One weird elephant

Article Abstract:

A description of Macrauchenia patachonia is presented, an herbivore from the Pleistocene epoch that had unusual physical characteristics such as a small cranium mismatched with a long flexible trunk-like proboscis. The species demonstrates the burst of genetic changes that is often prompted by isolation or other changes in the environment that demand rapid adaptation to ward off extinction.

Case studies, Natural selection, Evolution (Biology), Adaptation (Biology), Evolutionary adaptation, Paleontology, Origin of species, Ice age

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Sea change

Article Abstract:

Studies of coral reefs are providing information on both ecological degradation and regeneration. Since coral reacts markedly to environmental change, researchers are learning about changes that have a negative impact, and how reefs react and/or adapt to these changes. The research not only provides an early warning system, but also a means of potential mitigation.

Marine biology, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef ecosystems, Coral reef biology

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Detecting dinosaur DNA

Article Abstract:

Cytochrome b DNA sequences from Cretaceous bone fragments were identified as dinosaur sequences, but this finding may have been an error. Three arguments are presented that the DNA sequences were the result of human contamination.

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