Scientists have released new high-quality genome sequences for two critically endangered pangolin species, revealing genetic vulnerabilities and extinction risks. The research provides essential information for rescue operations and focusing on the best ways to conserve these unique animals.
A new study estimates it would cost $15.6 billion per year for 30 years to prevent extinction for 99 of Australia's priority species, due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change. The Australian Government has committed to reversing the decline of 110 priority species, but experts warn that urgent action is needed t...
Botanic gardens have reached peak capacity, hindering efforts to gather plant diversity for study and protection. Despite accelerated rates of extinction risk, institutions struggle to conserve threatened plants within collections globally.
Research found that 14% of Ecuadorian Amazon tree species are critically endangered, while 47% are endangered, primarily due to declines in animal species that disperse their fruits. The study highlights the importance of incorporating ecological traits into extinction risk estimates.
Climate scientists from Utrecht University and the University of Manchester conclude that massive volcanic eruptions had little to no effect on dinosaur mass extinction. The team reconstructed air temperatures for the time period covering both volcanic eruptions and the meteorite impact, showing that temperatures had already stabilized...
A new study estimates that more than 9,000 invertebrates, including pollinators and earthworms, have become extinct in Australia since European arrival. The study suggests that many species remain at high risk of extinction due to habitat loss and climate change.
A new meta-analysis reveals climate change is reshaping ecosystems and biodiversity globally, altering species distributions and interactions. Under current temperatures, 1 in 20 species will be at risk, with extinction risks escalating sharply beyond this, including 14.9% at 4.3°C
Researchers found that birds endemic to islands, lacking flight, and with large bodies and sharply angled wings were more likely to disappear first. The study analyzed 216 bird extinctions since 1500 and identified traits that correlate with extinction timing.
A recent assessment has classified almost 1 in 3 Atlantic reef-building coral species as Critically Endangered due to the combined effects of climate change and other environmental factors. This increased threat level highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.
A recent study highlights that over one-third of Vietnam's 329 mammal species are threatened with extinction, with around 40% lacking ex situ conservation programs. Iconic species like the saola and silver-backed chevrotain are among those at risk.
A new study has revealed that 90 species of plants from the Centinela range were not extinct as previously thought. The researchers found abundant evidence of the flora's presence in remaining forest fragments and discovered over 50 new plant species, including eight newly described species.
A new study reveals the true global impact of human-induced species loss is far greater than previously thought, resulting in a loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history. This extinction crisis has severe consequences on ecosystem function, including reduced pollination, seed dispersal, and disease outbreaks.
Scientists discovered ancient stromatoporoids survived the Late Devonian extinction and continued to thrive as major reef-builders during the Carboniferous Period. The findings shed light on the resilience and adaptability of marine ecosystems.
A new study reveals that palaeolithic hunter-gatherers on Cyprus are responsible for the disappearance of two species of megafauna: dwarf elephants and hippos. The research suggests that these small human populations could have driven both species to extinction due to their hunting practices.
The study sheds new light on the Permian-Triassic extinction, finding that Mega El Niño events drove the extinction, while climate warming and extreme weather events exacerbated its effects. The research highlights the problem of global warming not just being unbearably hot but also a case of conditions swinging wildly over decades.
A fossilized Neanderthal, nicknamed 'Thorin', lived in a small isolated community for over 50,000 years before the species' extinction. The discovery reveals two distinct Neanderthal populations coexisted without exchanging genes, challenging previous assumptions about their population structure.
A new prediction by Nicolas Loiseau and colleagues reveals that 12.7% of marine teleost fish species are at risk of extinction, up from the IUCN's prior estimate of 2.5%. The study analyzed nearly 5,000 species without an IUCN conservation status due to insufficient data.
A recent study published in PNAS found that genome-wide genetic diversity is a strong predictor of extinction risk when demographic factors are considered. The researchers analyzed data from a butterfly metapopulation and found a strong negative relationship between genetic diversity and extinction risk, but this correlation was largel...
Scientists have identified the Chicxulub impactor as a rare carbonaceous asteroid, shedding light on the mass extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago. The findings suggest that the asteroid's unique composition and extraterrestrial origin are consistent with an outer Solar System origin.
Scientists studied multiple fossil specimens of Moschorhinus kitchingi to understand how it evolved its body structure to withstand extreme conditions. The research suggests that its robust skeleton and powerful build gave it an advantage in the late Permian period.
A University of Michigan study identified key changes in bird genomes sparked by the mass extinction event, contributing to the incredible diversity of living birds. The research found shifts in nucleotide composition linked to developmental traits like body size and metabolism.
A new study reveals that brachiopods, despite being represented by few species, were evolving new shell shapes and ecological behaviors after the end-Permian mass extinction. The research found that disparity and diversity are decoupled in brachiopod history, with innovative shell forms not translating to many new species.
Researchers from Aarhus University conclude that human hunting was responsible for the extinction of at least 161 species of large mammals over the past 50,000 years. The analysis of various research fields, including climate history and genetic estimates, suggests that human hunting was widespread and consistent across the world.
Scientists discovered nine new species of fossil grapes in Colombia, Panama, and Peru, spanning from 60 to 19 million years old. The oldest fossils found in the Western Hemisphere support a connection between the grape family's evolutionary journey and the mass extinction event.
A new study using museum collections reveals that ammonites were diverse and thriving across the globe just before their extinction in the Late Cretaceous. The research found that the balance of speciation and extinction rates varied by region, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers found a link between ancient ocean oxygen depletion and the massive extinction of marine species during the Jurassic Period. The study provides insights into how human-made carbon emissions may lead to similar extinctions in the future.
Conservationists and researchers propose preserving just 1.22% of the Earth's surface to protect threatened species from extinction, safeguarding wildlife for future generations. Protecting these sites could cost around $34 billion per year, but represents less than 0.2% of US GDP.
Despite improved molecular methods, trade in endangered sharks and rays has continued to rise, with 83% of detected species considered at risk of extinction. Research reveals that DNA sequencing techniques have become more cost-effective but failed to reduce the extent of species threats.
Researchers used computer modeling and ancient DNA to discover sustained hunting by humans prevented woolly rhinoceros from accessing favorable habitats. The study reveals how climate change and human activities can lead to megafauna extinctions, with lessons for safeguarding Earth's remaining large animals.
A new study found that massive flood basalt volcanism drove mass-extinction and disturbance, while extreme climate change and Hg-pollution continued to stress plants long after volcanic activity had ceased. The results show that ferns were robust enough to continue thriving despite mercury poisoning.
A University of Michigan scientist proposes that chemists and pharmacists be key players in species conservation efforts to combat mass extinction. Modern bioscience has achieved breakthroughs in treating human disease, which can also be applied in the wild to save endangered species.
A new study has analyzed fossil records of marine invertebrates over the past 485 million years, identifying key traits that affect resilience to extinction. The research suggests that species with restricted thermal ranges are at greatest risk, and global biodiversity faces a harrowing future.
A new eight-year study found that about 60 species of deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with an elevated risk of extinction due to overfishing. The analysis highlights the need for regulating international trade in shark liver oil and protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that the end-Triassic extinction had a greater impact on terrestrial ecosystems than marine ecosystems. Terrestrial ecosystems took longer to recover from mass extinction events, with higher extinction severity and fewer groups occupying key ecological roles.
A recent study from Australian National University reveals that many native bird species are facing uncertain futures due to factors like island isolation, adaptability to agricultural areas, and evolutionary uniqueness. The researchers found that slow-breeding species with larger body sizes tend to struggle with environmental changes.
A new study reveals that Singapore has lost 37% of its species over the past two centuries, with larger mammals and forest-dependent birds being particularly at risk. The researchers recommend prioritizing landscape-scale conservation efforts for charismatic species, such as tigers and orangutans, to mitigate extinction rates.
A comprehensive assessment reveals that roughly two-thirds of Atlantic Forest tree species are threatened with extinction, including 82% of endemic species. The study suggests that conservation efforts may need to be revised due to the high extinction risks for tropical forests worldwide.
New evidence reveals that giant ape species 'Gigantopithcus blacki' went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago due to its inability to adapt to changing climates and food preferences. The study used multiple dating techniques and environmental analysis to confirm the extinction timeline.
Researchers have long debated the cause of the Late Devonian mass extinction event, with some attributing it to large-scale volcanic eruptions and others to a mass deoxygenation event caused by land plants. A new study now posits that both factors played a role, highlighting the environmental tipping points the planet faces today.
A team led by USC Dornsife researchers has uncovered stark differences in the impact of a 200-million-year-old mass extinction event on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The study found that land-based ecosystems were hit harder, with nearly 96% of species going extinct, while marine ecosystems showed resilience with only 71% of gener...
Scientists found that oceanic deoxygenation played a significant role in the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction, leading to widespread ecosystem disruption and species extinctions. The global extent of deoxygenation was surprisingly similar to today's levels.
A new analysis of European Red List species reveals that 19% are at risk of extinction, including a large proportion of invertebrates. Agricultural land-use change poses a significant threat to these species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to counter biodiversity loss.
Researchers from Bologna, Siena, and Haifa will investigate Neanderthal extinction in Eastern and Southeastern Europe and Western and Central Asia. The project aims to shed light on the chain of events that led to their disappearance.
A novel approach combines models with MCMC inversion to predict CO2 and SO2 emissions, carbon export productivity, and remineralization changes across the K/Pg boundary. The results show decoupled CO2 and SO2 emissions, evidence for a two-stage drop in carbon export productivity, and no clear signal of a volatile impulse at the boundary.
A new modeling method powered by interconnected processors removed human bias from the debate over dinosaurs' demise. The study suggests that the outpouring of climate-altering gases from the Deccan Traps alone could have been sufficient to trigger global extinction, consistent with volcanic eruptions contributing to the mass extinction.
A new study by uOttawa and Trent University found that the development of Terry Fox Drive in Ottawa has led to a 70% decline in Blanding's turtle populations despite wildlife fencing and new wetlands. The researchers predict that the turtle will reach quasi-extinction threshold within the next few years.
Researchers found that climate-related extinction occurred in just seven years, tripling the average extinction rate over the past 42 years. The study used genomic data from Yarrow's spiny lizards to understand how genetic variation affects adaptation to climate change.
Research revealed that both brachiopods and bivalves shared similar trends in diversification dynamics during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. The study found that bivalves eventually prevailed due to better adaptation to high ocean temperatures, while brachiopods retreated to deeper waters.
A new study found that flowering plants suffered some species loss but became the dominant type of plant after the mass extinction event. They adapted through various seed-dispersal and pollination mechanisms, genomic duplication, and innovative photosynthesis methods.
A new study identifies over 800 bivalve species that humans harvest and find to be more resilient to extinction due to their adaptability in various climates. The researchers highlight the need for sustainable management to preserve these populations, but also warn of potential risks if human demand exceeds their capacity.
A University of Bristol-led study warns that Kordofan giraffes may go extinct within 15 years if poaching continues in Cameroon's Bénoué National Park. Researchers found that the removal of one male and one female giraffe per year would result in an average time to extinction of just 15.3 years.
Research suggests that slow population declines may go undetected, leading to underestimation of species risk. The study also indicates that these early declines can precipitate exponential increases in extinction rates in declining or fragmented ecosystems.
The Xerces Blue butterfly's genome shows signs of population decline and inbreeding, revealing its extinction story. The research could help detect vulnerable insect species and pave the way for de-extinction using genetic engineering techniques.
A new study reveals humans' ancestors co-existed with dinosaurs for a brief period before the K-Pg mass extinction. The research used fossil data to estimate placental mammal evolution and diversification rates after the asteroid impact.
A new fossil discovery shows that a tiger-sized, saber-toothed creature called Inostrancevia migrated 7,000 miles to occupy a vacant ecosystem before going extinct. The arrival of this top predator indicates its vulnerability and serves as an analogue for modern apex predators facing extinction due to human activities.
A plant ecologist proposes a multi-faceted approach to preventing all future land plant extinctions. Training more plant experts and creating an online 'metaherbarium' with digitized records of species are key components, alongside building microreserves and increasing funding.
Researchers found that psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. The study's results improve our understanding of the restorative effects of psilocybin on the brain and may lead to alternative treatments for PTSD.
A new study reveals that analyzing DNA can help predict which animals are most at risk of extinction. By examining the genomes of 240 mammal species, scientists found that those with smaller historical populations carry higher burdens of damaging mutations and are more likely to face extinction.
The study analyzed fossils of brachiopods and found that some species survived the mass extinction event with conserved niches, while others went extinct. The results suggest a complex interplay between environmental changes and organism responses.
A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.