Scottish wrens evolving into new species on islands

May 28, 2026

Reported by AI

Tiny wrens on remote Scottish islands are growing much larger than their mainland relatives and developing distinct traits that may lead to new species.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham studied four isolated populations of wrens in Scotland, including those on Shetland, Fair Isle, the Outer Hebrides, and St Kilda. The birds on St Kilda now weigh between 13 and 16 grams, compared with 7 to 10 grams for mainland birds in Britain. The largest St Kilda wrens are more than twice the size of the smallest mainland specimens.

Lund researchers track nightingale's Sahara crossing

A nightingale weighing just 25 grams builds energy reserves to cross the Sahara. Lund researchers used miniature sensors to track ten birds on their migration from Sweden to southeastern Africa.

Social bonds shape gut bacteria in Seychelles warbler birds

April 15, 2026 Reported by AI

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have found that Seychelles warblers with closer social ties share more similar gut microbes, particularly anaerobic types spread through direct contact. The study on Cousin Island suggests social interactions drive this microbial exchange. Similar effects likely occur among humans living together.

Science

Study debunks myth of indigenous overhunting in Hawaii

Science

Dna study identifies Seychelles crocodiles as saltwater species

Beekeeping

Inishturk island to host Ireland's first native honey bee sanctuary

New dinosaur species from patagonia hunted like herons

Paleontologists have identified a new raptor-like dinosaur species that lived about 70 million years ago in southern Patagonia. Named Kank australis, the creature likely hunted fish using adaptations similar to those of modern herons.

Aggressive green wall lizards eliminate ancient color variants

April 26, 2026 Reported by AI

Researchers have discovered that aggressive green wall lizards, dubbed 'Hulk' lizards, are rapidly outcompeting and eliminating yellow and orange color morphs that coexisted for millions of years. The common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, across the Mediterranean now shows only white-throated individuals in many populations. A study analyzing over 10,000 lizards revealed this shift in evolutionary dynamics.

Sibanye adjusts Finland lithium mine plans due to flying squirrel droppings

Sibanye-Stillwater has relocated a tailings dam at its Keliber lithium mine in Finland after discovering droppings from an endangered flying squirrel. The adjustment creates a 100m buffer to protect the nocturnal species. This reflects Finland's strict conservation rules amid Europe's first lithium project.

June 13, 2026 05:45