Ever wondered how scientists tell one monkey species from another? It's not as easy as it sounds. Rhesus macaques, often used in research, share their homes with other primates. This makes it tough to identify them just by looking at hair or poop samples. The problem? These species look alike, and s
The Dragon Man skull, a giant human-like cranium, was first unearthed in 1933 by a worker in Harbin City, China. The skull was later donated to science in 2018. This skull is massive, with a long, low braincase, a prominent brow ridge, a broad nose, and large eyes. It was initially classified as a n
In Fremont, a puzzling case unfolded when two sheep were found dead and disfigured at the Centerville Train Station. The incident occurred on April 13, and the police were alerted by Amtrak authorities around 2:30 p. m. The sheep were identified as Dorper sheep, a breed known for their toughness and
Brazil is home to a unique landscape called canga. This is a type of rocky terrain that is rich in iron. It is also home to many plants that are found nowhere else in the world. Two of these plants are Lippia hermannioides and Matayba marginata. These plants grow in a specific type of environment kn
Octolasion tyrtaeum is a worm that has caused quite the stir in the scientific community. It all began with a description by Savigny back in 1826. He named it Enterion tyrtaeum. However, the type specimen, which is the original example of the species, went missing. This loss led to a lot of confusio
The world of moths is vast and full of surprises. Recently, scientists have been exploring the genus Diplodoma in Europe. This group of moths belongs to the Psychidae family. There are three known species in Europe: Diplodoma laichartingella, which has been around since 1783, Diplodoma taurica, disc
Indonesia's diverse Felidae species (also known as cats) are under threat from illegal wildlife trade. To combat this, scientists are using DNA forensics to identify these confiscated animals. Recently, researchers analyzed 38 samples from seized wildlife products and found four species: the Sumatra
El Salvador hides a rich variety of ticks on its lands. From 2019 to 2021, researchers have found 216 ticks on dogs, wild animals, and even in the environment. These ticks aren't just any ticks; they're from 11 different species! Some of these include the Amblyomma species like dissimile and mixtum,
Investigating wildlife trade crimes has become easier thanks to advancements in science and technology. One of the most promising methods is stable isotope analysis (SIA). This technique is proving to be a game-changer in identifying species, pinpointing where animals come from, and telling the diff
Ever heard of the six-spotted spider mite? This tiny critter, known scientifically as Eotetranychus sexmaculatus, is making waves in the world of science. Recently, researchers have been diving deep into its appearance and DNA to better understand it. One thing they've figured out is that Eotetranyc
