A new study found that plants that can self-pollinate have higher extinction rates than those relying on external pollinators. This is because they often lack the genetic diversity needed to adapt to changing environments, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
When faced with predator threats, snails settle for single parenthood sooner and adopt a different mating strategy. This approach reduces the risk of mortality and its negative effects on offspring survival rates. Research by biologist Josh Auld found that scared snails reproduce more quickly than calm counterparts.
A study published in Behaviour found that courtship calls of Adelie penguins with steady frequency predict male condition and breeding success. Males with more consistent pitch are heavier and more successful at raising chicks.
Researchers found that saber-toothed cat forelimbs were stronger than those of modern felines, with thicker cortical bone and larger diameters, suggesting they used their arms to pin prey before delivering a fatal bite.
A new study in the journal Evolution found that island lizards' body shapes and sizes are shaped by competition for resources. As species numbers increased on each island, finer evolutionary changes occurred, leading to fewer distinct body types.
A new study reveals that female jumping spiders fight with different rules than males, skipping preliminaries and engaging in all-out battles. The researchers found that the motivation behind a female's fighting behavior is her proximity to reproductive age and desire to protect her nest.
Researchers found that gene activity and protein levels in young paper wasp larvae predispose them to one caste or the other. Queens have high levels of proteins enabling survival and reproduction, while workers are shorter-lived and biased toward the worker role.
A new study reveals that deep-sea scavengers outcompete smaller animals for food in ocean canyons, leading to reduced biodiversity. Larger animals sense the presence of food and converge on the canyon floor, devouring all available nutrients and leaving little for other animals.
Research finds that long-distance pine pollen can travel up to 1800 miles and still germinate, making it difficult to prevent transgenic traits from spreading to wild counterparts. This has profound implications for the approval of genetically modified trees.
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center has released a new version of TreeBASE, a database that stores and shares phylogenetic information. The upgraded database allows for richer data storage, improved search techniques, and enhanced visualization tools.
A new analysis of the plant family tree suggests that flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, with origins dating back to 215 million years ago. This finding fuels ongoing debates over different approaches to dating the tree of life and contradicts previous fossil record estimates.
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) has been awarded a $25 million 5-year grant from the NSF to continue its cutting-edge research in evolutionary biology. The center plans to expand its programs and add new initiatives, including graduate fellowships and international research partnerships.
Evolutionary theory is being applied to various medical questions, from aging and mental illnesses to cancer and antibiotic resistance. Future physicians may face tests on evolution, with increased emphasis on incorporating evolutionary concepts into medical practice.
Researchers argue that combining concepts and tools from multiple disciplines can yield new findings, citing examples such as J. John Sepkoski Jr.'s database of fossil records and synthetic paleobiology. The authors also highlight the potential of integrating methods, conceptual synthesis, and re-use of results to transform science.
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center is part of a major digital data initiative to improve access to Earth's biota and environment data. Dozens of institutions partner to provide secure, permanent access to biological and earth sciences data.
A DNA study confirms that Africa's rarest monkey, the kipunji, had an intriguing sexual past with baboons. The results may help to set conservation priorities for this critically endangered species by highlighting the importance of protecting its habitat and preserving genetic diversity.
A new analysis of a long-term survey of human health shows that humans are still evolving due to natural selection. The study found that the descendants of over 2000 women in the Framingham Heart Study will be slightly shorter and heavier, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reach menopause later in life.
Researchers found that freshwater fish like largemouth bass, which feed primarily on fish, have remained relatively unchanged over time. Once they evolved the optimal size and shape for catching fish, natural selection kept them in an evolutionary holding pattern.
Researchers studied 35 ancient tetrapods to understand anatomical changes during the transition from fish to amphibians. They found that bones changed size at different rates, resulting in reshaping of body shape over time. This study supports the idea that modern amphibians evolved through paedomorphosis and miniaturization.
Researchers uncover jawbone of transitional fossil Megapiranha paranensis, showing intermediate pattern of teeth. The discovery confirms the evolutionary link between piranhas and their herbivorous relatives, with implications for understanding the piranha's distinctive bite.