Articles tagged with Extinction
Scientists have discovered new fossils showing that dinosaur predecessors were more widespread than thought after the mass extinction event. The findings suggest that archosaurs, a group including crocodiles and dinosaurs, diversified in Tanzania and Zambia before becoming more widely distributed.
A new study reveals that proportions of threatened species are more closely related to socio-economic pressures from the early 20th century. This 'extinction debt' implies that current conservation efforts may underestimate true extinction risks, as many species may already be destined for extinction due to temporal delays.
Research by Alison Boyer found that nearly 983 land bird species became extinct between the first human arrival and European colonization due to overhunting, forest clearance, and introduced species. The study also reveals that flightless species were more likely to go extinct than those with flying abilities.
Research by the Zoological Society of London found that over 4,000 years ago, tropical Pacific Islands experienced a catastrophic mass extinction of birds, with around 1,300 species disappearing. The loss was largely due to overhunting and deforestation caused by human arrival.
A massive extinction event occurred 200 million years ago, wiping out 76% of species on Earth. Volcanic eruptions from the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province likely triggered the event through global warming and ocean acidification.
The end-Triassic extinction was caused by widespread volcanic eruptions in the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, which spewed forth huge amounts of lava and gas. The eruptions occurred precisely when the extinction began, providing strong evidence that they triggered the event.
A new study ties gigantic volcanic eruptions to the abrupt disappearance of half of Earth's species 200 million years ago, potentially on a pace similar to human-influenced climate warming today. The eruptions caused sudden climate changes that may have prevented many creatures from adapting.
A new study suggests that climate change may lead to the extinction of dozens of lizard species within the next 50 years due to rising temperatures. Lizards with viviparous reproduction are particularly vulnerable as changing weather patterns affect their ability to adapt and survive in cold environments.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem critical for emotional memory processing during REM sleep. The activation of phasic pontine waves is linked to the development of long-term retention of fear extinction memory, making it a potential target for new treatments.
A new report by Panthera suggests that fencing and conflict mitigation initiatives are necessary to conserve lion populations in Africa. The study found that unfenced habitats lead to higher costs and lower lion population densities, highlighting the severity of the lion conservation crisis.
Researchers found that reducing the population size of one carnivore can cause another similar species to become extinct due to changes in food webs. This highlights the need for an ecosystem-based approach to conservation.
A new study suggests that scopolamine can help boost the effectiveness of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders by disrupting contextual processing. Researchers found that administering scopolamine to rats during anxiety-extinction led to fear-recovery being thwarted, suggesting a potential breakthrough in preventing relapse.
Biologists at the University of Washington have found that mutant bacteria can escape extinction when environmental conditions worsen gradually or moderately. The study shows that 'relay team' of mutations emerging under these conditions provides protection against extreme stress, increasing chances of survival.
A new study reveals that nearly 1 in 5 reptiles are struggling to survive, with many species highly specialized and sensitive to environmental changes. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation action to address habitat loss, hunting, and other threats, particularly in tropical regions.
Researchers found that most tough-leaved shrubs and trees in South East Australia went extinct during the ice ages, contradicting the long-held theory that evolution drives biodiversity. The study suggests that extinction is equally important to diversity as evolution.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that scopolamine can rapidly improve mood in depressed patients. Additionally, the drug shows promise as a treatment for anxiety disorders by disrupting contextual processing during extinction learning.
Scientists have determined the most precise dates yet for the dinosaur extinction and a comet or asteroid impact, which occurred around the same time. The revised dates clear up lingering confusion over whether the impact occurred before or after the extinction.
A new population modelling approach contradicts the widespread belief that disease must have been a factor in the thylacine's extinction. The study found that European settlement, including hunting and habitat loss, was powerful enough to drive the species to extinction without invoking a mystery disease.
Researchers find only 1.5 million named species out of an estimated 5 million, making conservation efforts more hopeful than previously thought. Increased global involvement in taxonomy and exploration can help discover and protect species from extinction.
A study found that invasive plant invasions can create 'extinction debts' in native plant species, leading to slow extinctions but delayed actual extinction events. Native plants are often relegated to marginal habitats unsuitable to their non-native competitors.
Climate change is projected to place the endemic Haleakalā silversword species at risk of extinction due to increasing water stress and lethal conditions. The plant's recovery from early threats has stalled, with annual population growth rates linked to precipitation patterns and warmer-drier climate trends.
Researchers found that invasive plants will likely extinguish native plants in the wild over time, contrary to recent reports. The 'extinction debt' occurs hundreds of years after initial invasion, where native species slowly go extinct but not immediately.
A new study attributes California's high plant species richness to low extinction rates, rather than high speciation rates. The researchers found that features of California's climate and topography have preserved species, allowing them to thrive in the region.
A new analysis suggests that saber-toothed cats and American lions didn't drastically change their diet near extinction due to scarcity. Instead, they likely consumed carcass bones regularly, contradicting the idea that food shortage was a main reason for their extinction.
Foxes are widespread in northern and eastern Tasmania, with a predicted spread that could lead to devastating consequences for the island's wildlife. The University of Canberra team used DNA detection techniques to map their distribution and recommend targeting all highly suitable fox habitats for eradication.
Researchers found that pre-Cretaceous ecosystem changes and environmental factors led to more fragile communities in late Cretaceous North America. The study's findings suggest that human-made changes to modern ecosystems could worsen their ability to withstand disturbances, emphasizing the importance of understanding ecological function.
A new study of marine fossils reveals that ocean animals with small geographic ranges are more likely to go extinct, even when populations are large. The research found that habitat breadth played a secondary role in extinction risk, and population size had little effect.
A University of York-led study reveals that strategically placed habitat 'stepping stones' can accelerate species range expansion, even in fragmented landscapes. The research offers a new approach to conservation planning, prioritizing areas where gaps between habitats are most difficult to cross.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have identified a critical brain receptor that regulates extinction learning, which helps addicts stop drug use. By stimulating this receptor, drugs or molecular pathways could boost the effectiveness of exposure therapies and reduce craving and relapse.
A new research project led by associate professor David Nogués-Bravo will test historical data on species extinction to improve prediction methods for climate change. The study aims to protect threatened species and inform decisions to prevent extinctions.
Many fruit fly species lack heat resistance, making them vulnerable to predicted global temperature increases. Researchers found that most tropical and mid-latitude species are at risk of extinction without adaptation.
A new report by the Zoological Society of London identifies 100 of the most threatened animals, plants, and fungi on the planet, highlighting their unique value to nature. The report emphasizes that all species have a right to exist and should be protected, regardless of their perceived utility for humans.
Scientists discovered two closely timed extinctions, one triggered by massive volcanic eruptions and another by an asteroid impact. The eruptions, which occurred 300,000 to 200,000 years before the asteroid hit, warmed the planet and killed marine life.
A new study suggests that a warmer Earth generally increases biodiversity, but only after millions of years. However, current trends of increasing temperature are expected to cause diversity loss in the short term due to the speed of change.
A team of marine scientists warns that life in the world's oceans is facing a major shock due to human activities. The researchers have compared past extinctions with current trends, finding that global warming, acidification, and pollution are driving mass extinctions today, similar to those that occurred 500 million years ago.
A recent study published in Functional Ecology forecasts that tropical cold-blooded organisms are less likely to go extinct due to climate change. The researchers found that the 'hotter is better' theory suggests species adapted to warmer environments may evolve faster and be more resilient.
A study by University of Exeter researchers found that the demise of one carnivore species can indirectly cause another to become extinct due to ripple effects on a food web. This supports growing evidence against 'single species' conservation approaches, favoring instead ecosystem-centric strategies.
New research reveals that tropical forest fragments are nearly emptied of wildlife, with many species like jaguars and lowland tapirs virtually extinct. The study emphasizes the importance of strictly protected areas to conserve biodiversity in these ecosystems.
According to a study by Noel M. Burkhead, North American freshwater fish extinctions have increased noticeably after 1950, with at least 57 species and subspecies going extinct since 1898. The rate of extinction is estimated to be at least 877 times the background extinction rate over geological time.
The last remaining Javan rhinoceros in Vietnam has been confirmed extinct, with only one individual found alive in 2009. Researchers are now focused on saving the remaining population of 29 individuals living in Indonesia's Ujon Kolong area, using genetic tools to determine their age, sex, and pedigree.
Climate change, pollution, and invasive species are driving mortality in amphibians due to infectious disease, leading to extinctions rates 200 times higher than background extinction rates. Understanding these complex forces is crucial for addressing amphibian declines and emerging infections in humans.
A study led by biologists at UCSC found that gregarious bat species are more likely to decline and potentially go extinct due to white-nose syndrome. In contrast, solitary species like the tri-colored bat have stabilized at low levels. The little brown bat's social behavior has changed, but it may persist at smaller populations.
A new study suggests that mass extinctions permanently alter the pace of evolution, with species diversification rates shifting after catastrophes. Researchers analyzed bivalve mollusks and found that origination rates increased or decreased suddenly at mass extinction events, reflecting a permanent change in evolutionary speed.
Research suggests that top predators play a crucial role in extinction risk, as they can amplify the effects of climate change on other species. Studying these biotic multipliers and their interactions with other species is essential to improve predictions of climate change impacts.
Scientists have found that woolly mammoths' extinction was caused by a combination of climate warming and habitat change, with human-induced climate change mirroring the same pressures. The researchers used radiocarbon dating to create detailed maps of changes in plant species, forest development, and human settlements over time.
Research on lemur extinctions over 2,000 years reveals that remaining species go into 'ecological retreat,' increasing extinction risk. Surviving lemurs rely on denser habitats due to vacant environmental niches, which may be a result of human disturbance.
A University of Georgia study analyzed over 46,000 fossils from 52 sites, revealing that abundant species did not necessarily persist longer than less abundant ones outside of the Ordovician extinction event. Instead, rarer genera were more likely to be present longer in the fossil record.
A study found that large-bodied herbivores declined in biodiversity over the last 12 million years of the Cretaceous period. In contrast, carnivorous dinosaurs and smaller plant-eaters remained relatively stable or increased in diversity. The researchers used morphological disparity to analyze dinosaur groups and found that certain spe...
A recent study has identified 24 new species of skinks, a type of lizard, on Caribbean islands. The newly discovered species are threatened with extinction due to the introduction of invasive mongooses that have been responsible for their decline.
A recent study found that mammalian families in North America maintained similar niches throughout the past 56 million years, despite significant climate changes. The research suggests that family diversity played a crucial role in their ability to adapt and maintain larger ranges.
A team of international scientists has confirmed that the extinct Tasmanian Tiger had limited genetic diversity prior to its extinction. The study reveals that the thylacine's genetic health may have been affected by geographic isolation from mainland Australia approximately 10-13 thousand years ago.
A Caltech-led team used a framework to analyze fossil occurrences and sedimentary rock records to determine that habitat loss due to falling sea levels and cooling of tropical oceans were the primary causes of the Late Ordovician mass extinction. The study largely ruled out a hypothesis suggesting a record bias as an explanation for th...
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have discovered that pollen diversity is limited in mahogany forests due to extensive exploitation, affecting seedling growth and forest re-growth rates. The study suggests that collecting high-quality seeds from healthy trees could improve restoration efforts.
Mathematical modelling and simulation reveal that extreme species-rich ecosystems are most vulnerable to cascading extinctions in an increasingly variable world. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that species-rich ecosystems are more robust.
A newly discovered fossil species of scops owl found in Madeira reveals that its extinction was linked to human arrival and habitat destruction. The findings suggest that human introduction led to disease transmission, invasive species, and habitat loss, contributing to the bird's demise.
Scientists analyzed data from an Antarctic ice core and arrival of modern humans to determine that a combination of human pressure and climate change led to the extinction of many large animals. The research provides insights into the consequences of pressures on megafauna living today, including tigers and rhinos.
A recent review of 200 scientific studies warns that climate change and habitat loss will drive tropical bird extinctions, with 87% of bird species spending time in the tropics. The study predicts 600-900 land bird species may go extinct by 2100, highlighting birds as 'canaries in the coal mine' for ecosystem changes.
Researchers analyzed Caribbean coral extinctions during Plio-Pleistocene era and found strong relationships between past regional extinction events and modern coral vulnerability. The study suggests that extinction events depend on biological characteristics of the coral species, improving the accuracy of extinction-risk assessment.
A new study reveals that the deadliest mass extinction, 'The Great Dying', was not a sudden event but occurred gradually. The researchers found evidence of gradual decline in marine life, with some species dying up to 100,000 years before the main extinction event.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that Earth's largest mass extinction, known as 'The Great Dying,' occurred over hundreds of thousands of years, not suddenly. The research, led by Thomas Algeo from the University of Cincinnati, found evidence of a prolonged die-off of marine life due to ma...