biodiversity

A new iguana species, Wang’s garden lizard, has been identified in Asia, featuring unique characteristics and a diverse diet. While not currently threatened, conservation concerns have been raised due to habitat fragmentation and human exploitation. Credit: Huang et al.A newly discovered iguana species adds to Asia’s diverse reptile population, having been formally recognized in the scientific community through its description in the open-access journal ZooKeys.“From 2009 to 2022, we conducted a series of field surveys in…

From Ensia (find the original story here); reprinted with permission.For the past decade and a half, a team led by Cambridge University conservation biologist William Sutherland has engaged scientists and practitioners from around the world in a unique annual activity: conducting a horizon scan to identify the top emerging technological, political, economic and related shifts most likely to have a substantial effect on biodiversity around the world in the year ahead. Over the years, the list has helped illuminate intended…

Mirlatia arcuata, a newly discovered moth species in Europe, reveals gaps in our knowledge of European Lepidoptera. Its unique characteristics and the mystery surrounding its habitat and adaptation highlight the ongoing need for research in this field. Above is an adult male of Mirlatia arcuata. Credit: Hausmann et al.European Lepidoptera, comprising butterflies and moths, are known to have around 11,000 species and are considered well-researched. However, the discovery of a new genus and species within the Geometrid moth…

Kākāpō are avid walkers, wandering on strong legs for miles at a time and hiking up mountains to find mates. They’re keen climbers too, clambering up New Zealand’s 65-foot-high rimu trees on large claws to forage for red berries on the tips of the conifer’s branches.But there’s one thing that the world’s heaviest parrot species can’t do: fly. With their bulky frames — males weigh up to nine pounds — and waddling gait, they have little chance of outrunning predators like stoats and feral cats.…

There are differing opinions on cats' personalities and behaviour: They're affectionate, they're aloof, they love you, they hate you.Then there's the undeniable fact of what they become when left to roam free outside: indiscriminate, stone-cold killers.A new study has found cats roaming free prey upon almost any animal, reptile, insect, and amphibian around the world – their hunting so prolific and so successful, the authors found, that it poses a legitimate threat to global biodiversity."What's shocking is just the…

New research supports the concept of the Anthropocene Epoch, a proposed geological time period marked by significant human impact on the Earth. The study analyzed vegetation changes in North America since the end of the Pleistocene Epoch using fossil pollen data. Their findings indicate that recent changes in vegetation are comparable to those observed during the last epochal transition, suggesting a significant shift in ecosystem functioning that warrants the classification of a new epoch.Researchers have determined that…

One in five messages posted on the social media platform X contain an emoji. The cartoonish representations of smiley faces, human beings, and objects have become a key part of how we communicate in the 21st century. They help us understand each other—and the world, which is why conservation biologists have called for the number of emoji to be rapidly expanded to better represent the biodiversity on our planet.At present, the list of emoji users can deploy in conversations is severely limited and skewed toward certain…

New research has uncovered the genetic connections of the legendary killer whale, Old Tom, to modern New Zealand killer whales, suggesting the local extinction of his kind. The study also decolonizes the history of Eden’s whaling, emphasizing the historic bond between Indigenous Australians and killer whales. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Evolutionary biologists have successfully unraveled the genetic lineage of a renowned killer whale in Australia for the first time. For the first time, evolutionary biologists have unraveled…

As It Happens6:12Scientists find elusive golden mole for the 1st time in 87 yearsWhen a group of conservation scientists set off in search of a long-lost species of South Africa moles in 2021, their colleagues warned them not to get their hopes up.After all, the last time a scientist had seen a De Winton's golden mole was in 1936. What's more, the critically endangered species dwells entirely underground, and is extremely difficult to distinguish from other types of golden moles who share its habitat.But now, the team…

Recent research highlights a significant link between Earth’s geological activities, like plate tectonics and river movements, and the evolution of biodiversity, offering a comprehensive view of how life has been influenced over 500 million years by Earth’s physical evolution. Recent research reveals a striking correlation to how life evolved over 500 million years. The movement of rivers, mountains, oceans, and sediment nutrients at the geological timescale are central drivers of Earth’s biodiversity, new research…