Ecological niche

Climate change to worsen devastation by Xylella fastidiosa, wine regions most at risk

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Xylella fastidiosa, the deadly disease-causing bacterium that has already wiped out millions of plants of emblematic Mediterranean crops, like grapevines, olive-trees and almond-trees, by clogging their ducts and plant tissues, will get a boost from climate change in relevant wine-producing regions where the risk is low at present. Researchers at the Institute of Cross-disciplinary Physics … Read more

Evolutionary Ecology: Adaptations and Evolutionary Responses in Ecological Contexts

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Evolutionary ecology is a multidisciplinary field that integrates principles from evolutionary biology and ecology to study the adaptations, evolutionary responses, and interactions of organisms within ecological contexts. It seeks to understand how ecological factors such as resource availability, environmental conditions, predation pressures, competition, and symbiotic relationships shape the evolution of traits, behaviors, and genetic diversity … Read more

Competition, not just climate, shaped hominin evolution, new study suggests

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Competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins—and produced a “bizarre” evolutionary pattern for the Homo lineage—according to a new University of Cambridge study that revises the start and end dates for many of our early ancestors. Conventionally, climate is held responsible for the emergence and extinction of hominin … Read more

Ancient hominid had surprisingly sophisticated diet, study says

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When it came to eating, an upright, 2-million-year-old African hominid had a diet unlike virtually all other known human ancestors, says a study led by the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany and involving the University of Colorado Boulder. The study indicated that Australopithecus sediba — a short, gangly hominid that lived … Read more

New bird fossil, Imparavis attenboroughi, represents earliest known toothless bird

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The evolution of birds and their remarkable adaptations have long fascinated scientists, revealing intriguing insights into the history and diversity of life on Earth. Among the myriad discoveries, the emergence of toothlessness in birds stands as a testament to the complex evolutionary processes shaping avian diversity. Recently, in a groundbreaking study published in the journal … Read more

Duckbilled dinosaurs discovered in Morocco, traveled across Tethys Sea millions of years ago

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Fossils of pony-sized duckbill dinosaurs from Morocco have been discovered by an international team of scientists. Their analysis reveals a surprising connection between the dinosaurs of Europe and Africa. How did duckbill dinosaurs, a group that evolved in North America, end up in Morocco? At the end of the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago, … Read more

Study finds human harvests in Jordan led to year-round bird habitat

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During the transition from the last glacial period roughly 14,500 to 10,500 years ago, ancient peoples in eastern Jordan’s wetlands altered the landscape, unintentionally creating a haven for birds. A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory challenges the notion that human activity always harms biodiversity, suggesting instead that it can … Read more

Aerobic respiration

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Aerobic respiration is a fundamental metabolic process that provides organisms with the energy they need to sustain life. Occurring in the presence of oxygen, aerobic respiration involves the breakdown of organic molecules, such as glucose, to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the universal energy currency of cells. This intricate biochemical pathway consists of several interconnected stages, … Read more

Biotic and abiotic factors

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Biotic and abiotic factors are essential components of ecosystems, shaping the dynamics of life on Earth. Understanding their interplay is crucial for comprehending the complex web of interactions that sustain life. Biotic factors encompass living organisms and their interactions, while abiotic factors comprise non-living elements that influence ecosystems. Together, they form the intricate balance necessary … Read more

Concept of coevolution

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Coevolution, a captivating and intricate ecological phenomenon, lies at the intersection of biology and evolution, illuminating the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems. This concept encapsulates the dynamic and reciprocal changes that occur in two or more species as a result of their interactions over time. Coevolution is not a unidirectional process; instead, it involves a … Read more

Earliest evidence of Cicada sound production

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To clarify the early evolutionary history of Cicadoidea fossils, the phylogenetic relationships between Mesozoic fossils and extant Cicadoidea, the macroevolution of body structure adaptations, and their relationship with environmental changes, Dr. Jiang Hui, supervised by Profs. Wang Bo and Zhang Haichun from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences … Read more

Why is biodiversity important?

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Biodiversity, the rich tapestry of life on Earth, is a critical component of our planet’s health and resilience. It encompasses the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within them. The importance of biodiversity extends far beyond its intrinsic value; it plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems, supporting human well-being, and maintaining the delicate … Read more

Natural selection

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Natural selection stands as a cornerstone in the understanding of evolution, providing a mechanism through which species undergo gradual, adaptive changes over time. The concept, first proposed by Charles Darwin in the mid-19th century, revolutionized our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. Natural selection acts as a driving force, shaping the characteristics of … Read more

How does the theory of natural selection contribute to our understanding of human evolution?

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The theory of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century, has been a cornerstone in understanding the process of evolution. Applied to the context of human evolution, this theory provides a comprehensive framework for explaining the development and adaptation of Homo sapiens over millions of years. In exploring … Read more

Bacillus subtilis

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Bacillus subtilis is a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that has garnered significant attention and application in various fields due to its versatility, resilience, and beneficial characteristics. This bacterium holds immense importance in both scientific research and industrial processes, playing a pivotal role in areas ranging from biotechnology to agriculture. First discovered in 1835 by Christian Gottfried … Read more

Plasmid

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A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is separate from the chromosomal DNA and is found in the cytoplasm of bacteria and other microorganisms. It plays a crucial role in genetic engineering, as it can be manipulated to carry and express foreign genes. The study of plasmids has significantly contributed to our … Read more

What role did environmental factors play in human evolution?

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Environmental factors have played a pivotal role in shaping the course of human evolution over millions of years. The intricate dance between Homo sapiens and their surroundings has been a driving force in the development of various traits and adaptations that define our species today. From the lush landscapes of Africa to the diverse climates … Read more

The history of life on Earth

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The history of life on Earth is a captivating narrative that spans billions of years, marked by the emergence and evolution of diverse species. This epic journey begins around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, during the Archean Eon, with the origin of life. The exact details of life’s origin remain a scientific mystery, but … Read more

Why are there so few crocodiles? Climate and competition tell the tale

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Under the guidance of scientists at the University of York, a research team meticulously charted the ancestral lineage of the formidable ambush-predators and their extinct kin, collectively known as Pseudosuchia. Delving into the fossil record, the researchers sought to unravel the intriguing question of why crocodiles exhibit a scarcity of extant species, particularly when compared … Read more

The evolution of life on Earth

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The evolution of life on Earth is a captivating narrative that unfolds over billions of years, weaving a tale of adaptation, diversity, and interconnectedness. From the emergence of simple, single-celled organisms in ancient seas to the complex web of life that populates our planet today, the evolutionary journey is marked by extraordinary transformations and pivotal … Read more