biodiversity Archives

Shelf Life Video: Screening Biodiversity

July 13, 2017July 12, 2017 Science Connectedbiodiversity

Scientists at The American Museum of Natural History explain why managing biodiversity is a key component in managing endangered species. This video is another in the Shelf Life series from the American Museum of Natural History. Even though one and a half million species of organisms have already been named and described, they represent just a tiny portion of the biodiversity of our planet. Having a distinct genetic identity is important because more variation tends to be better in the face of the changing world. And when populations get small and isolated…

Butterflies: A worn butterfly enjoys refreshment in a garden. tentative identification: Meadow Brown; German Ochsenauge; Latin Maniola jurtina

Environment Zoology

Unexpected Biodiversity in Iberian Butterflies

September 8, 2015April 10, 2021 Science Connectedbiodiversity, butterflies, conservation, environment, habitat, wildflowers

Nature photographer and blogger Steven Spence has good news to share with you about butterflies and biodiversity on the Iberian Peninsula. By Steven Spence Winged Flowers A fallen blossom returning to the bough, I thought – But no, a butterfly. (Arakida Moritake, Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology) [落花枝にかへると見れば胡蝶哉守武落花枝にかへると見れば胡ちょかな守武] Good News On Biodiversity This week we have encouraging data to share with you about butterflies in Europe. Biodiversity is a major concern in Europe and elsewhere. However, a recently released study of butterflies in Spain and Portugal suggests…

Isle Royale Wolves: Only three wolves appear to remain at Isle Royale National Park. (Rolf Peterson)

Environment Zoology

Only Three Isle Royale Wolves Remain

April 20, 2015March 21, 2021 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, climate change, ecology, environment, genetics, wolves

Only three Isle Royale Wolves remain, according the the latest count. Find out why, and if anything can be done to save the wolf population.

Biology Paleontology Science Videos Zoology

Shelf Life Episode 1: 33 Million Things

March 25, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, evolution, paleontology

About Shelf Life Episode 1: 33 Million Things Can’t get to New York to visit the American Museum of Natural History? No problem! EH Science invites you to take a virtual trip behind the scenes. In this the first episode of the museum’s brand new original series, Shelf Life, you can walk in the shoes of a research scientist and explore the enormous collection of specimens, many of which aren’t on public display. Shelf Life is a video series for curious minds—opening doors, pulling out drawers, and taking the lids off some…

Signs of life on Earth: The oldest rock samples, from 3.2 billion years ago, were collected at this site in the desert in northwestern Australia. (R. Buick / University of Washington)

Biology Paleontology

Life on Earth May Be Older than We Thought

February 17, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, earth science, evolution, geology, origins of life, paleontology

Life on our planet could be at least one billion years older than previously thought, according to new geological research from the University of Washington. Nitrogen is a chemical element that is essential for building genes. Without plenty of nitrogen, life on the early Earth would have been scarce. Researchers looking at some of the planet’s oldest rocks have found evidence that organisms were already pulling nitrogen out of the air 3.2 billion years ago, and converting it in ways that could support larger communities of lifeforms. Finding Ancient Life…

Oldest Primate: Scientists believe Purgatorius looked similar to Dryomomys szalayi, another primitive primate discovered near Yellowstone National Park by Jonathan Bloch. (Illustration courtesy of Doug Boyer)

Biology Paleontology

Oldest Primates Lived in Trees

January 22, 2015April 4, 2021 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, evolution, paleontology, primates

By Kate Stone A new study from the University of Florida suggests that humans’ earliest primate ancestor was a tree-dwelling creature. Named Purgatorius, scientists believe it looked like a cross between a squirrel and tree shrew, and weighed less than a deck of playing cards. This ancient animal was previously known only by its teeth. The shape of the teeth allowed paleontologists to determine the Purgatorius — estimated to have weighed about 3.5 ounces — ate insects and plants, but researchers knew little else about its lifestyle. With the discovery of…