ScienceDaily: Fossils & Ruins News

One of the most contentious questions in evolutionary biology is, how did the Amazon become so rich in species? A new study focused on birds examines how the movements of rivers in the Amazon have contributed to that area's exceptional biological diversity. The researchers found that as small river systems change over time, they spur the evolution of new species. The findings also reveal previously unknown bird species in the Amazon that are only found in small areas next to these dynamic river systems, putting them at high risk.

A new study uses modern methods to understand the preservation of unique ichthyosaur fossils. One complete animal and one tail are the first to preserve outer body shape in the last, large group of ichthyosaurs.

Researchers from China and Canada report a new large early ichthyosauromorph, named Baisesaurus robustus, from the southwest of China, extending the known geographic distribution of this group.