In 1967 the fossilized remains of a strange new shark species were discovered in Will County, Ill., an area known for its marine fossils dating back more than 300 million years.
The elephant shark is a relic of a bygone age. Like the coelacanth , it is sometimes referred to as a “living fossil,” a creature alive today that has changed little since it first evolved hundreds of millions of years ago...
The finding could be due to lower predator numbers on islands
Vets for zoos may seek to castrate hippos to tamp down the animals' aggression, but special techniques are needed to locate the organs
Mysterious episodes of genetic duplication in our great ape ancestors may have paved the way for human evolution
David Biello looks back at the big environmental stories of the year covered on 60-Second Earth
Arctic reindeer eyes change color with the seasons to maximize their sight in the dim winter light. Allie Wilkinson reports
Evidence suggests that the lizards have evolved their dynamic color palette as a means of communication, including information about their willingness to rumble
A carbon threshold breached, commitments to brain science made, mystery neutrinos found and human evolution revised—these and other events highlight the year in science and technology as picked by the editors of Scientific American...
The existence of the Higgs boson particle was confirmed, a strong case for human-caused climate change was released and scientists analyzed the oldest-known human DNA
Monitor lizards extract oxygen both when they inhale and exhale, perhaps explaining why they are so successful as a species
Fears rise for Latin American industry as devastating disease hits leading variety in Africa and Middle East
Unlike the wings of most birds, an owl's wings have structures, including a downy surface, that render their flight virtually noiseless. Sophie Bushwick reports.
The hermit crab, red abalone and hydra buck trends, enjoying near constant levels of fertility and mortality
Books and recommendations from Scientific American
Documentation of rare tumors further disproves the misconception that sharks cannot get cancer
Human odors and breath trigger the same sensors in mosquitoes, a new study shows
Analysis of oldest sequence from a human ancestor reveals close link with Denisovans
As temperatures increase with global warming, more icebergs disintegrate in the ocean, creating a noisier environment
