Underneath the glistening surface of the world’s oceans lies a complex network of marine life. Each species plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate ecosystems that make up our planet. However, this balance is under threat as biodiversity faces a crisis of extinction. Over the past fifty years, animal diversity has plummeted by an …
A diverse team of global and regional experts recently united for an ambitious endeavor: mapping critical habitats for sharks, rays, and chimaeras in the captivating Mediterranean and Black Seas. This five-day workshop, hosted by iSea and organized by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group, brought together over 180 experts from around the world. …
Skates, a type of cartilaginous fish, have pectoral fins that resemble wings, allowing them to thrive in benthic ecosystems. However, the molecular basis of this unique trait remains unknown. University College London researcher Ferdinand Marlétaz aimed to investigate the evolutionary origin of these wing-like fins. Vertebrates evolved alongside key developmental innovations, including different fin structures …