#FunFact The scientists recreated snail teeth using 3D printing to test how different designs affect feeding performance.

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The Influence of the Collective Effect of Tooth–tooth Interaction on the Feeding Efficiency of Gastropods: A Biomimetic Approach - Journal of Bionic Engineering The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs. A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking, complicating the inference of the precise ecological roles of radular structures. This study presents the first experimental set-up that allows to study the influence of the radular morphology, specifically the degree of tooth-tooth interlocking (so-called collective effect), on the feeding efficiency. For this purpose, physical 3D models of the teeth were designed using CAD software and 3D printing technique. The feeding efficiencies with models of different degree of interlocking were determined by tensile tests, pulling the models trough agar gels with different viscosities. The forces generated by the models and the masses of the removed gel fragments were determined. We found, that radular models with a high degree of tooth–tooth interlocking performed best as they were able to remove most agar. We additionally broke the teeth and determined, that the teeth with the highest degree of interlocking could resist to highest force. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between radular morphology and its ecological function, suggesting that even minor morphological alterations can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of food gathering. Understanding these interactions cannot only shed light on the ecological adaptations of molluscs, but provide further insights into development of more effective grinding, scraping, and cleaning technical devices.

Understanding these natural “micro-tools” can inspire biomimetic designs: from more efficient surfaces to novel material systems.

→ doi.org/10.1007/s422...

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Scanning electron microscopy image of the radular teeth of the paludomid gastropod Spekia zonata showing symmetrically arranged curved teeth and knob-like structures on the sides

Snails don’t just scrape food, they engineer it. New research shows that the tiny teeth of their radula work together: interlocking structures improve feeding efficiency, revealing how collective design boosts performance. #LIBresearch

© Krings et al., CC BY

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The Influence of the Collective Effect of Tooth–tooth Interaction on the Feeding Efficiency of Gastropods: A Biomimetic Approach - Journal of Bionic Engineering The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs. A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking, complicating the inference of the precise ecological roles of radular structures. This study presents the first experimental set-up that allows to study the influence of the radular morphology, specifically the degree of tooth-tooth interlocking (so-called collective effect), on the feeding efficiency. For this purpose, physical 3D models of the teeth were designed using CAD software and 3D printing technique. The feeding efficiencies with models of different degree of interlocking were determined by tensile tests, pulling the models trough agar gels with different viscosities. The forces generated by the models and the masses of the removed gel fragments were determined. We found, that radular models with a high degree of tooth–tooth interlocking performed best as they were able to remove most agar. We additionally broke the teeth and determined, that the teeth with the highest degree of interlocking could resist to highest force. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between radular morphology and its ecological function, suggesting that even minor morphological alterations can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of food gathering. Understanding these interactions cannot only shed light on the ecological adaptations of molluscs, but provide further insights into development of more effective grinding, scraping, and cleaning technical devices.

Understanding these natural “micro-tools” can inspire biomimetic designs: from more efficient surfaces to novel material systems.

→ doi.org/10.1007/s422...

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#FunFact Parts of the skull that drive fast changes within species can evolve more slowly across millions of years.

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Neural crest cell biology shapes lizard skull evolution across evolutionary time scales The bones of the vertebrate skull come from two developmental sources: the mesoderm and the neural crest. This dual origin allows to study how development

These hidden differences help explain why some features evolve rapidly, while others remain stable over long periods.
→ doi.org/10.1093/evle...

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Top shows a male common wall lizard with the ancestral phenotype, below a male with the nigriventris syndrome, right side displays color-coded skull views with mesodermal (yellow) and neural crest (blue) regions labeled with skull bones.

Evolution doesn’t shape all traits equally. New research on lizard skulls shows that some parts can change quickly, while others are more constrained - depending on how they develop early in life. #LIBresearch

© Horta-Lacueva, CC BY

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#FunFact The chemistry of a snail’s shell reflects the conditions it lived in, turning it into a natural climate archive. 🐌

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These terrestrial records complement large-scale climate archives and help refine how we understand ecosystem responses to climate change.
→ doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...

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Schematic showing species-specific climatic niche modeling using modern distribution data of subfossil snail species from the Caucasus area with layered maps of species distribution, growing season, mean annual precipitation, aridity, and latitude-longitude coordinates

Tiny snail shells can record past climates. By analysing isotopes in fossil land snail shells, new research reconstructs how environments shifted over time—capturing climate signals at a surprisingly fine scale. #LIBresearch

© Richter et al., CC BY 4.0

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#FunFact While asymmetry is common in some insects, it’s exceptionally rare in spiders - making these species true outliers.

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These findings challenge assumptions about how mating systems evolve and reveal unexpected diversity in even well-studied groups.

→ doi.org/10.5852/ejt....

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Four close-up views of small spiders on green leaves showing dorsal patterns and eggsacs, labeled A to D, with two different species and sexes represented

Symmetry isn’t always the rule in nature. New spider species of the genus Metagonia show consistent left–right differences in both male and female genitalia. A rare case of directional asymmetry in spiders. #LIBresearch

© Huber et al., CC BY 4.0

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#FunFact The discovery was supported by citizen scientists - showing how public contributions can help uncover even the most unexpected species. @inaturalist.bsky.social
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This unique form of mimicry shows how evolution can exploit even parasite–host relationships, reshaping how we understand species interactions.

→ leibniz-lib.de/de/news/0704...

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Spider with a rounded body covered in white spots and two upward-curving horn-like projections on its back sitting on a green leaf with web strands around it

What if a predator hides in plain sight, by mimicking a deadly parasite?
A newly described spider from the Amazon (Taczanowskia waska) imitates a fungus that infects other spiders - combining appearance and behaviour to stay undetected. #LIBresearch

© David Díaz-Guevara

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Half the picture was missing ...until now.

With the first description of male Pteroceraphron, this work sharpens species identification and expands its known range into the Neotropics.

Taxonomy still holds many blind spots that directly affect how we track biodiversity.

#FunFact Some extinct crickets had wing structures unlike any living species - hinting at lost evolutionary experiments.

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These fossils offer rare insights into early insect diversification and how ancient ecosystems functioned under very different climates.
→ doi.org/10.1016/j.cr...

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Fossil specimen of Cratoelcana zessini Martins-Neto, 1991, female, showing complete body and wings with partly preserved wing spots, and detailed views of metathoracic tibia and tarsus with labeled metatibial spur

Crickets once lived in ancient lagoons. Fossils from Brazil’s Crato Formation reveal a surprising diversity of extinct “lagoon crickets”, including newly described species that reshape how we understand their evolution over 100 million years ago. #LIBresearch

© Schal et al., CC BY 4.0

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From online games to evolutionary theory: testing warning signals with human “predators”

Understanding how signals are perceived is key to explaining biodiversity patterns and how species communicate risk.

Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. (Araneae: Araneidae) - Copyright David Diaz-Guevarra

What if a spider pretends to be its own parasite? A newly described species from the Ecuadorian Amazon mimics a fungus that infects spiders—blurring the line between predator, prey, and pathogen....
weiterlesen

#FunFact Some of these microscopic spherules formed from vaporized rock that rained back down after massive impacts.

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These traces help reconstruct how impacts influenced Earth’s crust, atmosphere, and habitability in deep time.

→ doi.org/10.1111/maps...

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Aerial view of a green mountainous landscape with the Komati River winding through it and labeled areas including Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains and Elukwatini

Earth’s earliest history is written in tiny glass beads. Impact spherules from South Africa carry geochemical fingerprints of meteorite impacts over 3 billion years ago, offering clues to processes shaping the young Earth and Solar System. #LIBresearch

© NASA Earth Observatory (public domain)

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#FunFact The same landscape can boost biodiversity on land while reducing it in nearby streams, depending on the drivers at play.

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Determinants of Terrestrial and Limnic Species Richness in Germany Aim Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human impacts. While abiotic conditions are well known to shape species richness, the role of human activities remains less clear. We examined how abio...

Conservation strategies need to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches: what works for terrestrial systems may miss key processes in freshwater biodiversity.

→ doi.org/10.1111/ddi....

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Nine grid maps of Germany showing species richness distribution for mammals, breeding birds, amphibians and reptiles, fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, fungi, and vascular plants with color gradients from brown (low richness) to green (high richness) at approximately 11 by 11 km resolution.

What shapes biodiversity across landscapes: climate, land use, or something else? New work from Germany shows that species richness on land & in freshwater systems responds to different drivers & that these patterns are more complex than often assumed. #LIBresearch

© Ellerbrok et al., CC BY 4.0
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#FunFact Some arboreal snakes return to the exact same perch after being moved: showing strong site fidelity.

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Hanging in the balance: an ecological and conservation assessment reveals growing threats to the Bamboo Pitviper, Trimeresurus (Craspedocephalus) gramineus (Shaw, 1802), in the Dangs Forest of Gujarat... Discover Ecology - The Bamboo Pitviper, Trimeresurus (Craspedocephalus) gramineus, is the only pitviper species in Gujarat, India, where it reaches the northern limit of its range. It is recognized...

Even species listed as “Least Concern” can face local risks, underscoring the need for targeted conservation, monitoring, and habitat protection.
→ doi.org/10.1007/s443...

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