importer.
Researchers describe a new 20-foot extinct species found in the same coal mine as Titanoboa, shedding light on the diversity of animals in the oldest known rainforest ecosystem. The discovery reveals that these ancient crocodile relatives competed with giant snakes for food and habitat.
The green anole lizard's genome has been fully sequenced, offering clues about vertebrate evolution and the origins of human genes. The study also provides insights into how lizards adapted to different islands and evolved diverse communities.
Researchers identified three periods of evolutionary innovation in gene regulation that increased in frequency during different periods in vertebrate evolution. These innovations affected genes involved in embryonic development, cell-to-cell communication, and signaling pathways.
The museum's new dinosaur hall features a unique 78-million-year-old fossil that shows evidence of live birth in an adult plesiosaur and its developing embryo, resolving a long-standing mystery in the field. The research establishes that plesiosaurs gave birth to live young, rather than laying eggs on land.
Researchers are studying early reptiles' movement using a fast X-ray video system and comparing it with modern animals. The goal is to create animated studies of the early saurians and gain insights into their movements.
A study by Spanish researchers found that spur-thighed tortoises in Mediterranean environments can withstand fires if they occur every 30 years. However, young tortoises are more susceptible to fire and disappear after each fire due to their limited shell development.
Researchers at Duke University found that tropical anoles can solve novel problems and remember solutions, demonstrating advanced cognitive abilities. The study's results challenge the notion that reptiles have limited cognitive capabilities and highlight the complexity of animal cognition.
A new study by Katy Prentice shows that pterosaurs evolved in a unique way, specializing over 160 million years. The research found that pterosaurs remained conservative for 70 million years before experimenting with new modes of life, adapting to feed on different food sources and becoming larger.
Researchers used a new technique to determine dinosaur body temperatures, finding that sauropod dinosaurs had temperatures similar to those of modern mammals. The study provides insights into dinosaur physiology and suggests alternative explanations for their metabolism and behavior.
Researchers found smaller osmolyte molecules are more effective at protecting protein structures than larger ones, which could lead to better storage techniques for human reproductive tissue used in IVF and other materials.
Researchers from the University of Bonn analyzed fossil teeth from two giant herbivorous dinosaurs, Camarasaurus and Brachiosaurus, using a chemical thermometer to determine their body temperatures. The analysis revealed that both dinosaurs had a body temperature between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.
Researchers from Caltech have developed a new approach to measure dinosaur body temperatures, providing new insights into their physiology. They found that sauropod dinosaurs had body temperatures similar to those of most modern mammals, ranging from 35.7°C to 38.2°C.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
A USGS study found that native bee communities are shaped by local factors, such as soil type, tree density, and fire frequency, rather than the composition of a plant community. Specialist bees tend to live in open areas with native plants, particularly in disturbed habitats like burned areas and residential zones.
A DNA-based test can identify whether a cryptosporidium is of mammalian or snake origin, with prevalence figures revealing widespread infection in popular pets like corn snakes and leopard geckos. Reptile owners must be aware of the risk of cross-species infection and the importance of regular testing to prevent the spread of disease.
A Canadian study found that flexibility in mating rituals is crucial for reproductive success when males outnumber females. Researchers analyzed hundreds of investigations on mating trends across various species, finding significant flexibility in mating behavior and customs.
A volunteer-based survey of diamondback terrapins is being conducted in Virginia to monitor their population and habitat. The study aims to improve conservation efforts for the species, which faces threats from habitat loss, nest predation, and drowning in crab pots.
A 47 million-year-old lizard fossil has provided key findings on the evolutionary relationships between snakes and other reptiles. The study reveals that snakes evolved independently from limbless lizards, rather than sharing a common ancestry with burrowing reptiles.
Researchers investigated snake venom's surface tension and viscosity, discovering that these properties facilitate the venom's entry into wounds. The team found that snakes developed optimal fang groove geometry and a special property of their venom to allow for efficient delivery of deadly poison.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society recommends a disease screening program for farm-raised caiman in Argentina's caiman ranches. The researchers found Salmonella bacteria in 77% of samples, posing health risks to humans and wild animal populations.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
Research published in BioMed Central's EvoDevo journal reveals that sloths and manatees have evolved unusual neck structures without apparent problems. The study suggests that slow lifestyles and low metabolic rates allowed these animals to alter their neck length without side effects, unlike other mammals.
Researchers found that alpine marmots increase n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in their cell membranes before hibernation, preparing for low temperatures. This seasonal change is reversed upon hibernation termination and appears to be controlled by an endogenous clock.
The discovery of Liaoconodon hui, a complete fossil mammal from China, provides clear evidence of the transitional middle ear evolution in mammals. The specimen shows cartilage supporting the detached middle ear bones, shedding light on the evolutionary shift from reptiles to mammals.