Articles tagged with Extinction
A new study found that dinosaurs and their prey likely ate seaweeds, which provides an explanation for the high carbon isotope signatures in their teeth. The research used fossils from coastal sites along the Western Interior Seaway and determined that the extra carbon source must have been low in the food chain to affect both aquatic ...
A new study reveals that the rapid spread of introduced livestock on Madagascar 1,200 years ago coincided with forest loss and population declines of large native herbivores. The findings suggest that hunting alone did not drive the extinction of giant lemurs and other megafauna.
Researchers found that Miracinonyx trumani preyed almost exclusively on fish, challenging the long-held assumption that it was a fast-running prey-chaser like modern cheetahs. The species shared a common ancestor with modern cheetahs about 4.7 million years ago, but diverged from a common ancestor with pumas about 2.6 million years ago.
Motion-triggered cameras revealed the frequency of 'nectar robbing' in Hawaiian flowers, which damages flowers and reduces nectar availability. In contrast, plants were able to produce fruit and viable seeds despite damage, indicating adaptations to the stress.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered two ancient, extinct giant tortoise lineages using a new combination of computational tools. The findings can aid conservation efforts in the Galapagos archipelago by unlocking the genetic diversity of extinct species.
New research explores monarch butterfly conservation in rangelands and the effectiveness of state regulations for controlling invasive species. Studies reveal that ungrazed pastures support more milkweed and monarch eggs than grazed sites, highlighting the need for selective approaches to conservation.
Northern spotted owl populations are approaching functional extinction across the Pacific Northwest, with AI-powered monitoring identifying critical habitats and ecological threats. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies, including barred owl removal and habitat conservation, to prevent further decline.
A new study analyzed extinction patterns among tropical forest mammals worldwide, revealing that past extinctions can provide valuable insights into species vulnerability. The research showed that traits like large body size, small brains, and slow reproduction were linked to extinction risk in the past, but these patterns are not cons...
Researchers digitally reconstructed a dodo brain cavity to understand its sensory abilities, finding it may have had a flexible daily activity pattern and enhanced sense of smell. The study provides new clues on how the dodo foraged and interacted with its environment before disappearing in the late 17th century.
A new study documents how an Indonesian Indigenous community adapted their sacred Cidaku initiation ceremony to protect the endangered salmon-crested cockatoo. The ceremony now uses naturally moulted feathers collected from wildlife rescue centres, preserving spiritual integrity and ensuring species survival.
Scientists used chemical clues in microscopic fossils to find evidence that ocean acidification caused one of the largest extinction events in planktic foraminifera history. The study suggests that volcanic eruptions and rising CO2 levels led to a decrease in shell-building ability, ultimately contributing to the extinction.
A new statistical model predicts which Red Sea fish species are likely to invade the Mediterranean, with a focus on their ability to survive without coral reefs. The study identifies three species with high potential to invade: stellate pufferfish, cinnabar goatfish, and yellowspotted trevally.
A study on La Brea Tar Pits fossils found rare spinal nerve tumors and developmental abnormalities, suggesting a dwindling species was in poor genetic health. This may have made them more vulnerable to hunting, ultimately contributing to their extinction.
Researchers identified a rare CO chondrite meteorite as the probable impactor that struck Earth 66 million years ago, leading to the extinction of 75% of Earth's species. The study used advanced nickel isotope analysis to narrow down the composition of the deadly Cretaceous-Palaeogene meteorite.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Researchers found that nearly 90% of sharks collected from Delaware Bay were exported overseas, raising concerns about conservation goals. The study highlights the need for better scientific data and stronger oversight to ensure sustainable removals of critically endangered sand tiger sharks.
A new genus of giant salamander, Limnospondylus ajimuensis, has been identified from fossilized vertebrae found in the Ajimu region of Japan. The discovery sheds light on Japan's evolutionary history and highlights the importance of preserving extant species for the future.
Scientists at MIT developed a theoretical model that predicts the severity of most mass extinctions based on the mismatch between environmental change and biological adaptation rates. The study successfully predicted the fraction of life that went extinct in Earth's history, suggesting that life has evolved to adapt at a similar scale ...
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
A pair of grants aims to simplify wildlife management by integrating multiple species into a single plan, reducing redundancies and expanding effectiveness. The research focuses on managing entire ecosystems rather than individual species, using technologies like monitoring tools and multi-objective optimization.
Researchers found that pregnant Pacific pocket mice trained to fear snakes produce more vigilant offspring, which survive better in the wild. This method of antipredator training may improve conservation breeding and reintroduction programs.
Extraordinary fossils from China confirm that bryozoans were active participants in the Cambrian explosion. The fossils, preserved in three dimensions with soft tissues intact, provide definitive evidence of a bryozoan affinity and rewrite the timeline for the origin of this phylum.
Scientists discovered that oxygen levels in shallow oceans declined about 8 million years before the end-Triassic mass extinction, stressing marine ecosystems. The research provides a rough guide for the future as our oceans undergo acidification and deoxygenation.
New research reveals a recent increase in sightings of blue and fin whales in the southeastern Atlantic, suggesting resilience after decades of commercial whaling. However, both species remain vulnerable to human pressures such as climate change and pollution, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.
A new study by Charles Darwin University and BirdLife International estimates that fewer than 500 Timor green pigeons remain in the wild, with the species thought to be functionally extinct in Indonesia. The authors urge governments, conservation organizations, and local communities to take urgent action to save the species.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
A new report warns that over 40% of soil-dependent species are at risk of extinction. The study highlights the importance of conserving these species for food security and mitigating global warming.
A new study warns of a 20-year window to act on climate and land use policies to prevent further biodiversity loss in Britain. Sustainable practices like strong emissions action and reduced meat consumption could save up to 69 fewer species from extinction.
Researchers tracked genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana across 30 sites over five years, finding most populations adapted to local environmental conditions. However, some populations went extinct due to genetic drift, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity.
A new study reveals that turtles surviving the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event largely relied on a diet of hard-shelled organisms. This ecological adaptation allowed them to thrive in environments where other species struggled to survive, with dietary specialization being a key factor in their survival.
A new study reveals that Australia's national park expansion has not effectively protected threatened species and ecosystems. Despite doubling the size of protected areas since 2010, critical conservation priorities are being overlooked.
A study of lake sediments reveals three major declines of plant-eating megafauna in Panama, which had significant impacts on forests and grasslands. Rewilding efforts by introducing new species or increasing populations of existing ones could restore nature and its benefits to humans.
Researchers found that long-standing mating preferences led to sex-biased interbreeding, resulting in the loss of Neanderthal DNA on X chromosomes. The study reveals a complex social history of human evolution, challenging the idea that survival of the fittest drove human migration.
Researchers shed light on moths & butterflies' evolution, conservation needs, and diverse feeding habits. Discoveries suggest that these insects obtained plant-digesting abilities from fungi, while mandibled moths were once more diverse but largely extinct.
A new study found that turtles' brains can detect unexpected visual stimuli independently of their position on the retina, a property previously thought to exist only in mammals. The researchers believe this ability helped animals understand their spatial environment, learn, and survive complex terrestrial environments.
The discovery of mature silver European eels in Cyprus highlights the importance of river fragmentation and local environmental conditions on eel populations. The finding also underscores the need for urgent implementation of Eel Management Plans to conserve this critically endangered species.
The North American wild mountain sheep is losing its habitat to industrial mining, human activity, and climate change. The book highlights the risks faced by this species, which nearly collapsed in previous decades but now faces grave risks from disease and habitat loss.
A new study reveals that more than 7,000 adult Magellanic penguins were killed by pumas in just four years, posing a significant threat to the penguin population. The research suggests that high puma predation rates could exacerbate reproductive decline and juvenile mortality, ultimately putting the colony at risk of extinction.
Exposure to ozone levels found in affected areas alters the ants' odor signature, causing them to be attacked as if they were foreign intruders. The disruption of chemical communication between adult ants and larvae may also lead to neglect of brood care and larval death.
A comprehensive review reveals devastating loss of island land snail biodiversity, with extinction rates ranging from 30% to 80%. The Hawaiian Islands, in particular, have lost up to 90% of their unique native snail species due to human arrival and colonization.
Scientists have uncovered a treasure trove of 12 million-year-old bird and four frog species in a New Zealand cave, shedding light on the continent's ancient history. The findings suggest that catastrophic climate changes and volcanic eruptions led to frequent extinctions, with around 33-50% of species disappearing before human arrival.
A global study reveals signs of complete extinction in the Canary Islands, where a previously undetected mass mortality event was identified in mid-2022. The affected species is no longer capable of reproducing, potentially leading to local extinction with severe ecological consequences.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
A new Oxford University study finds nearly 8,000 animal species could face extinction by the end of this century due to combined effects of climate-driven extreme heat and human land-use changes. The study highlights the urgency of conservation and mitigation actions globally to prevent immense losses to biodiversity.
Research reveals that threatened species are overrepresented in professional sports emblems, offering a powerful new avenue for biodiversity conservation partnerships. Fans' emotional connections with team mascots can mobilize audiences to support conservation initiatives.
Marine Animal Forests are complex habitats that provide essential ecological services, including biodiversity hotspots, nursery areas, and carbon cycling. Scientists urge immediate action to protect these ecosystems from destructive fishing practices, pollution, and climate change.
A new species of rocket frog, Dryadobates erythropus, has been discovered based on a single dried specimen kept at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History for 62 years. The species is considered 'probably extinct' due to lack of further sightings or specimens in the wild.
The discovery sheds light on marine ecosystems' rapid recovery and complexification after the end-Permian mass extinction. The Spitsbergen fossil deposit reveals diverse marine reptiles, including archosauromorphs and ichthyosaurs, with some species reaching 5m in length.
Researchers have identified three new species of tree-dwelling toads from Africa that skip the tadpole phase and give birth to live toadlets. This rare reproductive strategy is found in less than 1% of frog species, making these toads exceptionally interesting.
A new study reveals that island reptiles are more threatened with extinction than mainland species, yet remain largely ignored by researchers. The study found that 30% of island-dwelling reptiles are threatened, while only 6.7% of reptile-focused research publications have studied them.
Scientists suggest that managing pond conditions can tip the balance in favor of native species. Research found that longer hydroperiods, typically over 110 days, lead to larger and more stable populations.
Researchers developed a tool to measure food production's impact on species survival, finding that eating beef and lamb has the biggest effect on extinctions. Switching to vegetarian diets could halve biodiversity impact in the UK.
A new study reveals the deep connection between wildlife trafficking and other serious crimes, including arms dealing and human smuggling. By mapping these intersections, researchers can focus on key players driving global networks, boosting anti-trafficking interventions.
A new study documents the functional extinction of Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef following a record-setting marine heatwave in 2023. The heatwave caused catastrophic mortality rates, leading to a collapse of ecological function and marking what scientists call a functional extinction.
A recent study found that extinction rates in plants and animals peaked around 100 years ago and have declined since then. The researchers argue that past extinctions are not reliable predictors of current and future threats due to changing drivers such as habitat loss and climate change.
A new study suggests that Indigenous Australians may have been fossil collectors, rather than hunters, of Australia's megafauna. The researchers re-analyzed a fossilized tibia bone with an incision and found that it was likely already fossilized when the cut occurred.
A new index tool evaluates species' conservation priority based on future threats and traits, identifying reptiles as highest priority. The Proactive Conservation Index complements existing tools, offering insights into understudied species and facilitating proactive conservation strategies.
Researchers investigate cryopreservation as a tool for conservation, using the European subspecies of the Swallowtail to assess its viability. If effective, it could support long-term strategies like breeding programs and reintroduction efforts.
A new analytical method reveals that 65.5% of unhatched eggs were fertilized, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's findings can inform management decisions for threatened bird species and potentially accelerate their recovery.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to create a digital library of DNA sequences to preserve and protect life on Earth. The project has revealed a refined strategy to scale up the sequencing of 150,000 species, accelerating biodiversity research and global conservation.