evolution

May 2008

Sophisticated X-rays reveal primitive feathers trapped in amber.

May 2008

Chameleons change color to win mates, not to hide from predators.

October 2008

Ancient ichthyosaurs were a lot like today's fast marine predators––right down to their skin.

July–August 2008

An Internet guide to the evolution of plants

September 2008

Bacteria can adapt to anticipate the future.

September 2008

Bone-boring beetles attacked dino skeletons.

September 2008

Great apes like their meals cooked.

September 2008

Toxic hairs enable some caterpillars to venture forth in conspicuous processions.

June 2000

The fleshy pink "fingers" on the snout of the star-nosed mole point to this animal's unique evolutionary history.

November 2008

Big brains drive the evolution of birds' bodies.

Teeth that stab or crush to match their meal

To walk on walls and ceilings, your feet have to stick, but they have to get unstuck, too.

Ferns and fungi that explosively reproduce

The seemingly unwieldy shape of a fish is anything but a drag.

Hear author Xiaoming Wang interviewed by Vittorio Maestro, Editor in Chief of Natural History. (MP3, 17 minutes)