After 128 years of exploration, fossil excavation and investigation, Flinders University researchers have finally uncovered the skull of Australia’s own giant and charismatic megafauna bird—Genyornis newtoni. The only previously known skull for this species, reported in 1913, was heavily damaged and with little of the original bone remaining, not much could be deduced about the … Read more
Trematodes, also known as flukes, are a class of parasitic flatworms with intricate lifecycles. This makes them interesting to scientists, but they are also significant to both human health and wildlife conservation. Trematodes can cause infection in humans when people eat food the flatworms have contaminated, including raw fish, crustaceans and vegetables. Though this is … Read more
Scattered across the Penobscot Experimental Forest are veritable treasure troves for its denizens, each containing riches beyond comprehension. These caches do not contain gold or jewels—they’re filled with eastern white pine seeds and were placed by a team of researchers at the University of Maine for one purpose: to catch furry thieves red-handed. Brigit Humphreys, … Read more
Insects and microorganisms that feed on plants, cut up leaves, modify leaf tissue or produce leaf spots and other kinds of damage, are usually known as pests and considered harmful, yet interactions between plants and their natural enemies are important sources of biodiversity. In tropical forests, for example, these “pests” are part of large ecological … Read more
Aquatic biology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of life in water environments, encompassing a wide range of organisms, ecosystems, and processes that thrive in aquatic habitats. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest marine mammals, aquatic biology explores the diversity, adaptations, interactions, and ecological dynamics of aquatic life across freshwater, … Read more
Comparative anatomy is a branch of biology that involves the study of anatomical structures and systems across different species to understand evolutionary relationships, adaptations, functional morphology, and biological diversity. By comparing the anatomy of organisms from various taxonomic groups, researchers can gain insights into evolutionary patterns, developmental processes, physiological functions, and ecological adaptations that have … Read more
Microbial ecology is the branch of ecology that studies the interactions between microorganisms and their environment, including other organisms, abiotic factors, and biogeochemical processes. Microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses, play essential roles in ecosystem dynamics, nutrient cycling, energy flow, and biogeochemical transformations. Understanding microbial ecology is crucial for elucidating the functioning of … Read more
Human evolution is the process by which Homo sapiens, the modern human species, emerged and diversified from earlier hominin ancestors over millions of years. It is a complex and fascinating journey that spans millions of years and involves numerous species, environmental changes, adaptations, and migrations. Understanding human evolution requires interdisciplinary approaches, drawing insights from paleontology, … Read more
Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the study and preservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and the natural environment. It integrates principles from ecology, genetics, evolutionary biology, population biology, biogeography, and environmental science to address conservation challenges, mitigate biodiversity loss, protect endangered species, restore habitats, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. Conservation biology … Read more
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
Animal ecology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals in their natural habitats, examining their behaviors, interactions, adaptations, and population dynamics within ecological systems. By understanding how animals interact with their environment and with each other, animal ecologists gain insights into the ecological processes that shape ecosystems and influence biodiversity. … Read more
Plant anatomy is the study of plant structure at cellular and tissue levels. Plant tissues, such as meristematic, dermal, ground, and vascular tissues, each perform distinct functions crucial for plant growth, support, and survival. Meristematic tissue drives growth, while dermal tissue protects against environmental stresses. Ground tissue aids in photosynthesis and storage, while vascular tissue … Read more
Biogeography is the scientific study of the distribution of species and biodiversity across space and through time. It examines the patterns and processes that shape the distribution of organisms on Earth, from the smallest microbes to the largest mammals. Biogeographers investigate how factors such as climate, geology, evolutionary history, and human activities influence where species … Read more
Zoology is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals, their behavior, physiology, classification, evolution, and distribution. It encompasses a vast array of organisms, from microscopic protozoa to large mammals, and explores the diversity of life on Earth. Zoologists investigate the structure, function, ecology, and behavior of animals in order to understand … Read more
Botany, the scientific study of plants, encompasses a vast array of topics ranging from plant structure and function to their evolutionary history, ecological interactions, and economic importance. Plants are essential for life on Earth, serving as the primary producers in ecosystems, providing oxygen, food, shelter, and numerous other resources for humans and other organisms. The … Read more
Seagull species that have bigger brains are more likely to nest on coastal cliffs and may also be better adapted to breed in urban environments such as on the roofs of buildings. New research has found that more than half of cliff-nesting gull species have been recorded as nesting in towns and cities, compared to … Read more
As a result of the climate crisis, global warming is driving up temperatures around the world—and bumblebees, like humans, are struggling to cope with homes that can’t beat the heat. In a new article published in Frontiers in Bee Science, scientists identify rising heat as a potential culprit for the decline in bumblebee populations worldwide, … Read more
Sunflowers aren’t just beautiful symbols of summer—they are also economically significant, ranking as the fourth most important oilseed crop in the world, and new research suggests that some bacteria might help protect the crop from white-mold destruction. Sunflowers can be harvested for a number of products including seeds and oil, for which consumer demand has … Read more
Plant physiology is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of how plants function, grow, develop, and respond to their environment. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including plant anatomy, biochemistry, metabolism, genetics, reproduction, and interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding plant physiology is essential for agriculture, forestry, ecology, environmental science, … Read more
Marine biology is the scientific study of life in the oceans and other saltwater environments. It is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses various branches of biology, including ecology, physiology, genetics, and oceanography, to understand the complex interactions between marine organisms and their habitats. With over 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by oceans, marine biology … Read more