Neanderthals’ low genetic diversity may have caused their extinction by hampering their ability to adapt to environmental changes, a study has suggested. Experts studied variations in the upper neck bone of Neanderthals found in Spain and Croatia — the proliferation of which is associated with low genetic diversity. A varied gene pool confers evolutionary strength, … Read more
‘World’s rarest primate’ makes a comeback: Discovery of a breeding pair of Hainan Gibbons raises hopes the critically endangered species can be saved from extinction There were less than ten Hainan Gibbons in the world in the 1970s Huge conservation effort has seen this figure stabilise and swell to around 30 A new breeding pair has … Read more
Extinction Rebellion protestors were hauled away by police as they staged a silent, socially-distanced protest in London. The activist group is gathering across the UK – including in Westminster, London – throughout the day to protest the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Mask-clad protestors have flocked to Parliament Square to stand in a ‘socially … Read more
A mass extinction 360 million years ago that killed off many of the Earth’s plants and freshwater animals was caused by a breakdown of the ozone layer. Scientists from the University of Southampton found evidence that it was high levels of ultraviolet radiation that destroyed the ancient forest ecosystem. This newly discovered extinction mechanism was … Read more
Homo sapiens WERE to blame for Neanderthal extinction because they were better hunters and out-competed them for food, computer model shows Experts have long been divided on he reason for the extinction of Neanderthals They lived in Eurasia for 300,000 years and went extinct 40,000 years ago This coincided with the introduction of Homo sapiens into their … Read more
The extinct cave bear may have died off because of their evolved inability to chew meat due to their large sinuses, a new study suggests. US researchers say that a cooling climate forced cave bears to develop large paranasal sinuses – the air-filled spaces within the bones of the skull – to allow for greater … Read more
Notorious drugs lord Pablo Escobar could be inadvertently helping save hippos from extinction, from beyond the grave. When the cocaine kingpin was shot dead in late 1993, four hippos he brought to his private estate in Colombia were left to roam. Since then, their numbers have grown to an estimated 80 to 100 and the … Read more
Snakes are facing extinction as temperatures rise due to climate change with some species losing 90 per cent of their habitat Global warming makes it harder for snakes to stay at ideal body temperature It also changes their habitats and can make their food harder to come by The Greek Meadow Viper will lose 90 per … Read more