Evolution
-
With rapidly advancing techniques to assess fossils, we've never been in a better position to piece together Earth's early days. While there are still plenty of mysteries dating back millions of years, in 2023 we solved a few – and discovered even more.
-
Scientists have discovered that the giant panda, long considered a bit of a loner, has a surprisingly active social life, communicating with friends and family in a way that's akin to sharing status updates on Facebook.
-
In what may put some of us to shame, apes instantly recognize family and friends that they haven’t seen in more than two decades, which is the longest ‘social memory’ in a non-human animal ever documented.
-
Still prized at the dinner table today, it appears the drumstick was just as popular with tyrannosaur kids 75 million years ago. A fascinating find in a dinosaur's stomach offers clues as to why these giant predators became the most successful on Earth.
-
A fungus that attacked plants 407 million years ago has been unearthed among fossils at the Natural History Museum, making it the oldest of its kind to have ever been found. What's more, its new name celebrates one very famous fungi aficionado.
-
What has eyes, antennae, swimming bristles, a genes stash and a feel for autonomy? The rear end of the bizarre Japanese green syllid worm. Scientists now know how the end of the animal detaches and swims off to find a similar tail of the opposite sex.
-
Male serotine bats living in a Dutch church attic have been captured on camera engaging in marathon sessions of non-penetrative sex, while armed with a heart-shaped penis that's seven times longer than the female's vagina. Yes, this is a true story.
-
They've lived on earth for 280 million years at least, but starfish – or sea stars – remain a huge mystery in biology. Now, long-held beliefs regarding their unique design have been upended, as genetics reveal they're not all arms but nearly all head.
-
Genitalia in the animal kingdom is rarely dull, from penis 'sword' fighting flatworms, to echidnas with four-headed phalluses. Let us introduce a new odd member contender: a beetle with an appendage that looks like you could crack open a beer with it.
-
It's been called plain and boring, but this Thescelosaurus species has now had its sad reputation upended, thanks to fascinating sensory discoveries that suggest it lived a unique, successful life underground, beneath the feet of its fearsome predators.
-
Scientists have found the molecular mechanism that causes a losing zebrafish to wave the white flag. While fighting fish in general may not spark a lot of interest, their shared neurobiology with humans means this could be a very significant discovery.
-
A new study is shaking up the world of evolutionary biology by offering some of the first evidence of menopause in a wild, non-human primate population. The findings complicate pre-existing ideas around the evolutionary function of menopause.
Load More