Cuckoos evolve to look like their hosts - and form new species in the process
Researchers found evidence of coevolution driving speciation in cuckoo species. Cuckoo chicks evolved to mimic host chicks to evade detection and exploit more hosts.
Evolutionary Theories
Articles tagged with Evolutionary Theories
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Smarter foragers do not forage smarter
A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.
Evolutionary genomics: Consequences of biodiverse reproductive systems
A new Research Training Group will investigate the evolution of nuclear genomes in organisms using different forms of reproduction, including asexual and sexual reproduction. The group aims to better understand the dominance of sexual reproduction in nature through empirical analysis of changing and evolving genomes.
Germline regulation and sex differences: How they impact lifespan in vertebrates
A new study reveals sex-specific effects of germline regulation on longevity and somatic repair in vertebrates. Removing the germline extends male lifespan and improves stress resistance in females.
Tiger beetles fight off bat attacks with ultrasonic mimicry
Researchers found that tiger beetles respond to bat echolocation by producing their own ultrasonic signal, which they believe is a defense mechanism. The beetles' defensive chemicals are not effective at deterring bats, but the sound itself may be used to trick bats into thinking they are noxious.
Limited adaptability makes freshwater bacteria vulnerable to climate change
Climate change threatens freshwater habitats, disrupting microbial communities essential for nutrient cycling and water quality maintenance. Many abundant freshwater bacteria with small genomes experience extended periods of adaptive standstill, limiting their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Group selection can explain the origin of simple multicellularity
Researchers found group selection crucial for maintaining cooperation and multicellularity in fluctuating environments. Aggregative reproductive mechanisms sustain cooperation, enabling cooperative cells to colonize new habitats.
Researchers parse oddity of distantly related bats in Solomon Islands that appear identical
A study of leaf-nosed bats in the Solomon Islands revealed surprising genetic diversity among nearly indistinguishable species on different islands. The research team found that the large and extra-large bat species were not closely related, but rather evolved from smaller species multiple times across different islands.
New project explores warfare in animal societies
A new project investigates how and why groups of animals fight each other, with implications for human evolution. The study focuses on warlike species like mongooses and termites to understand the factors that lead to extreme aggression and peace.
Jurassic shuotheriids reveal earliest dental diversification of mammaliaforms
Researchers have discovered that shuotheriids, ancient mammal-like animals from the Jurassic Period, had unique dental characteristics that suggest a closer relationship to docodontans. The study reveals that shuotheriids do not have a genuine trigonid in their bottom teeth, indicating a new perspective on the evolutionary past of thes...
Researchers Discover Evolutionary “Tipping Point” in Fungi
Researchers identified a key factor limiting the shapes of fungal hyphae, which are crucial for growth and survival. The study's findings provide insights into the evolution of complex traits and have significant implications for understanding ecological systems and developing new antimicrobials.
Missouri Botanical Garden scientists describe new orchid species related to famous Darwin’s orchid
The discovery of a new orchid species in Madagascar has shed light on the country's biodiversity crisis. Solenangis impraedicta boasts an extraordinary nectar spur and is threatened by mining activities and poaching for the orchid trade.
New study reveals the evolutionary nature of animal friendships
Researchers from Stockholm University and University of Neuchâtel discover social bonds in group-living animals develop over time through mutual aid and shared activities. Existing members actively initiate new friendships with recruits, expanding the social network.
Revealing the evolutionary origin of genomic imprinting
Researchers at IMBA discovered a parent-of-origin effect in nematodes, suggesting the first step in genomic imprinting's evolution. This finding provides insight into how imprinting arose independently in mammals and plants over 100 million years ago.
Modeling the origins of life: New evidence for an “RNA World”
Researchers at Salk Institute unveil an RNA enzyme that can accurately copy functional RNA strands and allow new variants to emerge over time. This discovery brings scientists closer to producing autonomous RNA life in the laboratory, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the origins of life.
Unraveling the mystery of chiton visual systems
A team of scientists discovered that some mollusks sport the most recently evolved eyes with a lens, which arose in four separate events. The researchers found that chitons' sensory organs are embedded directly into their segmented shell, and that species with fewer slits evolve larger, more complex eyes.
The role of history in how efficient color names evolve
Researchers found that a language's past color vocabulary influences its ability to evolve, with constraints on vocabulary growth and changes in meaning. The study used the World Color Survey dataset to explore how new terms are introduced and their meanings change as vocabulary size increases.
The veil varies more than the threat: predator selection on variability in camouflage and warning signals
Researchers found that camouflaged moths have more variation in wing patterns than aposematic ones, but similar variations in colour and contrast. This suggests that pattern variability is crucial for disrupting predators' search images while maintaining essential colours for camouflage or signalling.
Combination of group competition and repeated interactions promotes cooperation
In a setup resembling a trust game, participants exchanged large amounts with anonymous members of their own community but little with members of other communities. The researchers found that repeated interactions alone cannot explain the evolution of human cooperation and that group competition also weakens overall cooperation.
Scientists pinpoint growth of brain’s cerebellum as key to evolution of bird flight
Researchers found an adaptive increase in cerebellum size in fossil vertebrates, enabling powered flight. The study combined PET scans with fossil data, revealing increased brain activity in the cerebellum and optic flow pathways during flight.
Why animals shrink over time explained with new evolution theory
A new study proposes that animal size depends on two key ecological factors: direct competition for resources and risk of extinction. Computer models simulating evolution identify patterns of body-size change, revealing why some species gradually get smaller.
New research sheds light on an old fossil solving an evolutionary mystery
A team of researchers, led by Jordan Crowell and Stephen Chester, used modern CT scan technology to analyze the only known preserved picrodontid skull, revealing that they are not closely related to primates. The study highlights the importance of revisiting old specimens with updated techniques to examine them.
Can you change a chicken into a frog, a fish or a chameleon?
A team of researchers developed a theoretical framework that can reproduce and predict the patterns associated with gastrulation in a chicken embryo. Small changes in cell parameters and behavior can have a dramatic impact on the resulting gastrulation patterns, which are seen in other species such as frogs, fish, and chameleons.
Hungarian scientists prove that senescence can accelerate evolution
Researchers found that aging can accelerate evolution, favoring faster adaptation to changing worlds. This means senescence becomes an advantageous characteristic under natural selection.
Fermentation may have driven human brain evolution
A new hypothesis suggests that fermentation of cached food provided a more accessible form of nourishment, fueling the growth of larger brains in human ancestors. This idea is supported by the fact that the human large intestine is proportionally smaller than other primates and fermented foods are found across cultures.
The evolutionary paradox behind the unusual mating strategy of the ruff
A study on ruff (Calidris pugnax) found a surprisingly low mutation load in the supergene controlling male mating strategies, forcing a reevaluation of supergene evolution. The researchers propose two potential scenarios to resolve this paradox: recent acquisition of recessive lethality or introgression from another species.
Love thy neighbor: Cooperation extends beyond one’s own group in wild bonobos
A new study on bonobos finds that they form strong alliances and share resources across groups, paving the way for pro-social cooperative behaviors. Unlike chimpanzees, bonobo interactions are characterized by remarkable tolerance, allowing them to cooperate with members of different groups without conflict.
How the fish got its shoulder
A new analysis of ancient fish bones and muscles suggests that the shoulder evolved from a modified version of the gill-arch hypothesis that reconciles it with the fin-fold hypothesis. The study, led by Dr Martin Brazeau and Natural History Museum researchers, provides new insights into the evolution of the shoulder girdle in animals.
No lizard is an island
A new study by James Stroud at Georgia Tech and Jonathan Losos at Washington University in St. Louis found that natural selection varies massively through time among four different species of anoles living together on a small island. Despite this variation, the species remained remarkably similar across the entire time period.
Human shoulders and elbows first evolved as brakes for climbing apes
A study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that human shoulders and elbows evolved to facilitate 'downclimbing' - the process of descending from trees without dying. This adaptation allowed early humans to navigate their environment safely, gathering food and deploying tools for hunting and defense.
Fossil spines reveal deep sea’s past
A research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered fossil spines that indicate the existence of irregular echinoids in the deep sea for at least 104 million years. The study provides insights into the past, including a mass extinction event that caused smaller species to thrive and changes in spine morphology.
Pioneering research sheds surprising new light on evolution of plant kingdom
A new study has uncovered that plants evolved gradually over time, with episodic bursts of innovation to overcome environmental challenges. The research found that changes in plant anatomy occurred in association with events where the entire cellular genetic make-up was doubled, likely due to errors in genome-copying.
New ancient ape from Türkiye challenges the story of human origins
A new fossil ape named Anadoluvius turkae, discovered in Türkiye, pushes the origin of African apes and humans from Europe to Asia. The findings suggest that hominines evolved in western and central Europe before migrating to Africa.
Immune systems develop ‘silver bullet’ defences against common bacteria
Scientists discovered two peptides in fruit flies that specifically target common bacteria, showing how the immune system evolves to combat threats. This research provides insights into human susceptibility to infections and may lead to new approaches to fighting antibiotic-resistant infections.
Study shows same-sex sexual behavior is widespread and heritable in macaque monkeys
A long-term study of male macaques found that same-sex sexual behavior is common and correlated with coalitionary bonds, providing social benefits. The research also revealed a genetic link to primate SSB, challenging the idea that it defies nature and evolution.
Artificial cells demonstrate that "life finds a way"
A team of researchers at Indiana University created a synthetic cell with only 493 genes, essential for life. The cell evolved rapidly over 300 days, adapting to its environment and recovering fitness lost due to genome streamlining.
The surprising path to life: Breaking free from Plate Tectonics
A groundbreaking study finds that microbial life can exist without plate tectonics, challenging a fundamental theory of geology. Zircon crystals from the Barberton Greenstone Belt reveal a stagnant lid regime on ancient Earth, leading to continent formation and potentially habitable conditions.
The clams that fell behind, and what they can tell us about evolution and extinction
Researchers studied bivalve evolution during the Cambrian Explosion and found they branched out slowly compared to other groups. The study suggests that the slow start may have been due to the absence of a key adaptation, such as an enlarged gill, which allowed them to filter out plankton from water.
What constitutes a paradigm shift? An olive shrub’s mating system as a case study of Kuhn’s theory
A new paper analyzes the olive shrub Phillyrea angustifolia's mating system using Kuhn's paradigm shift framework. The discovery of diallelic self-incompatibility resolves a long-standing paradox, demonstrating how science can undergo significant changes in response to emerging data.
A new understanding of human origins in Africa
A recent study published in Nature challenges traditional views on human origins in Africa, proposing that modern humans emerged from the interaction of multiple populations across the continent. By analyzing genomic data from diverse African groups, researchers found evidence of gene flow and mixing over hundreds of thousands of years.
Sexually active women are not judged more harshly than men
A new survey found no evidence of a sexual double standard, with men being judged more strictly in short-term relationships but equally as in long-term ones. Women's masturbation is also seen as sexy and accepted, contradicting common stereotypes.
“Thunder beast” fossils reveal a macroevolutionary pathway to mammal megaherbivory
Scientists discovered that smaller brontotheres faced high extinction risk in crowded ecological niches, driving biased diversification towards larger sizes. This complex macroevolutionary pattern shows increased survival of larger species due to reduced competition.
Blind dating in bacteria evolution
Researchers used ancestral sequence reconstruction to study protein interactions in cyanobacteria, finding that they can evolve independently of direct selection pressure. The discovery challenges classical evolutionary theory and suggests that fortuitous compatibility may be the basis for a significant fraction of cellular interactions.
Why do females prefer ornate male signals?
A team of researchers at Eötvös Loránd University developed a general formula to calculate honest equilibrium in any model, independent of signal costs. Their results reveal that honesty does not require signal costs to be paid in equilibrium, and that the cost is borne by cheaters, not honest individuals.
Stressed plants emit airborne sounds that can be detected from over a meter away
Researchers found that stressed tomato and tobacco plants produce pops or clicks, which can be heard by insects, mammals, and possibly other plants. The sounds are thought to be caused by air bubble formation in the plant's vascular system.
When ‘good genes’ go bad: how sexual conflict can cause population collapse
A new model by Imperial College London and University of Lausanne researchers suggests that 'good genes' can sometimes lead to population collapse when males express traits that damage females. This can result in reduced female fecundity or even death, ultimately leading to a decline in population viability.
Gene variations for immune and metabolic conditions have persisted in humans for more than 700,000 years
A recent study by the University at Buffalo has discovered that genetic variations affecting immunity and metabolism have been preserved in humans for millions of years. This finding supports the theory of balancing selection, which suggests that certain genetic traits can be beneficial or harmful depending on environmental conditions.
Fossil discovery reveals complex ecosystems existed on Earth much earlier than previously thought
A 250.8 million-year-old fossil find reveals complex marine ecosystems on Earth just one million years after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, contradicting long-held theories. The discovery provides insights into life's rapid recovery from extreme crises and necessitates a re-evaluation of early Triassic ocean conditions.
How species partnerships evolve
Biologists from the University of Pennsylvania explored how symbiotic relationships between species evolve to become specific or general, cooperative or antagonistic. They found that cooperative partnering strategies could persist in populations with one specialized host and a corresponding specialized symbiont.
Polygamous birds have fewer harmful mutations
A study published in Evolution found that polygamous birds have higher efficiency of natural selection, leading to fewer harmful mutations and increased genetic diversity in small subsets of species with polygamous females.
Ancient chimaeras were suction feeders, not shell crushers, new research shows
A new study reveals that ancient chimaeras were suction feeders, contrary to their modern shell-crushing behavior. The research, led by the University of Birmingham, analyzed a rare three-dimensional fossil and found evidence supporting this alternative feeding method.
Mammals island-hopped from Australia to colonise the world
Australian scientists confirm that Theria (placental and marsupial mammals) evolved in Gondwana 50 million years ago before migrating to Asia. The discovery challenges long-held theories of mammal evolution.
An ecological rule breaker shows the effects of climate change on body size evolution
A study by McGill University researchers found that Northern Tree Shrews' body size increased with warmer climates, contradicting Bergmann's rule. The team analyzed museum specimens and historical climate data, revealing a reversal of the Island rule as well, highlighting the complex interaction between ecological factors.
Religion is not the factor that most influences rejection of evolutionary theory in schools, study says
A survey of 5,500 Brazilian and Italian students aged 14-16 found that nationality, social perceptions of science, and household income were more influential than religion in rejecting evolutionary theory. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals a significant gap in understanding geological time between Italian and Brazilian Catholics.
Sex roles in the animal kingdom are driven by the ratio of females to males
Research suggests that the ratio of adult females to males influences sex roles in animal species. Variation in this ratio can lead to differences in mate competition, parental care, and social behavior among species. The study proposes that understanding these dynamics can inform conservation efforts.
Moral behavior pays off
A game-theory-based approach explains the emergence of moral norms through the coupling of two games: social dilemma and coordination tasks. Cooperation can pay off when individuals prioritize group benefits over personal interests, leading to a self-sacrificing behavior that benefits all parties.
Several beautiful new bird species found on remote Indonesian islands
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified several new species of sunbirds, including the Wakatobi Sunbird, found on tiny Indonesian islands. The study reveals unique evolutionary processes and adds to our understanding of the importance of biodiversity in this region.
Armored worm reveals the ancestry of three major animal groups
A 518-million-year-old fossilized worm named Wufengella has shed light on the evolution of three major animal groups: brachiopods, phoronids, and bryozoans. The discovery reveals that these ancient animals shared a common ancestor with segmented worms.
Tracking a network of 100,000 mutants
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have experimentally shown the concept of a neutral network, vital for increasing diversity, by designing and testing over 120,000 RNA variants. They found a large number of accessible pathways between two variants, challenging previous theoretical predictions.
Chronic COVID infections source of variants of concern, study shows
A recent study published in Frontiers in Virology suggests that chronic COVID infections are the source of variants of concern. The researchers used a mechanistic, theoretical model to study the emergence of these variants, which were found to acquire a constellation of mutations that make them more transmissible and lethal. By identif...