Articles tagged with Extinction
A new study of over 44,000 species reveals herbivores have consistently faced the highest threat of extinction in modern times, past decades, and the late Pleistocene era. The research also shows that ocean predators are facing greater existential pressures than their land-dwelling counterparts.
A global study by Utah State University researchers suggests that plant-eaters, including megaherbivores, are the most at-risk group for extinction. Human activities have led to the disproportionate extinction of herbivores compared to predators since the late Pleistocene.
A new mouse lemur species, Microcebus jonahi, has been identified in northeastern Madagascar with a divergent lineage and smallest primate size. The discovery emphasizes the urgent need to address deforestation and habitat loss threatening Madagascar's unique biodiversity.
A new native Hawaiian land snail species has been discovered after a decade-long survey of the islands. The discovery brings a glimmer of hope for conservation efforts, with scientists describing a small candy-striped snail that shows pronounced variation in coloring and is less than two-tenths of an inch long.
Thanks to a decade-long collaboration, the global population of the critically endangered Chinese crested tern has more than doubled, from fewer than 50 adults to over 100. The project used social attraction techniques to lure adult seabirds to restoration sites with suitable nesting habitat.
Researchers reconstructed paleoclimate conditions from stalagmites in Apulia, Italy, finding minimal significant climate fluctuations. The findings challenge the climate change hypothesis as a cause of Neanderthal extinction.
A US study reveals that only 21 of 159 endangered species are adequately protected by existing areas, highlighting the need to increase conservation efforts. Private landowners can play a vital role in achieving conservation goals through conservation easements.
A recent study by the University of Exeter reveals that Extinction Rebellion activists are more likely to be new to protesting, with 10% of participants being first-time demonstrators. The research also shows that these protesters are predominantly middle-class and highly educated individuals, with a strong presence from southern England.
After the Chicxulub asteroid impact, life on the seafloor recovered with some changes to community structure within 700,000 years. The diversity and abundance of trace fossils responded primarily to variations in organic matter flux.
Andean condors flap their wings for only 1.3% of the total recorded flight time, with most time spent gliding and soaring. Flapping is most frequent during takeoffs and in early morning, when thermal updrafts form.
The article highlights the similarities between COVID-19 and environmental threats, emphasizing the need for early intervention to mitigate catastrophic effects. Delayed action will lead to increased mortality rates, climate risks, and species losses.
A new article validates the paradigm of multigenerational attritional loss of reproductive fitness (MALF) as a complete explanation for extinction. This shift from 'extinction' to 'evanescence' provides a clearer understanding of cause and effect, allowing for intervention in ongoing extinction events.
A team of researchers has found direct evidence that massive coal burning in Siberia led to the Permo-Triassic Extinction, resulting in up to 96% marine species and 70% terrestrial vertebrate extinctions. The study suggests that catastrophic global warming devastated life on Earth.
Experts demand a prominent target of 20 species extinctions per year to lower biodiversity loss rates and protect ecosystem services. The proposed target is comparable to the 2-degree climate target, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
A new study maps the world's terrestrial vertebrates and finds that human activity is impacting areas with large concentrations of evolutionarily distinct species. Regions like the Caribbean, Western Ghats of India, and Southeast Asia face unprecedented levels of devastation.
Research from Curtin University analyzed ancient DNA to understand the causes of animal extinctions during the Ice Age. The study found that while plant diversity recovered as climate warmed, large animal diversity did not recover, suggesting human hunting was a major factor in megafauna extinction.
More than 500 terrestrial vertebrate species are on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Human activities in tropical and subtropical regions have driven the collapse of regional biodiversity, threatening numerous species.
The extinction rate is likely much higher than previously thought, with nearly 1,000 species at risk of extinction in the next two decades. Human pressures such as population growth, habitat destruction, and climate change are driving this accelerated loss of biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that a brief ozone layer collapse led to the extinction of plant and freshwater aquatic life 360 million years ago. This finding has profound implications for our warming world today, as Earth's temperatures may reach comparable levels, potentially triggering a similar event.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Córdoba improves response capacity to forest fires. The tool predicts fire fighting difficulty and offers an extinction difficulty index, helping authorities prioritize management tasks and optimize resources.
A study suggests that Triassic igneous rocks in Brazil caused the release of light carbon isotopes, which may have contributed to the end-Triassic extinction. The findings imply a significant impact on the Earth's carbon cycle during this period.
Scientists analyzed extinct and living lions' genomes to determine when species diverged, finding modern Indian lions lack genetic diversity due to inbreeding. This reduction threatens the species' survival, making conservation efforts crucial.
A field experiment with a leaf galling fly and its parasitic wasps found that eliminating natural enemies constrains the fly's evolution toward only one optimal solution. This loss of genetic diversity may make it harder for the fly to adapt to changing environments.
The ability to extinguish fearful memories relies on DNA flexibility, which enables rapid changes in gene activity and RNA editing. Researchers found that the enzyme ADAR1, which converts Z-DNA back into B-DNA, plays a critical role in fear extinction.
A study by University of Queensland found that developers face challenges in finding enough land to offset biodiversity impacts, limiting global conservation goals. The research highlights the limitations of existing offset policies and the need for governments to account for land availability constraints.
The extinction of threatened marine megafauna species could result in a loss of 11% of the extent of ecological functions if current trajectories are maintained. Sharks are predicted to be the most affected, with losses of functional richness far beyond those expected under random extinctions.
A new study warns of amphibian conservation shortfalls due to climate change, highlighting the need for intelligent manipulation and management of water resources. Researchers found that extending temporary pool availability, restoring natural drying patterns, and releasing environmental flows can improve breeding outcomes.
A new formula built with mathematical modeling can accurately reconstruct the diversification history of taxa, even when fossils are rare or extinct, say Oregon and British Columbia researchers.
A new study by Stanford researchers links the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction to ocean deoxygenation, revealing severe and prolonged anoxic conditions. The findings suggest that low oxygen levels in modern oceans will put strain on many organism types, potentially leading to extinction.
A global group of scientists warns of the accelerating rate of insect extinction, which could have severe consequences for the environment. The team highlights practical steps individuals can take to help conserve insects, such as reducing lawn mowing frequency, avoiding pesticides, and supporting conservation organizations.
Bird species that exhibit novel foraging behaviors have reduced risk of extinction, according to a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The researchers found that the more innovative a species is, the lower its risk of extinction, with some species able to adapt to habitat destruction by finding new food sources.
Researchers propose that the evolution of large paranasal sinuses in cave bears led to a trade-off between sinus development and skull strength. This compromise may have limited their ability to adapt to changing environments and ultimately contributed to their extinction.
Land animal die-offs began hundreds of thousands of years before marine extinction, with terrestrial vertebrate species declining by up to 70%, while marine extinctions may have occurred over tens of thousands of years. The study suggests a lag between land and sea extinctions, potentially due to different causes.
Researchers find that introduced herbivores, like Escobar's hippos, restore important ecological traits lost due to human impacts. This is achieved through the introduction of species that share traits with extinct ones, such as giant llamas and semiaquatic habitats.
A new study comparing introduced herbivore species to those of the past reveals that these introductions have restored many important ecological traits that have been lost for thousands of years. Introduced megafauna are now ecologically similar to their extinct relatives, making the world more similar to its pre-extinction state.
Scientists found that crocodiles' reproductive biology and parental care may contribute to their resilience to mass extinctions. Unlike turtles, crocodiles select nesting sites carefully and bury nests for insulation, allowing them to cope with temperature fluctuations.
A new study found that climate change is likely to cause the extinction of the Greek Meadow Viper, with up to 90% of its habitat becoming uninhabitable by the end of the 2080s. Rising temperatures and aridification due to climate change are the primary threats to the species' survival.
Researchers found corals exhibiting dynamic survival responses akin to the last big extinction event, including increased deep-water residing and solitary colonies. This study highlights how human-driven climate change is rapidly increasing stressors on coral communities, threatening 75% of species with extinction.
A new study has shed light on why the world's oceans are home to an astonishing array of species, with slow and steady evolution playing a key role in their diversity. The research analyzed over 20,000 fossil marine animals and found that ecologically flexible groups tend to be more resistant to extinction.
A recent study highlights the urgent need for reforestation and conservation efforts to protect Madagascar's unique lemur species, with over 95% threatened with extinction. Habitat fragmentation has been found to negatively impact lemur populations, particularly folivores, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground conservation action.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers estimates that one in three plant and animal species may face extinction by 2070 due to climate change. The study analyzed data from hundreds of plant and animal species surveyed around the globe, finding that maximum annual temperatures are the key variable driving local extinctions.
Scientists warn that humanity is pushing ecosystems beyond recovery, leading to unquantified insect extinctions. To mitigate this, experts suggest setting aside land for conservation, transforming agricultural practices, and communicating with civil society and policy makers.
A study analyzing climate-associated range shifts found larger temperature increases linked to extinctions. Niche shifts may allow some species to survive, reducing predicted extinctions to 30%. The analysis suggests niche shifts are more important for species survival under climate change than range shifts.
Researchers resurrected Wrangel Island mammoth's mutated genes to test their functionality. They found the genes did not function normally, suggesting the last mammoths were genetically unhealthy and unable to smell, providing a cautionary tale for endangered species.
Researchers resurrected mammoth DNA and found unique genetic mutations affecting neurological development, male fertility, insulin signaling, and sense of smell. The study suggests that the small population's genetic defects may have hindered their survival.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa develop a new technique to predict the impact of climate change on species extinction risk, finding that bumble bee populations are disappearing in areas with hotter temperatures. The study's findings suggest a future with fewer bumble bees and reduced diversity, both in the wild and on our plates.
A single primitive turtle species, Laurasichersis relicta, survived the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs 66 million years ago in the northern hemisphere. The turtle's unique shell features and armor-like spikes allowed it to thrive in humid environments with forest areas.
A new study warns that global conservation efforts may not be making progress due to ecological time-lags. Conservation measures can take decades to show results, and current targets may not accurately reflect success or failure. The research proposes using milestones to track progress towards biodiversity goals.
A new study warns of the platypus's critically high risk of extinction, citing water resource development, land clearing, climate change, and severe drought as major threats. The researchers call for urgent national action to prevent the species from disappearing from Australian waterways.
A new study suggests that human-caused biodiversity decline started millions of years ago, with early hominins competing with carnivores for food. The researchers propose that human ancestors stole recently killed animals from other predators, leading to the extinction of large carnivore species in East Africa.
A survey of Americans reveals a disconnect between expert and public opinions on what constitutes an endangered species, with experts citing higher risk thresholds than the general public. The findings highlight the importance of synthesizing facts and values in decision-making, particularly when it comes to biodiversity protection.
A new study has identified the population of brain cells responsible for fear extinction training, discovering that these neurons are also activated by feelings of reward. The study suggests that fear extinction is equivalent to receiving a reward, providing potential therapeutic targets for treating anxiety disorders like PTSD.
A new study shows that brief daily mindfulness training facilitates extinction of conditioned fear reactions, producing lasting reductions in threat-related arousal responses. Mindfulness appears to have a specific effect on extinction retention, which could improve treatment effects for anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
The study reveals the Carolina parakeet's rapid extinction was mainly a human-mediated process, with no signs of inbreeding or population decline found on its genome. The genomic analysis suggests that the bird's unique diet may have contributed to its demise, and experts wonder if de-extinguishing the species could be possible.
Research suggests that tropical forests are hardest hit by forest fragmentation, with sensitivity increasing six-fold at low versus high latitudes. This finding could allow for more effective conservation schemes, such as preserving larger areas of pristine forest.
Researchers suggest that small Neanderthal populations were vulnerable to extinction due to inbreeding and demographic fluctuations. Population modeling revealed that even moderate levels of inbreeding and Allee effects could lead to extinction across various population sizes.
A new University of Arizona study found that 36.5% of all land plant species are very rare, with many clustered in hotspots like the Northern Andes and Southeast Asia. These regions face a disproportionate risk of climate change and human disruption, threatening their survival.
A study published in eLife analyzed ancient genetic data to investigate the decline of great auks. The findings suggest that intense hunting by humans likely caused their rapid extinction, even if the birds weren't already under threat from environmental changes. This highlights the potential for industrial-scale exploitation to drive ...
Researchers used computational fluid dynamics to analyze the swimming patterns of extinct ammonoid cephalopods, which lived over 300 million years ago. The study reveals insights into the stability of marine ecosystems and how they recover diversity after drastic extinctions.
A new study reveals that 31.7% of tropical Africa's vascular plant species are potentially threatened with extinction, while an additional 33.2% are potentially rare. The RAINBIO database was used to identify four regions in Africa most exposed to threats.