Ferns finally get a genome, revealing a history of DNA hoarding and kleptomania
Ferns are notorious for containing massive amounts of DNA and an excessively large number of chromosomes. Defying all expectations, a…Read More
Frog forelimbs may be adapted for love and war as well as jumping
Hold out your arm with your palm facing downward. Now rotate your hand 90 degrees to give a thumbs-up without…Read More
Plants that pull nitrogen from thin air thrive in arid environments
After a comprehensive study of plants across the United States, researchers have arrived at the unexpected conclusion that plants able…Read More
Moths enlist additional troops in an evolutionary arms race
While a clear night sky might seem quiet and peaceful to us, empty of everything but stars, this nocturnal world…Read More
New hawk moth species are among the smallest ever discovered
Hawk moths are known for being some of the largest night fliers in the insect world. With wingspans of more…Read More
Good parenting evolved multiple times in moss animals
The spindly filaments and coral-like colonies of the ancient phylum of marine animals known as bryozoans likely aren’t the first…Read More
Explosive fossil fruit found buried beneath ancient Indian lava flows
Just before the closing scenes of the Cretaceous Period, India was a rogue subcontinent on a collision course with Asia….Read More
Underbite regained: Species feared extinct is the only frog with true teeth on its lower jaw
In a new study, biologists laid to rest a century-old debate by confirming that a single species of frog, out…Read More
Birds’ eye size reflects habitat and diet, may predict sensitivity to environmental change
A new study shows the eye size of birds can reveal broad patterns of their biology and behavior, including where…Read More
DNA duplication linked to the origin and evolution of pine trees and their relatives
Plants are DNA hoarders. Adhering to the maxim of never throwing anything out that might be useful later, they often…Read More