Article
Evolutionary Biology
Billie Jones, Alberto Martin-Serra, Emily J. Rayfield, Christine M. Janis
Summary: Previous studies on kangaroo humerus morphology have shown that extinct giant kangaroos had different humeral anatomies compared to extant kangaroos, with sthenurines showing similarities to arboreal mammals and large Protemnodon species resembling terrestrial quadrupedal mammals.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas C. Wheeler, Michael J. Harms
Summary: The study suggests that ancestral proteins may have been less specific than modern proteins, but when interactions with random peptide targets are considered, the picture becomes more complex. It demonstrates that altered biological specificity does not necessarily indicate altered intrinsic specificity.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Evelyn L. Jensen, Stephen J. Gaughran, Nicole A. Fusco, Nikos Poulakakis, Washington Tapia, Christian Sevilla, Jeffreys Malaga, Carol Mariani, James P. Gibbs, Adalgisa Caccone
Summary: Based on genomic data and the discovery of an individual, it is suggested that the Galapagos giant tortoise species from Fernandina Island has not gone extinct and at least one female individual is still alive. The species was previously considered extinct since 1906 and its status has remained a mystery. Analysis of the genomes of the known individuals reveals that they belong to the same lineage and are distinct from other species.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Susana Gutarra, Imran A. Rahman
Summary: Over the course of 300 million years, land vertebrates have repeatedly colonised freshwater and marine ecosystems. Secondarily aquatic tetrapods have evolved a suite of adaptations for locomotion in water, which are crucial for their survival. Recent advances in biomechanics in palaeobiology have led to more rigorous anatomical studies and the incorporation of physics-based methods for objective testing of functional hypotheses.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Amber Y. Wagstaffe, Adrian M. O'Driscoll, Callum J. Kunz, Emily J. Rayfield, Christine M. Janis
Summary: This study used micro-CT scans to compare the pedal bones of extinct sthenurine kangaroos and extant macropodine kangaroos, showing differences in resistance to bending and cortical bone distribution. The results support the hypothesis that sthenurines employed bipedal striding and had a different foot posture during locomotion.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alicia Grealy, Gifford H. Miller, Matthew J. Phillips, Simon J. Clarke, Marilyn Fogel, Diana Patalwala, Paul Rigby, Alysia Hubbard, Beatrice Demarchi, Matthew Collins, Meaghan Mackie, Jorune Sakalauskaite, Josefin Stiller, Julia A. Clarke, Lucas J. Legendre, Kristina Douglass, James Hansford, James Haile, Michael Bunce
Summary: Through the analysis of fossil eggshells, including genetic, stable isotope, morphological, and geographic data, the study investigates the evolution and systematics of extinct elephant birds in Madagascar. The findings reveal cryptic diversity and potential drivers of speciation, shedding light on the ecology and evolution of these flightless giants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. M. Morganti, B. M. Slaby, A. de Kluijver, K. Busch, U. Hentschel, J. J. Middelburg, H. Grotheer, G. Mollenhauer, J. Dannheim, H. T. Rapp, A. Purser, A. Boetius
Summary: This study reports the discovery of dense sponge gardens on extinct seamounts and remnants of a now extinct seep ecosystem. The study suggests that the sponges use refractory organic matter from the extinct seep community as their energy source. The findings highlight the uniqueness of this ecosystem and its association with the extinct seep biota.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Warren D. Handley, Trevor H. Worthy
Summary: Dromornithids, extinct large flightless birds from Australia, exhibit major endocranial reconfiguration along their lineage, with five key differences in brain morphology between Ilbandornis and Dromornis. Their distinctive brain characteristics suggest a closer relationship to basal galliforms than anseriforms, supporting the hypothesis that they were specialized herbivores with well-developed stereoscopic depth perception and diurnal habits.
Article
Biology
A. H. van Heteren, S. Wroe, L. R. Tsang, D. R. Mitchell, P. Ross, J. A. Ledogar, M. R. G. Attard, D. Sustaita, P. Clausen, R. P. Scofield, G. Sansalone
Summary: By comparing the shape and biomechanical performance of Haast's eagle with five extant scavenging and predatory birds, it was found that the neurocranium of Haast's eagle is vulture-like, the beak is eagle-like, and the talons are similar to eagles, with high load-bearing capacity. The results suggest that Haast's eagle may have habitually hunted prey larger than itself and utilized feeding methods similar to vultures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Ionita, M. Dima, V. Nagavciuc, P. Scholz, G. Lohmann
Summary: By utilizing long-term observations and paleoclimate reconstructions, it is found that Central Europe experienced longer and more severe droughts in the past than in the 21st century. These historical megadroughts were associated with cold North Atlantic Ocean conditions, enhanced winter atmospheric blocking activity, reduced solar forcing, and explosive volcanism. Recent drought events are considered to be within the range of natural variability and not unprecedented over the last millennium.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephanie Marciniak, Mehreen R. Mughal, Laurie R. Godfrey, Richard J. Bankoff, Heritiana Randrianatoandro, Brooke E. Crowley, Christina M. Bergey, Kathleen M. Muldoon, Jeannot Randrianasy, Brigitte M. Raharivololona, Stephan C. Schuster, Ripan S. Malhi, Anne D. Yoder, Edward E. Louis, Logan Kistler, George H. Perry
Summary: By analyzing skeletal subfossil remains, we can reconstruct the ecology and behavior of giant lemurs and other extraordinary Malagasy megafauna. The koala lemur was highly adapted to a leaf-based diet and is closely related to the extant Lemuridae, showing significant convergent evolution with extant folivores.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
C. M. Bijesh, V Yatheesh, D. Twinkle, Abhishek Tyagi, P. John Kurian
Summary: Marine geophysical investigations in the Eastern Arabian Sea revealed the presence of the Sagar Kanya Seamount, a bathymetric high complex consisting of three seamounts and ridge-like features. Gravity anomalies correlate with topography, showing gravity highs associated with bathymetric highs and lows with flat seafloor. Magnetic anomalies are related to post-caldera volcanism and the genesis of the SKBHC is attributed to the Reunion hotspot.
Article
Physics, Applied
Fadi Issam Baida, Juan Jose Robayo Yepes, Abdoulaye Ndao
Summary: In this paper, a giant enhancement in both forward and backward propagation of second harmonic generation is proposed and demonstrated numerically by combining high-quality factor cavities of bound states in the continuum and an excellent nonlinear optical crystal of lithium niobate. The enhancement factor is defined as the ratio of second harmonic signal generated by the structure to the signal generated by the lithium niobate membrane alone. The proposed platform opens the way to a new generation of efficient integrated optical sources compatible with nano-photonic devices for classical and quantum applications.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto Vazquez-Salazar, Irene A. Chen
Summary: An in vitro evolution experiment demonstrated the emergence of a multi-member network from a single RNA species, where parasitism, altruism, and the environment played crucial roles.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Christine M. Harper, Adam D. Sylvester, Robert K. McAfee, Siobhan B. Cooke
Summary: Researchers have introduced a new method to quantify femoral neck angle and anteversion in sloths to capture their locomotor behaviors and morphological variations. By comparing angles among different sloth genera, it was found that these angles can yield different results in analyzing sloths, demonstrating the utility of examining both angles.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Z. Jack Tseng, Aurora Grandal-d'Anglade, Gernot Rabeder, Francisco J. Pastor, Borja Figueirido
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Juan Miguel Esteban, Alberto Martin-Serra, Ceferino Varon-Gonzalez, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, David Velasco, Francisco J. Pastor, Borja Figueirido
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christine M. Janis, Borja Figueirido, Larisa DeSantis, Stephan Lautenschlager
Article
Biology
Stephan Lautenschlager, Borja Figueirido, Daniel D. Cashmore, Eva-Maria Bendel, Thomas L. Stubbs
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tsegai Medin, Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro, Joan Madurell-Malapeira, Borja Figueirido, Giorgi Kopaliani, Florent Rivals, Gocha Kiladze, Paul Palmqvist, David Lordkipanidze
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Alberto Martin-Serra, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Francisco J. Pastor, David Velasco, Borja Figueirido
Summary: The study reveals highly integrated subunits of the presacral column in mammalian carnivorans, divided into three modules- the cervical module, the anterodorsal module, and the posterodorsal module, as well as a weakly integrated diaphragmatic vertebra. This modular organization may be associated with motion capabilities in different regions of the vertebral column.
Article
Biology
Borja Figueirido, Alberto Martin-Serra, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, David Velasco, Francisco J. Pastor, Roger J. Benson
Summary: The research found that lumbar and posterior thoracic vertebrae exhibit high individual disparity but low serial differentiation, while more anterior vertebrae show constrained patterns of evolution. The thoracolumbar region is considered as a key innovation enabling evolutionary versatility of mammalian locomotion.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paul Palmqvist, M. Patrocinio Espigares, Juan A. Perez-Claros, Borja Figueirido, Antonio Guerra-Merchan, Sergio Ros-Montoya, Guillermo Rodriguez-Gomez, Jose Manuel Garcia-Aguilar, Alejandro Granados, Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro
Summary: This article compares the skeletal composition and features of two excavation areas, VM3 and VM4, in Venta Micena. The results show slight differences in the composition of the assemblages, suggesting the involvement of different agents in the bone accumulation process. The study also finds that the hyaenas consumed the bones more extensively in VM3, possibly due to a delayed rise in the water table of the Baza palaeolake.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Paul Palmqvist, Guillermo Rodriguez-Gomez, Borja Figueirido, Jose Manuel Garcia-Aguilar, Juan Antonio Perez-Claros
Summary: The article reviews the debate surrounding the dispersal of early humans from Africa to the Caucasus region and proposes a new scenario of a forest refugium. The authors provide explanations and answers to the dispersal process and the environment by discussing the ecological characteristics of saber-toothed tigers and giant hyenas, paleobotanical analyses, and geological events.
Review
Ecology
Paul Palmqvist, Guillermo Rodriguez-Gomez, Jose Maria Bermudez de Castro, Jose Manuel Garcia-Aguilar, M. Patrocinio Espigares, Borja Figueirido, Sergio Ros-Montoya, Alejandro Granados, Francisco J. Serrano, Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro, Antonio Guerra-Merchan
Summary: This study reviews the early Pleistocene archaeological sites in Europe, discusses the subsistence strategies of early humans, calculates the population size, and explains the characteristics and limitations of the Guadix-Baza region as a habitat. The results suggest that this region may have been home to a small population of early humans, and the isolation and limited gene flow in the area may have negatively affected their long-term viability.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Borja Figueirido, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Alberto Martin-Serra
Summary: The organization of the vertebral column is influenced by both developmental and functional demands. Our study demonstrates a significant modular signal between the centrum and neural spine in all post-cervical vertebrae, but the strength of intravertebral integration decreases at the boundary vertebrae. We also found a significant correlation between intravertebral integration and intervertebral integration.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Borja Figueirido, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Anthony Hotchner, David M. Lovelace, Francisco J. Pastor, Paul Palmqvist
Summary: Research on the brain of the extinct North American cheetah compared to the living cheetah shows unique differences, indicating a potential reevaluation of the convergence between the two species.
Article
Biology
Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro, Tegenu Gossa, Francesco Carotenuto, Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti, Paul Palmqvist, Asfawossen Asrat, Borja Figueirido, Lorenzo Rook, Elizabeth M. Niespolo, Paul R. Renne, Gadi Herzlinger, Erella Hovers
Summary: In 2017, a fossil of an Ethiopian wolf was discovered in southeastern Ethiopia, providing the earliest evidence of its presence in Africa. The fossil suggests that the Ethiopian wolf faced challenges in the past due to geographic range contractions. Future climate scenarios indicate a significant reduction in suitable territories for the species, further endangering its survival. The recovery of the fossil highlights the importance of research on early human origins and associated biodiversity outside the East African Rift System.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Borja Figueirido, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Anthony Hotchner, David Lovelace, Francisco J. Pastor, Alberto Martin-Serra
Summary: The North American cheetah-like cat Miracinonyx trumani, which became extinct 13,000 years ago, possessed a specialized skeleton for fast running. Its elbow morphology suggests that it had a less specialized pursuit predatory behavior compared to the living cheetah. The results challenge the degree of similarity between Miracinonyx trumani and its Old World vicar Acinonyx jubatus.
Article
Biology
Borja Figueirido, Francisco J. Serrano, Alejandro Perez-Ramos, Juan Miguel Esteban, Humberto G. Ferron, Alberto Martin-Serra
Summary: Convergent evolution is a central concept in evolutionary theory, but the mechanisms underlying it have been debated. Research suggests that natural selection and developmental constraints play key roles in shaping convergent traits, but quantification over long periods is challenging. By studying the body-axis organization in tetrapods, researchers can infer primary developmental mechanisms and use computational biomechanics to reveal organismal performance, presenting a novel methodological framework.