A newly discovered dinosaur, Sciurumimus albersdoerferi, has provided evidence that all predatory dinosaurs had feathers, challenging the previous assumption that feathered dinosaurs were only related to birds. The fossil, which represents a juvenile specimen, shows a remarkable difference in diet between young and adult megalosaurs.
A study found that large-bodied herbivores declined in biodiversity over the last 12 million years of the Cretaceous period. In contrast, carnivorous dinosaurs and smaller plant-eaters remained relatively stable or increased in diversity. The researchers used morphological disparity to analyze dinosaur groups and found that certain spe...
Research found that ammonites made homes in unique environments surrounding methane seeps, forming integral part of interwoven communities. Isotope analysis revealed that these ancient mollusks spent their whole lives in these ecosystems.
A team of researchers has discovered the color and detailed feather pattern of Microraptor, a four-winged dinosaur that lived 130 million years ago. The findings suggest that feathers were important for display in the early evolution of feathers.
Researchers use DNA barcoding to identify parasitic worms in canned food, ruling out contamination and ensuring kosher certification. The study's findings confirm that the food remains kosher despite the presence of roundworms.
Researchers have identified retroviruses and herpesviruses in illegally imported wildlife products, highlighting the potential public health risk of the illegal wildlife trade. The study suggests that surveillance at ports can help prevent disease emergence.
Researchers plotted evolutionary relationships of 150 plant species based on advanced genome-wide analysis, providing insights into genetic basis of diversity. The study resolves the long-standing problem of producing an unequivocal evolutionary tree of seed plants.
Research suggests that venom-targeted proteins evolve rapidly in mammals that eat snakes, implying a defensive role for venom. This finding contradicts the traditional view that venom evolves as a feeding adaptation.
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.
Researchers discovered that extinct ammonites had jaws and teeth adapted for eating small plankton using synchrotron scans. The study provides new insights into why ammonites went extinct 65.5 million years ago due to an asteroid impact.
A new genetic analysis published in PLoS One found that Franciscana dolphins entangled in fishing nets are more likely to be mother-offspring pairs, leading to reduced genetic diversity and reproductive potential. The study's findings have significant implications for the conservation of small marine mammals.
Researchers found that polar bears can thrive even if they raid geese nests, thanks to a mismatch in timing that allows geese to lay eggs earlier than bears arrive on shore. This means the geese population is unlikely to go extinct despite bear predation.
The study reveals how Dracula orchids masquerade as mushrooms to lure flies, while goblin spiders, small and secretive, are redefined in their taxonomy. New species discoveries provide insights into pollination and conservation efforts.
A vast amber deposit from western India has revealed a new light on the history of the sub-continent, challenging the assumption that India was an isolated island-continent. The discovery indicates that tropical forests are older than previously thought and have close evolutionary relationships with fossils from other continents.
The discovery of well-preserved ammonites at cold methane seeps in the ancient seaway that covered North America during the Cretaceous Period has provided new insights into their paleobiology. These organisms thrived in these environments, consumed small prey, and often survived predation attempts.
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.
New research reveals tyrannosaur diversity, including smaller species and earlier ancestors, has significantly expanded our understanding. A comprehensive evolutionary tree shows the group's complexity, challenging popular perceptions of T. rex as a singular apex predator.
A new species of predatory dinosaur, Balaur bondoc, has been discovered in Romania with unusual features such as a re-evolved functional big toe with a large claw. Its unique anatomy suggests it was adapted for strength over speed and likely hunted in a different way than its relatives.
A recent study on Cycas micronecia, a critically endangered ancient plant species, reveals moderate genetic variation within local populations and dynamic gene flow between regions. The research provides valuable insights into the conservation of this species, which is threatened by invasive pests and habitat loss.
A new teaching model using real data and relevant videos engages high school students in conservation biology research, improving understanding of ecological concepts. Students develop a better grasp of normal ecological processes and how human actions affect the natural world.
Researchers discover two new species of pancake batfishes, Halieutichthys intermedius and H. bispinosus, and re-describe another, H. aculeatus, in waters affected by the recent oil spill. The discovery highlights the potential loss of undocumented biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered a connection between giant gas clouds and the formation of active galactic nuclei, which power the bright centers of some galaxies. The study suggests that gas clouds can either be consumed by supermassive black holes or give birth to new stars, leading to increased activity.
Azendohsaurus is redefined as a non-dinosaur, primitive reptile with convergent features to herbivorous dinosaurs. The species lived during the time of dinosaur origin and was an efficient herbivore.
Researchers discovered a rare species of solitary bee that lines its underground nests with petals from various flowers. This unique behavior provides essential nutrients for the larvae's growth and protects them from the harsh winter conditions.
New research using DNA barcoding identifies specific tuna species with high mercury levels, which can pose a health risk to frequent fish eaters. The study suggests that consumers can minimize their mercury intake by choosing lower-mercury tuna options like yellowfin, and calls for clearer labeling of tuna species.
Researchers have discovered a new genus and species of leech, Tyrannobdella rex, which has ferociously large teeth and feeds on aquatic mammals, including their noses and mouths for weeks at a time. The discovery has led to revising the group of leeches that feed from body orifices of mammals.
Researchers have developed a new web-based application called Supramap that maps genetic mutations of pathogens onto the globe. The tool uses geographic information to track the spread of diseases across time and space, predicting hotspots of disease reemergence.
A 95-million-year-old Cretaceous African amber deposit reveals new fossils of insects, spiders, and bacteria, providing insights into an ancient tropical forest and the diversification of flowering plants during this time. The discovery is significant, as it is the first major find from the African continent.
Researchers have solved a 20-year-old astrophysical puzzle using gas dynamical simulations. Filamentary structures formed during the collapse of infalling gas absorb massive stars' radiation, shielding surrounding nebulae from heating.
A phylogenetic analysis of Mexican cave scorpions reveals that specialized adaptations can be reversed through independent evolution. Three surface-living species evolved from cave-dwelling ancestors, highlighting the flexibility of scorpion biology.
Biologists have found grizzly bears roaming into traditional polar bear habitat in Wapusk National Park, increasing competition and potential predation on polar bears. The sighting of grizzlies was rare before 1996, but sightings have increased since then.
A new simulation by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History and University of Cambridge shows that regions of outward and inward migration in a protoplanetary disk can safely trap planets on orbits. This helps explain how Earth formed without falling into the Sun.
John Flynn, Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals and Professor at the American Museum of Natural History, has been awarded the distinction of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Flynn's research focuses on vertebrate paleontology, especially carnivore evolution and faunal succession in South America.
A newly examined fossil of Miacis uintensis reveals that some early carnivores were built to walk on the ground at least part of the time. The analysis suggests that adaptations for terrestrial or semi-terrestrial locomotion were more common than previously suspected in early fossil carnivores.
Researchers uncovered genetic fossils of woolly mammoths and ancient American horses in permafrost samples dated to between 7,600 and 10,500 years. The study challenges the conventional view that these species disappeared from the Americas about 12,000 years ago.
A rare primitive theropod, Tawa hallae, has been discovered in New Mexican sediments from the Upper Triassic period, forcing a redefinition of early dinosaur evolution. The fossil finds evidence of air sacks and pneumatization in birds, showing that these traits are more primitive than previously thought.
A faint star Alcor has been found to have a smaller red dwarf companion, orbiting it every 90 years. The discovery was made using the 'common parallactic motion' technique developed by Project 1640, which measures the movement of nearby stars relative to more distant ones.
A genetic tool used to identify species in seafood has found that nearly a quarter of what was labeled as tuna on sushi menus contained bluefin or escolar, two highly endangered species. The research highlights the need for clearer labeling and regulation to prevent economic fraud and protect endangered populations.
A new study found that Archaeopteryx, the iconic first bird, actually grew much slower than modern birds and had more reptilian features. This challenges the long-held assumption that rapid bone growth was necessary for flight.
New research suggests that dirty stars with a high abundance of elements like iron and oxygen are more likely to host planets. The study's findings support the idea that the composition of a star reflects its disk, leading to an increased number of exoplanets around such stars.
A new species of horned tyrannosaur, Alioramus altai, has been discovered in Asia, exhibiting a unique set of adaptations for meat-eating. The fossil, found in the Gobi Desert, shows a gracile cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex with slender teeth and small muscle attachments.
A comprehensive study sheds light on the origin of whales and dolphins by analyzing morphology, behavior, and genetics of living and fossil relatives. The findings suggest that cetacean ancestors transitioned to water before becoming carnivorous, with a 48-million-year-old semi-aquatic herbivore named Indohyus being a key discovery.
A new DNA barcoding tool has been developed to track endangered sea turtles, distinguishing between species based on short genetic sequences. The research found that all seven sea turtle species can be consistently distinguished from each other by DNA barcodes.
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.
A new revision of the Dioptinae subfamily sheds light on the diversity of tropical moth species, revealing a unique story of parallel evolution. The study found that around 500 species evolved from a common ancestor into diverse butterfly mimics, with some feeding on toxic plants to gain protection.
New research on jade found in Guatemala's Motagua fault reveals two collision events between the North American and Caribbean plates. The study uses eclogite dating to pinpoint a 130 million-year-old collision, followed by a second event at 70 million years ago.
A recent study analyzes the impact of human activity on large-scale terrestrial migrations, revealing that up to a quarter of migrating species have gone extinct. Human activities such as fencing, farming, and water restrictions have altered habitats and reduced migration routes, leading to significant declines in animal populations.
Researchers Finarelli and Flynn challenge the Social Brain Hypothesis, finding that increased brain size is not routinely associated with sociality in carnivores. They document at least six separate changes in brain sizes across different lineages of mammals.
The study analyzes the feet of Homo floresiensis, finding they had human-like and early hominin traits, with a primitive big toe and lack of arch, suggesting inefficient gait. This evidence supports the idea that Homo floresiensis was an isolated population of early hominins.
Research using museum specimens found support for alternative hypotheses on the evolution of locally distributed endemism, suggesting multiple processes develop local endemism. This knowledge can help identify priorities in conservation planning.