Evolutionary Biology

Yet again, the world is cockahoop and head-over-heads in awe over another thrilling, dumbfounding, truly novel zoological discovery. No, I'm not talking about the discovery of suspension-feeding anomalocarids, ancient echolocating odontocete cetaceans, or even of new tapirs (did I mention the new tapir?), but of a stupendous new living bird, discovered clinging to existence in [...]

Friends and colleagues who know that I illustrated Neil Shubin’s first book, Your Inner Fish, have been asking if I was involved in the three-part PBS series hosted by Shubin that will air next week on April 9th.

For decades anthropologists have debated when and how our ancestors became skilled hunters. Recent discoveries have yielded surprising new insights

A protein may have eased a fish's transition from rivers to caves

The most successful environmental legislation ever enacted faces new threats from Congress

Once thought to be invasive, a bug reveals its American roots

Books and recommendations from Scientific American

Some female wolf spiders prioritize food over sex

Seven- and eight-year-olds successfully learned basic evolution concepts via a story illustrating differential reproduction rates of fictional animals due to selection pressures. Karen Hopkin reports

 

This bizarre structure is not from the prop shop of a science fiction movie, though it may well provide inspiration there. What might you guess this claw-like appendage is attached to?