How Did Bats Begin to Fly? Science Unfolds Their Ancient Secrets
Research from the University of Washington provides new insights into bat evolution, suggesting a transition from gliding ancestors based on limb morphology analysis of extinct…
Evolutionary Biology News
Evolutionary biology is the scientific study of the processes that have given rise to the diversity of life on Earth over billions of years. This discipline focuses on the history of life forms, their genetic changes over generations, and the environmental interactions that drive these changes. Central to evolutionary biology is the theory of evolution by natural selection, formulated by Charles Darwin. This theory proposes that organisms that are better adapted to their environments are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on favorable traits to succeeding generations. Evolutionary biology covers various subfields such as phylogenetics, which reconstructs the evolutionary relationships among species; population genetics, which studies the genetic composition of populations over time; and evolutionary developmental biology, which examines how developmental processes evolve. The field extends beyond biological sciences, influencing diverse disciplines like medicine, psychology, and ecology, providing insights into antibiotic resistance, the behavior of organisms, and the impact of climate change on species adaptation.
Discovery of Ancient Giant Virus Remnants Offers New Clues to the Origins of Complex Life
Microorganisms reveal how our single-celled predecessors incorporated viral DNA into their own genomes. Researchers have discovered remnants of ancient giant viruses in the genome of…
What a Bizarre Taco-Shaped Sea Creature Can Teach Us About Evolution
Exceptional fossils show how mandibulates were trapping prey in marine ecosystems 500 million years ago. Researchers have classified the Cambrian marine animal, Odaraia, as a…
An Ancient Partnership: Unlocking the Microbial Blueprint of Earth’s Evolution
Scientists review the extensive influence of microorganisms on Earth’s history, tracing their impact through isotopic and genetic evidence. The study highlights the connection between microbial…
Scientists Discover Extraordinary Ancient Chromosome Fossils in 52,000-Year-Old Mammoth
A breakthrough now makes it possible to assemble the genomes of extinct species. A team of scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, the University of…
New Insights Into Earth’s First Organisms Could Change How We Search for Extraterrestrial Life
A new study could influence the search for life on other planets. Despite years of extensive study, many aspects of the origins and early evolution…
1.4 Million-Year-Old Human Activity Unearthed at Orce’s Quicksand Trap
Located at Fuente Nueva-3, this Early Pleistocene archaeological site hosts some of the oldest traces of human habitation in Western Europe. Researchers at the University…
Century-Old Biological Experiment Reveals Genetic Secrets of Important Crop
A long-term study since 1929 has revealed significant insights into barley’s evolution, showing its adaptation to different environments and the substantial impact of natural selection….
Why Do Fireflies Glow? New Research Upends Current Origin Theories
Recent genomic research shows firefly bioluminescence predates their toxic traits, possibly evolving as a response to oxidative stress. Genomic analysis has overturned the leading hypothesis…
Harvard Scientists Reveal Amazing Survival Strategies of Giant Deep-Sea Vent Tubeworm
Research on the deep-sea vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila shows how its symbiotic bacteria use two carbon fixation pathways to adapt to deep-sea conditions, suggesting potential…
Decoding Lifespan: Cornell Study Links Motherly Care to Extended Human Life
Research from Cornell University suggests that prolonged maternal care contributes to longer lifespans and slower reproductive rates in humans and other mammals, supporting theories that…
Breaking Barriers in Biology: Universal Equation Links Wingbeats of Whales to Mosquitoes
Researchers from Roskilde University in Denmark have developed a universal equation that can effectively predict the frequency of wingbeats and fin strokes made by birds,…
Scientists Reveal Origins of Plant-Ant Partnerships 135 Million Years Ago
Researchers discovered that ferns, like flowering plants, evolved nectaries to attract ant bodyguards around 135 million years ago. This evolutionary adaptation occurred as ferns moved…
The Sea Cucumber: Nature’s Answer to Modern Medical Challenges
Scientists utilize a handful of standard research organisms, including fruit flies and mice, to study the evolutionary development (evo-devo) of animal lineages. Expanding the variety…
A Billion-Year Evolutionary Tale – Biologists Trace Cell Division Back to Its Roots
New findings by EMBL researchers reveal how animals and fungi have developed distinct cell division processes to accommodate their varied life cycles. Cell division is…
Crows Can Count… Out Loud!
Crows can “count” vocally up to four in response to cues, showing complex vocal control similar to young children. Researchers have discovered that crows can…
Popular Theory Debunked: Scientists Identify Unexpected Drivers Behind Giraffes’ Long Necks
Penn State research indicates that female giraffes’ long necks, crucial for accessing deep-set leaves, might drive their evolution, highlighting the need for conservation efforts. Why…
Ancient DNA Unravels the Origins of a Mysterious Lineage of Mergansers
A new study has discovered that mergansers arrived in New Zealand from the Northern Hemisphere over seven million years ago, highlighting a more cosmopolitan origin…