species

Alpine ibexes usually descend from the safety of Europe's mountainous heights during the day to feast on grasses found at lower altitudes. But researchers tracking these animals noticed they've become increasingly less inclined to make this daytime vertical migration.These big-horned goats (Capra ibex) now spend more time resting when it's light and foraging instead at night – a huge risk, given wolves stalk these areas under the cover of darkness."For this species, to be nocturnal is a problem – it's a big problem,"…

A nearly 20-year study on Darwin’s finches by McGill University has revealed that specific beak traits linked to different food types increase the birds’ lifespan, supporting the theory of adaptive radiation. The findings suggest that these finches are still evolving to better adapt to their environments.Employing data from four species of Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands, a team headed by McGill University has validated a long-held theory that the diversity of species arises from adaptation to various…

New research suggests interspecies hanky panky between blue and fin whales is more common than we thought, at least in certain parts of the world.Genome sequencing of North Atlantic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus musculus) revealed around 3.5 percent of the group's DNA came from a neighboring species, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus).The scientists from Canada and Norway didn't expect this percentage to be so high. What's more, all the present-day blue whale samples in their study had at least some fin whale DNA in…

As It Happens6:05Spider webs catch more than prey. They're also jam-packed with animal DNAJosh Newton probably isn't very popular with spiders. After all, the Australian scientist has a tendency to go around undoing their hard work. "I liken it to when Princess Fiona in Shrek makes some cotton candy for Shrek from spider webs, where she collects a stick and just wraps around the spider web for him. But I do it with a clean, sterile stick," Newton, a PhD candidate in life sciences at Curtin University, told As It Happens…

Physical dynamics of the escarpment landscape evolution model, in the initial state (A–C) and at a model time of 28.2 Myr (D–F). Credit: Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adi0833 Madagascar is home to more than 11,000 plant species, 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth. A recent study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL and ETH Zurich has put forward a new hypothesis for the…

Scientists have discovered Tudors’s Coffee-Snake, a new species endemic to Ecuador’s cloud forests. Found by biologist Alejandro Arteaga, it resides in coffee plantations at high elevations. This discovery highlights the need for conservation in cloud forests and surrounding habitats, with the species naming aiding in such efforts. Credit: Alejandro ArteagaResearchers from Khamai Foundation and Liberty University have identified a new species of coffee snake, endemic to the cloud forests in northwestern Ecuador.Biologist…

February 7, 20243min readMost primate societies have long been assumed to be male-dominated, but a new study shows many have females in charge or feature power sharingBy Sara Novak Female lemurs call the shots in their societies. Not only do dominant females choose their own mates; they also use prompts—such as tail and fur pulling or the occasional nip—with both males and females to dictate which other females in the group can mate. Primatologists have long categorized the world’s 108 lemur species as a female-ruled…

Reconstruction of Ceoptera evansae. Credit: © NHM & Witton 2021Scientists unveil a new pterosaur species from Scotland, offering insights into the diversity and global spread of early flying reptiles and challenging established views on their evolutionary timeline.A new species of pterosaur from specimens found on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, has been announced by scientists from the Natural History Museum, University of Bristol, University of Leicester, and University of Liverpool.Insights Into Pterosaur Diversity and…

One of two new species of the mysterious Urodacus genus of burrowing scorpions – with many more museum specimens still to be described. Credit: B Buzatto (Flinders University)New research has uncovered unexpected characteristics in two newly identified species of burrowing scorpions, including a very strangely shaped ‘tail tip’ and some ‘sexy’ anatomy features.Terrestrial biologists from South Australia’s Flinders University, West Australian universities, and the Museum of WA have taken a closer look at two new species of…

Other plants, including some ferns, send out leaves or shoots that touch the ground and sprout roots to sustain a new plant. But the Panamanian tree fern, Cyathea rojasiana, reconfigures its “zombie leaves,” reversing the flow of water to draw nutrients back into the plant. Credit: Graphic by Camila Pizano, color by Michael VincentPlant biologists have discovered that a unique species of tree fern, exclusive to Panama, has the ability to regenerate its deceased leaf fronds into root-like structures. This fern, known as…