Scientists have discovered algae living inside the cells of developing spotted salamanders, marking the first known example of a eukaryotic algae endosymbiont in vertebrates. This finding highlights the complexity of animal-algae interactions and raises questions about the evolutionary origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts.
A new study has provided insight into the evolutionary scenario guiding sensory information projections in different species. Researchers discovered that subtle changes in the migration of 'guidepost' neurons underlie major differences in brain connectivity between mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates.
A unique 89-million-year-old pterosaur fossil found in Texas may be the earliest known Pteranodon. The specimen, discovered by an amateur fossil hunter north of Dallas, has a wing span between 12 and 13 feet and belongs to the toothless variety of pterosaurs.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals a strong correlation between habitat change and significant adjustments in body size among turtles and tortoises. The research shows that chelonians living in marine or island habitats have an optimal body size several times larger than their cousins on the mainland.
Researchers from UC Davis and UC Berkeley have discovered a new dinosaur, Eodramaeus, that lived 230 million years ago in South America. The carefully dated fossils suggest dinosaurs existed alongside other animals during the same periods of extinction, challenging the prevailing hypothesis about their origin.
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.
Scientists have solved the long-standing problem of pterosaur head crests by discovering a female fossil with an egg, showing females were crestless and males used crests to intimidate rivals. The discovery uses hip size and crest development to sex pterosaurs.
Researchers found that 31 non-native freshwater species have established themselves in Galicia, including fish, amphibians, and plants. The study highlights the growing threat of invasive species to biodiversity in the region.
A new study will examine the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the tropical Andes, focusing on four countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The research aims to provide a standard methodology for estimating local climate change risks and inform decision-making, adaptation measures, and conservation planning.
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.
Scientists discovered that rainforest collapse triggered an evolutionary burst among reptiles, leading to increased diversity and adaptation. The event, which occurred 300 million years ago, isolated populations of reptiles and allowed them to evolve in separate directions.
Recent studies shed light on ancient C4 plants, submarine channels with helical flow reversal, and the genesis of granite. Researchers have also discovered mysterious rock layers containing petrified remains, cohabiting bacteria in ancient environments, and deep-cave stromatolites.
Researchers studied Chrysopelea paradisi snakes as they glided from a branch to the ground. The analysis revealed that the snakes never achieved equilibrium gliding state, but were instead pushed upward due to aerodynamic forces. This temporary effect would eventually cause the snake to hit the ground.
A species-rescue program for Haiti's threatened frogs and other species is being established, with captive-breeding and gene-preservation efforts. The goal is to preserve species in case they become extinct due to habitat loss, with a focus on releasing offspring in Haiti when the forest habitat improves.
Research by University of Alberta graduate student Scott Persons reveals T.rex's long tail was a key factor in its exceptional speed. The dinosaur's caudofemoralis muscles, attached to upper leg bones, provided the power stroke for fast forward movement.
Researchers deployed data loggers on leatherback females to study their diving patterns. The team found that the turtles dive at an average angle of 41deg and swim less hard as they descend. By varying the amount of air they inhale, leatherbacks regulate their buoyancy before diving.
Clement Loo, a University of Cincinnati doctoral student, presented his research on invasive species and the Shifting Balance Theory at an international conference. His paper argues that this theory is more nuanced than traditional Fisherian gradual mass selection in understanding the evolution of invasiveness.
Researchers found that plugged females mated just as often and were more attractive than unplugged ones. Plugging improved female fitness by increasing egg production, suggesting a male's act may be beneficial to its partner. The study reveals new insights into the reproductive behavior of nematode worms.
Researchers have identified a new agouti family gene that regulates pigmentation and body weight in fish. The protein enables fish to dramatically change color to match their environment, a phenomenon also observed in mammals such as the arctic hare.
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 found that humidity helps geckos grip tighter by softening the surface of their feet, not through microscopic water bridges. The setae's increased softness strengthens contact with surfaces and makes it easier for geckos to peel their feet off.
Research reveals vultures use face flushing technique for displays of dominance and interaction with peers, where rapidly changing skin color provides up-to-date information on status.
The discovery of ancient dinosaur footprints in Poland pushes the timeline for the emergence of dinosaurs by 5-9 million years. The oldest evidence, Sphingopus footprints, dates back to 246 million years ago and provides insight into the evolution of bipedal dinosaurs.
Researchers have discovered that dinosaurs had thick layers of cartilage in their joints, which may have made them considerably taller than originally estimated. This study has implications for understanding dinosaur posture and speed.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast found that Northern Ireland's lizard population is under threat from agricultural intensification, which may lead to their disappearance from the landscape. The researchers highlight the need for a new ecological network to preserve heath and boglands, essential habitats for the species.
A new study re-examines the mosasaur fossil, considered the world's finest, revealing that these marine reptiles were better swimmers than previously thought. The team demonstrates that advanced shark-like swimming began in mosasaurs millions of years earlier than previously believed.
The discovery of three new Philippine monitor lizard species and a new subspecies sheds light on the immense biodiversity of these giant reptiles in the region. The study highlights the importance of museum collections and the need for continued research to recognize and name all species, emphasizing the global taxonomy crisis.
A new genus and species of flying reptile, Aetodactylus halli, has been discovered in Texas, providing insights into the diversity of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. The specimen is estimated to be around 3 meters long and had a unique jaw structure with 54 teeth sockets, differing from other ornithocheirid species.
A newly discovered species of monitor lizard, Varanus obor, has been found in the Moluccan islands of east Indonesia. The Torch monitor, as it is known, can grow up to four feet in length and thrives on a diet of small animals and carrion.
A team of scientists, including IUCN and Conservation International experts, proposes expanding the IUCN Red List to include up to 160,000 species, enabling a better understanding of extinction rates and environmental health. The estimated cost is $60 million, with current efforts costing around $4 million per year.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that the limbic striatum, an evolutionarily old part of the brain, is involved in implicit learning of motor sequences. This discovery sheds light on fundamental learning systems shared with primitive vertebrates and has implications for developing treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.
The IUCN has reclassified beluga sturgeon as 'critically endangered', with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science applauding the move. This classification underscores the need for swift, international protection to help conserve this species from extinction.
A panel of international experts confirms that an asteroid collision caused the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction, which killed off the dinosaurs and over half of Earth's species. The Chicxulub asteroid impact triggered a global winter, causing widespread destruction and paving the way for mammals to dominate the planet.
The discovery of Asilisaurus kongwe, a dinosaur-like animal, pushes back the age of known dinosaurs by 10 million years. Fossil evidence suggests that silesaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs, may have diverged from common ancestors by 240 million years ago.
Researchers mapped chicken retinas, discovering a complex pattern of color receptors that maximizes their ability to see colors. This superior vision may help birds find mates and feed on colorful fruit, and could lead to insights into treating human genetic disorders.
A new scientific paper provides strong evidence that humans caused the extinction of Australia's megafauna, rather than climate change. Direct dating methods show that humans and megafauna co-existed for a short time, supporting the argument that hunting led to their demise.
New evidence suggests that post-depositional 'burn-down' events in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation caused loss of organic matter, resulting in alternating patterns between organic-rich and -poor sediments. This supports the 'burn-down' theory over the long-held hypothesis of elevated planktonic productivity.
Researchers found that air flows in one direction through alligators' lungs, a trait shared with birds. This unidirectional airflow may have helped archosaurs dominate Earth after the Permian-Triassic extinction, which wiped out 70% of land life.
New fossil footprints in Poland push back the origin of tetrapods by 18 million years, forcing a reassessment of their evolution. The discovery suggests that early tetrapods inhabited the marine intertidal zone during the early Middle Devonian period and may have first left water to feed on stranded marine life.
Researchers found that lizards change their diet from ants to other prey when threatened by predators, as they move less and catch less mobile prey. The species' diet data showed a significant reduction in seed consumption and an increase in diverse food sources.
Researchers in Spain found that artificial refuges significantly improved reptile populations and diversity in Doñana National Park. The study suggests that landscape rehabilitation programs should prioritize the availability of refuges for wildlife.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the DNA of approximately one species per genus of living mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This will help reconstruct the genetic changes that gave rise to diverse life forms on Earth, with potential benefits for human and animal health, as well as conservation efforts.
A ten-year study found that up to 70% of female alligators remained loyal to their mates, a similarity with bird mating habits. This discovery sheds light on the ancestral mating systems of birds and dinosaurs.
Genetic sex determination allowed ancient marine reptiles to thrive in open oceans with live birth, freeing them from land-based nesting. This adaptation led to extreme physical changes and diversification of species.
Researchers found geckos' severed tails exhibit complex movement patterns to distract predators, potentially leading to new insights into spinal injury recovery. The study's findings suggest central pattern generators can function without a brain or nervous system.
Researchers have published genetic sequences, known as 'DNA barcodes,' to identify species of origin from leather products and meat in international trade. The study, led by the American Museum of Natural History, identifies 25 commonly traded mammals and reptiles, including duikers, Nile crocodiles, and alligators.
Female reptiles lay eggs in communal nests, defying their solitary nature. The behavior is common among 255 lizard species and many snake and alligator species, with potential advantages including reduced nesting costs.
Gladstone scientists have found the first genetic link between reptile and human heart evolution, linking protein Tbx5 to the development of four-chambered hearts in turtles and humans. The study sheds light on the evolution of warm-bloodedness and provides insights into congenital heart disease.
Tropical lizards detect effects of global warming in climate change research, highlighting threat to species and ecosystems, and human health. The loss of predators due to global warming disrupts natural biodiversity, leading to irreversible long-term consequences.
Researchers in China have discovered a new protein-based neurotoxin, anntoxin, found in the skin of the Chinese tree frog. This finding sheds light on the evolution of amphibians and poison, revealing a unique toxin that differs from other vertebrate animals.
A decade of research in the Eastern Himalayas has uncovered over 350 new species, including a prehistoric 100-million-year-old gecko and the world's smallest deer. Climate change threatens this biological treasure trove, putting cultural and biological diversity at risk.
The study found that invasive yellowjacket wasps kill or scavenge prey from 14 different taxonomic orders, including reptiles and birds, by analyzing DNA from food bits returned to nests. Nearby populations of caterpillars and spiders rebounded after nest removals.
Researchers discovered that neon blue-tailed tree lizards can glide through the air with ease, thanks to their lightweight bodies. The team found that the lizard's low weight allowed it to generate lift and stay airborne for longer periods, similar to gliding geckos.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has successfully reintroduced critically endangered Chinese alligators into the wild, with the population now multiplying on their own. The reintroduction effort, which started in 1999, included captive-bred animals from North American zoos and partner agencies in China.
Over 40% of mangrove-restricted vertebrates are globally threatened, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. The study urges research on predicting the impact of mangrove forest changes on these species.
A new species of parrot-beaked dinosaur, Psittacosaurus gobiensis, has been discovered in the Gobi Desert with characteristic skull traits and associated gizzard stones suggesting a diet rich in nuts and seeds. The unique chewing style of the dinosaur provides insight into its feeding habits.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bird physiology, finding that birds' lung structure and musculature are critical to their flight capacity. This study suggests that birds did not descend from theropod dinosaurs but instead evolved on a parallel path.
Research shows that in one lizard species, bigger eggs tend to produce females and smaller eggs tend to produce males. This discovery contradicts the long-held assumption that genetic factors control sex determination in reptiles.
Researchers discovered that the Galapagos giant tortoise and marine iguana are targeted by mosquitoes feeding on reptile blood, raising fears of devastating native wildlife diseases. The mosquito's adaptation to life in Galapagos could enable rapid spread of new diseases due to the islands' lack of immunity.