All articles tagged with #evolutionary biology
Scientists have uncovered how reptiles, especially snakes, excrete nitrogen through tiny uric acid crystals, revealing complex biological processes that could have broader implications for understanding uric acid's role in health and evolution.
Scientists discovered that male spotted ratfish have true teeth on a forehead appendage used in mating, challenging long-held beliefs that teeth are only located in the mouth. This structure, called the tenaculum, is a rare example of non-oral teeth in vertebrates, providing new insights into dental evolution and developmental biology.
Scientists studied ghost sharks, or chimaeras, revealing that their forehead teeth, used for reproduction, are evolutionarily related to their mouth teeth, showcasing the reuse of biological structures in evolution.
Wild chimpanzees consume the equivalent of a daily lager's alcohol from ripened fruit, supporting the 'drunken monkey' hypothesis that humans' taste for alcohol may have evolved from primate ancestors relying on fermented fruit for food, although the amount consumed does not cause drunkenness.
Scientists have confirmed that the Atlas blue butterfly has the highest number of chromosomes in the animal kingdom, with 229 pairs, a result of rapid chromosomal splitting over 3 million years, which may enhance genetic diversity and adaptability, though it also presents potential vulnerabilities amid environmental threats.
Some ant queens can produce offspring of two different species, blurring species boundaries and creating a complex, multi-species colony through unique reproductive strategies, including cloning and genetic manipulation, challenging traditional notions of individuality in evolution.
Biologists discovered that Messor ibericus ant queens can produce male offspring of a different species, Messor structor, through a process called xenoparity, involving a form of cloning called androgenesis, challenging traditional ideas of species and reproduction.
Queen ants of the species Messor ibericus can produce both their own offspring and hybrid offspring of a different species, Messor structor, through a reproductive process called xenoparous, revealing a unique and surprising aspect of evolutionary biology in social insects.
Researchers discovered a unique case in Messor ibericus ants where females produce individuals from two different species by cloning males from the other species, involving obligate hybridization and a form of sexual domestication, challenging traditional views on species boundaries and reproductive strategies.
Scientists have extracted the oldest animal proteins from 18 to 24 million-year-old fossils, using dental enamel to preserve these molecules in harsh environments, significantly extending the known age range for recoverable ancient proteins and opening new avenues for studying deep evolutionary history.
A recent study suggests that sharks' tendency to freeze when turned upside down, known as tonic immobility, is likely an evolutionary relic rather than an adaptive survival strategy, with many species having lost this trait over millions of years due to environmental pressures.
A recent study suggests that sharks' tendency to enter a trance-like state when turned upside down, known as tonic immobility, is likely an evolutionary relic rather than an adaptive survival strategy, with some species losing this trait over millions of years due to environmental pressures.
The article discusses the reality of menopause, its symptoms, and the evolutionary mystery of why women become infertile early in life, noting that only humans and some whale species experience early menopause in the wild.
Research reveals that tokay geckos use their inner ear saccule to detect ground-borne vibrations, suggesting an ancient vibration pathway linked to balance also contributes to hearing, which may reshape understanding of animal perception and evolution.
The article discusses the complex factors behind obesity, emphasizing that it is not solely due to individual willpower but also heavily influenced by environmental, societal, and evolutionary factors. It highlights the role of food industry practices, advertising, food accessibility, and systemic issues, arguing that solutions should focus on policy changes and environment modifications rather than solely blaming personal responsibility.