Mastodawn

#Plant populations within fragmented #landscapes retain persistent #genetic signatures of past demographic crashes, specifically reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding, which remain detectable long after the population size appears to have recovered.
#Conservation #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #Botany #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/cons02122601.html

Plants retain a ‘genetic memory’ of past population crashes

While past research has shown that human‑caused habitat fragmentation can harm plant populations

Annals of Botany 6h ago

🌸Just published in @AnnBot : “Floral syndromes in Aquilegia (Ranunculaceae) are associated with nectar- but not pollen-collecting pollinators” by Anna-Sophie Hawranek and co-authors. 🧵(1/9)

👉 https://doi.org/qq7v

#FloralSyndromes #PollinationBiology #PlantEvolution #EvolutionaryBiology #PlantScience #AoBpapers

Anthropology.net 15h ago

Only humans have chins, and new research suggests it’s an evolutionary accident. Analysis of 500+ ape skulls shows the chin evolved as a byproduct of other changes in the skull, not as an adaptation. #HumanEvolution #Anthropology #EvolutionaryBiology https://www.anthropology.net/p/the-chin-is-an-accident-what-500

The Chin Is an Accident: What 500 Ape Skulls Tell Us About Human Uniqueness

New evidence suggests our most distinctive facial feature evolved as an evolutionary side effect, not an adaptation.

Anthropology.net

Scientific Frontline 18h ago

A newly discovered type of visual cell found in deep-sea #fish larvae that challenges the traditional biological #dichotomy of rod and cone photoreceptors. These cells are specifically adapted to optimize vision in "twilight" or gloom-light conditions found at intermediate #ocean depths.
#EvolutionaryBiology #MarineBiology #Neuroscience #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/ebio02112602.html

Twilight fish study reveals unique hybrid eye cells

Researchers have identified a new type of visual cell in deep-sea fish larvae that challenges a century of knowledge about vertebrate visual system

Scientific Frontline 18h ago

The simple #marine animal #Trichoplax utilizes an ancient, bacteria-derived lysozyme for acidic extracellular digestion, proving that essential animal immune mechanisms evolved from early digestive processes.
#EvolutionaryBiology #MarineBiology #Immunology #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/ebio02112601.html

Tiny marine animal reveals bacterial origin of animal defence mechanisms

Marine animals, such as the extremely simple flatworm Trichoplax, are ideal model organisms for studying the early evolutionary origins

Show thread

Biohacking Pathway 1d ago

#HumanBrain #EnergyDemand #FatStorage #EvolutionaryBiology #Podcast #Science #Health #Nutrition #CalorieConsumption #wellnesszone #wellnessindustry #wellnessbox #wellnessweek #wellnessplanner #BrainPower https://mastodon.social/@biohackingpathway/116047916257875178

Scientific Frontline 2d ago

The #Sceptobius #beetle infiltrates #Liometopum #ant colonies by genetically silencing its own #pheromone production to become chemically "invisible," subsequently stealing the ants' cuticular hydrocarbons to mask its identity and prevent desiccation.
#Entomology #EvolutionaryBiology #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/ent02092601.html

Beetles Go Stealth Mode to Infiltrate Ant Societies

Sceptobius is incapable of living outside of the ants' colonies, which are impenetrable fortresses to most other insects.

Moos 6d ago

Classics in #evolutionarybiology do not make you optimistic about human nature. From Charles Darwin’s Descent of Man onwards, there is a fundamental understanding among biologists that organisms, especially humans, evolved to maximise self-interest. We, or rather our genes, act to promote our own success or that of our family. More recently, however, anthropologists and psychologists have pushed back against this pessimistic view. Is the #selfishgene concept wrong?

https://aeon.co/essays/we-cooperate-to-survive-but-if-no-ones-looking-we-compete

We cooperate to survive. But, if no one’s looking, we compete | Aeon Essays

An age-old debate about human nature is being energised with new findings on the tightrope of cooperation and competition

Anthropology.net Feb 5

Fire didn’t just give us cooking and warmth. For a million years, it gave us burns—and burns shaped our genes, our skin, and our capacity to heal. #HumanEvolution #Anthropology #EvolutionaryBiology https://www.anthropology.net/p/the-cost-of-fire-how-burns-shaped

The Cost of Fire: How Burns Shaped the Human Body

When Evolution Meets Combustion

Anthropology.net

Scientific Frontline Feb 4

Analyses of historical genomes reveal that German Shepherd #Dogs experienced significant genetic bottlenecks primarily after World War II and through the excessive use of popular sires, resulting in a massive drop in genetic diversity compared to early 20th-century specimens.
#Paleogenetics #EvolutionaryGenomics #EvolutionaryBiology #GermanShepherd #sflorg
https://www.sflorg.com/2026/02/ebio02042601.html

German Shepherd Dogs: Bottleneck effects shape breeding

Like many modern breeds, the German Shepherd Dog is susceptible to heritable disorders