evolution

Macrauchenia

Charles Darwin’s Mystery Animal: Solved!

An extinct animal from South America, whose fossils have confounded scientists for over 170 years, are now thought to be relatives of horses, thanks to mDNA analysis.

Scientists Use 3D Printed Eggs to Study the Art of Deception among Birds

3D printing has already established itself within the scientific community. It's been used to produce tools aboard the International Space Station, replicate body parts for surgical procedures, and now it's found a new niche among biologists studying bird behavior. It turns out, 3D printers produce mighty fine eggs.

Yale Traces the Origins of all Snakes

Researchers at Yale University recently delved into the evolutionary history of snakes, and what they discovered was an ancient creature who lived over 120 million years ago in the warm forests of the Southern Hemisphere. And most interesting of all, this creature sported tiny hindlimbs, replete with ankles and toes.

Up From the Depths: The First Warm-Blooded Fish

In the cold waters off the California coast, researchers have discovered something no one ever knew existed: a warm-blooded fish. Not only can this large fish regulate its body temperature, but it does it through a truly unique mechanism.

The Trap-Jaws’ Mighty Mandibles Propel Them from Danger

The mighty mandibles of the trap-jaw ants are legendary in the animal kingdom. Members of the genus Odontomachus have specialized spring-loaded jaws that can snap shut at speeds of 60 meters per second, with forces that exceed 300 times their body weight. But in four species, those powerful jaws are not only great at catching prey, they can also aid in the ant's escape.
Gibraltar Macaque

Macaques Prove Quite Handy with a Hammer

It was once believed that tool use was one of the signifying traits distinguishing humans from the rest of the animal world, but research has shown that is simply not the case. Chimps crack nuts, gorillas build rudimentary bridges, and dolphins use sponges to stir up the ocean floor, just to name a few. Scientists can now add macaques to the list, for it turns out they are quite handy with a hammer.

Embryological Manipulation Reveals Chicks Can Have Prehistoric Looks

One of the latest breakthroughs from Yale scientists: the mighty dino-chicken. The Yale team used molecular manipulation to grow chicken embryos with Velociraptor snouts and published their results yesterday in the journal Evolution. The embryos did not hatch.
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