A study by April Cascasan and Thomas Marler reveals that cycad biologists have limited access to crucial information due to inadequate keyword use in historical publications. The authors suggest incorporating keywords like 'cycad' into article titles or index lists to improve discoverability.
The oldest zoological journal in Africa, African Invertebrates, has moved to Pensoft's ARPHA publishing platform for fast-track professional publication services and semantically enriched content. This move aims to ensure the journal's future relevance and growth through cutting-edge publishing tools and workflows.
A collaborative study will synthesize scattered information about butterflies, placing it in an evolutionary context to study broad-scale patterns of ecology and evolution. The project aims to assemble a database of biological information about each species, making it available to the public via a website.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the Cape Parrot should be classified as a distinct species due to its genetically distinct markers. The research analyzed DNA samples from five Poicephalus species and found that the Cape Parrot shares common ancestry with other subspecies only at around 2 million years ago.
A new workshop report from the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) identifies key barriers to complex data integration and offers recommendations for the research community. The report highlights impediments, technical problems, and crosscutting issues related to integrating data.
The New Guinea flatworm has been found in Florida, marking a significant threat to the US mainland's ecosystem. The invasive species can spread through human agency and infested plants, posing a risk to native snails and other terrestrial molluscs.
Ten new subsocial cobweb spider species were found in Madagascan colonies, with most belonging to genus Anelosimus. The discovery highlights the vast unexplored biodiversity of Madagascar's arthropod groups.
Researchers in Georgia have discovered a new tick species, Dermacentor limbooliati, found in Malaysia and Vietnam. The species can be distinguished from similar ones by several characteristics.
A study of rock sponges found that morphology-based taxonomies do not accurately reflect their genealogical relationships. Molecular genetic investigation combined with fossil analysis reveals that traditional classifications are often incorrect.
This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences presents new research on the systematics, biogeography, and palaeoecology of the Danek Bonebed, a rich source of Edmontosaurus specimens. The bonebed has produced over 800 catalogued specimens, contributing to our understanding of Late Cretaceous dinosaur communities.
A new study using DNA barcoding confirms that most Ginkgo biloba supplements contain the expected species, while others may be adulterated or contain incorrect materials. The research provides a validated method for supplement manufacturers to ensure quality control and may help consumers avoid toxic or ineffective products.
A four-year project studied the genome sequence of 48 bird species, shedding light on how they evolved and adapted. The research revealed new candidate gene associations with vocal learning, skeletal development, and plumage for mating display.
Researchers uncovered a third unknown species of freshwater shrimp, similar to Palaemon ivonicus, with genetic data revealing divergent lineages about 10 million years ago. This study highlights the importance of molecular tools for discovering new species in complex environments like Amazonia.
SRAP markers exhibit high variability and are less technically demanding than traditional methods, making them suitable for various research fields including plant systematics, biogeography, conservation, and ecology. The new study suggests that these markers will be useful when paired with next-generation sequencing technologies.
A 107-year-old beetle specimen was rediscovered and described as a new genus and species. The beetle, Rhipidocyrtus muiri, was collected in Borneo in 1907 and had been separated from its body for over a century.
The journal, one of the world's oldest entomology journals, adopts a new open access format to increase visibility and dissemination of research papers. This innovation allows authors to freely share their work, promoting increased citation rates and collaboration opportunities.
The Apodanthaceae family comprises 10 species of endo-parasitic plants, specialized to parasitize legumes or willow family species. The study provides a key, distribution map, and color photos of most species, shedding light on their ecology and evolution.
The New Guinea flatworm, considered one of the 100 worst invasive alien species, has been found in France for the first time. The flatworm was identified by molecular analysis and is capable of consuming European snails and other soil-dwelling species.
A new study suggests that many flowering plants, including crops, may not have the necessary traits to rapidly respond to human-induced climate change. Researchers used a large dated evolutionary tree of flowering plants to identify three repeated evolutionary shifts that allowed them to tolerate cold temperatures.
Female lemon sharks born in Bimini returned to give birth on the same island 15 years later, confirming natal philopatry. Local and international conservation efforts can make a significant impact in recovering coastal shark populations.
The new journal will cover a range of topics in ecology and evolution, including agroecology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics. It will be an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to share their findings, with open access publishing and fast publication.
Researchers have discovered a link between grass species from Africa and America through DNA analysis, revealing unique traits such as 'clavicorniculate' hairs. The four species are now classified in the same genus, Disakisperma, shedding new light on plant taxonomy.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich have successfully created 2D patterns using molecules, which could lead to novel physics and chemistry. The patterns, known as snub square tilings, were produced through self-assembly protocols and feature five-vertex connecting elements less than one nanometer across.
Research in Navarre's beech groves reveals traditional forestry management reduces fungal diversity, with some species disappearing and families affected. The study highlights the importance of decomposing dead wood for fungal populations, contradicting current forest management practices.
A recent study published in ZooKeys reveals 32 new parasitoid wasp species from the genera Odontacolus and Cyphacolus, characterized by their unique horn-like structure. These tiny wasps are known to be vicious parasitoids, injecting eggs into spider eggs to ensure the development of their offspring.
Scientists have discovered a new species of burying beetle, Nicrophorus efferens, in the Solomon Islands Archipelago. The species was found after six specimens were identified as possibly new by PhD student Tonya Mousseau during a visit to the Bishop Museum.
A new study reveals two beautiful and colourful species of soft corals alongside a new genus of octocorals in the North Eastern Pacific Ocean. The discovery highlights the remarkable diversity of octocorals, with around 3400 species described worldwide.
Researchers analyze over 1,000 genes from 23 yeast species to identify reasons for conflicting phylogenetic trees and propose new methods to improve accuracy. They find that genetic data is less reliable during periods of rapid radiation and that the value of DNA data may have a similar limit.
A new 'tree of life' for fishes has been recharted with the help of genetic and physical information, revealing significant changes to existing ideas on fish relationships. The research improves scientists' ability to predict how closely related species might react to environmental factors like climate change.
A recent issue of ZooKeys published 27 new moth species from North and South America, including the Neotropical tigermoth family. These discoveries expand the geographic reach of moth diversity in the region.
The California Academy of Sciences has described 137 new species across four continents and two oceans, adding to the complex web of life on Earth. These discoveries strengthen conservation efforts by providing a deeper understanding of evolution and the persistence of life.
Researchers have found coral 'hotspots' in deepwater canyons off the northeastern US coast, with a new model helping predict their locations. The discovery is expected to aid fishery management and increase knowledge about deep-sea life in the region.
A botany student has confirmed the existence of a new species, New England Banksia, previously classified as a variety of the Hairpin Banksia. The study, published in PhytoKeys, used molecular evidence to support the distinct species status of New England Banksia.
Researchers studying live oaks in eastern North America aim to understand how trees adapted to climate change during glacial periods. They believe that genetic changes, rather than extensive morphological alterations, allowed oaks to migrate and thrive in colder climates.
AIBS awarded Dr. Barbara Schaal for pioneering plant molecular systematics and conservation biology research. Dr. Thomas Lovejoy received the Outstanding Service Award for his biodiversity conservation work. Dr. Diane Ebert-May was honored for her innovative teaching approaches and science education research.
An international group of scientists proposes a plan to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years, leveraging worldwide collections and technological advances. This mission aims to chart the biosphere and understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity.
A University of Florida study suggests that genome evolution in hybrid plants may follow predictable patterns, known as 'rules', which determine gene loss. This could lead to the creation of higher and more stable yields in crops like wheat, corn, and apples.
Researchers have found that newly formed plant species exhibit highly unstable genomes, which may lead to improved fertility and yields in crops such as wheat, corn, and broccoli. The study's findings could inform the development of polyploid crops with higher fertility and performance.
Researchers have discovered the fossil of a newborn nodosaur, the youngest known species, in Maryland. The discovery sheds light on the development of limbs and skulls early in a dinosaur's life, as well as dinosaur parenting and reproductive biology.
Bumble bees, like honey bees, are important pollinators of native plants. Entomologist James Strange is studying a generalist named Bombus huntii that could be used in greenhouses in the western United States as a replacement for declining B. occidentalis populations.
Scientists uncover ancient fossils of Coxoplectoptera, an insect order that defies classification, offering clues to the evolution of wings and lifestyle. The discovery presents a new hypothesis on the development of insect wings, suggesting they originated from thoracic backplates.
Researchers found that radiation exposure led to population declines in birds with orangish plumage, as the pigment pheomelanin consumes antioxidants and diminishes their ability to combat oxidative stress. In contrast, some species with different melanin-based coloration showed positive effects from radiation.
A new evolutionary history of primates reveals complex patterns of species divergence and gene sequence evolution. The analysis provides a validated framework for understanding human adaptation and disease, and sheds light on zoonoses and primate conservation.
A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
The discovery of Mentocrex beankaensis, a new rail species in western Madagascar's dry forests, emphasizes the critical need for conservation. The Beanka Forest, a largely intact area, has been the site of numerous discoveries of plant and animal species, with 97% of its original forest cover having disappeared since human arrival.
Researchers at UF are part of a nationwide team sequencing the Amborella trichopoda genome, a large shrub found only on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia. The information will help researchers determine whether specific genes or processes are unique to particular plants or date back to the beginnings of angiosperm evolution.
Researchers found hundreds of rhododendron species could be derived from hybrids, explaining rich biodiversity and ancient cross-breeding. Ancient pairings of wild plants led to development of new species over millions of years.
The USDA research found that bee pastures can support the growth of healthy young bees by up to fivefold a year. The pastures feature native California plants such as Chinese houses and lacy phacelia, providing a practical and environmentally friendly way to promote pollinator populations.
A new study published in the Journal of Heredity confirms that shark pups born to virgin mothers can survive for over five years. Genetic analysis by researchers at Stony Brook University and Queen's University found that some female sharks can produce viable offspring without male sperm, a phenomenon known as parthenogenesis.
Researchers have unraveled the evolutionary relationships among various species of box jellyfish, providing insight into their toxicity. The study could help develop antivenoms and treatments for deadly stings.
A 16-nation research project is surveying the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for biodiversity, discovering potential new species and shedding light on deep-sea communities. The NOAA-led expedition aims to understand the ecosystem's structure and how it interacts with human activities.
A new computing method called SATé can determine the relatedness of living things much faster and accurately analyze DNA sequences that are rapidly evolving. It creates detailed, accurate evolutionary trees that reveal the relationships among plants, animals, and other organisms.
Joseph Felsenstein and Louis J. Gross, both Central High graduates, received the 2009 and 2006 AIBS Distinguished Scientist Awards for their significant scientific contributions to integrative and organismal biology.
The study compares genetic structures of Arabidopsis thaliana and Persea americana to understand how the first flowering plants evolved from non-flowering plants. Researchers found significant overlap among organ types, suggesting a genetic 'fossil' that allowed for flower transformation.
A new University of Florida study analyzing DNA from living flowering plants shows that the ancestors of modern trees diversified rapidly 90 million years ago. This event led to the formation of forests that supported similar evolutionary bursts in animals and other plants.
Researchers develop integrative models for movement of diverse organisms, integrating when, where, how, and why they move. These models accurately predict real events, such as tree seed dispersal by wind under various conditions.
Researchers at the University of Bonn discover brown dwarfs must be treated as a separate class due to their unique mass distribution and 'mating behaviour'. This reclassification challenges current understanding of stellar formation and population dynamics.
A new study reports finding persistent organic pollutants in deep-sea cephalopods, including octopods and squids. The presence of these chemicals suggests contamination of the deep-ocean food web is occurring, with significant implications for marine life.
Researchers discovered extensive deep-sea coral habitats off the coast of North Carolina, containing commercially valuable fish populations and many newly discovered species. The reefs are important habitats for several species and contain historical data about changing ocean climate and productivity.
NOAA researchers are part of the FISH-BOL initiative, a global effort to barcode marine and freshwater species. This allows for fast and accurate identification of species, including larval fish and fishery products.