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The structure of a biological cell (macro)
The Long and Winding Road to Eukaryotic Cells
Despite recent advances in the study of eukaryogenesis, much remains unresolved about the origin and evolution of the most complex domain of life.
The Long and Winding Road to Eukaryotic Cells
The Long and Winding Road to Eukaryotic Cells

Despite recent advances in the study of eukaryogenesis, much remains unresolved about the origin and evolution of the most complex domain of life.

Despite recent advances in the study of eukaryogenesis, much remains unresolved about the origin and evolution of the most complex domain of life.

biodiversity, evolution

Illustration showing the path result of Eukaryogenesis
Infographic: Evolutionary Leaps Leading to Modern Eukaryotes
Amanda Heidt | Oct 17, 2022 | 2 min read
A lot happened in the hundreds of millions years separating the first and last eukaryotic common ancestors, but when and how most features arose remains a mystery.
Dinosaur Fossil (Tyrannosaurus Rex) Found by Archaeologists
Are We in the Midst of a Sixth Mass Extinction?
Katarina Zimmer | Jul 18, 2022 | 10+ min read
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.
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.
Organisms from infographic about transposable elements
Infographic: How Transposable Elements Can Shape Evolution
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jan 17, 2022 | 2 min read
The movements of so-called jumping genes can generate the genetic diversity needed to drive evolutionary change in populations over time.  
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.
Image of the Day: Beetle Evolution
Emily Makowski | Nov 19, 2019 | 1 min read
Plants, fungi, and bacteria likely contributed to insect diversity.
Proposed Deep-Sea Mining Zone Harbors Previously Unknown Species
Catherine Offord | Oct 17, 2019 | 5 min read
The discovery of ancient clades of brittle stars at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean adds to concerns that commercial exploitation of the area could destroy numerous taxa before they’ve even been identified.
A Lost Microbial World the scientist
Prehistoric Microbes Inhabit an Oasis in the Northern Mexican Desert
Diana Kwon | Mar 1, 2019 | 4 min read
The blue lagoons of the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin provide a glimpse into the planet’s ancient past.
Image of the Day: Evolution Underground
Carolyn Wilke | Jan 15, 2019 | 1 min read
The lay of the land shapes the diversity of groundwater-dependent salamanders.
Image of the Day: New Tiny Frog
Jef Akst | Oct 23, 2018 | 1 min read
A newly described amphibian has such a small range in southern Brazil that it’s already critically endangered.
Hot Off the Presses
Bob Grant | Jul 1, 2016 | 3 min read
The Scientist reviews Serendipity, Complexity, The Human Superorgasism, and Love and Ruin
Tree of Life v1.0
Jef Akst | Sep 22, 2015 | 1 min read
Researchers map 2.3 million species in a single phylogeny. 
Bird Diversity Drops From Forests to Farms
Ruth Williams | Sep 11, 2014 | 2 min read
Farms support less phylogenetically diverse bird populations than forests, but some farms are better than others.
Gut Microbes Detoxify Rat Diets
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Jul 23, 2014 | 2 min read
Foregut microbes in Mojave Desert rats help the animals metabolize creosote toxins.
Lichen Legion
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Jul 2, 2014 | 2 min read
Genetic analysis splits one species into 126.
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.
Evolutionarily Distinct Birds Ranked
Jef Akst | Apr 11, 2014 | 2 min read
Researchers collate a list of the 100 most rare and unique avian species facing extinction.
Opinion: One Microbe’s 15 Minutes
David Smith | Jul 3, 2012 | 3 min read
The recently hyped amoeba-flagellate Collodictyon has many secrets to tell about early eukaryotic evolution.
Speaking of Science
The Scientist | Jan 1, 2012 | 2 min read
January 2012's selection of notable quotes
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