The CATALYST project, funded by the European Union, aims to transform research culture by integrating proven reproducibility tools and practices into daily work. By targeting 15 departments across Europe, the project seeks to foster sustainable change and increase reproducibility.
A new species of leafless flowering plant, Thismia daemona, has been discovered in Thong Pha Phum National Park in western Thailand. The species, which belongs to the genus Thismia, is critically endangered due to its limited population size and fragile habitat.
The EU-funded projects SpongeBoost, SpongeScapes, and SpongeWorks have published a joint policy brief recommending aligning EU policies to scale up sponge restoration across Europe. The policy brief highlights the importance of restoring the natural sponge function of landscapes to strengthen water and climate resilience.
A new species of spider, Hexura vandal, has been discovered in Idaho's Rocky Mountains, expanding the known range of the genus by 500 kilometers. The species is a predator that attacks and is considered likely endangered due to habitat pressure from logging and wildfires.
Human-driven fires have reshaped the Amazonian forest over the last 10,000 years, with a significant impact on vegetation and species composition. The research reveals that fires were almost exclusively human-driven, with a dramatic decline in fire frequency over the last 700 years.
A comprehensive guide to the native reptiles of the Turks and Caicos Islands has been published after 20 years of collaborative fieldwork. The guide documents 11 native species, eight of which are found nowhere else on Earth, and includes original photographs, distribution information, and conservation assessments.
New research suggests that current conservation efforts are insufficient to halt the decline in common bird and butterfly species in Europe. The study projects a decline in species abundance across Europe up to 2050, with farmland birds and grassland butterflies facing strong pressures.
The Galápagos snapdragon has shown encouraging signs of recovery thanks to a long-term partnership between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The project successfully outplanted 94 nursery-grown shrubs into harsh volcanic landscapes, with 28 adult plants established across two restoration sites.
A new workflow allows ecologists to quantify individual animal habitat specialisation, niche breadth, and repeatability, providing a more accurate picture of wild population dynamics. This has real implications for conservation, enabling researchers to move beyond population averages toward more targeted conservation methods.
Scientists have discovered five new species of parasitoid wasps in Cyprus, greatly enriching the island's biodiversity. The new species, including Janssoniella aphrodite named after Aphrodite, were found in various locations across the island, revealing a significant increase in chalcid wasp diversity.
The MAMBO project developed cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring tools, including UV light camera traps and sound recognition models. These outputs are now available to researchers and citizen scientists, enabling more automated and scalable conservation efforts.
Researchers discovered a new genus and species of underground earthworm eel, Gangaichthys indonepalicus, living beneath the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Bihar, northern India. The small, colourless creature features physical adaptations suited to life in total darkness.
Researchers from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador discovered a new species of frog, Pristimantis milpe, by reviewing historical specimens preserved at the Natural History Museum in London. The species is widely distributed and easy to detect, inhabiting the Chocó forests of western Ecuador and southern Colombia.
Researchers studied ancient penguin fossils on Seymour Island to understand past climate change. The analysis of chemical elements across the bones revealed differences in elemental composition between warm and cool periods.
Scientists have discovered a new coral species growing up to 1 meter tall on rocky outcrops in the Pacific Ocean. The bright yellow coral was found thriving in large numbers among brittle stars and has been classified into a new family, Laurinqueidae.
The discovery of Acanthosaura syrax, a new species of mountain horned dragon from western Thailand, highlights its unique characteristics and genetic distinctiveness. The lizard's distinctive yellowish-green coloration, small body size, and lack of black eye patches set it apart from other known species.
The landmark review provides a detailed account of Honduras' mammals, verifying 227 native species and forecasting potential discoveries. The study draws on cultural knowledge and conservation summaries to guide research priorities.
The newly discovered species Erhaia dijiang is a true troglobiont, adapted to its pitch-black environment with degenerated eyes and a highly translucent shell. It inhabits underwater gravel and crushed stone at depths of less than one meter, where water temperatures remain consistently near 20°C.
Researchers identify subtropical lakes as natural laboratories for tracking biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem resilience in a rapidly changing world. The study highlights the global scientific importance of these largely overlooked lakes, which can serve as 'sentinel ecosystems' revealing early signs of environmental change.
The EU project B-Cubed developed automated data pipelines to standardize biodiversity data, creating 'species occurrence cubes' that support consistent indicator reporting. These data cubes enable the derivation of meaningful measures of biodiversity status and trends, allowing for timely responses to dynamic threats.
A new study reveals that the 'zombie-ant' fungus harbors a hidden stage inside forest mosses, indicating a dual lifestyle with one life stage as an insect parasite and another endophytic stage. This discovery reshapes our understanding of the life cycle of these fungi.
The VALOR project aims to co-develop a comprehensive approach to understanding the impact of pollinator decline on food systems. A new collection in the Research Ideas and Outcomes journal provides an open-access hub for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to access outputs and tools related to pollinator conservation.
The IP4OS project challenges misconceptions about the conflict between IP and Open Science, highlighting their synergistic potential. The Role Model Campaign features diverse stakeholders sharing their experiences of navigating IP and Open Science together.
A new species of shrimpgoby, Tomiyamichthys oriens, has been discovered in Indonesian coastal waters. The fish boasts radiant orange markings and is named after its birthplace, Banyuwangi's 'Sunrise of Java' region.
The discovery of two new snail species in Montenegro highlights the need to protect the country's biodiversity. The snails, found in Durmitor National Park and Komarnica Canyon, were described as having unique features such as conical shells and a circular disk on their tails.
The Bulgarian Association of Clinical Immunology (BACI) has joined forces with Pensoft Publishers to host its official journal, Immunology in Medicine, which now operates under the open-access platform ARPHA. The journal aims to bridge basic immunological science with clinical applications, inviting researchers and clinicians to submit...
Researchers discover new wasp species, Chlorocytus papahemii, in China that controls the weevil beetle Lixus subtilis, a major sugar beet pest. The newly discovered wasp has a unique behavior of attacking another wasp species that preys on the weevil.
A team of researchers has discovered a new genus and species of subterranean freshwater snail, Cyllena hermes, in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. The species is highly sensitive to environmental stressors due to its reliance on a single, isolated water source.
The report provides an ecological characterisation of two contrasting habitat groups: inland peat-forming wetlands and coastal lagoons. Hydrology is identified as the dominant control on ecosystem functioning, with a persistently high water table sustaining anoxic conditions in peatlands.
A new species of harvester ant, Messor odrysarum, has been discovered in the Eastern Rhodopes region of Bulgaria. The species is part of the Messor genus and has distinctive physical traits compared to its close relatives.
A new beetle genus named after Monkey D. Luffy has been discovered, encompassing two distinct species: Luffy schillhammeri and Luffy nika. The genus features elongated mandibles and antennae reminiscent of Luffy's rubber body abilities.
New research reveals alpine butterflies closely match local warming in range shifts, but habitat availability drives community composition and climate change response. The study finds that butterfly communities have become warmer-adapted over the past two decades, with specialist species vulnerable to elevational hostplant mismatches.
The SpongeBoost project's new comic book, 'New Directions: Guided by Nature,' synthesizes information for policy-making, practical restoration, and land-use planning while showcasing successful sponge restoration examples. The comic book follows Spongy as he explores wetlands and sponge landscapes in nine languages.
The Journal of Regeneration aims to explore regeneration across diverse disciplines and kingdoms of life, covering research from molecular genetics to clinical translation. The journal seeks to examine recurring principles shared between animals and plants, including cellular plasticity and epigenetic remodelling.
Researchers from Kyushu University Museum discovered a new wasp species, Eupelmus curvator, in Japan using social media-facilitated observations. The study provides the first formal scientific description of the male species and highlights the potential of digital collecting for biodiversity research.
A 15-year study found that extreme weather events, particularly sudden spring frosts and wildfires, have a significant impact on White Stork survival. Juvenile storks are most vulnerable to these conditions, with only 33% of fire-related incidents resulting in rehabilitation.
Scientists developed a new population model, APODEMUS, to predict pesticide effects on animal populations. The model simulates complex agricultural landscapes and foraging scenarios, tracking energy conversion and exposure to pesticides.
The ANERIS project successfully demonstrated cutting-edge technologies for marine life sensing and monitoring, focusing on Operational Marine Biology (OMB) products. Key findings include the deployment of four case studies connected to Research Infrastructures, showcasing high-temporal marine life resolution monitoring.
A new study reveals that the Honduran cottontail rabbit is the main cause of crop damage in Honduras, contrary to local assumptions. Camera traps helped researchers understand which species interact with crops and how they respond to human-made stimuli.
SpongeBoost is organizing an online webinar to explore how project outputs can inform action for sponge landscapes. Participants will hear from experts on specific results and engage in interactive discussions.
A new European alliance aims to build a continent-wide system using genomics for protecting biodiversity, combining DNA barcoding and genome sequencing. The initiative will enable efficient collaboration and interoperability in biodiversity research.
Two new policy briefs support evidence-based decision-making in EU environmental policies, including the Nature Restoration Regulation and Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The briefs provide a framework for monitoring ecosystem pressures and recovery across the European Union.
A new species of wormlion fly has been discovered in the Himalayas, characterized by its large size and pitfall-feeding strategy. The species, Vermitigris tsangyanggyatso, is distinct from its closest relatives due to its unique physical traits.
European researchers warn that EU Commission's draft legislation on pesticides weakens key safeguards, increasing risks to biodiversity and human health. The proposed reforms could lead to indefinite approval of active substances without periodic reassessment.
A team of researchers has conducted the first comprehensive exploration of Inútil Bay's underwater ecosystems, documenting 72 distinct macroalgal taxa. The survey revealed a diverse assortment of green, brown, and red algae, including rare and highly unusual specimens.
Scientists have discovered four new species of Sylvan Chameleons in Mozambique's isolated granite mountains, showcasing unique adaptations and emphasizing the importance of conservation. The research highlights that local community involvement can make a significant difference in protecting these vulnerable habitats.
Researchers from Nantong University found rich biodiversity and 80 different species of springtails in two nature reserves. They described five new scaled species belonging to three genera of the Entomobryidae family.
A new species of bumblebee goby, Brachygobius jennie, has been discovered on Hengqin Island in Guangdong Province, China. It is the smallest species within its genus and possibly the smallest known fish in the world.
A new study reveals that threatened amphibian species are being inadvertently sold under incorrect names in digital marketplaces. Genetic barcoding analysis identified four frogs advertised as Chinese edible frogs as actually being Chinese spiny frogs, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
The NEEDS 2026 Conference brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to address complex challenges of interconnected global crises. Key findings include the importance of civil society as watchdogs and local communities being co-owners of transition projects. The DeCrises project emphasizes the need for a fundamental sh...