Dragonflies outlasted the dinosaurs and even endured asteroid strikes. But now they face a survival threat unlike any before. Rising heat and wildfires are reshaping the very traits they depend on to attract mates.



A study from the <a href="https://www.ucdenver.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Denver</a> shows how this shift could push some species toward local extinction. Traits that once drew partners are now putting dragonflies at risk.



“Dragonflies have survived asteroids, but now climate change and wildfires are threatening them in ways evolution can’t keep up with,” said lead author Sarah Nalley, a PhD student in CU Denver’s Integrative Biology program. 



“Our findings suggest that adaptation alone may not be fast enough to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonfly-larvae-expose-climates-hidden-influence-on-biology/">species</a> in a rapidly changing climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-ornaments-backfire">When ornaments backfire</h2>



Many dragonflies have dark spots on their wings. These patterns attract <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-hunt-perfectly-even-in-extreme-temperatures/">mates</a>. They also absorb heat. In hotter regions and burned habitats, that heat builds too quickly. Males tire, rest, and lose chances to compete for females.



Thermal imaging confirmed the problem. Dark spots made wings hotter, faster. Unlike the peppered moth, where wing color affected survival through camouflage, dragonflies face a different pressure. Here, color weakens reproductive success. Survival is not enough if mating fails.



This twist highlights a blind spot in conservation. Scientists usually check if species survive hotter, drier habitats. But if mating collapses, the population vanishes regardless of survival, leaving ecosystems weaker and biodiversity loss far greater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dragonfly-survival-amid-wildfires">Dragonfly survival amid wildfires</h2>



“This changes how we think about vulnerability,” said Professor Michael Moore. “It’s not just about whether animals can survive after wildfire - it’s about whether they can reproduce in those modified environments. That’s the key to long-term survival.”



If reproduction falters, decline accelerates. And dragonflies matter. They eat mosquitoes, keeping insect numbers in check. They also feed birds, fish, and amphibians. Lose them, and entire food webs shift, unraveling in unpredictable ways.



Dragonflies have always seemed resilient. But this study suggests they may not keep pace with today’s rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-developed-dark-wing-spots-for-survival/">changes</a>, showing how climate and fire pressures can overwhelm even long-lasting species once thought secure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-data-reveal-worrying-trends">Wildfire data reveal worrying trends</h2>



The project began as a class assignment in Professor Moore’s course. Students worked with open datasets: wildfire maps from the U.S. Geological Survey, climate records, and citizen science observations spanning 40 years. No external funding backed the research.



Despite the simple beginnings, the analysis uncovered a serious trend. Dragonflies with ornamental wings are disappearing from fire-damaged and hotter regions. The data gave a broad view of how climate and wildfires interact with reproductive traits.



Nalley brought personal motivation. She lost her home in Superior, Colorado, during the 2021 Marshall Fire. That experience shaped her focus.



“I knew I wanted to study animals - and after the fire, I knew I wanted to study wildfires too,” said Nalley. “That experience pushed me to ask how animals are affected not just by surviving a fire, but by whether they can still reproduce and carry on the species afterward.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-conservation">Lessons for conservation</h2>



The findings stretch beyond dragonflies. If ancient predators that once ruled the skies falter, what about other species? The research shows conservationists must look past survival rates. Reproduction matters just as much.



“Working with Sarah pushed me to think about my own research in a new way,” said Moore. “She came in with great questions about wildfires and reproduction that made me reconsider how I approach these big ecological issues.”



The study’s message is clear: ecosystems don’t just need species to live, they need them to breed. Dragonflies warn us of what happens when natural signals of attraction turn into liabilities, threatening stability, biodiversity, and long-term ecological resilience everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dragonfly-decline-from-wildfires">Dragonfly decline from wildfires</h2>



Dragonflies have been here for hundreds of millions of years. Their decline would mark a profound loss. More than that, it would unsettle the balance of ecosystems that depend on them.



The CU Denver research shows how quickly environmental pressures reach into the smallest details of life - courtship displays, wing patterns, mating chances. Those details decide whether a species thrives or disappears, shaping both present ecosystems and future biodiversity.



Dragonflies are not just survivors from deep time. They are indicators of how even the most resilient animals can stumble in a warming, fire-prone world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02417-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Dragonflies lived with dinosaurs, now they face their toughest fight for survival

Dragonflies outlasted the dinosaurs and even endured asteroid strikes. But now they face a survival threat unlike any before. Rising heat and wildfires are reshaping the very traits they depend on to attract mates. A study from the University of Colorado Denver shows how this shift could push some species toward local extinction. Traits that once drew partners are now putting dragonflies at risk. “Dragonflies have survived asteroids, but now climate change and wildfires are threatening them in ways evolution can’t keep up with,” said lead author...

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an apex predator native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a symbol of ecological resilience and a critical component of its high-altitude environment.&nbsp;



Despite its importance, little is known about the evolutionary history of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elusive species</a> due to the scarcity of fossil records, particularly from the Quaternary period.



A recent study sheds light on the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed snow leopards to thrive in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.&nbsp;



The research was led by an international team of researchers from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> (CAS) and European institutions.



By analyzing rare fossils and employing advanced modeling techniques, the study reveals the intricate evolutionary journey of the snow leopard and its specialized adaptations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-evolution-of-snow-leopards">Unique evolution of snow leopards</h2>



Until now, our understanding of snow leopards' evolutionary path relied heavily on molecular biology, which links the species closely to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-captive-tigers-help-restore-wild-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tigers</a>. However, the vast ecological and morphological differences between the two suggest that snow leopards followed a unique evolutionary trajectory.



To address this, the research team identified five significant fossil sites across Eurasia: Longdan (Gansu, China), Arago (France), Zhoukoudian Locality 3 (Beijing, China), Manga Larga (Portugal) and Niuyan Cave (Mentougou, Beijing, China).



These fossils provided critical insights into snow leopard lineage. While the specimen from Niuyan Cave closely resembled modern snow leopards, the others displayed unique traits, suggesting they were earlier offshoots from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.&nbsp;



The study concluded that these offshoots likely represent multiple dispersal events out of Tibet over time, providing a timeline for the development of the species’ specialized traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialized-adaptations-for-survival">Specialized adaptations for survival</h2>



Using cutting-edge techniques like geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, and anatomy studies, the researchers analyzed how snow leopards evolved to survive in their mountainous habitat. Their findings highlighted several key adaptations:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptional-vision">Exceptional vision</h3>



Large eye sockets and highly developed binocular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-camera-technology-lets-us-see-colors-of-the-world-through-the-eyes-of-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision</a> allow snow leopards to focus on prey with precision in complex, rugged terrain.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-jaws-and-teeth">Powerful jaws and teeth</h3>



Snow leopards have steeply angled jaws and robust canines, enabling them to subdue large prey like mountain goats and sheep. 



Their large premolars and molars help them efficiently consume frozen carcasses before they spoil in cold environments.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-respiratory-efficiency">Enhanced respiratory efficiency</h3>



A well-developed frontal sinus system warms inhaled air, helping snow leopards cope with low temperatures and oxygen levels at high altitudes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heightened-hearing">Heightened hearing</h3>



Their pronounced tympanic bulla enhances sensitivity to low-frequency sounds, allowing them to detect prey over long distances in open terrain.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agile-limbs-for-mountainous-terrain">Agile limbs for mountainous terrain</h3>



With elongated distal limb bones and a smaller scapula, snow leopards are built for agility, enabling them to navigate rocky slopes and leap across large gaps with ease.



These traits not only reflect their adaptation to cold, high-altitude environments but also their reliance on Caprinae prey, which are slow-moving yet highly robust with powerful horns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milestones-of-snow-leopard-evolution">Milestones of snow leopard evolution</h2>



The researchers discovered that early snow leopard fossils, such as Panthera aff. pyrenaica from Longdan and Arago, displayed some adaptations for mountainous prey but lacked traits seen in modern snow leopards.&nbsp;



For instance, while their mandibles were steeply angled, their cheek teeth were smaller, and there was no evidence of advanced respiratory adaptations.



Later fossils, such as those from Zhoukoudian and Portugal, exhibited traits closely resembling modern snow leopards, including larger cheek teeth and advanced sinus systems. 



However, some features, such as forehead expansion and ectotympanic chamber development, were less pronounced compared to their modern counterparts.



These findings suggest a gradual evolution of snow leopards’ traits, driven by changes in climate and prey availability, particularly during the Middle Pleistocene when ice sheets expanded on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-s-role-in-snow-leopard-distribution">Climate’s role in snow leopard distribution</h2>



The study also explored the ecological adaptations of fossil snow leopards by analyzing the species’ distribution in relation to climate data. Using species distribution modeling (SDM), the researchers examined how snow leopards might have adapted to the Last Glacial Maximum.



The findings revealed that the suitable habitat for snow leopards during this period was far larger than it is today. 



However, areas such as Europe and Beijing were excluded from this range, suggesting that fossil snow leopards in these regions had ecological adaptations distinct from modern populations. 



Most fossil sites were located in mountainous regions, reinforcing the idea that rugged terrain and prey availability played a more critical role in their survival than altitude or oxygen levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-of-leopards-and-snow-leopards-nbsp">Interactions of leopards and snow leopards&nbsp;</h2>



Niuyan Cave is the only known site containing both snow leopard and leopard fossils, offering rare insights into the interactions of these predators.&nbsp;



The overlapping habitats suggest that snow leopards occasionally shared transitional zones near forest edges with leopards, similar to behaviors observed in modern populations.&nbsp;



This discovery provides a glimpse into the complex environmental dynamics of the region during ancient times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-snow-leopard-conservation">Implications for snow leopard conservation</h2>



The study’s findings hold significant implications for conservation efforts. By understanding the evolutionary history and ecological needs of snow leopards, conservationists can better protect their habitats in the face of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-species-are-pre-adapted-to-tolerate-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and human activity.&nbsp;



The research also highlights the importance of preserving mountainous ecosystems that serve as critical habitats for this species.



This study not only deepens our understanding of snow leopards’ past but also highlights the importance of integrating paleontology, biology, and modern technology to inform the conservation of one of the world’s most iconic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predators-evolved-the-perfect-fangs-for-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp5243" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Snow leopards: Tracing the evolution of an apex predator

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an apex predator native to...

The humble bumble bee, already battling habitat loss and climate change, faces another invisible enemy that attacks its body from multiple angles. 



A new study reveals that a widely-used agricultural pesticide doesn't just harm bees in one way - it disrupts different body tissues in distinct and concerning patterns, much like a multi-pronged assault on their health.



The research team, led by Professor Yannick Wurm at Queen Mary University of London, used cutting-edge molecular techniques to expose how the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin impacts various bee body parts differently.



Their findings paint a troubling picture of widespread disruption throughout the insects' bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pesticides-harm-bumble-bees">How pesticides harm bumble bees</h2>



By exposing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumble bees</a> to field-realistic doses of clothianidin, the researchers discovered that pesticide exposure doesn’t affect all body parts uniformly.



The study showed that&nbsp;82% of gene activity changes caused by pesticides are specific to individual tissues. This specificity disrupts critical functions in the brain, legs, and kidney-like Malpighian tubules.



“Each tissue we examined was severely affected by the pesticide,” said Professor Wurm. “Seeing impacts of pesticide exposure across the body helps to explain the multi-faceted problems that exposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bee-day-2024-bee-engaged-with-youth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> have, from impaired movement to reduced learning ability and compromised immunity.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-damage-in-different-tissues">Distinct damage in different tissues</h2>



The study from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a> found that neonicotinoid pesticides like clothianidin cause distinct damage to different tissues in bumble bees, each critical for the insect's survival. 



In the brain, genes related to ion transport - essential for learning and memory - were disrupted, potentially impairing cognitive functions needed for navigation and problem-solving.



The hind femurs, vital for movement, showed changes in muscle-specific genes, which could weaken the bees’ ability to forage effectively or escape predators. 



Additionally, the Malpighian tubules, which function similarly to kidneys, experienced reduced activity in detoxification genes. This decline compromises the bees' ability to process and eliminate toxins, further endangering their health.



These molecular disruptions are particularly alarming because they resemble patterns typically associated with aging and even cancer in other organisms. 



This suggests that pesticide exposure could have severe long-term impacts on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-nutrition-is-key-to-honey-bee-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator populations</a>, threatening their ability to sustain themselves and perform their crucial ecological roles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety-tests-miss-tissue-specific-damage">Safety tests miss tissue-specific damage</h2>



Neonicotinoid pesticides like clothianidin are widely used in agriculture to protect crops, but their effects on non-target species like pollinators are often underestimated. 



Current pesticide safety assessments rarely account for tissue-specific damage, focusing instead on generalized outcomes. This oversight means they fail to capture the full scope of sub-lethal impacts on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-danger-bees-cant-taste-lethal-pesticides-in-nectar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vital pollinators</a>.



“The findings suggest that traditional pesticide risk assessments, which often overlook tissue-specific damage, do not fully capture the sub-lethal impacts on pollinators,” explained Dr. Federico López-Osorio, co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-bees-form-pesticides">Protecting bees form pesticides</h2>



The research highlights the urgent need to reassess how we test, regulate, and use pesticides. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops and maintaining ecosystems, yet the multi-tissue effects of pesticides jeopardize their survival and the biodiversity they support.



“We apply pesticides without fully understanding their effects on beneficial insect pollinators,” said study lead author Dr. Alicja Witwicka.



“Our findings show that every tissue is compromised in ways that undermine its vital role, which is why the effects are so devastating and widespread. This research is a call to action to rethink how we assess, regulate and apply pesticides, not only to protect pollinators but the ecosystems that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-loss-a-growing-crisis">Biodiversity loss: A growing crisis</h2>



Pollinators, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumble bees</a>, play a vital role in global agriculture by enabling the production of many fruits, nuts, and vegetables that make up a substantial portion of the human diet. Their work as pollinators is essential for the reproduction of plants that provide food for people and animals alike.



Beyond agriculture, bumble bees are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecosystems. They help pollinate wild plants, which in turn sustain various animal species and preserve the balance of natural habitats. 



However, the increasing loss of biodiversity has become a growing concern worldwide. Governments and citizens are striving to set ambitious goals to reverse these declines and restore ecosystems to health.



This research on bumble bees provides a compelling reason to rethink how we use pesticides. The health of pollinators - and the ecosystems they sustain - depends on it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724084201?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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Pesticides attack bees in multiple ways throughout the body

The humble bumble bee, already battling habitat loss and climate...

Life on the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing significant shifts caused by climate change and various human-generated factors, according to a recent study.&nbsp;



Researchers warn that reef fish, which are crucial to marine ecosystems through their roles in food provision, seaweed control, and sand production, are undergoing notable changes. 



These developments could have broad consequences for both people and coral reef habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformations-in-fish-communities">Transformations in fish communities</h2>



The research was led by an international team of marine scientists from the UK and Australia, led by <a href="https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancaster University</a> and working with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).



The team found that the diversity and makeup of fish communities across the Great Barrier Reef (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GBR</a>) have changed dramatically since the 1990s. The findings indicate that the pace of change has accelerated in recent years, raising questions about evolving geographic patterns of biodiversity.



The researchers examined three decades of data from 1995 to 2022, spanning an extensive stretch of more than 1,200 kilometers between 14°S and 24°S on the GBR. 



Historically, one of the best-documented global biodiversity patterns is the "latitudinal diversity gradient," where species richness increases closer to the Equator. This pattern, previously thought to be stable over long timescales, now appears to be shifting as multiple pressures intensify.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressures-on-the-reef">Pressures on the reef</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-coral-bleaching-event-prompts-emergency-un-session/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral bleaching</a> events, occurring six times between 1998 and 2022 - and again in 2024, after the study concluded - are among the most severe disturbances affecting the GBR.&nbsp;



Other stressors, such as cyclones, water pollution, and outbreaks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crown-of-thorns-starfish-thrive-in-degraded-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crown-of-thorns starfish</a>, have also altered the reef by reducing coral abundance, changing coral assemblages, and ultimately affecting fish diversity.



In the northernmost GBR, closer to the equator, certain groups of fish (including omnivores, plankton feeders, and herbivores) have decreased. In contrast, these groups have increased in the southern sectors, raising important questions about what these trends mean for ecosystem functioning.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that fish species richness in the southern reef has fluctuated dramatically - shifting between high diversity and very low diversity over different periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-changes-in-reef-fish-diversity">Long-term changes in reef fish diversity</h2>



The study also highlights how fish communities themselves are undergoing continuous turnover, with some species replacing others more frequently as disturbances become more common. 



This ongoing turnover shows no sign of stabilizing, indicating that fish diversity patterns in the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem could continue to transform.



Javier González-Barrios is the study's lead author and a PhD researcher at Lancaster University. He noted that the findings show how long-term and persistent changes are occurring in the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef, with increasing disturbance from factors such as climate change. 



“We reveal that the fish communities that make their home on the Great Barrier Reef have changed substantially from the beginning of monitoring in the 1990s, both in the number of species and their composition, and continue to change as pressures on the reef system increase,” said González-Barrios.



“We have seen changes in the number and composition of fish species throughout the reef system as well as species turnover - when one species replaces another - are accelerating in recent years, without any sign of stabilization.”



“These changes provide valuable insights into classic geographic patterns, such as the latitudinal diversity gradient, and open questions as to whether these patterns are decoupling from their original underlying drivers.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-composition-and-reef-fish-diversity">Coral composition and reef fish diversity </h2>



A key insight from the research is that shifts in the types of coral species on a reef are more influential in driving fish diversity than the overall percentage of hard coral cover.&nbsp;



While reefs can recover coral cover after disturbances, the specific mix of coral species can change drastically - and that variation in coral composition can alter the three-dimensional structures that fish rely on for shelter and food.



“The Great Barrier Reef has undergone major fluctuations, with hard coral cover on many reefs declining and then recovering in response to large disturbances,” said Mike Emslie, a scientist at AIMS.&nbsp;



“However, just looking at coral cover can mask the underlying changes in the composition of coral species. Corals build the three-dimensional habitat structure that supports other organisms such as fish, and the diversity of corals present can greatly influence the extent of that 3-D structure." 



"The recovery of some corals might not provide the same level of habitat complexity resulting in changes to the fish communities that rely on that complexity.”



According to Emslie, the study shows that changes in fish diversity on the Great Barrier Reef were strongly correlated with shifts in coral composition, and to a lesser extent with fluctuations in coral cover - highlighting the vital importance of a diverse coral assemblage for reef fish communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-coral-reef-ecosystems">Future implications for coral reef ecosystems</h2>



The study highlights the importance of reef fish in maintaining essential ecosystem processes. These fish not only keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoration-of-underwater-seaweed-forests-offers-hope-for-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seaweed</a> in check, preventing it from overtaking seabeds, but also generate sand for beaches - assets integral to tourism and local livelihoods. 



Understanding how and why fish communities are changing is critical for predicting the future benefits that reefs can provide to people.



Nick Graham, a professor of marine ecology at Lancaster University, noted that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-fish-populations-are-boosted-by-ocean-connectivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef fish</a> are important to a range of ecosystem processes, such as controlling seaweed so it doesn’t overgrow and take over areas of the seabed, to producing the sand we sunbathe on in tropical locations.&nbsp;



“Reef fish are also important to fisheries and are a vital source of food for millions of people,” said Professor Graham. “With disturbances becoming more frequent and severe, the patterns in fish diversity and abundance we have come to expect are changing, and this will alter the benefits the fish provide for the ecosystem and for people.”



“It’s important that we improve our understanding of how patterns of biodiversity are changing on coral reefs, and the ecological and social implications of this change.”&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55128-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Fish diversity has changed dramatically on the Great Barrier Reef

Life on the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing significant shifts...

The dusty crayfish, a popular pet that adorns aquaria worldwide, has now captured the attention of researchers for an entirely different reason.



This vibrantly-colored creature, humble in nature yet striking in appearance, has been traded across the globe but has never been officially identified. 



Recent research, however, has shown that the dusty crayfish is not just a beloved aquarium resident but also an entirely new species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-popular-pet-to-new-specimen">From popular pet to new specimen</h2>



In early 2023, a team of scientists purchased a shipment of Indonesian crayfish from a renowned pet wholesaler.



Among the various crayfish that arrived in the shipment, several displayed vivid colors that stirred feelings of familiarity among the researchers.



This was not surprising, considering that these species had been some of the earliest freshwater crayfish to be exported from New Guinea as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-environmental-impacts-of-tropical-fish-aquariums/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aquarium</a> pets.



From then on, these blue and purple crayfish managed to capture the hearts of pet enthusiasts in Europe, the United States, Japan, and even in their native land, Indonesia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-the-dusty-crayfish">Unveiling the dusty crayfish</h2>



Upon close inspection of these colorful creatures, the scientists were in for a discovery that was as unexpected as it was exciting. 



After examining six of these crayfish and conducting DNA analysis, they realized they had stumbled upon an entirely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-assemblages-cause-local-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new species</a> - now officially named Cherax pulverulentus, the dusty crayfish. 



The moderately-sized freshwater crayfish grows to over 2 inches (5 centimeters), and sports a smooth body, sharp claws, and large, expressive eyes. Intriguingly, this new species comes in two color variants.



The purple form has captivating turquoise bodies that are adorned with purple spots, with their joints and tails taking on a paler, whiter hue.



In contrast, the blue form flaunts a darker tone, ranging from deep blue to almost black, which is complemented by vibrant orange joints and tails.



The new species was aptly named using the Latin term "pulverulentus," which translates to "covered with dust," and which refers to the many miniscule, dot-like spots that embellish its body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-of-the-dusty-crayfish">Habitat of the dusty crayfish</h2>



Despite being a common sight in aquaria worldwide, the dusty crayfish is a creature of the wild at heart. Its native habitat is the freshwater streams of the Indonesian part of New Guinea. 



However, not much else is known about how this species thrives in its native environment.



During their studies, the researchers found one adventurous dusty crayfish in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-are-1-5-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thermal spring</a> in Hungary. This unusual discovery was deemed a likely result of irresponsible aquarium dumping.



To gain a better understanding of the species, the researchers recommend detailed studies of these crayfish in their native habitats in Indonesian New Guinea.



They emphasized that formal scientific descriptions of new species are vital for appropriately managing pet-traded crayfish in their natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beautiful-new-crayfish-species">Beautiful new crayfish species</h2>



The discovery of the dusty crayfish serves as a reminder that there's always more to learn about the natural world, even within the confines of our aquaria.



This beautiful new species was identified by its unique coloring, body proportions, legs, and other subtle physical attributes. 



DNA analysis confirmed that the dusty crayfish boasted a genetic divergence of at least 2% from its closest relatives.



This discovery owes its credit to the diligent efforts of the research team in the Czech Republic, which included Jiří Patoka, Surya Gentha Akmal, Martin Bláha, and Antonín Kouba.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-populations-of-dusty-crayfish">Wild populations of dusty crayfish</h2>



The discovery of the dusty crayfish emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in the aquarium trade.



As these vibrant creatures have become widespread among pet enthusiasts, their popularity raises concerns about overharvesting in their native habitats. 



The researchers emphasize the need for careful monitoring to prevent ecological disruptions and to ensure that wild populations of dusty crayfish remain stable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-non-native-species-and-ecological-balance">Non-native species and ecological balance</h2>



Moreover, the study highlights the risk of introducing non-native species into foreign ecosystems. 



The accidental presence of a dusty crayfish in a Hungarian thermal spring indicates the potential consequences of aquarium dumping, which could threaten local biodiversity and disrupt delicate ecological balances.



This finding further underlines the importance of responsible pet ownership and strict regulatory measures in the pet trade industry.



Beyond conservation, the identification of new species like the dusty crayfish provides opportunities for scientific exploration.



By understanding the genetic, behavioral, and ecological traits of this species, researchers can contribute valuable insights into the evolutionary diversity of crayfish and their role in freshwater ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5566.3.4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zootaxa</a>.



Image Credit:&nbsp;Zootaxa&nbsp;(2025)



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Dusty crayfish: A new  species that's been hiding in plain sight

The dusty crayfish, a popular pet that adorns aquaria worldwide,...

A team of researchers have recently witnessed behavior in the wild that could offer critical clues about how the endangered whale shark reproduces.&nbsp;



This surprising discovery, made by a research team off northwestern Australia, could be pivotal for the species’ conservation.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-sharks-move-into-dangerous-territory-as-the-climate-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whale sharks</a>, recognized as the world’s largest fish, have long posed a challenge for scientists who strive to understand the details of their life cycles - particularly their mating rituals.&nbsp;



Given that whale sharks are currently listed as endangered, every insight into their reproductive strategies is essential for crafting effective measures to protect them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collecting-data-on-whale-shark-behavior">Collecting data on whale shark behavior </h2>



At Ningaloo Reef, a <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a> on the northwestern coast of Western Australia, annual expeditions have taken place each May from 2009 to 2024. This specific timeframe captures the peak period when whale sharks migrate to the region and aggregate in considerable numbers.&nbsp;



Scientists have used these field seasons to observe and collect data on the behaviors of whale sharks, hoping to uncover patterns that would illuminate everything from feeding habits to potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fascinating-mating-behaviors-of-leopard-seals-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating rituals</a>.



During the 2024 expedition, a research team documented a mature male whale shark engaging in what appeared to be following and biting behaviors toward a smaller female shark.&nbsp;



Although it remains unclear if this encounter culminated in mating, the new observations provide a rare glimpse into the courtship interactions of these elusive giants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-hand-accounts-of-unusual-behavior">First-hand accounts of unusual behavior</h2>



“Following and biting are common copulation behaviours in other species within the subclass of cartilaginous fish that the whale shark belongs to,” explained PhD candidate Christine Barry, a member of <a href="https://www.murdoch.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Murdoch University</a>’s Harry Butler Institute and the <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Institute of Marine Science</a>.&nbsp;



Barry and her colleagues noted that these behaviors have been observed in several other cartilaginous fish, including various shark species. Such actions typically denote an attempt by the male to stabilize or secure the female’s position during mating.



“This is also consistent with previous reports by fishers recounting behaviours they’d observed out on the water of sexually mature males towards females at different aggregation sites,” Barry added.&nbsp;



These anecdotes, now supported by direct evidence, add weight to the idea that whale sharks’ mating rituals may mirror those of other large sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-piecing-together-mating-clues">Piecing together mating clues</h2>



The research team, led by Barry alongside Dr. Mark Meekan of the University of Western Australia, published their conclusions in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1507072/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.&nbsp;



According to Barry, it is unlikely that the encounter during this expedition resulted in a successful mating event. Nonetheless, the instance of following and biting strongly suggests that whale shark mating behavior follows a pattern akin to many other shark species.



By placing these newly documented behaviors in the broader context of whale shark biology, scientists can form hypotheses regarding the mating process of the species.&nbsp;



Additionally, the research group underscores that knowledge of how whale sharks court and reproduce can significantly boost conservation efforts, particularly as populations remain vulnerable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoidance-behavior-by-female-whale-sharks">Avoidance behavior by female whale sharks </h2>



Whale sharks, which can grow up to 12 meters or more in length, have a global distribution in warm temperate and tropical waters. Despite their widespread presence, many aggregation sites show an overwhelming number of males.&nbsp;



“At Ningaloo Reef, and many aggregation sites around the world, males outnumber females with a ratio of one female to three males,” Barry said. The reasons behind this imbalance have puzzled scientists for years.



“This could explain why female whale sharks may be avoiding aggregation sites. Particularly for juvenile female sharks, the energetic costs of unwanted attention from males could imply a reason for strong male biases,” Barry added.&nbsp;



Female whale sharks, particularly younger ones, might seek refuge in areas with fewer adult males to steer clear of the stress and energy demands associated with repeated courtship attempts.&nbsp;



This avoidance behavior could be a crucial factor influencing whale shark population structures at various aggregation points.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-conservation">Implications for conservation</h2>



One pressing question is what these findings mean for managing whale shark populations worldwide. As an endangered species, whale sharks already face numerous challenges, including interactions with fisheries, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/basking-sharks-are-exceptionally-vulnerable-to-ship-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vessel strikes</a>, and habitat degradation.&nbsp;



Understanding their mating behavior, including how males and females interact at aggregation sites, can aid biologists and policymakers in deciding how to protect critical habitats - such as identifying areas where females can avoid male-dominated gatherings.



The annual expeditions at Ningaloo Reef also serve as a model for studying whale sharks in their natural environment without relying on anecdotal sightings.&nbsp;



By systematically gathering data and applying scientific methods, researchers can more accurately identify patterns and track changes in whale shark behavior over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuation-of-whale-shark-research">Continuation of whale shark research</h2>



This new information about potential mating interactions is just the latest in a series of findings by Christine Barry, Dr. Meekan, and other scientists at Murdoch University’s School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences and partner institutions.&nbsp;



Their previous studies have covered topics ranging from the impact of tourism on whale shark well-being to prey dynamics in waters frequented by these fish.



Moving forward, the researchers intend to broaden their focus to include additional observational and genetic studies, in hopes of confirming how often such pre-mating behaviors occur and what leads to successful reproduction.&nbsp;



In this way, the data gleaned at Ningaloo Reef and other aggregation sites may help scientists develop clearer conservation strategies tailored to the unique reproductive needs of whale sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-the-largest-fish-in-the-sea">Saving the largest fish in the sea</h2>



The newly documented behaviors at Ningaloo Reef represent a pivotal step in unraveling one of the great mysteries of marine biology: how whale sharks reproduce.&nbsp;



While much remains to be learned about courtship and mating in these gentle ocean giants, the direct observations of following and biting offer valuable context for a species that has long eluded scientific understanding.



With further research, scientists hope to clarify whether female whale sharks avoid highly male-dominated sites as a means to reduce the stress and energy costs of unwanted attention.&nbsp;



Such knowledge could shape guidelines for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-marine-protected-areas-boost-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protected areas</a> and responsible ecotourism that minimize disturbances to whale shark breeding practices.&nbsp;



Ultimately, uncovering the nuances of whale shark mating is a vital piece of the puzzle in ensuring the survival of these endangered animals for generations to come.



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Whale shark mating behaviors observed for the first time in the wild

A team of researchers have recently witnessed behavior in the...

Cockatoos are often celebrated as vibrant symbols of the wild, yet their true stories are far from ordinary. What if the assumptions we've held about them for over a century were wrong? What if their differences extend beyond appearances - reaching all the way down to their genes? 



These questions are transforming our understanding of these charismatic birds and redefining conservation efforts. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cockatoo-conservation-efforts">Cockatoo conservation efforts</h2>



Scientists at <a href="https://www.hku.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Hong Kong</a> are leading this charge, making remarkable strides in preserving two cockatoo species: the sulphur-crested cockatoo and the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo.



With fewer than 2,000 yellow-crested cockatoos remaining in the wild, their survival hangs in the balance, threatened by habitat loss, illegal trade, and a rapidly changing environment.



These remarkable birds, once misunderstood, are now at the center of cutting-edge genetic research that could redefine their future and inspire more targeted, effective conservation strategies for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parrots-have-a-unique-voice-print-similar-to-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrot</a> species worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-discoveries-and-cockatoo-conservation">Genetic discoveries and cockatoo conservation</h2>



The researchers conducted a genomic analysis, a cutting-edge tool that's redefining our understanding of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-is-a-threat-to-78-of-the-worlds-bird-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> and setting the path for more efficient conservation efforts.



This innovation doesn't stop at improving our understanding. It nudges global legislation towards a much-needed update to align with the latest scientific insights.



The revelations could shape future cockatoo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> strategies, offering actionable solutions to prevent biodiversity loss, and could also influence laws protecting these and many other parrot species globally, ensuring their long-term survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triton-cockatoo-s-distinct-identity">Triton cockatoo’s distinct identity</h2>



In a surprising turn of events, the research led to the confirmation of the Triton cockatoo as a distinct species, after a century of confusion.



The Triton and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cockatoos-learn-by-copying-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sulphur-crested cockatoos</a>, due to their uncanny resemblance, were believed to be a single species occupying Australia and New Guinea.



The new study has clarified that the Triton cockatoo is unique to the majority of New Guinea, while the sulphur-crested cockatoo is prevalent in Australia and a minuscule portion of southern New Guinea.



"Introducing the wrong species in the wrong place could jeopardize their long-term survival in the wild through hybridization or competition between the Triton cockatoo and the sulphur-crested cockatoo, potentially even disrupting ecosystems in the long term," noted Dr. Arthur Sands, the study's principal author.



He emphasized the need for reintroduction plans to be based on genetic information to avert such costly mistakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museomics-and-the-yellow-crested-cockatoo">Museomics and the yellow-crested cockatoo</h2>



The second part of the study focused on the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo.



Using a novel approach called "museomics," the researchers identified three genetically distinct groups across the Wallacean region. In the process, they drew on DNA from 100-year-old museum specimens. 



This approach enables scientists to gather critical biological data without disturbing endangered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-using-technology-to-protect-our-natural-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>.



Based on the analysis, the researchers broadened their understanding of the genetic makeup of the yellow-crested cockatoo. The results also raised some intriguing questions about the cockatoo's evolution, distribution and conservation.



"One of the benefits of museomics is the ability to examine genetic data from taxa that are extinct, rare or inaccessible. In this case, it provides valuable information to inform conservation efforts, such as translocation, genetic rescue and breeding - steps that are crucial to avoid global extinction of&nbsp;C. sulphurea," noted Dr. Astrid Andersson, who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cockatoo-conservation-relies-on-genetic-research">Cockatoo conservation relies on genetic research</h2>



At the heart of these advanced studies is a simple truth: understanding the uniqueness of each creature is vital for their survival.



"Accurate identification of evolutionarily significant units and species is essential for the effective management and conservation of rare and threatened species," said study co-author Professor Juha Merilä.



"Our research highlights the genetic diversity within and among these iconic cockatoo species and highlights the importance of incorporating genetic data into conservation planning."



As we tread deeper into the 21st century, embracing such a refined approach towards conservation could be our best bet at preserving the planet’s diversity.



Without accurate genetic considerations, re-wilding initiatives and translocations could have harmful consequences, concluded the researchers.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/41/11/msae222/7840323" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Biology and Evolution</a>.



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Genetic discoveries offer new hope for cockatoo conservation

Cockatoos are often celebrated as vibrant symbols of the wild,...

In the early 200s, the Iberian lynx, small in stature yet brimming with character, was a hair’s breadth from disappearing from the wild.&nbsp;



Conservation groups and government agencies knew the stakes were high, because a world without this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-lynx-habitat-in-a-shifting-landscape/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spotted feline</a> meant losing a living symbol of Mediterranean woodlands. Though it has taken decades of hard work, the Iberian lynx is finally bouncing back.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-to-protect-the-iberian-lynx">Race to protect the Iberian lynx</h2>



The Iberian lynx inhabits regions of southwestern Europe. It measures around 39 inches (100 cm) in length and stands about 18 inches (46 cm) at the shoulder.&nbsp;



Back in the early 2000s, fewer than 100 individuals roamed the wild, including only 25 reproductive females. The outlook was bleak until a dedicated breeding program took shape across the Iberian Peninsula.



This rehabilitation <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01871.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effort</a> is led in part by biologist and program director, <a href="https://apgvn.pt/speakers/en-dr-rodrigo-serra/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodrigo Serra</a>, at the National Breeding Centre for Iberian Lynxes in Silves.&nbsp;



“The Iberian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canada-lynx-survival-linked-to-life-cycle-of-snowshoe-hares/">lynx</a> was very, very close to extinction,” shared Serra at the end of a long observation shift. He works alongside other scientists who oversee the species’ reproduction in both Spain and Portugal.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-sabre-tooth-to-survival">From sabre-tooth to survival</h2>



There was a time when experts compared this cat’s precarious position to that of the ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mummified-baby-saber-toothed-cat-found-with-fur-and-toes-intact/">sabre-tooth tiger</a>. “The only feline species that was threatened at this level was the sabre tooth tiger, thousands of years ago,” noted Serra at the end of a field visit.



Loss of habitat to agriculture, increased road traffic, and a devastating drop in wild rabbit numbers pushed this lynx to the edge. 



By the mid-2000s, Portugal had no native lynxes left. Meanwhile, captive-breeding efforts in Spain were showing promise, and Portugal soon followed suit with its own national conservation plan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-going-the-extra-mile-in-silves">Going the extra mile in Silves</h2>



Conservation staff at the breeding facility in Silves have a clear, two-part mission: shape these cats into resourceful hunters and get them ready for life outside the center. A lot of attention goes into making sure they never grow too accustomed to humans.&nbsp;



“When we notice a litter is becoming a bit more confident, we go in and chase them and make noise so they are scared again,” said Serra. He then explained that this keeps them cautious around people, hopefully reducing future conflicts and accidents on farms or roads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iberian-lynx-s-release-strategy">Iberian lynx's release strategy</h2>



Once the animals reach the right age and temperament, they are released into the wild. Their genetic makeup often determines whether they will head to Spain or remain in Portugal, a decision that is aimed at reducing the chances of inbreeding.&nbsp;



Private landowners typically allow these cats to be set free on their properties, and agreements between conservation <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21091768/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">teams</a> and landholders provide a framework that supports both sides. The cats then select their paths.&nbsp;



Although lynxes have occasionally caused rumbles by raiding chicken coops, these incidents remain uncommon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reintroducing-an-endangered-species">Reintroducing an endangered species</h2>



<a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_zjEgOsAAAAJ&amp;hl=pt-PT" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pedro Sarmento</a>, a researcher who has studied the Iberian lynx for three decades with the Portuguese Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (<a href="https://iucn.org/our-union/members/iucn-members/instituto-da-conservacao-da-natureza-e-das-florestas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICNF</a>), has seen up close what makes these cats so distinctive.&nbsp;



“It’s an animal with a fairly small head for its body and extraordinarily wide paws,” observed Sarmento after a day’s worth of fieldwork. He found their exceptional leaping ability to be a defining trait. 



Despite the lynx’s recuperating numbers, collisions with vehicles are still a leading cause of death, which reflects the constant balancing act between modern infrastructure and wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iberian-lynx-is-a-cat-with-more-than-9-lives">Iberian lynx is a cat with more than 9 lives</h2>



One of the best-known <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317278807_First_captive-bred_individuals_released_in_the_Iberian_lynx_reintroduction_programme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cases</a> in Portugal involved a cat named Lítio. Released into a part of southern Portugal, he stayed put for half a year, then wandered back into Spain’s Doñana National Park.&nbsp;



Lítio fell ill at one point and was returned for treatment in the Algarve. Right after getting a clean bill of health, he swam across the Guadiana River to Spain.&nbsp;



In time, he was again transported back, only to settle a short distance from the breeding center, find a mate, and stay put.&nbsp;



“He is the oldest lynx we have here, and he’s fathered plenty of cubs ever since,” said Sarmento.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steady-climb-toward-a-safer-future">Steady climb toward a safer future</h2>



In recent years, the Iberian lynx has moved from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a> Red List. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227672841_The_Iberian_lynx_Lynx_Pardinus_Conservation_Breeding_Program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservationists</a> hope that the population can grow to around 5,000 or 6,000 in the wild by 2035, a threshold that would grant them healthier genetic diversity. 



“I saw the species disappearing. It’s surreal that we’re in a place where we can see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canada-lynxs-historic-range-points-to-a-promising-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lynxes in nature</a> or through camera trapping almost daily,” Sarmento commented, still recalling how grim things looked a few decades ago. 



Roads still claim too many lives, and keeping habitats linked is a continuous hurdle, but the progress so far stands as proof that species on the brink can inch their way back.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-pride-in-an-ongoing-mission">Taking pride in an ongoing mission</h2>



The program teams in Spain and Portugal are not slowing their efforts. They’re fine-tuning captive-breeding routines, improving veterinary procedures, and pushing for more wildlife corridors.&nbsp;



Volunteers and landowners often work side by side, placing warning signs in high-risk areas and stepping up habitat restoration projects. These steps reduce vehicle collisions and lessen friction where farmland meets wilderness.&nbsp;



Although new challenges appear, the Iberian lynx’s rise from a handful of scattered cats to more than 2,000 in the wild shows what patient, practical conservation can accomplish when many people devote years to a single cause.



More information can be found on the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12520/218695618" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red List</a>.



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Saving the Iberian lynx: How humans rescued this rare feline from extinction

In the early 200s, the Iberian lynx, small in stature...

When the SS Makambo ran aground on Lord Howe Island in 1918, only one person was reported to have drowned. In the aftermath, however, a slow-moving disaster was set in motion that nearly destroyed a unique, flightless stick insect. 



Black rats escaped onto the Island from the grounded vessel, found no natural predators, and quickly attacked local fauna. 



Several species vanished in a blink, including the now-famous Lord Howe Island stick insect (<a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/99617-Dryococelus-australis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dryococelus australis</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reckoning-with-unseen-consequences">Reckoning with unseen consequences</h2>



Scientists thought the Lord Howe Island stick insect was wiped out by around 1920. No new sightings or specimens of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stick-and-leaf-insects-have-all-evolved-the-same-basic-body-parts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect species</a> turned up for decades. 



After countless searches, the creature earned a grim reputation as just another island species lost to invasive rats. 



In 2001, two determined researchers, Dr. David Priddel and Dr. Nicholas Carlile from the <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSW</a> Government’s Office of Environment and Heritage, decided to settle the mystery once and for all. 



They joined an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2001/02/14/245820.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expedition</a> to Ball’s Pyramid, a tall sea stack about 14 miles from Lord Howe Island, where a few climbers had reported stumbling on suspicious insect remains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-haven-of-lord-howe-island-stick-insects">Hidden haven of Lord Howe Island stick insects</h2>



Cautious climbs up the windy cliffs at Ball’s Pyramid revealed a stark, barren rock. Despite that, a cluster of tea tree bushes held an astonishing secret. 



A tiny population of living Lord Howe Island stick insects had somehow persisted there. 



“We’d get requests from people saying they were going to find this stick insect,” says Carlile, “but then you’d look at the list of people and there wouldn’t be an entomologist on there!” 



Not only did a few insects survive, but they also managed to <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2012/02/24/147367644/six-legged-giant-finds-secret-hideaway-hides-for-80-years" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiply</a> within a cramped, precarious habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-and-surprises">Size and surprises</h2>



Known as “tree lobsters,” these insects grow up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length, weigh up to 0.9 ounces (25 grams), and have a hard exoskeleton. 



Reports from early island residents suggest they were so plentiful that some people used them as fishing bait. 



Researchers believe the survivors on Ball’s Pyramid likely benefited from the rugged environment, which had no rats. 



Another factor that may have helped is a special trick called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/parthenogenesis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parthenogenesis</a>, which lets female insects lay fertile eggs even without a mate. 



An October 2017 study in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(17)31098-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> confirmed the Ball’s Pyramid population is genetically the same species once found on Lord Howe Island.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fragile-comeback">A fragile comeback</h2>



Bringing the stick insect home involved careful planning. In 2003, biologists took <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-both-predictable-and-random/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two of the insects</a> - nicknamed Adam and Eve - to Melbourne Zoo and launched a breeding program. 



Early attempts ran into problems, but patience paid off. The insects multiplied, and zoos worldwide - San Diego Zoo and Bristol Zoo among them - took part in safeguarding these large, slow-moving invertebrates.&nbsp;



Researchers wanted to see if Lord Howe Island itself could ever host them again. That possibility hinged on ridding the island of rats and mice, a <a href="https://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/environment/rodent-eradication-project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project</a> that gained momentum in 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-killing-rats-to-save-lord-howe-island-stick-insects">Killing rats to save Lord Howe Island stick insects</h2>



Conservation teams used aerial and ground applications of rodent baits to get rid of every rat and mouse. 



Locals worried about the impact on other animals would have on the stick insects, but the operation’s leaders stressed that rodents were the real threat. 



According to global <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-005-0421-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>, rats are a top cause of bird and insect extinctions on islands. 



By late 2019, officials declared Lord Howe Island free of these invasive rodents. However, a stray rat was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/apr/19/rats-reappear-on-lord-howe-island-for-the-first-time-since-2019-eradication-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spotted</a> in April 2021, which led to a fast response. 



The final check showed that a few persistent rats had descended from a tiny remnant that avoided the initial eradication. Authorities adjusted their monitoring methods, and the island’s rodent-free status is still a goal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-forward">Looking forward</h2>



Today, thousands of stick insects have been bred in captivity and stand ready for eventual release. Researchers aim to make sure the island’s vegetation has recovered and that any lurking rodent threat is completely gone. The insects’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-both-predictable-and-random/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dependence on safe hideouts</a> is clear. 



They once congregated by the dozens in tree hollows, a behavior that left them vulnerable to hungry rats. Without predators, the insects will have a better shot at thriving in their original home, completing a circle that has been nearly a century in the making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lord-howe-island-stick-insect-conservation">Lord Howe Island stick insect conservation</h2>



Biologists agree that this return is more than an ecological curiosity. It reflects the importance of eradicating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-species-use-wildfires-and-drought-as-an-opening-to-move-in/">invasive species</a> to protect fragile island habitats. 



The Lord Howe Island stick insect’s recovery also highlights how a few survivors can carry a species forward. 



Although some questions linger about their survival on Ball’s Pyramid, one thing is certain: they’ve gone from presumed extinct to promising comeback. 



Conservationists can’t wait for the day when these long-legged insects reclaim the trees and hollows of Lord Howe Island, undisturbed by rats and free to walk the night once more.



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World's rarest insect returns after a century of absence

When the SS Makambo ran aground on Lord Howe Island...

Lemurs - small, large-eyed primates that dwell in Madagascar’s treetops - are a fascinating puzzle in the story of evolution. When they first arrived on the island millions of years ago, they found an incredibly varied landscape, stretching from humid tropical forests in the east to the dry, desert-like regions in the southwest.&nbsp;



With few other mammals to compete with, these ancestral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-lemurs-now-prey-for-equally-endangered-fosas/">lemurs</a> branched out into an astonishing range of shapes and sizes, from tiny mouse lemurs no bigger than a teacup to giant sloth lemurs that once roamed the forests.&nbsp;



Yet in a perplexing twist, even though many species boast remarkably high genetic diversity, nearly 90% of Madagascar’s more than 100 lemur species are on the brink of extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-and-climate-effects-on-lemur-diversity">Human and climate effects on lemur diversity </h2>



Seeking answers to this paradox, an international team of anthropologists and biologists from <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/en/">University of Montreal</a> (UdeM) and <a href="https://www.upf.edu/en/">Pompeu Fabra University</a> (PFU) in Spain pursued a genetic line of investigation.&nbsp;



By sequencing the genomes of 162 lemurs representing 50 different species - an effort larger than any attempted before - they exposed the remarkable variety locked within lemurs’ DNA.&nbsp;



The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02596-1">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>, shine a light on how both environmental conditions and human influence have shaped lemur populations over time.



The research was led by Professor Joseph Orkin, principal investigator at the UdeM multiomic primate evolution lab, and Spanish research professor Tomas Marques Bonet, head of PFU’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology,&nbsp;



The project uncovered how Madagascar’s ecology and climatic changes - alongside human presence - have molded lemur genetic diversity and affected their future survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lemurs-have-high-genomic-diversity">Lemurs have high genomic diversity </h2>



According to the study, gene flow between various lemur species has been taking place across hundreds of thousands of years.&nbsp;



“As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-shift-sheds-light-on-future-global-warming/">climatic shifts</a> periodically connected once-isolated habitats, lemurs from different species and populations would interbreed, sharing genetic material that boosted their overall diversity,” Orkin said.



“On top of that, the most diverse species appear to be the ones with fragmented populations in multiple ecosystems across the island. This pattern of isolation and reconnection seems to be building up and redistributing genetic variation across the island.”



Even though many lemurs are now critically endangered, they still possess extremely high genomic diversity.&nbsp;



“Many species of lemurs have super-high levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterflys-rapid-expansion-led-to-lower-genetic-diversity/">genomic diversity</a>, which seems counterintuitive when you consider that so many of them are critically endangered. It was really exciting to see how the ecology of Madagascar helped to shape the diversity of lemurs,” Orkin added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-arrival-and-its-consequences">Human arrival and its consequences</h2>



Although Madagascar’s natural conditions favored diverse lemur populations for ages, human influence altered this balance. The study points to a striking link between the expansion of human populations, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/">deforestation</a>, shifts in hunting, and the sharp decline in lemur numbers.&nbsp;



It remains unknown exactly when the first humans set foot on the island, but signs suggest a population surge around 1,000 years ago, followed by dramatic changes in the landscape by the 1700s.



“When we looked at the genetic evidence for population declines, we kept seeing these two consistent inflection points around 1,000 and 300 years ago. It was really striking to see such a clear overlap between the timing of human population expansion and the decline of lemur populations,” Orkin said.



Habitats fragmented by logging and clearing not only reduce lemur populations but also sever the natural routes that once facilitated gene flow. Without those connections, inbreeding becomes more likely, placing lemurs - already under threat - in even greater danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-expansion-and-biodiversity-loss">Human expansion and biodiversity loss</h2>



The story of Madagascar’s lemurs carries powerful messages for worldwide conservation efforts.&nbsp;



“This story isn’t unique to Madagascar,” Orkin said. “Human population expansion is accelerating the loss of biodiversity everywhere we look.”



“But the moral of the story is that humans are only one part of the natural world. The more we learn about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/">biodiversity</a> is shaped by natural and human forces, the better chance we have of protecting it.”



By preserving natural habitats and ensuring that populations remain connected, there is hope for protecting the genetic richness that has allowed lemurs to thrive for so many millennia. 



If conservation strategies succeed, these remarkable creatures may continue to captivate scientists - and the rest of us - for generations to come.



Image Credit: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons



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Endangered lemurs: Millions of years of diversity at risk

Lemurs - small, large-eyed primates that dwell in Madagascar’s treetops...

Coral reefs around the world are facing escalating threats from climate change, including widespread bleaching events and increasingly intense storms.&nbsp;



Remote atolls, in particular, are at high risk, as their isolation limits connectivity to neighboring reefs, which could otherwise supply new coral larvae to aid recovery.&nbsp;



However, new research on Scott Reef, an isolated coral system off northwest Australia, reveals a surprising strength: local connections within the reef may play a critical role in its resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-resilience-in-reef-systems">Increasing resilience in reef systems</h2>



A study led by oceanographers at the <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/">Australian Institute of Marine Science</a> (AIMS) highlights how larval exchange within isolated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-may-be-more-resilient-than-we-thought/">reef</a> systems can help coral communities recover from disturbances.&nbsp;



“We know that communities connected across the reef system that receive high numbers of larvae from multiple sources can recover more rapidly from disturbances than less well-connected systems,” explained lead author Camille Grimaldi, an AIMS Research Scientist.



While most research has focused on large-scale connectivity among neighboring reefs, this study shifts the focus to fine-scale interactions within individual reef systems.&nbsp;



“Our study shows that the internal dynamics of a reef system play a key role and influence how effectively a reef can self-seed and recover from disturbances,” Grimaldi said.



This finding is particularly relevant as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/">climate change</a> exacerbates the frequency and intensity of stressors on coral reefs. Understanding how local networks function may offer a blueprint for improving reef management and increasing resilience in isolated systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scott-reef-a-case-study-in-resilience">Scott Reef: A case study in resilience</h2>



Scott Reef is a remote group of three coral atolls located 300 kilometers off Australia’s northwest coast. Over the past decade, these reefs have endured significant disturbances, including mass <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/">bleaching</a> events. Despite this, the system has shown remarkable signs of recovery.



For instance, surveys in 2024 revealed that coral cover had begun to rebound eight years after a major bleaching event in 2016. Similar recovery was noted after the devastating bleaching in 1998. Researchers were curious about how such isolated reefs, which receive minimal larvae from external sources, managed to recover.



Using 21 years of annual coral spawning data, the study modeled local larval dispersal patterns within Scott Reef. Results showed that about half of the coral larvae remained within the reef system, traveling between 100 meters and several kilometers from their release site. The other half dispersed into the open ocean, beyond the reef system.



These findings highlight the remarkable capacity of Scott Reef’s coral communities to rely on internal connections for recovery. Such localized dispersal supports a self-sustaining network, even in the face of repeated environmental shocks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-networks-boost-reef-resilience">Local networks boost reef resilience</h2>



The study underscores the importance of local larval dispersal in maintaining a well-connected reef network.&nbsp;



“We found that local-scale dispersal of coral larvae helps form a well-connected reef network, which in turn boosts larval exchange within reef patches and between different reef zones such as lagoons and reef flats,” Grimaldi said. “That bolsters the reef’s resilience by helping withstand environmental stressors such as heat-induced mortality.”



This internal connectivity allows coral communities within isolated reefs to assist each other’s recovery, provided that enough survivors persist across the system and environmental conditions remain favorable. By promoting gene flow and preventing genetic bottlenecks, these networks create a buffer against environmental disruptions.



Reef systems like Scott Reef demonstrate how nature’s intricate mechanisms can foster resilience in seemingly vulnerable ecosystems. However, these natural advantages must be supported by careful management to ensure their long-term effectiveness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-reef-management">Implications for reef management</h2>



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12720">Limnology and Oceanography</a>, has significant implications for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-save-coral-reefs-with-selective-breeding/">conservation</a> of isolated reef systems.&nbsp;



“Enhancing and preserving local connectivity can have a substantial impact on the overall health and resilience of isolated reef ecosystems,” said co-author James Gilmour, a reef ecologist at the AIMS Research Office in Perth.



Local connectivity offers a practical target for conservation strategies. By safeguarding critical reef zones and minimizing disruptions to larval pathways, managers can enhance the natural recovery processes within isolated systems.&nbsp;



Gilmour emphasized that without considering the effects of local dynamics, efforts to understand or manage reef recovery may fall short.&nbsp;



“We have shown that reef systems benefiting from dispersal mechanisms that connect many different coral communities may have an enhanced likelihood of recovery following disturbances,” he said.



The study also underscores the need for long-term monitoring of reef systems. Consistent data collection can help identify patterns of resilience and vulnerability, providing a foundation for adaptive management strategies tailored to specific reef conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-for-isolated-reefs">Hope for isolated reefs</h2>



The findings suggest that targeted local management actions, such as preserving internal connectivity and protecting survivor populations, could significantly improve the resilience of remote coral reefs.&nbsp;



By focusing on local dynamics, conservationists may be better equipped to sustain these vital ecosystems in the face of climate change.



Scott Reef serves as a testament to nature’s resilience and highlights the potential for recovery, even in the most isolated corners of our oceans. The lessons learned here could inform global efforts to preserve coral reefs, offering a ray of hope for ecosystems under mounting pressure from human activity and environmental change.



As the challenges facing coral reefs grow, the study reinforces the importance of understanding and leveraging the natural processes that sustain them.&nbsp;



With careful management, even isolated systems like Scott Reef can continue to thrive, providing crucial ecological and economic benefits for generations to come.



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Isolated coral reefs survive with the help of their local network

Coral reefs around the world are facing escalating threats from...

The world of paleontology recently found itself in a mosh pit of excitement due to two unlikely rockstars named Punk and Emo. 



These are not your typical music icons, but a pair of 430 million-year-old fossils that challenge what we know about one of life's most diverse animal groups - the mollusks.



These 430-million-year-old relics, unearthed in Herefordshire, have made scientists rethink the long-standing assumptions about the early origins of this group of invertebrates. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-mollusks-were-complex">Ancient mollusks were complex</h2>



Dating back to the Silurian period, the fossils belong to the Aculifera group, which includes chitons and worm-like mollusks. Traditionally, scientists viewed these creatures as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-building-blocks-of-life-zinc-arrived-on-early-earth-planetesimals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">basic and primitive</a>.



However, this discovery paints a different picture, revealing their complexity and evolutionary ingenuity.



"Retrieving fossils that are so exceptionally well preserved and reveal details of the soft tissues is extremely rare," noted Dr. Mark Sutton, the study’s lead researcher from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>.



"We have been able to create ‘virtual fossils’ - 3D digital models - that provide us with a gold mine of information and help us understand that the branch of molluskan evolution containing Emo and Punk was much more evolutionarily rich and diverse than we thought." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-mollusk-fossils-punk-and-emo">Meet the mollusk fossils, Punk and Emo</h2>



The names&nbsp;Punk ferox&nbsp;and&nbsp;Emo vorticaudum&nbsp;were chosen to reflect the distinctive traits of these ancient mollusks.&nbsp;



Punk, with its spiky, rugged appearance, reminded researchers of a rebellious punk rocker, with a bold and unconventional look. Its spines set it apart as a unique and striking figure among early mollusks.



Emo, on the other hand, was named for its elongated, folded posture, which suggested unusual and unconventional ways of moving. Its name reflects individuality and adaptability, much like the cultural association with the emo style.



These names capture the essence of the fossils’ individuality, and help convey the extraordinary features that set these ancient mollusks apart in the evolutionary history of their group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-of-mollusks">Characteristics of mollusks</h2>



The researchers used advanced imaging methods to study the fossils of Punk and Emo in incredible detail. First, they employed X-ray scanning to examine the internal structures of the fossils without causing any damage.



Then, they carefully ground the fossils down in extremely thin layers, taking high-resolution photographs at each stage. These images were combined to create detailed 3D digital models, showing both the internal and external features of the fossils.



This meticulous process revealed surprising details about how these ancient mollusks lived and moved.&nbsp;Emo&nbsp;likely moved in a manner similar to an inchworm. Its spines helped it grip surfaces, allowing it to push itself forward in a rhythmic motion.



In contrast, Punk remains more mysterious in terms of movement. However, researchers discovered it had a ridge-like foot and gills, a unique combination not seen in any modern mollusks.



These features suggest that Punk had an entirely different and now-extinct way of locomotion and survival, which gives new insights into the diversity of molluskan evolution.



Both fossils exhibited smooth undersides, suggesting a benthic lifestyle on the sea floor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-mosaic-of-features">A mosaic of features</h2>



The mollusk fossils, Punk and Emo, showed a surprising mix of features that challenge traditional scientific classifications.&nbsp;



Punk combined characteristics typically seen in separate mollusk groups. It had spiny, worm-like traits but also possessed a broad foot and gills, which are features commonly found in chitons - a type of mollusk that is known for its protective, segmented shells.



Emo also had a spiny, elongated body, similar to that found in other worm-like mollusks. However, it stood out with unique adaptations such as a compressed body shape and shell-like structures. These traits are uncommon in its relatives, thus further blurring the lines between known categories of mollusks.



This mix of traits highlights the complexity and diversity of early mollusks, and suggests that their evolutionary history is far more intricate than previously understood. These fossils challenge existing classifications and provide new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-shifts-the-origin-of-lizards-back-35-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insights</a> into how ancient mollusks adapted to their environments.



"The branch of molluskan evolution containing Emo and Punk was much more evolutionarily rich and diverse than we thought," said Dr. Sutton.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-rewrite-mollusk-evolution">Fossils rewrite mollusk evolution</h2>



The research provides a revolutionary look at how <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/mollusks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mollusks</a> evolved over millions of years.



By analyzing the fossils of Punk and Emo, scientists discovered that the group of mollusks known as Aculifera were more diverse and complex than previously thought.



These ancient creatures displayed unique adaptations, such as unconventional ways of moving and surviving, which helped them thrive in their environments.



The findings challenge old assumptions and show that even organisms that might appear simple at first glance can have surprisingly intricate and fascinating evolutionary histories. 



With advanced tools like 3D imaging, researchers continue to uncover these hidden stories that transform the way in which we understand the evolution of life on Earth.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08312-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Fossils called Punk and Emo rewrite the story of mollusk evolution

The world of paleontology recently found itself in a mosh...

Montana rancher Arthur “Jack” Schubarth has been handed a six-month prison sentence for smuggling and using genetic material from protected sheep to create larger-than-average hybrids.&nbsp;



The 81-year-old, who owns a 215-acre livestock ranch, aimed to sell these gigantic sheep to commercial hunting sites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smuggling-rare-sheep-genetics">Smuggling rare sheep genetics</h2>



The initial plan stretched over several years, beginning around 2013. <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/montana-man-sentenced-federal-wildlife-trafficking-charges-part-yearslong-effort-create" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Court documents</a> show that Schubarth brought parts of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo_sheep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Polo argali sheep</a> into the country from Kyrgyzstan without lawful documentation.



He saw a business opportunity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-are-using-forensic-science-to-fight-wildlife-trafficking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeding</a> this majestic animal, known for its lengthy, curling horns and hefty size. 



He hoped a hybrid species would fetch more money in captive hunting markets, which feature exotic or oversized animals for high-paying clients.



Crossbreeding non-native sheep can threaten nearby wild herds by introducing diseases or interbreeding with local species.&nbsp;



These animals are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (<a href="https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CITES</a>) and the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/law/endangered-species-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Endangered Species Act </a>and are banned in Montana to safeguard native sheep from disease and genetic mixing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-marco-polo-argali-sheep">Understanding Marco Polo argali sheep</h2>



Named after the famous explorer, Marco Polo argali sheep roam the high-altitude steppes and rocky terrains, showcasing their incredible adaptability to harsh environments. 



They boast large, curling horns that can span up to four feet, making them one of the most striking wild sheep species in the world. 



Their thick, woolly coats keep them warm against the cold mountain winds, while their agile legs allow them to navigate steep cliffs and rocky outcrops with ease.



Conservation efforts play a crucial role in protecting the Marco Polo argali, as their populations face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illegal-sheep-hybrid-aimed-at-profit">Illegal sheep hybrid aimed at profit</h2>



Once Schubarth sneaked the argali parts into Montana, he delivered genetic samples to a laboratory that transformed them into embryos. 



These embryos were then implanted in ewes on his ranch. In a single instance, the outcome was a pure genetic Marco Polo argali, nicknamed Montana Mountain King (MMK).&nbsp;



Schubarth began selling MMK’s semen to out-of-state <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-can-sniff-out-horns-and-tusks-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeders</a>. He also used it on different species of ewes to get an even larger hybrid, despite strict prohibitions on such animals within Montana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-laws-and-monetary-motive">Wildlife laws and monetary motive</h2>



Schubarth violated the <a href="https://fws.gov/law/lacey-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lacey Act</a>, a federal law banning interstate trade of wildlife taken or sold unlawfully. He also offended Montana <a href="https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/2013/mca/81/2/81-2-703.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statutes</a> that forbid bringing in certain animals and forging health certificates.&nbsp;



“Schubarth’s criminal conduct is not how Montanans treat our wildlife population,” said <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/meet-us-attorney" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jesse Laslovich</a>, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hybrid-sheep-threaten-local-wildlife">Hybrid sheep threaten local wildlife</h2>



The risk of contagious diseases was a major concern. <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/print/pdf/node/1944#:~:text=Johne's%20disease%20is%20a%20contagious,agents%20of%20leprosy%20and%20TB." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johne’s disease</a>, a chronic wasting illness that spreads easily among hooved animals, appeared in some of Schubarth’s stock.



If infections had spread to Montana’s native bighorn sheep, entire herds could have been harmed. Bighorns are already vulnerable, and hybridization can damage their genetic integrity, according to ongoing research in wildlife ecology.



“This case exemplifies the serious threat that <a href="https://www.ice.gov/features/wildlife" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife trafficking</a> poses to our native species and ecosystems,” said Assistant Director <a href="https://www.fws.gov/staff-profile/edward-grace" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward Grace</a> of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement.&nbsp;



The Marco Polo argali itself is protected under the Endangered Species Act and monitored internationally by CITIES.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-illegal-crossbreeding">Consequences of illegal crossbreeding</h2>



Schubarth's focus on profit over preservation has led to serious consequences for creating illegal sheep hybrids.



Aside from serving six months in federal prison, the rancher must pay a $20,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and make a $4,000 payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (<a href="https://www.nfwf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFWF</a>).



Officials say he put not only argali and bighorn sheep at risk but also any future livestock he managed. Mixing genetics of endangered or prohibited species can set dangerous precedents that undermine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>.



Beyond the fines, authorities intended to send a message. Schubarth’s case highlights how U.S. agencies cooperate to shut down smuggling rings and ensure penalties match the seriousness of the crime.&nbsp;



Federal investigators teamed up with Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to track the evidence, coordinate arrests, and charge every participant involved in the illegal commerce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stark-warning-for-wildlife-traffickers">Stark warning for wildlife traffickers</h2>



For many wildlife advocates, this outcome serves as a reminder that creating hybrids of animals like sheep, or manipulating protected species for financial gain, carries hefty penalties.



Conservation groups caution that unscrupulous breeders often endanger entire ecosystems by introducing diseases and weakening local genetic pools.&nbsp;



Though Schubarth insisted his intentions were business-oriented, officials say entrepreneurs must <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-animal-rights-day-2024-honoring-animals-with-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respect boundaries</a> set by the Lacey Act and other legal frameworks designed to guard both animals and habitats.



In a letter presented at sentencing, Schubarth admitted he let his enthusiasm push him to search for loopholes to craft the “best sheep” for the market.&nbsp;



The court weighed his age and clean record, but <a href="https://www.mtd.uscourts.gov/chief-judge-brian-morris-chambers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Judge Brian Morris</a> made it clear that tampering with nature purely for profit will be addressed with firm legal action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



His story highlights the vital need for careful oversight. Biologists believe that preserving the true character of wild populations is crucial for maintaining healthy herds, balanced ecosystems, and future research opportunities.&nbsp;



Any intrusion that disrupts established conservation measures could produce a cascade of negative effects that may be impossible to reverse.



Information for this article was obtained from a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/montana-man-sentenced-federal-wildlife-trafficking-charges-part-yearslong-effort-create">press release</a> by the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice.



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US rancher cloned giant sheep for trophy hunting, now sent to federal prison

Montana rancher Arthur “Jack” Schubarth has been handed a six-month...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



-----



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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