Articles tagged with South America
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Researchers studied 4,450 species in American tropics, finding Amazonia as primary source of diversity, with over 2,800 lineages. The study highlights the role of dispersal in assembling regional biotas across Mesoamerica and northern South America.
A study links North Atlantic iceberg discharge to increased South American monsoon precipitation, leading to higher global atmospheric methane levels. The research provides new insights into the tropical hydrologic cycle and its implications for climate change.
Researchers found that geological events like mountain formation and wetland disappearance drove diversification of Annonaceae plant genera in Central and South America. The study used DNA data and molecular clock technique to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of 11 Mosannona and 24 Cremastosperma species.
Researchers sequenced an ancient Taino individual's genome, finding a strong genetic connection to present-day Arawakan speakers from northern South America. The study suggests the Taino people originated from this ancestral population, illuminating early Caribbean peopling and European colonization impacts.
Researchers identified unexpected geophysical signals beneath stable continental interiors of South America and Africa, suggesting recent geologic activity. Cratons, ancient rocks on Earth's surface, may have experienced delamination, a process where the denser lower mantle layer peels away from the buoyant upper layer.
The study presents a comprehensive checklist of 124,993 plant species across North and South America. Notably, the vast majority of plant species in the Americas are found in just one country or region, with Brazil having the most diverse flora. The authors predict an additional 25,000 species will be documented by 2050.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that low national governance is the strongest predictor of declining species numbers. Protected areas do maintain biodiversity when situated in stable countries with strong legal and social structures.
Rock engravings in Western Venezuela, dating up to 2,000 years old, have been mapped in unprecedented detail. The largest panel contains 93 individual engravings, including depictions of animals, humans, and cultural rituals.
Researchers found that Noir Marron communities in French Guiana and Suriname have remarkably preserved their African genetic heritage, unlike African-descendants from Brazil and Colombia. The study sheds new light on the history of enslaved Africans in greater detail.
A team of international experts has re-evaluated a radical proposal to split dinosaurs into two new groups, finding that the evidence is not strong enough to overthrow traditional classification models. The study suggests that the most likely site of origin for dinosaurs is still in the southern hemisphere, particularly South America.
A study analyzing tree-ring fire scars reveals a strong connection between drought driven by the Southern Annular Mode and regional fire activity. The research suggests that SAM-mediated droughts may drive widespread wildfire activity in southern South America during the 21st century.
Two new species of fish, Leporinus enyae and Leporinus villasboasorum, have been named by scientists from the Orinoco River drainage after Irish singer Enya. The discoveries highlight the region's biodiversity and the importance of preserving unique lineages.
A new species of South American rabbit has been discovered by Portland State University researcher Luis Ruedas, who found the creature to be larger and shaped differently from its cousins. The discovery is significant as it will require renaming other rabbit species in the region, potentially affecting conservation efforts.
New study suggests that ancient humans entered South America in at least two waves of population dispersals from Asia. The findings, published in Science Advances, rely on a pioneering method to analyze cranial morphology and contemporary genomic data, providing new insights into the complex narrative of human migration.
Researchers found that people prefer large, widespread species for basic needs like food and medicine due to their ability to produce large quantities. In contrast, smaller palm species are often used for psychological and self-actualization needs with less dependency on biological traits.
A new study suggests the Galapagos Islands' incredible biodiversity emerged approximately 1.6 million years ago when the Equatorial Undercurrent collided with the archipelago, bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface. This event allowed for the growth of unique plants and animals that thrive in the islands' ecosystem.
A new epidemiological model reveals that climate change and the 'Godzilla' El Niño of 2015 fueled the Zika outbreak in South America. The researchers predict a potential seasonal transmission risk for Zika virus in southern US, China, and Europe during summer.
Scientists discovered remnants of freshwater plants and animals in the Atacama's salt flats, indicating the presence of lakes and wetlands between 9,000 and 25,000 years ago. The findings suggest an alternative path for early settlers through the desert, potentially providing homes and sustenance.
A phylogenetic analysis supports transoceanic dispersal of Amaurobioides genus across Southern Hemisphere continents. The study suggests that an ancestral population existed on ancient supercontinent Gondwana and dispersed eastward during the Miocene era.
Researchers confirm cluster of cases in Chile, suggesting wider global distribution than previously understood. Scrub typhus kills at least 140,000 people annually and is transmitted through mite bites.
A study published in PLOS ONE identifies three new cryptic species within the Tegu lizard family, including subtle differences in leg scale morphology and substantial genetic divergence. The discovery may aid conservation efforts for these heavily exploited species.
New research reveals that continental breakup proceeds through a two-phase speed evolution, where initial slow extension is followed by rapid acceleration. This process can lead to the formation of rifted continental margins with enhanced faulting and volcanic activity.
History professor María Bárbara Zepeda Cortés is searching 'The Gálvez Papers' at The Huntington Library in California to understand the impact of this wildy successful Spanish reformer. She seeks insights into how Gálvez empowered regional leaders, transformed borders and created surprising ways in the region.
Researchers discovered that surales, large mounds in tropical wetlands, are largely composed of earthworm casts. These mounds vary in size and form due to the repeated actions of individual earthworms, which deposit casts that eventually become mounds.
Scientists find 21-million-year-old fossil evidence of mammals traveling from South America to North America. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of Western Hemisphere monkeys, revealing they stopped migrating north due to a barrier of North American vegetation.
The discovery of the fossil monkey provides evidence for the interchange of mammals between South and North America, challenging long-held views of South America as an island continent. The new genus and species, Panamacebus transitus, suggests that monkeys may have unintentionally rafted across on mats of vegetation.
The discovery of seven fossil teeth in the Las Cascadas Formation reveals a long-lost monkey species on the North American continent before the Isthmus of Panama connected it to South America. The new species, Panamacebus transitus, was named after Panama and its movement across the ancient seaway.
Researchers assembled largest mammalian phylogenomic dataset to test models of molecular evolution and confirm findings that Atlantogenata is the sister group to all other placentals. The study resolves the controversy over placental mammal family tree, revealing that Afrotheria and Xenarthra diverged from each other around 90 million ...
Researchers at Kansas State University have successfully identified a resistance gene called 2NS and developed diagnostic tools to detect the disease. The team is working on finding new sources of resistance to overcome the constantly evolving fungus.
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Physicians should be aware of symptoms in travelers returning from affected regions and consider Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly as potential complications.
A collaborative study published in Nature finds that secondary tropical forests, especially those in wetter areas, can regain almost all their biomass within 70 years. This information provides significant insights into the resilience of these ecosystems and will help policymakers prioritize forests for conservation.
Three new species of fishing snakes were identified in the Andean cloud forests of Amazonian Ecuador and Peru, with differences found in scale features, male sexual organs, and DNA. The discovery expands the Synophis genus to eight members and highlights the biodiversity hotspot in western South America.
Researchers have linked the Irish potato famine pathogen to a fungus-like organism from South America using ancient DNA. The study suggests that early European activities in the New World led to the origin of this devastating pathogen.
A new species of lizard, Gueragama sulamericana, has been found in Southern Brazil, pushing back the known origin of acrodontan lizards to 80 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on the migration patterns of ancient species and challenges existing hypotheses on lizard evolution.
A new snail species, P. cecepeus, was found in a Madrid museum's collection of over 150 years, highlighting the need for revising historical collections.
Researchers from Brazil and Canada have found a species of fungus gnats feeding on mushrooms in South America. The study provides valuable insights into the life stages of these tiny insects and their interactions with fungi.
A comprehensive biological study refutes a long-standing geological fact, showing plants and animals migrated between North and South America nearly 30 million years ago. This new information changes our understanding of biodiversity and climate, both at regional and global levels.
A new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows that species migration across the Isthmus of Panama began about 20 million years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. This early exchange enhanced the region's extreme biodiversity.
Researchers compared plant taxa to climatic history and habitat information to provide new insights into plant dispersal patterns. The findings suggest that some plants escaped extinction by dispersing from Antarctica millions of years ago, improving the accuracy of climate change prediction models.
A study of 25 snake species in South America found that their diets were more influenced by phylogeny than ecology. The research suggests that the snakes' ancestry plays a significant role in determining their diet, with some species relying on soft-bodied invertebrates.
A team of researchers has identified the first fossil specimens of a major group of killifishes that is widely distributed in freshwater habitats today. The fossils, which date back to 6 million years ago, provide new insights into the evolution of bony fishes and the diversification of species.
A team of Brazilian and English zoologists has developed a comprehensive guide to identifying 19 species of planktonic copepods from the 'de la Plata' basin, the second largest river basin in South America. The study provides detailed information on taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, and identification keys for each sex.
New zircon dating evidence challenges accepted theories on the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and its impact on global climate change. The closure of the Central American Seaway is now dated to 13-15 million years ago, contradicting previous estimates.
Scientists have discovered three new species of dragon-like woodlizards in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador, increasing the total number of species to 15. The new species differ from their closest relatives in scale features, coloration, and DNA.
Researchers from Ohio State University discovered a layer within the Quelccaya Ice Cap containing lead and bearing the chemical signature of Potosi silver mines, providing the first detailed record of widespread human-produced air pollution in South America before the industrial revolution
A team of researchers has discovered three new extinct monkey fossils in the Peruvian Amazon, pushing back the colonization of South America by monkeys to at least 36 million years ago. The findings provide the first evidence that monkeys crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Africa.
A new study led by scientists at the University of York found that the largest fossil rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi, used its incisors for activities other than biting, such as digging and defense. The rodent's powerful bite was estimated to be around 1400 N, but its incisors could withstand almost three times that force.
A new species of obligate cave-dwelling flatworm was recently discovered in the Brazilian savanna, providing insight into the rich biodiversity of Brazilian caves. The species, Girardia multidiverticulata, has a unique reproductive apparatus that distinguishes it from other related species.
Research on endangered monkey species in the Amazon reveals new insights into their diversity and evolutionary history. Genetic analysis shows that some species have distinct groups, while others have smaller habitats threatened by climate change.
A survey of 895 doctors in Europe, South America, and Asia revealed that over three-quarters of oncology specialists believe their patients are not well-informed about treatment options. The majority (90%) use biomarker testing to choose treatments, but many identify cost or lack of reimbursement as key barriers.
Brazilian researchers have discovered a new genus and species of freshwater flatworm that is exclusively found in caves, shedding light on the region's unique biodiversity. The species, Hausera hauseri, is believed to be an oceanic relict, originating from marine environments.
Scientists found that ancient strains of tuberculosis were most closely related to those in seals and sea lions, suggesting the disease was transmitted from Africa to the Americas via marine animals. This discovery provides new insights into the origins of the disease and its spread among human populations.
Researchers analyzed African dust transported to South America, finding large seasonal peaks in winter and spring. Dust concentrations exceeded World Health Organization guidelines, posing respiratory health risks.
A large-scale biogeographic analysis by GW researcher Alex Pyron shows that amphibians have moved across the planet throughout time, with some species dispersing long distances over water. The study reveals three major processes driving their distribution: vicariance, dispersal, and unexpected oceanic dispersals.
A new study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin documents the discovery of forty-six ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurs in southern Chile. The skeletons are associated with ammonites, belemnites, and other fossils, providing insights into the marine ecosystem of Early Cretaceous times.
A new species of Alopoglossus lizard has been discovered in the tropical Andes, characterized by its metallic greenish head and orange belly. The study suggests that this diversity of shade lizards has been underestimated, with six previously described species found to be distinct from one another.
A new sauropod dinosaur species, Leinkupal laticauda, has been discovered in Argentina, shedding light on the survival of Diplodocidae in South America. The fossil findings suggest that the extinction event at the end of the Jurassic or beginning of the Cretaceous period may not have been global.
A new family tree of hummingbirds reveals a rapid diversification rate, with over 140 new species emerging in the Andes and more than 338 recognized species worldwide. The study shows that hummingbirds continue to evolve and generate new species today, driven by coevolution with plants.
A decade-long study reconstructed the hummingbird family tree and found that they have been diversifying rapidly and adapting to novel environments. The researchers discovered nine principal groups or clades, a unique relationship with flowering plants, and continued spread into new geographic areas.
Researchers found a clear signal of climate change's impact on malaria, with cases shifting to higher elevations in warmer years and back down in cooler years. Climate warming is expected to increase malaria cases in tropical highland areas, particularly in Africa and South America.