New light shed on Charles Darwin's 'abominable mystery'
Historical documents are uncovered that provide clues to a puzzle that haunted Charles Darwin.
today • ~6 min
evolution fossils
Dinosaurs may have 'flashed' each other with their bottoms, newly discovered fossil shows
A reconstruction of a dinosaur's back passage reveals it may have been used for visual communication.
yesterday • ~6 min
evolution dinosaurs paleontology social-communication paleolithic reconstruction
Spitting cobras may have evolved unique venom to defend from ancient humans
A toxin unique to spitting cobras means their venom causes more pain than other snakes.
Jan. 21, 2021 • ~7 min
evolution animals venomous-snakes
Stickiness is a weapon some plants use to fend off hungry insects
For some sand-dwelling plants, stickiness is a defense tactic that keeps predators at bay.
Jan. 20, 2021 • ~6 min
insects biology plants botany ants evolutionary-biology seeds convergent-evolution camouflage caterpillars
Natural wonder: Wing 'clap' solves mystery of butterfly flight
The cupped clap of a butterfly's wings may be the key to their flying abilities and their survival.
Jan. 20, 2021 • ~4 min
evolution nature
New starfish-like fossil reveals evolution in action
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, which helps us understand the origins of the
Jan. 20, 2021 • ~5 min
evolution fossil palaeontology
Starfish: rare fossil helps answer the mystery of how they evolved arms
New study sheds light on how the starfish evolved.
Jan. 20, 2021 • ~6 min
evolution fossils animals starfish
Wing imprints reveal dino-era praying mantis
Researchers have identified a new species of praying mantis after discovering imprints of its fossilized wings in present-day Quebec.
Jan. 19, 2021 • ~6 min
evolution insects fossils wings new-species science-and-technology
Parasites: what causes some species to evolve to exploit others
Even the most mutually-beneficial evolutionary relationship can turn sour.
Jan. 19, 2021 • ~7 min
evolution animal-behaviour parasites parasitism cleaner-fish
One termite lineage took over by switching diets
"Termites are mostly misunderstood," says entomologist Thomas Chouvenc. Tracing their evolution shows they do more than eat wood and destroy homes.
Jan. 15, 2021 • ~7 min
evolution insects termites science-and-technology earth-and-environment
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