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“Earth & Environment:  Legendary primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91.”

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Content and Source:  “Scientific American-Earth & Environment.”

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.com).

October 1—This week, tropical cyclones experiencing a form of the Fujiwhara effect, an evolutionary arms race between scientists and an invasive fish, and WWI-era shipwrecks that have become thriving islands. It was also announced today that legendary primatologist Jane Goodall has died at age 91.

Andrea Thompson, Senior Editor, Earth & Environment


Scientists found new gecko species hidden in plain sight in pristine deserts of southern Africa, thanks to their loud, barking mating calls

Some science stories are like detective stories, but this one particularly fits the bill— a scientist was even skulking around at night with a flashlight in search of clues. The case? A mystery around why geckos that were supposed to be members of a single species barked out varying mating calls (do yourself a favor and click through to the story to hear one of these barks—you are not ready for what it sounds like). Several years and many nighttime gecko-tracking missions later, researcher François Becker discovered that what were thought to be three species of barking gecko in southwestern Africa are actually nine species.

How we identify species: Uncovering the secret identities of these tiny—but startlingly loud—lizards illuminates a shift in how we tell species apart. In the past, such taxonomy was largely done by observable physical characteristics. But with the barking geckos, these species all look remarkably similar. So scientists are increasingly using integrative taxonomy, which incorporates several pieces of evidence—in this case, the geckos’ calls and DNA. The result is a clearer picture of the tree of life.

What the experts say: “Some of these species that were previously put together as one species are actually separated by 25 million years of evolution,” Becker says.

Find me on Bluesky @andreatweather.bsky.social!

Andrea Thompson, Senior Editor, Earth & Environment

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Top Stories
Jane Goodall, Trailblazing Primatologist and Chimpanzee Conservationist, Has Died

The anthropologist was famous for her pioneering research with chimpanzees and her influence on conservation

How Hurricane Humberto Is Pulling Tropical Storm Imelda Away from the U.S.

In a version of the Fujiwhara effect, Hurricane Humberto is pulling Tropical Storm Imelda eastward and away from the U.S.

Life Thrives on Maryland’s ‘Ghost Fleet’ of WWI-Era Shipwrecks

Nearly 100 years ago dozens of ships were abandoned in a shallow bay in the Potomac River. Today plants and animals are thriving on the skeletons of these vessels

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‘Ghost Fire’ in Marshes Sparked by Strange Chemistry

A phenomenon called microlightning may explain ghostly blue marsh lights

Meet the Microbes That Munch Mountains of Mining Waste

Biomining uses engineered microbes to harvest critical minerals

Evolution Shocks Scientists in an Electric Battle against Invasive Bass

Scientists electrically culled invasive fish in a 20-year battle—but the fish fought back with rapid evolution

Rock Art Discovery Reveals Unknown Arabian Nomads from 12,000 Years Ago

Camels in ancient Arabia may have led hunter-gatherers through deserts once thought uninhabitable

 
What We’re Reading
  • On North Carolina’s rivers and streams, the cleanup of Helene’s fury seems never-ending | Associated Press
  • After Trump cut the National Science Foundation by 56 percent, a venerable Arctic research center closes its doors | Grist
  • FEMA Is Paralyzed. Disaster-Torn Communities Are Paying the Price. | Wall Street Journal
  • As Floods Worsen, Pakistan Is the Epicenter of Climate Change | Yale Environment 360
 
From the Archive
Jane of the Jungle: Goodall Reflects on the Chimp Mind

Primatologist Jane Goodall shares insights from her 50 years among chimpanzees

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