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Dinosaur Fossil (Tyrannosaurus Rex) Found by Archaeologists
Are We in the Midst of a Sixth Mass Extinction?
Today’s extinction rates are sky-high. But scientists debate if that’s sufficient evidence to conclude that Earth is undergoing a mass extinction event—or whether that’s even a helpful designation.
Are We in the Midst of a Sixth Mass Extinction?
Are We in the Midst of a Sixth Mass Extinction?

Today’s extinction rates are sky-high. But scientists debate if that’s sufficient evidence to conclude that Earth is undergoing a mass extinction event—or whether that’s even a helpful designation.

Today’s extinction rates are sky-high. But scientists debate if that’s sufficient evidence to conclude that Earth is undergoing a mass extinction event—or whether that’s even a helpful designation.

speciation

Illustration of creatures from today’s crisis
Infographic: A Look at the Big Five Mass Extinctions
Katarina Zimmer | Jul 18, 2022 | 4 min read
Extinction is a natural part of life on Earth. But occasionally, extinction rates have surged far beyond usual levels, driving mass extinction events that have reshaped the trajectory of life.
A reticulated giraffe in Samburu National Park, Kenya
Whole-Genome Data Point to Four Species of Giraffe
Ruth Williams | May 6, 2021 | 4 min read
The genome sequences of 51 giraffes from all over Africa contribute to the latest attempt in an ongoing pursuit to pin down a species number.
Infographic: Animals of Different Species Hybridize
Ashley Yeager | May 1, 2021 | 2 min read
The offspring of crosses between related species can sometimes fill a new environmental niche, and such hybridizations may even lead to speciation.
Hybrid Animals Are Not Nature’s Misfits
Ashley Yeager | May 1, 2021 | 8 min read
In the 20th century, animals such as mules and ligers that had parents of different species were considered biological flukes, but genetic sequencing is beginning to unravel the critical role of hybridization in evolution.
Genomes Sequenced for Every US and Canada Butterfly
Emily Makowski | Nov 20, 2019 | 2 min read
Researchers analyzed more than 800 species.
Infographic: How the Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genomes Interact
Viviane Callier | Nov 1, 2019 | 3 min read
From regulating each other’s gene expression to encoding different parts of the same proteins, the two genome types in every eukaryotic cell are far from independent.
The Two Genomes in Every Eukaryotic Cell
Viviane Callier | Nov 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
Interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes have further-reaching effects on physiological function, adaptation, and speciation than previously appreciated.
archaea fused together with cytoplasmic bridges
Archaea CRISPR Systems Grab DNA Memories During Interspecies Mating
Carolyn Wilke | Mar 1, 2019 | 2 min read
When different archaeal species mate, their CRISPR systems interact in ways that may influence their evolution.
Male Fish Borrows Egg to Clone Itself
Ruth Williams | May 23, 2017 | 3 min read
A fish created by spontaneous androgenesis is the first known vertebrate to arise naturally by this asexual reproductive phenomenon. 
Study: Horses Did Not Develop New Traits During Periods of Rapid Speciation
Diana Kwon | Feb 12, 2017 | 2 min read
Speciation and development of new traits may not always go hand-in-hand.
Study: There Are Twice as Many Bird Species as Previously Estimated
Ben Andrew Henry | Dec 13, 2016 | 1 min read
Standard taxonomy lumps together bird species that should be separate, a new study suggests, raising the total number of estimated species from 9,000 to 18,000.
Revered Biologist Dies
Catherine Offord | Apr 26, 2016 | 2 min read
Rick Harrison, an evolutionary biologist known for his research on speciation, has passed away at age 70.
How to Make a New Species
Ruth Williams | Jul 1, 2015 | 2 min read
Scientists mutate a mating pheromone and its corresponding receptor in yeast to promote speciation.
“King of Noses”
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Sep 24, 2014 | 2 min read
New hadrosaur uncovered in Utah hints at surprising speciation.  
Meal Plans
Rina Shaikh-Lesko | Aug 1, 2014 | 2 min read
Bacterial populations’ differing strategies for responding to their environment can set genetic routes to speciation.
Monkey See, Monkey Don’t
Bob Grant | Jun 30, 2014 | 1 min read
Species in a tightly knit genus of Old World primates have evolved tell-tale facial characteristics to prevent hybridization, a study shows.
Top 10 New Species
Jef Akst | May 23, 2014 | 1 min read
The International Institute for Species Exploration announces its picks of novel species discovered in the past year, including a carnivorous mammal, a tiny shrimp, and a fungus.
New Species Abound
Jef Akst | Dec 25, 2013 | 5 min read
A look at 2013’s noteworthy new species
Review: The Origin of Species
Jef Akst | Nov 22, 2013 | 3 min read
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute this week released three short films to teach students about evolution and speciation.
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