Articles tagged with Extinction
A new model predicts a decrease in species diversity by 39% due to climate change, compared to traditional models' forecast of 54% loss. The study reveals that some species may better tolerate climate change than expected, with 49% of species living in climate niches that could expand under warming conditions.
A rare Florida fossil has helped scientists reconcile the long-standing debate over North America's sole porcupine species. The porcupine's unique adaptations, such as its insulating fur and modified jaw structure, demonstrate the evolutionary pressures it faced in transitioning from tropical forests to colder environments.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully sequenced the genome of the extinct little bush moa, providing new genetic evidence about its sensory biology. The study sheds light on how and why some birds evolved to become flightless, offering clues for future de-extinction efforts.
Early hunter-gatherers in central Chile regularly visited Tagua Tagua Lake between 12,440-12,550 years old to hunt ancient elephants and process other local resources. The discovery of the fossil remains of a gomphothere at the site provides insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans during the Late Pleistocene.
Researchers Michael Platt and Peter Sterling link declining fertility to despair, social fragmentation, and economic uncertainty, posing existential threats to humanity. The study highlights the need for interventions addressing hopelessness and promoting social connections to prevent population collapse.
A new study has reconstructed the ancient giant salmon with tusk-like teeth, previously thought to be 'saber-toothed'. The teeth actually pointed sideways out of the fish's mouth, similar to a warthog. This discovery sheds light on the species' possible uses for these massive spikes.
A new study reveals that competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins. The research found that the Homo lineage experienced an unprecedented number of new species emerging, contradicting traditional views on evolutionary patterns. Technology, such as stone tools and fire, may have driven this process.
Researchers analyzed a 40-fold high-coverage genome from a historical museum specimen and found no inbreeding or detrimental mutations, indicating the species' ability to adapt to long-term low population size. The study suggests that European colonization was a key factor in the blue antelope's extinction.
Researchers have discovered a virus that infects the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes heart failure in frogs and toads. The virus could be engineered to control the fungal disease and potentially save amphibian species.
Researchers created a model to predict extinction likelihood based on human hunting and environmental pressures. The model accounted for interactions between humans, animals, and their environment, considering factors like climate change and life history traits.
A researcher at Ohio State University resolves historical inconsistencies in the name of a popular fossil, confirming that Thomas Jefferson named the genus correctly. The correct name helps ensure accurate documentation of the history of life on Earth and its implications for science.
A new study found that about half of Cerrado plant species will experience a net range loss due to climate change by 2040, leading to less plant diversity in lowland areas. The research suggests that the fate of plant species depends on their geographical range, with mountain plants having nowhere to go.
A recent study reveals that sandy soil reptiles are more vulnerable to extinction and habitat loss due to climate change. The research analyzed occurrence records for ten species of lizard and snake adapted to sandy habitats in South America's dry regions.
A new study from Stockholm University found that pesticide linuron causes significant physiological impacts in frogs, including changes in DNA, growth, metabolism, and reproductive systems. The research highlights the profound transgenerational consequences of environmental pollution on amphibian populations.
A new eight-year study found that about 60 species of deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with an elevated risk of extinction due to overfishing. The analysis highlights the need for regulating international trade in shark liver oil and protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
A new study has analyzed fossil records of marine invertebrates over the past 485 million years, identifying key traits that affect resilience to extinction. The research suggests that species with restricted thermal ranges are at greatest risk, and global biodiversity faces a harrowing future.
Researchers from OIST used X-ray micro-CT to study a 38 million-year-old termite pair trapped in amber, revealing a male and female in tandem running behavior. The discovery provides new insights into the fidelity of behavior fossilization in amber.
Conservationists have initiated a breeding program in Vietnam to recover the spotted softshell turtle population threatened by overconsumption and habitat loss. The species is critically endangered, with no populations found in protected areas, highlighting the need for further conservation efforts.
A new study suggests that fish are shifting their focus from less abundant prey to more abundant prey as waters become warmer, leading to a mismatch between their energetic needs and actual food intake. This flexible foraging behaviour may make communities more vulnerable to climate change, increasing the risk of extinctions.
A new study reveals that Singapore has lost 37% of its species over the past two centuries, with larger mammals and forest-dependent birds being particularly at risk. The researchers recommend prioritizing landscape-scale conservation efforts for charismatic species, such as tigers and orangutans, to mitigate extinction rates.
Research on ancient brown bear genomes sheds light on how they survived the last Ice Age. Brown bears experienced extensive range reductions and regional extinctions, leading to significant genetic diversity loss.
A three-year study has provided the first reliable estimate of giraffe population size for the region, revealing a mere 27 individuals remain within Bénoué National Park. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this subspecies from extinction due to threats from poaching and human pressures.
A new study published in Palaeontologia Electronica shows the Megalodon was more slender than earlier studies suggested, changing our understanding of its behavior and impact on ancient ocean life. The revised model suggests a longer digestive canal, potentially leading to less predation pressure on other marine creatures.
New evidence reveals that giant ape species 'Gigantopithcus blacki' went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago due to its inability to adapt to changing climates and food preferences. The study used multiple dating techniques and environmental analysis to confirm the extinction timeline.
Researchers at Ohio State University explore how technology and economics can be used to protect endangered species. By leveraging tools like camera traps and smartphone apps, scientists can monitor populations more efficiently. Additionally, economists can develop policies that protect species before they become threatened, reducing t...
A new study reveals that humans have driven the extinction of 1,430 bird species, with many becoming extinct before written records. The research suggests that major human-driven extinctions occurred in the 14th century and ninth century BC, with ongoing threats including climate change and invasive species.
Researchers have discovered the oldest known fossils of the Frankincense and Myrrh family in Indian chert, dating back to the Cretaceous period. The fossils were preserved in pyrenes, which are woody dispersal pods that protect seeds from digestion.
Researchers found that ponderosa pine trees suffer from warming, contradicting the space-for-time substitution method. Climate change is happening faster than trees can adapt, putting them at risk of extinction.
A new study from Aarhus University confirms that human activity, not climate change, caused the dramatic decline of giant mammals over the past 50,000 years. By analyzing DNA data from 139 large living mammal species, researchers found that populations fell dramatically around 50,000 years ago, coinciding with the spread of modern humans.
A new study identifies the best regions for rewilding European bison, pinpointing areas where conservation efforts can be most effective. The research suggests that understanding the species' decline is crucial to ensuring long-term protection and recovery.
Researchers uncover 10 new trilobite species in Thai sanctuary, shedding light on Cambrian-Ordovician period and connecting Thailand to parts of Australia. The discovery helps date the age of fossils and better understand global geography.
A recent study found that half of commercial caviar products in Europe are illegal, and some don't contain any trace of sturgeon. The research analyzed DNA and isotope patterns on 149 samples of caviar and sturgeon meat, revealing widespread poaching and violation of trade laws.
A new study has found that non-native species tend to mirror Earth's biodiversity patterns, with around 37,000 invasive species described worldwide. The researchers discovered that certain groups of species, such as mammals and plants, are disproportionately prone to establishing in new areas.
Researchers found that pollutants in green sea turtle eggs can feminize broods, increasing the risk of extinction due to a lack of males. The study suggests that climate change and pollution may be driving this trend, which could have severe consequences for the species' survival.
Researchers discovered six new species of rove beetles with unique genital shapes, including a bottle-opener like structure in one species. Climate change threatens the survival of these species due to habitat changes.
A new analysis of European Red List species reveals that 19% are at risk of extinction, including a large proportion of invertebrates. Agricultural land-use change poses a significant threat to these species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to counter biodiversity loss.
Researchers have successfully engineered a soft robotic replica of a 450-million-year-old marine organism, pleurocystitid, to better understand its biomechanical factors and locomotion. The study introduces the field of Paleobionics, which uses Softbotics to explore evolution and animal design.
The BioRescue project evaluated 65 advanced assisted reproduction procedures in white rhinos, showing the technology is safe for donor females and yields successful embryo generation. Regular OPUs improve reproductive health in individual female rhinos.
Two ancient species of whales, the North Atlantic right whale and the grey whale, disappeared from European waters centuries before industrial whaling began. Archaeological analysis of 719 whale bones reveals that early whaling had a devastating impact on these species.
Researchers from Bologna, Siena, and Haifa will investigate Neanderthal extinction in Eastern and Southeastern Europe and Western and Central Asia. The project aims to shed light on the chain of events that led to their disappearance.
A Curtin University-led study has identified three new species of mulgara, a small carnivorous marsupial, but four of the proposed species are already extinct. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding Australian wildlife and the growing threats to ecosystems.
A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.
A genetic study has decoded the lineage of 'Old Tom,' a famous killer whale in Australia, and found ancestral connections to modern-day New Zealand orcas. The research also reveals that the killer whales of Eden may have become extinct locally due to a lack of shared DNA with other killer whales globally.
A new modeling method powered by interconnected processors removed human bias from the debate over dinosaurs' demise. The study suggests that the outpouring of climate-altering gases from the Deccan Traps alone could have been sufficient to trigger global extinction, consistent with volcanic eruptions contributing to the mass extinction.
A new study suggests that protecting large areas of land can help stem biodiversity loss, with vertebrates declining 0.4% per year inside protected areas compared to 1.8% outside. The study highlights the importance of proper governance for the success of protected lands and their role in conserving biodiversity.
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.
Researchers have extracted ancient DNA from Caribbean parrots, revealing two species were more widespread and diverse in the past. The study helps explain how parrots became the world's most endangered group of birds, with many island populations gone extinct.
A new study by uOttawa and Trent University found that the development of Terry Fox Drive in Ottawa has led to a 70% decline in Blanding's turtle populations despite wildlife fencing and new wetlands. The researchers predict that the turtle will reach quasi-extinction threshold within the next few years.
The study predicts that climate change will lead to the loss of 99% of plant species in the Caatinga biome by 2060, resulting in a decrease in vegetation diversity and complexity. Biotic homogenization is expected to affect approximately 40% of plant assemblages, simplifying their composition due to the loss of rare species.
Most of the world's largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction and lack of conservation efforts. The study highlights the need for a joined-up, cross-regional approach to save these unique plants.
A recent study reveals that human-driven mass extinction is eliminating entire branches of the tree of life, with up to 73 genera of land-dwelling vertebrates going extinct since 1500 AD. This 'biological annihilation' threatens biodiversity and could have catastrophic consequences for humanity.
Researchers found that climate-related extinction occurred in just seven years, tripling the average extinction rate over the past 42 years. The study used genomic data from Yarrow's spiny lizards to understand how genetic variation affects adaptation to climate change.
A study warns that Brazil's hydroelectric power plants are threatening the Williams' side-necked turtle, which depends on rapids for survival. The study estimates that 30% of its habitat could be lost, heightening the risk of extinction due to highly suitable areas becoming increasingly rare and less interconnected.
A team of researchers used a novel methodology to investigate the impact of large mammal extinctions on their environments. They found that earlier biodiversity losses did not necessarily hinder mammal community functioning, but later losses were linked to changes in climate and vegetation patterns.
The study found a correlation between the emergence of sophisticated stone-knapping methods and a relative decrease in large prey quantities. Stone-tipped spears with Levallois technology allowed for more substantial wounds, increasing hunting success.
A comprehensive study reveals a 72% reduction in rare butterfly populations across Eastern Denmark, with only 158 sites remaining from 565 in 1993. The research highlights the need for improved habitat protection and management to safeguard these species.
Researchers are creating digital 3D models of freshwater mussels using photogrammetry, allowing biologists and conservationists to identify species and teach field biologists how to distinguish characteristics. The online course will also educate the public about these essential creatures that filter algae and stabilize streambeds.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating and time-series modeling to study the timing and causes of megafauna extinctions at Rancho La Brea Tar Pits. The team found that a sharp decline in population occurred between 13,070 to 12,900 years ago, coinciding with warming and drying climate change and increased fires sparked by humans.
A new study identifies over 800 bivalve species that humans harvest and find to be more resilient to extinction due to their adaptability in various climates. The researchers highlight the need for sustainable management to preserve these populations, but also warn of potential risks if human demand exceeds their capacity.
A University of Bristol-led study warns that Kordofan giraffes may go extinct within 15 years if poaching continues in Cameroon's Bénoué National Park. Researchers found that the removal of one male and one female giraffe per year would result in an average time to extinction of just 15.3 years.