A strange layer in the fossil record contains evidence that fern populations exploded following the mass extinction that ended the Cretaceous period. Scientists want to know why.

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.

The Georgetown University biologist studies how climate change contributes to the emergence of new zoonotic threats.

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.

Fogel mined information from isotopes to explore modern and ancient ecosystems, climatic changes, and evolution.

The study estimates that one-fifth of reptile species worldwide are at risk of extinction.

Assumed to have gone extinct more than 30 years ago, Gasteranthus extinctus has been rediscovered by scientists working in Ecuador.

Researchers determined the season during which the meteor struck by studying the bones of fish excavated from a contentious field site.

The naturalist was recognized for his work on social behavior and pheromones in ants and as a champion of wildlife conservation.

More than two-thirds of mammals in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula went extinct during the Eocene-Oligocene transition some 30 million years ago, a study finds.

Plant species officially reported to be lost are in fact persevering in the wild, in seed banks or botanical gardens, or as other species now recognized to be taxonomic synonyms.

Conservation biologist John Ewen discusses the recent reintroduction of Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia after a 3,000-year absence and issues that need to be considered when bringing long-departed animals back into an area.

Data on vertebrate species that have become, or are likely to become, extinct reveal plant eaters are most under threat.

Species that come up with new ways to find food may be more likely to survive in habitats disturbed by agriculture and other human activities.

A new study finds that the extinct European cave bear’s large sinuses represent a tradeoff between hibernation length and the flexibility of their diets.

Experts warn that an explosion of hooded vulture deaths in Guinea-Bissau could push the critically endangered species to the brink of extinction.

The rate of population decline is outpacing the ability of the bees to find a new habitat.

Carbon cycle modeling and paleotemperature records argue that an asteroid impact—not volcanic fumes—was the main driver of the dinosaur die-off.

Researchers’ simulations suggest that small population sizes and inbreeding made Neanderthal populations vulnerable to chance fluctuations in population size.