Articles tagged with Extinction
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that bacteria undergo substantial extinctions over time, with estimates suggesting between 45,000 to 95,000 bacterial lineages going extinct in the last million years alone. This contradicts widely held scientific thinking that microbe taxa rarely die off.
A study published in BioScience warns that the Mexico-US border wall could lead to the extinction of over 1,500 native animal and plant species in the US. The construction of physical barriers disrupts annual or seasonal migration and dispersal routes, causing habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, and changes in fire regimes.
A new framework helps researchers and conservationists share sensitive data while minimizing harm to threatened species. The framework considers the pros and cons of making data public and provides ways to publish data without putting species at risk.
Researchers created a model to simulate biodiversity history in South America over thousands of years, closely matching observed patterns. The model's results suggest topography and climate play critical roles in species diversification and extinction.
Researchers at Clemson University found that salamanders can alter their behavior and physiology in response to environmental stressors, reducing extinction risk. This new understanding could provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of global warming on salamander populations.
A new review of evidence suggests the brown bear may have gone extinct earlier than thought, with dates ranging from late Neolithic to early medieval periods. The study aims to clarify the unclear previous evidence and sheds light on the possible reasons behind their extinction.
A study suggests that nature-based citizen science can reverse the 'extinction of experience' by fostering cognitive and emotional connections to nature. Citizen science programs increase participants' knowledge, skills, interest in and curiosity about nature, leading to positive behavioral changes.
Researchers discovered a brain circuit necessary for unlearning fear in rats. Dopamine activity is crucial for fear extinction, but its specific role varies depending on the brain region involved.
A new genus and species of gibbon has been identified in an ancient Chinese noble-woman's tomb, revealing a previously unknown extinct population of apes in eastern Asia. The findings suggest that human activity may have contributed to the gibbon's extinction.
A new study published in Biological Reviews analyzed over 300 statements about pterosaur diets and found that most are based on inferences drawn from modern organisms or fossil environments. This lack of reliable evidence has led to a wide range of proposed diets, with some groups showing strong agreement while others remain uncertain.
Researchers have identified valuable pools of genetic material from cryopreserved cell lines, which may help guide a tailored recovery program for the northern white rhinoceros. The study's findings suggest that advanced sequencing technologies and novel reproductive strategies could improve recovery efforts for other endangered species.
Researchers have identified nine Northern White Rhino (NWR) cryopreserved cell lines that could serve as a genetic rescue for the critically endangered species. The study found distinct genetic variation between NWR and Southern White Rhino (SWR), with potential for a tailored recovery program.
A new facial recognition software and app developed at Michigan State University can help track and protect endangered primates. The PrimNet system outperformed state-of-the-art face recognition systems in head-to-head comparisons, offering a more cost-effective and invasive approach to primate tracking.
A recent study in Current Biology identifies the giant Chinese salamander as having five distinct species, all of which are critically endangered and face imminent extinction. The researchers highlight the importance of genetic assessments and conservation efforts to protect these unique animals.
A team of researchers led by Maya Elrick found that a global marine anoxic event occurred during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction, which lasted for at least 1 million years and coincided with the extinction of 85% of marine life. The study suggests that low oxygen concentrations in the ocean were a major driver of the mass extinction.
A new study documents how a North American butterfly evolved complete dependence on an introduced European weed, leading to its local extinction when humans eliminated the plant's availability. The study supports the argument that rapid climate change will prove detrimental to biodiversity.
Researchers found that stress can render extinction learning context-independent, allowing patients to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. This could improve the efficacy of exposure therapies for anxiety disorders.
A study published in Geology suggests that major volcanism led to the late Devonian extinction event, marked by a sharp increase in mercury levels in rocks from Morocco, Germany, and northern Russia. The discovery provides new evidence for the role of volcanism in mass extinctions.
A new study links human activities to a massive extinction event that wiped out large mammals globally. The research suggests that size-biased extinctions started at least 125,000 years ago in Africa and spread to other continents as humans migrated, leaving only smaller mammals behind.
A team of scientists found that species with strong male sexual dimorphism are more vulnerable to extinction due to increased energy investment in reproduction. They analyzed thousands of ancient crustacean fossils, including ostracods with distinct sex-specific shapes preserved in the fossil record.
A new study warns of the high risk of extinction for rare coastal martens in Oregon and northern California within the next 30 years. The researchers estimated that only 87 adults remain in two subpopulations, with an extinction risk ranging from 32% to 99%. Habitat loss and human-caused deaths are major threats to their survival.
Researchers from FAU found warning signs of mass extinction existed 700,000 years before the event, including fossil records of dying species. They also note that current global warming, ocean acidification, and oxygen lack are evident in today's biodiversity crisis.
Research estimates vulnerability and extinction risk of migratory species from different regions and ecosystems worldwide. Migratory animals face barriers such as roads, dams, and urban development, which can lead to population decline and increased extinction risk.
A new study finds that climate change could lead to local extinction of up to 25% of plant and animal species in the world's most biodiverse areas. If carbon emissions continue to rise unchecked, these places could lose half of their species by the turn of the century.
A study in São Paulo found that mosquitoes that transmit diseases are adapting to urban environments, thriving in smaller green spaces where other species disappear. The research highlights the need for further study on how habitat loss affects vector insects and disease transmission.
Warmer, drier conditions led to a 25-year decline in Northern rock jasmine populations, ultimately causing local extinction. The study highlights the challenge of developing management policies for threatened populations.
Scientists analyzed 94 hominin fossils, finding average brain size increased gradually over three million years due to evolution of larger brains within populations. The research also shows the impact of introducing new, larger-brained species and extinction of smaller-brained ones on brain size evolution.
New research shows that biodiversity loss can lead to a domino effect of further extinctions, where the removal of one species creates a gap for other species to fill. This can result in simpler ecological communities at greater risk of extinction cascades with potential losses of many species.
Scientists propose a nuanced model for extinction that incorporates body size and metabolic scaling, revealing why animal species tend to evolve toward larger body sizes. The model predicts an energetically ideal mammal size 2.5 times that of an African elephant, making it more stable against extinction by starvation.
Introduced 'alien' honeybees are competing with native bees for resources, posing a threat to the survival of plants that rely on specific pollinators. This is particularly concerning in arid environments where super-generalist honeybees visit up to 55% of available plant species.
A recent study by National Centre for Biological Sciences reveals that high traffic roads and densely populated urban areas hinder tiger movement in Central India. Simulations show that protected corridors delimited by the NTCA can mitigate this impact, highlighting the need for informed development plans that consider biodiversity and...
Researchers from UC Davis predict certain traits, such as internal fertilization and long-distance mating signals, can help rare species persist during crises. These traits may provide advantages for chronically rare species when compared to more common species that are likely to face extinction during great extinction events.
Researchers found that tigers are clinging to survival in low-density populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The study revealed that primary forests are 47% more abundant than degraded forests, and extensive clearing has disproportionately reduced tiger numbers.
Research expedition tracked endangered tigers through Sumatran jungles, finding low density populations clinging to survival. Well-protected forests are disappearing and fragmenting, erasing tiger habitat gains, mainly due to oil palm plantations.
Researchers propose new theory reconciling taxon senescence with the Red Queen's Hypothesis, suggesting expansion is crucial for species success and extinction. The Hat Pattern, a phenomenon where species expand before contracting, is reinterpreted as evidence of this expansion-driven approach to survival.
Recent studies on passenger pigeon genomics reveal surprisingly low genetic diversity despite large populations. The study suggests that high adaptability allows faster evolution, but also drives a loss in genetic diversity, making the birds more vulnerable to extinction.
A study identified 1,189 highly threatened vertebrate species on 1,288 islands with invasive species, which may endanger their survival. Conservation efforts, including biosecurity and funding strategies, are crucial to protect native animals on islands with invasive species.
A new database identifies 1,189 threatened island species and the invasive species driving their decline. Effective management could prevent extinctions for 95% of these species.
A recent study has found that tropical high-altitude beetles are at risk of extinction due to climate change. The research, conducted in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, revealed that two plant-eating beetle groups - weevils and leaf beetles - are highly specialised to high altitudes and may disappear in a warmer world.
A team of scientists discovered a global spike in nickel at the time of the Great Permian Extinction, suggesting massive Siberian volcanic eruptions caused significant environmental changes. The eruptions led to intense global warming and depleted oxygen in oceans, contributing to the extinction of over 90% of species.
Botanic gardens conserve nearly two-thirds of plant genera and over 90% of plant families, yet face a significant imbalance between temperate and tropical regions. The majority of plant species are tropical, yet only 25% of these are represented in botanic gardens.
A global analysis of 27,000 vertebrate animal species found that those in the Goldilocks zone face a lower risk of extinction than larger or smaller species. The largest and smallest species are disproportionately threatened by human activities such as harvesting and habitat loss.
Researchers at The University of Queensland found that strategic delays can improve conservation gains by leveraging investments, capacity building, and monitoring. This approach allows limited resources to protect more species and achieve better outcomes in less time.
Chronic cocaine users exhibit impaired learning and memory in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, making it hard for them to form new associations and quit using the drug. This finding highlights potential limitations of extinction-based therapy in treating addiction.
A new study reveals that western monarch butterfly populations have declined by more than 70% over the past 35 years, threatening their survival. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change are likely contributing factors to this decline.
A study documents the local extinction of the American pika from a 64-square-mile area in California's northern Sierra Nevada mountains due to climate change. The species is expected to decline drastically by 2050, with pikas disappearing from an area that stretches from near Tahoe City to Truckee.
Researchers found a high incidence of cervical ribs in woolly rhino fossils, suggesting a vulnerable condition that may have contributed to their decline. The study suggests monitoring modern rhinos' vertebrae could indicate the level of extinction risk, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A new study found that Solenodon, a venomous shrew-like mammal, has survived human arrival in the Caribbean by adapting to a flexible diet. The research suggests that this flexibility allowed Solenodon to thrive despite human-induced climate change and invasive species on the islands.
A Johns Hopkins paleontologist and her team report that human arrival and activity led to the extinction of native mammal species in the Caribbean. The study found that 60% of endemic mammals went extinct after humans arrived, with current conservation efforts focusing on protecting bats and insectivores.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
Restoring links between large adjoining habitat fragments can reduce species extinctions and provide a large potential return on investment in biodiversity. By targeting these areas, researchers found that habitat restoration could decrease the duration between habitat loss and extinction of tropical bird species.
Scientists are searching for Edwards' pheasant, a critically endangered bird species endemic to central Vietnam. Researchers have identified two potential locations where the bird may still exist, using data compiled from known sightings and recordings dating back to the late 1800s.
A new study suggests that human settlement of Jamaica may have led to the extinction of the Xenothrix mcgregori monkey species. The research uses radiocarbon dating to estimate that the monkey died between 505 and 573 A.D., overlapping with non-European human arrival on the island.
The article explores de-extinction efforts, highlighting potential ecological benefits and challenges. Experts debate whether de-extinction initiatives aid or hinder conservation efforts, with concerns about habitat destruction and climate change.
A study by James Muirhead and colleagues suggests that the formation of intrusive igneous rock sills triggered the End-Permian Mass Extinction. The team found that extreme heat from sill emplacement exposed sediments to contact metamorphism, liberating massive greenhouse gas volumes that drove extinction.
A new extinct bird species, Pyrrhula crassa, has been discovered on Graciosa Island in the Azores archipelago. The species went extinct due to human colonization and introduction of invasive species. Its unique beak morphology suggests it was a large bullfinch species.
A recent study found that the scent of a praying mantis can cause fruit flies to spend less time eating, more time being vigilant, and produce fewer offspring, leading to increased extinction risk. The study sheds light on the Allee effect, a long-standing biological conundrum related to population size and extinction.
A new global analysis shows that species most at risk live in areas just beginning to see the impacts of human activities. Intact forest landscapes deserve higher priority for conservation dollars than heavily impacted areas, according to researchers.
Researchers found that environmental disturbances can cause sudden population collapses, making extinction easier even for large populations. This has implications for predicting and controlling viral epidemics.
A new study finds over 30% of vertebrate species are declining in population size and range, with tropical regions hit hardest. The research suggests that the disappearance of species tells only part of the story of human impact on Earth's animals.