Researchers identify two southward migration events of Arctic ostracods in the Last Glacial Period, revealing the impact of East Asian winter monsoon on marine ecosystems. The study's findings help understand Asian monsoon dynamics and their effects on polar species distribution, highlighting the risk of extinction under climate change.
A new study by Imperial College London found that the most unique birds on the planet are also the most threatened. The researchers analyzed the extinction risk and physical attributes of 99% of all living bird species, revealing a significant link between uniqueness and threat status.
A new study suggests that human activities such as burning forests for introduced grazing species led to the disappearance of Madagascar's large animals. The researchers found a drastic increase in charcoal and domesticated species like zebu cattle around 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the extinction of megafauna.
A new study suggests that ray-finned fish diversified earlier than previously thought, accumulating small changes before the Carboniferous period. The fossil specimen Palaeoneiros clackorum shows features typical of younger species, indicating a more complex picture of species diversification.
Researchers developed a global indicator to measure marine biodiversity based on extinct fish populations, revealing worsening extinction risk since the 1950s. Implementing management measures can reduce fishing mortality and recover tunas and billfishes, but sharks continue to face threats due to overfishing.
A team of Berlin scientists has successfully grown stem cells and mini-brains from Sumatran rhino skin cells, paving the way for potential use in assisted reproduction. The next step is to create sperm cells that may help save the critically endangered species from extinction.
A new review highlights the lack of understanding about non-game native transplant (NGNT) fish in the US, which can have significant impacts on ecosystems. Researchers urge anglers and aquarium hobbyists to take steps to prevent NGNT invasions, such as not releasing bait fish into different watersheds.
A recent study predicts that over half of lesser-known species are in danger of disappearing. The researchers used machine learning to calculate the risk of extinction for thousands of data-deficient species, finding that as many as 85% of amphibians and around half of mammals and reptiles face an uphill battle.
Scientists have discovered a new species of scops-owl on Príncipe Island, characterized by its unique 'tuu' call. The population is estimated at around 1000-1500 individuals and is considered Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the construction of a hydro-electric dam.
Researchers found that 90% of surveyed individuals did not recognize six out of seven endangered species. Increasing public knowledge and recognition can boost conservation support for these vulnerable animals. The study highlights the need for targeted marketing initiatives to change people's perception of lesser-known species.
Researchers created iPSCs from Okinawa rail, Japanese ptarmigan, Blakiston's fish owl, and Japanese golden eagle for conservation. The cells can differentiate into various cell types, providing a valuable resource for evaluating disease risks and pollution.
Researchers found that closely-related rhododendron species in China's Hengduan Mountains coexist by bursting into bloom at different times of the season. This diversification allows them to reduce competition for resources and pollinators, enabling their survival.
Researchers found four species – tigers, elephants, wild boars, and clouded leopards – showing increased populations in areas with human infrastructure. However, deforestation still impacted some species, particularly clouded leopards.
Researchers are using ancient DNA samples to study the relationship between humans and furbearers like beavers, mink, and muskrats. By analyzing genetic diversity lost due to the fur trade, scientists can inform current conservation efforts and guide future management schemes.
A new fossil specimen discovered in California reveals that the first saber-like canines evolved in an early nimravid around 40 million years ago. This finding highlights the quick diversification of carnivorous mammals after the middle Eocene climatic optimum.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have successfully decoded the genome of Aldabrachelys gigantea, one of the world's two remaining giant tortoise species. The reference genome provides crucial information for breeding programs in zoos to represent genetic diversity and conservation efforts across East Africa and Madagascar.
New research proposes that intense Andean volcanism around seven million years ago may have contributed to the Late Miocene Cooling Event, leading to the extinctions of ancient marine mammals. The study suggests that ash from ongoing volcanism could have poisoned the air or led to toxic algae blooms.
A study reveals that domesticated banana varieties contain traces of three unknown wild ancestors, which were likely hybrids between subspecies and may hold useful traits such as parthenocarpy. The researchers believe these 'mystery ancestors' might still be alive in the wild, particularly in regions including the Gulf of Thailand, Bor...
A new study re-examines fossil bones from the Nombe Rock Shelter in PNG Highlands and suggests that several large mammal species may have survived for another 40,000 years. The research challenges general assumptions about megafaunal extinction timelines and provides fresh insights into the natural history of PNG.
A large wingless wood-eating cockroach unique to Australia's Lord Howe Island has been rediscovered at the foot of a single Banyan tree. The species was thought extinct since the 1930s, but its genetic difference from offshore relatives suggests it may have survived due to co-evolution with ground-dwelling insects.
A University of Kansas paleontologist is using a 3-million-year-old fossil record to predict the future of Western Atlantic mollusk species. By analyzing the fossil record, the researcher hopes to identify biological and behavioral traits that gave some species evolutionary success and others extinction.
A study co-authored by Amelia Villaseñor reveals that the extinction of megafauna in North America more than 10,000 years ago resulted in a reorganized, vulnerable ecosystem. The research found that surviving mammal communities were affected, with vacant niches and changes in dietary habits.
A study published in Science found that more than one-tenth of the world's terrestrial genetic diversity may already be lost due to climate change and habitat destruction. This could have serious implications for species' ability to adapt to climate change, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts.
Researchers found that unique coloration makes songbirds more sought after as pets, threatening their populations and the aesthetic value of nature. The study identifies nearly 500 bird species at risk due to their colors, emphasizing the need for sustainable trade regulations.
A new standard will help identify critical areas for shark conservation using criteria that consider biological and ecological needs. The framework aims to support the protection of apex predators facing extinction due to human threats.
A new study suggests that massive volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found a strong temporal connection between flood basalt eruptions and significant climatic events.
A 12,000-year analysis of El Niño's impact on animal communities reveals a tipping point where five or more major events per century lead to dramatic changes in eastern Pacific ecosystems. This finding suggests that strong El Niño events will play an increasingly important role in shaping future ecosystems.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
A study reveals that over 50% of mammal food web links have disappeared due to animal declines, leading to a collapse of global ecosystems. Restoring extinct species to their historic ranges holds great potential to reverse these declines and restore food web complexity.
A new study sheds light on the ancestry of manatees, tracing their evolution back 47 million years to northern Africa. The research suggests that modern manatees migrated from South America to the Caribbean and North America around 34 million years ago, with some species thriving in communities for millions of years.
A new study by University of Missouri and Webster University scientists finds climate change linked to decline of bumblebees in alpine regions. Warming temperatures are creating a longer growing season, allowing lower-elevation bees to migrate to alpine areas, where they struggle to adapt.
Researchers have found that small mammal diversity decreased with increasing human modification and that modern communities are fundamentally distinct from past ones. Even protected spaces can conserve native small mammal communities, highlighting their importance in urban conservation projects.
Researchers have centralized over 300 key figures in the Human Impacts Database, providing information on global plastic production, standing livestock population, and sea level rise. The database aims to promote collective quantitative literacy of the Anthropocene.
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
Dinosaurs had high metabolic rates, suggesting they were endotherms, which allowed them to regulate their body temperature. This finding refutes previous ideas that dinosaurs were intermediate between ectotherms and endotherms.
A study published in Biogeosciences reveals a strong relationship between global temperature changes and mass extinctions. The research, led by Professor Emeritus Kunio Kaiho, found that both marine animals and terrestrial tetrapods' extinction rates correspond to deviations in global and habitat surface temperatures.
Large carnivore populations show genuine improvement in extinction risk when protected by international legislation and have controlled hunting plans. Marine mammals are most likely to recover, while rays and sharks face significant threats.
Research predicts that bird species extinction will decrease morphological diversity among remaining birds at a rate greater than species loss alone. Birds with extreme features are most likely to be affected, including the largest and smallest species, as well as regions like the Himalayan mountains and south Vietnam/Cambodia.
Researchers found 61 out of 86 species threatened with extinction, with coastal sharks facing greatest conservation concern. Increased protections and international trade regulations are crucial to prevent extinctions among these species.
A new study investigates how birds experience neophobia, which could play a vital role in helping to save Critically Endangered species. The research gathered data on the behavior of captive Bali myna birds, revealing that juvenile birds may be more suitable for reintroduction than adults.
A new database has been created to support conservation efforts by filling the large gaps in our understanding of where and how human activities threaten wild species around the world. The database presents a valuable tool for planning conservation actions at any spatial scale and preventing species extinctions globally.
A new biodiversity survey found that approximately 30% of species have been globally threatened or driven extinct since 1500, according to experts from around the world. The study synthesized perspectives of thousands of biodiversity experts worldwide and highlighted significant demographic and geographic differences in their estimates.
New research reveals that over half of threatened species require targeted recovery actions to ensure their survival. The study found that while expanding protected areas and reducing pollution will benefit many species, 57% would still need specialized interventions such as captive breeding, reintroduction, and vaccination.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A new study reveals that Triassic dinosaur species endured freezing conditions due to their well-developed feathers. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in colder climates, while other reptiles perished. The discovery sheds light on the ecological rise of dinosaurs after the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction.
The IPBES assessment report reveals that billions of people rely on wild species for food, energy, and income, with 10,000 species harvested for human consumption. However, the report warns that unsustainable use is threatening the survival of these species, driven by drivers such as land changes, climate change, and pollution.
Researchers have discovered a lone Quercus tardifolia tree in Big Bend National Park, Texas, which was thought to be extinct. The tree's poor condition highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect its genetic variation and adapt it to environmental changes.
A new study suggests that dinosaurs were well adapted to cold temperatures and survived a mass extinction event caused by massive volcanic eruptions. The research found evidence of dinosaur footprints and pebbles in lake sediments at high latitudes, indicating that they thrived in conditions where other reptiles died.
Researchers have discovered rare colonies of Rock Doves, the wild ancestors of common domestic and feral pigeons, on secluded Scottish and Irish islands. The findings provide valuable insights into how the domestic pigeon came to be, with varying degrees of interbreeding between the two forms of the species.
Researchers found a sharp S-isotopic decrease coincided with the terrestrial extinction in the Sydney Basin, linked to climatic perturbations of short-term cooling and longer-term global warming. The study provides new evidence for the massive deposition of atmospheric sulfate, potentially contributing to the EPE on land.
The study found that feral cat predation is a significant threat to the critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart, which has only around 500 individuals left due to habitat loss and bushfires. The research highlights the need for control of feral cat populations in areas with threatened species.
A new study found that most severely injured North Atlantic right whales die within three years, with severe injuries increasing their mortality rate. The study also revealed a worrisome trend in females, including lower birth rates and longer intervals between calving.
A Galapagos giant tortoise species previously believed to be extinct has been confirmed to still exist, thanks to genetic research that sequenced the genome of a single specimen and compared it with living individuals. The study's findings offer hope for the recovery of this species.
A giant tortoise from the Fernandina Island species, believed extinct for over a century, has been confirmed alive through genetic sequencing. The discovery opens up new questions about its evolutionary relationship to other Galápagos tortoises and provides hope for conservation efforts.
A recent study found that brightly colored, round-bodied fish are rated as the most beautiful by the public, while less attractive species tend to be more ecologically and evolutionarily distinct. These unattractive species, including those listed as threatened or in need of conservation evaluation, may receive less public support desp...
The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.
A study by researchers at the University Liège has unravelled the evolution of mosasaurs in the late Cretaceous, revealing a decline in morphological diversity and ecological innovations in certain regions. The research uses high-resolution 3D scans of mosasaur skulls to draw precise conclusions about their hunting and movement abilities.
A new machine learning tool assesses extinction risk for reptiles with limited data, revealing a higher number of threatened species than previously estimated. The study highlights the need for increased conservation efforts in regions such as Australia, Madagascar, and the Amazon basin.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2022
A team of scientists has confirmed that the earliest humans in Australia consumed eggs from a two-metre tall bird called Genyornis, which became extinct 47,000 years ago. The ancient proteins found in eggshell fragments provide conclusive evidence for this species.