https://inaturalist.org Observation of the Day for Apr 14, 2026: Barred Owl [Aves], by user: featherandtrail
[via @inatrepostbot]
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348206562
Williamson County, TX, USA
2026-04-07T10:17:00-05:00
Credit: (c) featherandtrail, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
See more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/inat-observation-of-the-day
#inaturalist #inaturalistorg #citizenscience #barredowl #strixvaria #williamsoncounty #tx #usa #aves #animals #chordates #vertebrates #birds #owls #typicalowls #woodowlsandallies
Why do some clades contain far more #species than others? By testing competing explanations across terrestrial #vertebrates, this study reveals that #biodiversity patterns are most often shaped by long-term productivity-driven equilibrium dynamics @PLOSBiology https://plos.io/4vuS10G
https://inaturalist.org Observation of the Day for Apr 8, 2026: Chimerella mariaelenae [Amphibia], by user: panisseclement
[via @inatrepostbot]
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348067734
Mera, Province de Pastaza, EC
2026-04-06T21:56:10-05:00
Credit: (c) Clรฉment panisse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
See more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/inat-observation-of-the-day
#inaturalist #inaturalistorg #citizenscience #chimerellamariaelenae #chimerellamariaelenae #mera #provincedepastaza #ec #amphibia #animals #chordates #vertebrates #amphibians #frogsandtoads #glassfrogs

๐Ÿชฑ๐ŸŒŠ New #research indicates that our eyes developed from a midline light-sensing organ in a primitive sea creature.

While our ancestors lost their original paired eyes while living as stationary filter feeders, the need for movement eventually triggered the #evolution of the complex retinas we use today. This process also led to the formation of the pineal gland, which regulates sleep cycles in modern #vertebrates.

๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/brain-eyesight-animals-worm-oceans-b2951015.html

#science #biology #nature #marinebiology #history #genetics #zoology #neuroscience #education

Modern eyesight evolved from a worm-like creature that lived 600 million years ago

The loss and regain of vision happened between 600 and 540 million years ago

The Independent
#Regeneration of fins and limbs relies on shared cellular playbook
Immune cells, blood and repair #genes act in concert across three regenerating #vertebrates
Team cut fins off #bichirs and tracked #gene activity at wound after one, three and seven days, which revealed types of cells present and activity. Team compared data to similar new and existing data about #axolotl, salamander that regrows limbs, and #zebrafish, a that can regrow tips of fins
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/regeneration-of-fins-and-limbs-relies-on-a-shared-cellular-playbook
https://archive.ph/l7NI2
Regeneration of fins and limbs relies on a shared cellular playbook

The findings strengthen the case that regeneration is an old trait, offering insights into how complex tissues rebuild themselves.

Science News
https://inaturalist.org Observation of the Day for Mar 17, 2026: Snowy Owl [Aves], by user: pjmorgan1
[via @inatrepostbot]
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/340970207
Waterloo Regional Municipality, ON, Canada
2026-03-01T17:46:00-05:00
Credit: (c) pjmorgan1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
See more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/inat-observation-of-the-day
#inaturalist #inaturalistorg #citizenscience #snowyowl #buboscandiacus #waterlooregionalmunicipality #on #canada #aves #animals #chordates #vertebrates #birds #owls #typicalowls #typicaleagleowlsandhornedowls
#Eyes of the world's longest-living #vertebrate, the #GreenlandShark, show little #ageing
Greenland #shark (Somniosus microcephalus) can live for up to 400 years in the chilly North Atlantic and Arctic waters, making it one of the longest-living #vertebrates on Earth. And according to new research its seemingly undead eyes are fully functioning and barely deteriorate even after a century. Unravelling the shark's anti-ageing secrets could benefit human eye health.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-01-10/eyes-dont-age-for-greenland-shark/106019818
Greenland shark eyes may hold anti-ageing secrets

The Greenland shark is thought to live for about 400 years but somehow its eyes appear to barely deteriorate, according to a new study that has implications for human health.