A new study compares the proteomes of skin cells from 11 mammals, revealing protein variation that drives biological diversity and may explain cancer resistance. The researchers found that some proteins are more variable between species than within, suggesting they play key roles in mammalian evolution.
Researchers have identified eight new species of tiny brown geckos in Madagascar's rainforests, expanding our understanding of their distribution and evolution. The discovery highlights the importance of continued sampling across the region to uncover new species.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
A new standardized framework allows conservationists to evaluate positive impacts of non-native species on native biodiversity. EICAT+ provides a comprehensive understanding of non-native species' effects on native ecosystems, enabling informed conservation decisions.
The study found that island size and location have a significant impact on seasonal bird species richness. Islands in the Northern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes during migration periods host the highest number of species, while tropical islands peak with species numbers during the non-breeding season.
A new study predicts that climate change will drastically alter bird communities globally, affecting both numbers and types of species. Phylogenetic diversity, a measure of species relationships, is also expected to decline in tropical regions.
A new study by the University of Barcelona highlights the negative effects of translocated native species on native fish, finding that habitat quality is essential for conservation. The study suggests that these species can have similar impacts to exotic invasive species.
A new study of 31 mountain regions across the globe found that species interactions, not climate, limit bird species' ranges in tropical mountains. The study used 4.4 million fine-scale locality records from eBird and suggests that physiological adaptations to climatic niches result in high numbers of species in tropical mountains.
Researchers from the University of Turku have described seven new species of tropical ferns, including six from the genus Danaea and one from Dennstaedtia. The newly discovered species range from 20cm to 2m tall and offer insights into the biodiversity of Amazonian rainforests.
A conceptual species 'stock market' aims to assign economic value to species and ecosystems, promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation. The SSM would enable the valuation of ecosystem services and actions that harm or benefit biodiversity, fostering a unified approach to environmental decision-making.
A study by TUM researchers found that warmth-loving insect species increased in population trends, while cold-adapted species declined. This is partly due to improvements in water quality benefiting dragonflies, which depend on aquatic habitats.
A study analyzing long-term monitoring data for 1,478 species in Finland reveals that climate change has led to shifting between 'good', 'ideal', and 'worse' parts of their climatic niches. This impacts biodiversity, with some species benefiting from warmer temperatures while others decline as conditions become too warm.
The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.
A new machine learning tool assesses extinction risk for reptiles with limited data, revealing a higher number of threatened species than previously estimated. The study highlights the need for increased conservation efforts in regions such as Australia, Madagascar, and the Amazon basin.
Researchers at HKU's Conservation Forensics Lab have developed a powerful new tool for monitoring the trade of rare and endangered fish species in Hong Kong wet markets. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, they were able to identify over 100 species of fish that had passed through the market.
An international study identified 562 terrestrial vertebrate species as 'lost', meaning they haven't been seen in over 50 years. The majority of these lost species are found in megadiverse tropical countries and are considered potentially extinct.
Two new species of Amazonian fish have been discovered and described by Smithsonian researcher Murilo Pastana, one with vibrant red-orange fins and another that is technically a miniature fish. The species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation in the region where they inhabit.
Researchers have discovered a hidden species of coral in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, which was previously misclassified as a single species. The study provides crucial insights into coral ecology and conservation, highlighting the importance of taxonomy projects in protecting endangered species.
A Rutgers study found that climate change will alter predator-prey interactions, preventing species from adapting to changing conditions. This will lead to a decline in commercially important fisheries and a shift in the abundance of species in their new geographic ranges.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that mammals with larger brains than similar-sized species were more likely to have survived extinction. The researchers investigated brain sizes of 291 living mammal species and 50 extinct species, discovering a significant correlation between brain size and survival.
A new rice rat species, possibly arboreal, was discovered in Ecuador through detailed skull analysis. The species, Mindomys kutuku, has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from its sister species.
Researchers found a new form of ant society that emerged in one species and then spread to other species through hybridization. This allowed the ants to outcompete single-queen colonies and become more successful.
A new study predicts that six tropical fish species in Japan will expand northward due to rising sea temperatures. The model found that minimum sea surface temperature is the most important factor affecting distribution patterns for all species, with potential habitat range changes minimised by stringent mitigation measures.
A new study identifies at least 16 distinct wasp species previously grouped as one, Ormyrus labotus, which lays eggs in over 65 insect species. The discovery highlights the importance of seeking out hidden diversity and underscores the need for precise identification to understand ecosystem health.
Researchers have described two new species of hammerhead flatworms, Humbertium covidum and Diversibipalium mayottensis, found in France, Italy, and Mayotte. The species are small, iridescent, and potentially invasive, posing a threat to soil biodiversity.
A new study estimates that there are approximately 73,274 tree species on Earth, with 9,186 still to be discovered. This represents a 14% increase from previous estimates of 60,000 and 64,000 species. The majority of these undiscovered species are found in South America, highlighting the importance of forest conservation efforts.
A new study involving over 100 scientists estimates that there are approximately 73,274 tree species on Earth, including about 9,200 yet to be discovered. This represents a 14% increase from the current number of known tree species.
A new species of angel shark, Squatina mapama, has been identified in the Central American Caribbean, shedding light on the region's biodiversity. Genetic analyses reveal distinct characteristics from other related species, emphasizing the importance of forensic science in understanding cryptic species within the genus.
Researchers found dominant species in coastal sediments are copiotrophs with high growth rates, while those in ocean water are oligotrophs with low growth rates. The 'Hunger Games' hypothesis explains how nutrient supply influences microbial interactions and community structure.
New research reveals that invasive species can arrive in Antarctic waters from almost anywhere across the globe via biofouling on ships' hulls. Fishing, tourism, research, and supply ships expose Antarctica to non-native species threatening its pristine environment.
A new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Enterococcus innesii, has been discovered by researchers at the John Innes Centre. The strain is resistant to vancomycin and may cause hospital-acquired infections.
A new study reveals that widely distributed plant species are outcompeting rarer species for resources in European habitats. This shift is driven by increased nutrient levels in soils due to human activity, leading to competitive exclusion of smaller-ranged specialist species.
A new species of opossum, Marmosa adleri, was discovered in a tropical forest in Panama and named after UW Oshkosh biologist Greg Adler. The novel species has distinctive characteristics, including a very long tail, and is considered one of the smallest measured of its subgenus.
Researchers used clam fossils to create a comprehensive evolutionary tree over hundreds of millions of years, revealing that a basic assumption can significantly distort the picture of which species are destroyed during mass extinctions. The study found that assuming lineages always split into two new species can push the origins of ne...
A new study found that human-caused bird extinctions lead to the loss of ecological roles, including pollination and seed dispersal. Introduced alien species do not fill these gaps, highlighting the disproportionate impact of human actions on biodiversity.
Recent study reveals that non-indigenous tropical species are occupying 'empty niches' in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, altering ecosystem functioning. The findings suggest that these species are successful invaders due to their distinct biological traits, rather than direct competition with native species.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals that increasing coral richness improves coral growth and survivorship. By 'outplanting' diverse coral species, researchers found a potential solution to restore climate-damaged reefs and support fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.
Three new species of freshwater goby fish have been identified in Japan and the Philippines, with distinct color patterns indicating separate lineages. The researchers believe that different color patterns play a crucial role in maintaining these separate lineages during courtship and mate selection.
A new fly species, Scenopinus jerei, has been officially described from Finland, belonging to the primitive and species-poor family of window flies. The species is found in boreal forest habitats and is widespread but rare in Finland, with its larvae preying on other insects.
A mathematical model developed at Linköping University predicts that many species in polar regions will become extinct due to global warming, with ecosystems already showing signs of strain. The model simulates the impact of climate change on species interactions and diversity, highlighting the importance of considering ecological proc...
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million field observations and 73,000 museum records to find a strong correlation between species abundance in nature and their presence in museum collections. This method enables scientists to study species decline and estimate past abundances, providing insights into conservation efforts.
The loss of threatened vertebrates may lead to varying consequences across different regions, with some losing up to 30% functional diversity. Unique species traits can make their loss more impactful, necessitating tailored conservation strategies for each biome.
In Ecuador's northwestern Andes, researchers from WSL and Aves y Conservation identified three new endemic orchid species, including Lepanthes microprosartima and Lepanthes caranqui. These rare species are threatened by habitat destruction and human activities, prompting conservation efforts to protect them.
A study at the University of São Paulo found that bird species interacting with more plant species have higher evolutionary stability. This is because they occupy central positions in seed dispersal networks, leading to longer lifespans and increased species accumulation.
A recent study published by Swansea University found that venomous fish and insects diversified faster than their non-venomous counterparts. This is attributed to the use of venom as a means of repelling predators or catching prey, leading to increased opportunities for species to exploit their environment.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that both multicellularity and sexual reproduction helped explain the rapid proliferation of animal, plant, and fungal species. The study suggests that multicellularity is actually more important than sexual production in driving diversity.
Researchers have identified five new plant species in Bolivia's Bolivian Andes, expanding the genus Jacquemontia. The study highlights the importance of classifying and conserving these species, which are highly vulnerable to threats like invasive species and habitat destruction.
A new species of alpine moth has been discovered in the Alps, with its discovery resolving a 180-year-old mystery. The moth, named Dichrorampha velata, was found to be different from a previously known species and had to be described as new to science.
The scientific community may never settle on a 'total number' of vertebrate species due to unforeseen discoveries and changes in research methods. The tempo of taxonomy can help estimate biodiversity, but estimating the total species richness will remain elusive.
Researchers developed a new strategy to characterize polymeric transition metal species in acidic solutions, using ESI-TOF-MS. This method visualized transformation evolutions of vanadium, chromium, tungsten, and molybdenum species, guiding reaction conditions for high-purity metal separation.
A newly detected alien aphid, Aphis lugentis, poses a significant threat to Kangaroo Island's threatened plant species, including the scented groundsel. The discovery highlights concerns over invasive species' spread across Australia, with potential economic losses estimated at A$13.6 billion.
A nationwide analysis of dragonflies and damselflies in Germany between 1980 and 2016 found both losses and gains, with cold-adapted species declining due to habitat loss and degradation. Meanwhile, warm-adapted species increased, likely due to climate change.
A new nematode species, Cryptaphelenchus abietis, has been discovered inside bark beetles emerging from a dead log in Nagano, Japan. The species is cultivable and may become a useful model for studying the physiological and ecological evolution of nematodes.
A new study from the University of Utah reveals that more bird species in the Philippines may be endangered than previously thought, including those yet to be discovered. The research identifies key traits that make certain species more at risk of extinction, such as narrow elevation ranges and dependence on forests.
A new study found that birds across the continental US tend to avoid backyard feeders in louder areas, while even more species stay away when both light and noise pollution are present. Common bird species such as American goldfinches and cedar waxwings avoid areas with excessive noise.
Researchers create synthetic fly species with a genetic barrier to limit gene drive spread, offering a safe and reversible method of controlling populations. The technology has potential applications in disease elimination, crop protection, and pest management.
A new study suggests a return-on-investment approach to focus taxonomic research on species in need of conservation. Researchers used this method to identify 24 Australian lizard and snake species that require better classification, highlighting the critical importance of accurate taxonomy for effective conservation.
A new study by University of Liverpool ecologists finds that climate change will see some species succumb to infertility earlier than thought. The research used fruit fly species to predict temperature tolerance and found that almost half of the species become sterile at lower temperatures, making conservation more difficult.
A study published in PLOS Biology highlights the importance of diverse conservation strategies to maximize regional biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Researchers found distinct groups of species in 'Strictly Protected' areas compared to 'Restricted' and 'Non-Protected' sites.
A new method developed by evolutionary biologists improves current species delineation methods and can help determine the threatened status of species. The DELINEATE approach models the speciation process, allowing researchers to understand how populations evolve into distinct species.