A new study explores why certain parts of reptiles, such as lizard jaws and snake vertebrae, are more likely to be preserved as fossils. The research reveals that physical characteristics like bone density and body size, as well as the environment in which the animals lived and died, are major predictors of fossil completeness.
Two new species of black bass, Bartram’s and Altamaha bass, have been documented by UGA ecologists. These fish have distinctive physical characteristics, such as patterned dark brown blotches on their sides and carmine-red eyes with a black pupil ringed by a thin gold margin.
A team of researchers has developed a mathematical model that integrates sensory feedback to enable eel-like robots to swim and crawl on land. The study shows how multisensory feedback enables eels to adapt their movement patterns after spinal cord injury, providing insights into the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water to...
Researchers discovered a 310-million-year-old fossilized ray-finned fish, Platysomus parvulus, which had a unique 'tongue bite' mechanism to devour prey. This ancient fish's internal anatomy revealed a sophisticated arrangement of tooth plates and gill skeleton, providing insights into the evolution of fish feeding strategies.
Researchers at OIST identified biological processes that support young clownfish adaptation to climate change and warming seas. Exposing juvenile fish to raised water temperatures showed significant changes in liver and pancreas, reducing insulin secretion and increasing oxidative phosphorylation.
Researchers have developed a 'tap-and-go' approach using specially adapted drones to apply monitoring tags to whales. This innovative method significantly speeds up the process while minimizing human interaction with the animals.
A study from the University of Georgia finds that lake sturgeon are reproducing on their own in the Coosa River, with some fish estimated to be over 2 years old. This marks a significant step forward in the reintroduction project, which aims to establish a self-sustaining population of these ancient fish.
A new study has coined the term 'scrumping' to describe great apes' fondness for eating ripe, fermented fruit from the forest floor. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have played a significant role in the evolution of human alcohol tolerance.
Wild great tits exhibit clear behaviors signalling 'divorce' long before the breeding season, according to a study by Oxford researchers. The team used data from the Wytham Woods great tit project and found that faithful birds visited feeding stations with their partners more often than those that went on to divorce.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research identified two distinct genes that regulate regeneration of sensory cells in zebrafish. The discovery may guide future studies on hearing loss and regenerative medicine in mammals, including humans.
Cal Poly biological sciences Professor Emily Taylor is co-organizing the worldwide awareness week for snakes, highlighting over 3,500 globally significant species. The event promotes peaceful coexistence between humans and snakes, educating people about their importance in food webs and disease control.
A new study in iScience journal reveals new insights into the lives of 380-million-year-old lungfish, shedding light on their diet and predatory powers. The research uses high-tech examination of fossilized jawbones to evaluate how multiple species co-existed in a tropical prehistoric ecosystem.
Researchers from Empa's Soft Kinetic group studied the rare scaly-tailed squirrels' unique bodily structure, discovering that their thorn-covered scales help them maintain position and grip onto tree bark. The study aims to inform robotics by adopting morphological structures and behaviors honed through millions of years of evolution.
Researchers found that chipmunks' skulls became larger but teeth shorter due to increased human food availability. Voles' auditory bullae decreased in size possibly to dampen environmental noise. These changes demonstrate the profound impact of humans on wildlife and their environment.
A comparative whole genome analysis of 240 fish species found a strong correlation between loss of the chorion-hardening system and parental egg-care. The team's findings suggest that the loss of key genes, such as alveolin, contributes to this evolutionary bias.
A new study reveals that lagerpetids, relatives of pterosaurs, were able to tolerate a wide range of climate conditions and distributed widely across the globe. In contrast, pterosaurs initially required more humid tropical conditions to fly.
Medaka fish engage in courtship and spawning at midnight to 4 a.m., with peak activity between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Researchers conducted continuous observations in an outdoor setting to gain insights into their natural behavior.
Scientists have discovered fossils of multiple bird species in the Arctic, including diving birds and gull-like birds, that were breeding during the time of the dinosaurs. The findings push back the known record of birds nesting in polar regions by 25-30 million years.
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
Researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have created a complete evolutionary tree of bird species by combining data on 9,239 species. The resulting database can be easily shared and updated as new studies are published.
An 11-year-old Asian small-clawed otter developed left-sided paralysis after a fall, but improved with treatment for a suspected fibrocartilaginous embolus. Follow-up MRI showed a diminished lesion one year later.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel has identified three distinct groups of precursor cells that give rise to different parts of the skeleton in vertebrates. These cells use unique regulatory mechanisms to drive their developmental programs, leading to a more complex and flexible skeletal system.
Researchers compared feathers and bodies of flightless birds and their flying relatives, finding that some features change relatively quickly. The study sheds light on evolution of complex traits that lose original function, and could help reveal which fossil birds were flightless.
A fossil therapsid was found in Mallorca with a skull hole for the jaw muscle and structures that evolved into mammals' middle ear bones. The discovery changes scientists' understanding of when therapsids evolved and tells us about where we come from.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique motor control system in frogfish's first dorsal fin, enabling their 'fishing' behavior. The study reveals how motor neurons changed location as their function shifted from swimming to hunting.
Researchers discovered that hummingbird bills are surprisingly flexible and play an essential role in drawing up nectar. The bird's intricate bill movements, combined with its lapping mechanism and Poiseuille flow, make it a rare example of using both fluid collection methods.
A Kennesaw State University researcher has received a National Science Foundation grant to study the evolution of salamanders' behavioral habits in urban streams. The study aims to broaden research participation at minority-serving universities and will provide undergraduate students with hands-on experience conducting field research.
Researchers observe Ethiopian wolves foraging on nectar-rich flowers, exploiting a novel plant-pollinator interaction. This behavior is significant as it highlights the complexity of interactions between species in the highlands ecosystem, threatening these rare canines.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington are conducting a DNA analysis project to determine the genetic differences between the rare Dixon's whiptail and the common checkered whiptail. If the two species are found to be distinct, Dixon's whiptail may become eligible for endangered species protection.
Scientists developed VenomCap to analyze venom genes in snakes, shedding light on snake evolution and developing effective treatments for deadly snake bites. The technique enables quicker analysis of thousands of venom-making genes, paving the way for improved antivenom development and global public health.
Researchers have identified a new epigenetic mark, 5-formylcytosine, which plays a crucial role in activating genes during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on the regulation of gene expression in vertebrates and has implications for our understanding of human development and disease.
A new study finds that the ancient bird Longipteryx ate fruits, contrary to previous hypotheses that it feasted on fish or insects. The discovery was made by analyzing fossilized seeds in the bird's stomach, which suggest a mixed diet including fruits and possibly insects when they were not available.
A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...
A team of Harvard researchers has discovered a new species of chordate, Nuucichthys rhynchocephalus, in the Drumian Marjum Formation of the American Great Basin. The fossil provides valuable insights into early vertebrate evolution and biodiversity, as it is one of only four species documenting this stage of vertebrate lineage.
Researchers have discovered that the Greenland shark's metabolism remains unaltered over time, suggesting a key role in its exceptional longevity of at least 270 years. The study also found that metabolic enzymes were more active at higher temperatures, challenging previous assumptions about the species' adaptation to cold environments.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that germ cells drive sex-dependent lifespan differences in vertebrate animals. Removing these cells led to similar lifespans in males and females of the turquoise killifish species. Vitamin D was also discovered to have a role in improving longevity, with supplementation extending life spans.
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.
Researchers analyzed genomes of 363 bird species and found significant variations in cryptochrome 4 gene, indicating adaptation to environmental conditions. This specialization could be related to magnetoreception in migratory birds.
A team of scientists has unveiled a new gecko species, Cnemaspis vangoghi, named after Vincent Van Gogh's iconic painting The Starry Night. The species was discovered in the Southern Western Ghats of India and features striking colouration reminiscent of one of the artist's most famous works.
Researchers have uncovered a 270-million-year-old ancient amphibian ancestor in the Smithsonian's collection, naming it Kermitops gratus in honor of Kermit the Frog. The fossilized skull possesses unique features that shed light on the origin of living frogs and other amphibians.
Researchers report that Golgi ribbons are present in non-vertebrates like mollusks and earthworms, suggesting a fundamental function beyond vertebrate specificity. The team's findings indicate that Golgi ribbons might play a role in cell differentiation during embryogenesis.
A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has discovered that sea lampreys and humans share an remarkably similar molecular and genetic toolkit in their hindbrain development. The research found a crucial molecular cue, retinoic acid, to be involved in both species' brain stem formation.
A study by Harvard researchers found that fish group behavior can reduce energy costs by up to 50%, with coordinated movement allowing for more efficient swimming. By measuring the energetic cost of individual and group movements, the team discovered a J-shaped relationship between speed and energy expenditure.
Researchers have identified a network of approximately 20 specialist decomposing microbes that consistently appear on all 36 human cadavers decomposed under various conditions. This discovery has significant implications for the future of forensic science, enabling investigators to more accurately determine a body's time of death.
Wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and UC Riverside student Phillip Sternes observed a 5-foot-long pure-white shark pup shedding its embryonic layer. The location off central California's coast is proposed as a potential great white breeding ground, which could help protect endangered species.
A research team studied developing lamprey embryos to clarify the evolutionary origin of the vertebrate skull, finding that the head mesoderm diverged early in evolution. The study challenged long-standing debates on the development and origin of somites, providing new insights into the age-old question.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered that porpoises and sand eels create shallow pits in the North Sea seafloor when hunting for buried sand eels. The findings have significant global implications, suggesting that scouring of sediments by vertebrates could modulate the seafloor on a global scale.
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 discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.
A study found that migratory bats are sensitive to the angle of magnetic inclination and use it for navigation. The soprano pipistrelle bat species calibrated its internal compass at sunset, taking into account both the horizontal component and inclination of the Earth's magnetic field.
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 studied over 100 noctilionoid bat species, finding that different dietary types drove modifications in tooth number, size, shape, and position. For instance, fruit-eating bats have shorter jaws with reduced middle premolars, while nectar-feeders have longer jaws with room for more teeth.
Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.
A new species of spiny mouse, Neacomys marci, has been identified in northwestern Ecuador. The discovery sheds light on the previously underestimated diversity of the Spiny Mouse genus.
A 10-year study found that golden-crowned sparrows resettled an average of just 90 feet away from the center of their previous year's range when returning to California after winter migration. The study suggests that social bonds and familiar faces help anchor the birds to specific spaces, even when resources are scarce.
A recent study led by Dr. Itamar Harel reveals that manipulating AMP biosynthesis can extend lifespan and promote metabolic health in vertebrates. The research used the turquoise killifish as a model organism and found remarkable effects on energy metabolism, including a fasting-like profile and enhanced resistance to high-fat diets.
The Ngoc Linh Crocodile Newt is a newly discovered species of crocodile newt found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The species is considered Endangered due to its small population size and limited geographic range.
Researchers identified boundary vector cells in goldfish central telencephalon that encode spatial information for the first time in a vertebrate. These cells enable unique positioning and represent a significant discovery in understanding fish navigation systems.
A recent study found that temperature and extreme drought drive movement among herds of Plains bison, posing challenges for managing the iconic species. The team analyzed GPS-backed evidence from 33 Plains bison across two sites in Oklahoma, revealing a strong link between air temperature and bison movement.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego found that vertebrates acquired a special protein from bacteria more than 500 million years ago. This discovery reveals a new piece of genetic material introduced from foreign bacterial genes, leading to unique functionality in vertebrate eyes.