A new EU project, TETTRIX, aims to integrate European taxonomic data, tools, and expertise to inform biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. The project will develop innovative tools and services to advance species identification and strengthen the connection between taxonomic knowledge and policy-making.
The exhibition showcases the ANERIS Operational Marine Biology (OMB) approach, facilitating systematic, long-term monitoring of ocean and coastal ecosystems. Citizen science initiatives, such as the MINKA platform and BioMARathon campaigns, also play a major role in monitoring biodiversity across larger areas.
A new study suggests using iris patterns to identify individual Amazonian treefrogs, providing a humane alternative to toe-clipping. The method was tested on 392 captures and showed a high degree of accuracy, with 56-80% of frogs recaptured and reliably re-identified within a single season.
The SpongeBoost project aims to restore natural water retention in European landscapes through innovative approaches and community engagement. Nominations are open until October 31, 2026, for projects that demonstrate effective restoration, collaboration, and environmental education.
Researchers have identified a new insect species on the Ogasawara Islands using genome-wide DNA data, revealing intricate evolutionary relationships among island insects. The study found that the Hahajima population is a distinct species, driven by geographic isolation and host plant shifts.
The Soils for Europe Conference marked a shift from research to action for the EU's 'A Soil Deal for Europe' mission. The conference highlighted key outputs, including the official launch of the Soil Data Catalogue and a policy session on the CAP and soil health.
Researchers recreated the Imperial Woodpecker from a museum specimen and 1956 film footage, providing a detailed, animated 3D model. The model is freely available and can be used for scientific research and public awareness, offering insights into the species' behavior and cultural significance.
The BEAGLE project aims to transform biodiversity monitoring in Europe by closing gaps in current systems and delivering policy-ready evidence. The project uses camera traps, eDNA sampling, and participatory science to unlock valuable data and generate Essential Biodiversity Variables, indicators, and fine-resolution maps of biodiversity.
A new special issue in Nature Conservation brings together contributions from the international conference
The BIOLOGUE project, launched on 1st September 2026, aims to shift the discussion and communication of climate change and biodiversity across European stakeholders, policymakers, and society. The project will provide policymakers with novel tools and evidence to navigate differences and build lasting solutions.
A new species of click beetle, Lissomus arawak, has been discovered in the Dominican Republic with a distinctive glossy black body and pale-yellow antennae. The species is named after the island's Indigenous Arawak people and is structurally closer to species from Central and northern South America.
The RELATE4NATURE project aims to recognize the intrinsic and relational values of nature, supporting people, communities, and wellbeing. The project will co-develop and evaluate new socio-economic models in four areas, establishing eight local pilot alliances to test alternative valuation methods and policy innovations.
The project aims to provide evidence-based restoration plans by modelling species' habitats, ecosystem services, and habitat protection under EU directives. NatureRestoreR will convene existing data and scientific knowledge to develop adaptive ecological modelling tools for effective restoration measures.
GBIF has grown to include 70 participating countries and 3.8 billion biodiversity data records, supporting over 15,000 publications and eight new peer-reviewed research papers per day. Despite challenges, GBIF continues to provide critical infrastructure for biodiversity science and policy worldwide.
A new species of killifish, Laimosemion laranja, has been discovered in the Brazilian Amazon, characterized by its striking orange coloration. The fish is considered Endangered due to habitat loss and pollution, prompting efforts to protect its habitat.
ORPHO is a collaborative scientific writing platform that streamlines writing and publishing processes. Key features include real-time collaboration, automatic semantic enrichment, and machine-readable content for discoverability and interoperability.
A new species of egg-eating snake, Dasypeltis albigularis, has been described from the Harenna Forest in Ethiopia. The species, which feeds exclusively on birds' eggs, can be distinguished by its pale skin and white throat and belly. Genetic analysis has confirmed its distinctiveness from closely related species.
The joint factsheet highlights the complementary activities of FORSAID, CERBERUS and STELLA, demonstrating how innovative digital technologies can improve early detection and management of plant pests. The projects share a vision of using AI, remote sensing and citizen engagement to transform Europe's response to pest outbreaks.
Europe's forests are losing their ability to recover due to increased damage from drought, storms, wildfires, and insect outbreaks. A new policy brief calls for forest resilience to become a measurable objective of European policy, underpinned by long-term ecosystem observation and monitoring.
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.