Scientists have identified a new species of pre-mammal, Ichibengops, which lived around 255 million years ago. The species features a unique groove above its teeth, potentially for transmitting venom.
A recent study published in Biological Reviews found that matrotrophy, where mothers provide nutrients to their embryos during gestation, has evolved independently in at least 21 of 34 animal phyla. This process is more common than previously thought and is often associated with live birth.
Historians investigate China's reunifications, arguing that social constructions and institutional structures drove the process. The study analyzes data from the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han eras, highlighting the role of urbanization, writing systems, and communication technologies.
A five-year excavation program in Diros Bay, Greece, has uncovered an ancient town and burial complex dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The site revealed multiple burials, including Mycenaean-period burials with Late Bronze Age artifacts.
A new open-source resource helps scientists accurately date the tree of life by combining fossil data with DNA sequences, providing minimum ages for groups such as mollusks, penguins, and humans. This will aid in understanding the origin and evolution of biodiversity.
Research suggests that ancient synapsid relatives, including the famous Dimetrodon, had eyes best suited for low-light conditions at night, 100 million years before the evolution of modern mammals. The findings indicate that nocturnal activity may have evolved in some synapsids as early as 300 million years ago.
A new study reveals seven tiny pieces of interstellar dust found in samples collected by the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector, which traveled through space and returned to Earth in 2006. The discovery allows researchers to study contemporary stardust for the first time on Earth.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that migratory birds evolved from species that lived year-round in North America. Researchers created a model to analyze the evolutionary changes of migratory bird species and found that most species originated from temperate regions before migrating to tropical areas.
Scientists reconstructed the phylogeny and biological history of Yellow-shouldered bats in the New World tropics, revealing three new species. The study highlights the importance of museum collections in uncovering new knowledge and demonstrates the need for ongoing revision of the Earth's biological history.
A new fossil species, Niassodon mfumukasi, has been discovered in Mozambique, providing new data on the evolution of ancient mammal relatives. The fossil, dated to approximately 256 million years ago, belongs to a group of synapsids that dominated land communities during the Late Permian period.
A new, 30-foot-long dinosaur has been discovered in Utah, revealing a key gap in the fossil record of large predatory dinosaurs in North America. The discovery indicates that carcharodontosaurs dominated the ecosystem for longer than previously thought, before tyrannosaurs took over.
Researchers estimate 16,000 tree species in Amazonia, with 227 dominant species having 50% of the region's tree population. This study provides valuable information for conservation efforts and further research.
The Field Museum is receiving a $115,000 grant to digitize 75,000 fern herbarium specimens from the Americas and digitally photograph 7,000 fossilized ferns from North America. This project will also provide training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate interns to participate in collection digitizing activities.
A team of researchers studied anomodonts, ancient relatives of mammals, to understand their response to the largest mass extinction in Earth history. Despite ecological opportunities arising from species loss, anomodonts remained anatomically conservative and did not evolve new features.
Scientists describe a new species of Hero Shrew with an interlocking spine that may represent intermediate character states between other shrews. The new species possesses features that enable it to position itself between palm trunks and access beetle larvae, providing a unique adaptation for survival.
Scientists construct largest ant family tree-of-life using DNA sequence data, confirming that modern ants originated between 139-158 million years ago. The study also reveals the Neotropics as a vital region for ant evolution, both preserving ancient groups and generating new species.
A study led by Field Museum curator Dr. Jonathan Haas reveals that maize was a primary component of people's diets in coastal Peru around 3000-1800 B.C. The research, published in PNAS, analyzed microscopic evidence found in soil, stone tools, and coprolites from ancient sites.
The 244-million-year-old Thalattoarchon saurophagis, a giant ichthyosaur, provided significant findings on the recovery of modern marine ecosystems following a severe Permian extinction. The discovery sheds light on the dynamics of evolving planet and its impact on today's environment.
Scientists studying a rare meteorite from the outer asteroid belt discovered it has a unique, diverse composition, shedding light on the asteroid's surface processes. The Sutter's Mill meteorite is an ideal sample for preparing cosmochemists for upcoming space missions.
Paleontologists find varying evolutionary modes among morphological traits within fossil species, validating mosaic evolution. The study analyzes hundreds of sequences of fossil samples using model selection methods, revealing conflicting patterns of change.
A new study suggests that shifting exchange networks were instrumental in prompting the 'Maya collapse', with evidence pointing to a decline in inland centers and rise of coastal trade networks. Researchers used social network analysis to map obsidian transportation routes, revealing changes in trade patterns over time.
Scientists have discovered the first evidence of Pre-Columbian sources of palygorskite for Maya Blue. Researchers established a link between contemporary indigenous knowledge and ancient mines in Mexico's northern Yucatan Peninsula.
Researchers have found that fire was more widespread than previously thought during the Cretaceous period, potentially altering dinosaur communities. Charcoal deposits in fossil records indicate frequent wildfires, which could have exacerbated erosion and flooding.
A new study using cutting-edge technology finds that Tyrannosaurus rex grew more quickly and reached significantly greater masses than previously estimated. The team calculated the body mass of five specimens, including the iconic SUE skeleton, which weighed over nine tons.
The discovery of Acristavus gagslarsoni, a non-crested hadrosaur, reveals that two distinct styles of headgear evolved independently. The fossils found in different locations suggest earlier species roamed over a larger region of North America.
A recent census led by Robert Lücking documented 432 different lichens within one square kilometer of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, including 18 never before identified and nearly 100 previously not known from North America. The discovery highlights the remarkable biodiversity of lichens in this tropical environment.
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.
A collaborative effort by 102 lichenologists from 37 countries reveals 100 new species of lichens, including those found in arctic tundra and tropical rain forests. The study highlights the vast unexplored diversity of fungal life on Earth.
A new analysis by Field Museum scientists found that 44 theropod species distributed across six major lineages were eating plants, with the ancestor to modern birds likely losing its appetite for flesh alone. The study suggests that iconic predators like Velociraptor and T. rex should be viewed as exceptions rather than the rule.
A new statistical model reevaluates the timeline of human evolution, suggesting divergence from chimpanzees occurred around 8 million years ago. The revised estimate improves upon previous findings by accounting for gaps in the fossil record and incorporating DNA evidence.
Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.
The Field Museum and University of Chicago launched the Emerging Pathogens Project to study emerging diseases in animals, such as bird flu, malaria, and AIDS. By analyzing DNA data from collected specimens, scientists aim to understand how diseases evolve and spread between animal species.
Researchers Gary Feinman and Linda Nicholas integrated textual information with archaeological research to provide a more holistic view of Shihuangdi's reign and its impact on eastern China. Their study reveals that the area was already inhabited before the emperor's colonization efforts, contradicting previous historical accounts.
Researchers have discovered a new primitive dinosaur species, Tawa hallae, in northern New Mexico with nearly complete skeletons providing insights into the evolutionary path of dinosaurs towards birds. The species, likely a meat-eater, had air sacs in its braincase and neck areas.
A new fossil species, Kombuisia antarctica, discovered in Antarctica, reveals that some land animals may have survived the end-Permian extinction by living in cooler climates. The discovery fills a gap in the fossil record and contributes to understanding of vertebrate survival during this mass extinction event.
A recent study found that herbivorous ant species host bacteria from the Rhizobiales order, which facilitate nitrogen fixation and enrich their diets. This symbiotic relationship enables these ants to thrive on nutrient-poor plant-based diets.
The Field Museum has received a three-year grant to establish new conservation landscapes in Amazonian Peru. The project aims to secure legal protection for high-priority forests and indigenous territories, while also promoting sustainable management and financing through the REDD voluntary carbon market.
The discovery of Suminia getmanovi, a small plant-eating synapsid, provides evidence that vertebrates took to trees early in Earth's evolution. The tree-climbing lifestyle offers access to new food resources and protection from ground-dwelling predators.
A new species of early T.rex relative, Xiongguanlong, and a giant ornithomimosaur, Beishanlong grandis, are described as part of a study on theropod dinosaurs from China. These discoveries provide insight into the evolution of tyrannosaurs, revealing that massive skulls evolved from animals with long, slender snouts.
The Field Museum has received a gift of over $10 million and more than 1,700 meteorite specimens from the Planetary Studies Foundation, establishing the world's largest nongovernment meteorite collection. The collection will be housed in the new Robert A. Pritzker Center for Meteoritics and Polar Studies.
Researchers establish that trophy heads came from people living in the same place and culture as those who collected them. The study suggests that fertility rites, warfare, or ancestor veneration may be linked to the collection of human heads.
Scientists have found evidence that turtle shells are bony extensions of their backbones and ribs. The oldest known turtle fossil, Odontochelys semitestacea, has a partial shell extending from its backbone and widening of ribs, suggesting it was a water dweller.
A comprehensive assessment of the world's 5,487 wild mammal species reveals that one in four is threatened with extinction. The study, led by the IUCN, utilizes the Field Museum's extensive collection to track population trends and habitat destruction.
Scientists have found a missing link in the evolution of flatfishes, explaining how they developed their unique asymmetrical body plan. The study, published in Nature, reveals that early flatfishes had intermediate characteristics, rejecting the theory that they evolved suddenly as 'hopeful monsters'.
A large-scale genome analysis reveals that birds did not evolve from a common ancestor as previously thought, but instead underwent multiple adaptations to diverse environments. The study's results challenge current classifications and provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of birds.
A team of archaeologists from the Field Museum and Shandong University have conducted a 13-year survey of southeastern Shandong Province using the regional settlement pattern survey method. This approach reveals the overall layout of settlements, providing insights into population density, trade, and other factors. The research sheds n...
Researchers from Wheaton College and The Field Museum discovered how the ancient Maya created the renowned blue pigment Maya Blue. They found that the pigment was produced through a ritual combination of indigo, palygorskite, and copal incense, which was then used in sacrificial ceremonies.
A new genus and species of sauropodomorph, Glacialisaurus hammeri, has been discovered in Antarctica. The massive plant-eating dinosaur lived about 190 million years ago and helps establish that primitive sauropodomorphs were more broadly distributed than previously thought.
Researchers found a distinctive, arboreal rodent in Peru's Manu National Park with long dense fur and a blackish crest. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of Neotropical arboreal rodents.
Scientists have discovered a new species of bat, Myzopoda schliemanni, in Madagascar with large flat adhesive organs on its thumbs and hind feet. The new species is found only in the dry western forests of Madagascar, and research suggests it has adapted well to degraded environments.