Museum für Naturkunde Berlin’s Post

Splitting or Speciation is nature's way of Innovation! Did you know that Node X in the diagram represents an ancestral reptile species? One group split in its direction, producing more dinosaurs and modern birds, while the other group/descendants produced modern reptiles. This node X is called the "missing link" or the genealogical connection between birds and modern reptiles. Similarly, Node Y is another modern "missing link" between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds. Fossils, an interesting subject, are difficult to trace and document. However, exploring the next Node Y between "birds" and "feathered dinosaurs" is the closest we can get to the ancestry. It's fascinating how nature works! 😁 #evolution #nature #fossils #dinosaurs #reptiles #birds #innovation

🦈🌊 Dive into the Fascinating World of Elasmobranchs! 🦈🌊 Two years ago, three passionate students stepped out of the lab to champion the conservation of elasmobranchs—sharks and rays—through innovative research. Did you know these ocean marvels have been around for nearly half a billion years? That's older than trees and dinosaurs! 🦕🌳 With over a third of elasmobranch species facing extinction, it's crucial to act now. From the unique walking abilities of the Epaulette sharks to the mysterious mating rituals revealed by genetic markers, these creatures have so much to teach us! Their mission at Science Saves Sharks is to make science accessible and inspire love for these incredible creatures. After all, you can't love what you don't know, and you can't protect what you don't love. 💙 Join them in exploring the wonders of these ocean giants and learn how genetic science can illuminate their secrets. Discover more about how we can protect these majestic beings together! 🐋🔬 👉 Read More: https://buff.ly/3yhhfqU #SharkConservation #Elasmobranchs #ScienceSavesSharks #ConservationOptimism

#sustainability #nobelprize We have been reading ever since Gutenberg. About 600 years. Look what is happening to us. Dinosaurs did not read. They survived, including cataclysms, for 140 million years and still survive as 400 billion birds, 50 times the human population, having speciated after being impacted by the mass extinction caused by the asteroid. Our mind being our only tool of survival, what is it that we can do within our capabilities and control for our barely 200,000 year old species to last more than 200 million years and counting like the free birds, through cataclysms? We are already amidst the Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History https://a.co/d/07uSQk6v. Sooner than later if we do not change our ways it will catch up with us. Please read, if you can read, understand, if you know how to think and understand, and sign this: 1. Sustainability, A primer: https://lnkd.in/eJQvnCa8. 2. #OurCommonFuture https://lnkd.in/eaZe52sD. Let us get these right first. Do not be concerned, pecking each other about the pecking order, mud wrestling about being recognized. You will all, humanity, shall be duly recognized if and only if you recognize our common humanity in the context of our ecology, EARTH. These are hard deadlines, not window dressing or whitewash, we all agreed on.

Sharks are just the coolest animals that have been able to roam the Earth for over 400 million years, placing them in the category of one of the oldest species that exist today. Their relatives came on the scene a long time before the first trees appeared, which incidentally indicates extraordinary evolutionary progress. Actually, it was about 350 million years ago when trees began to cover the planet, so sharks had a pretty long time prior to the existence of terrestrial plant life. This tremendous timeline reflects the resilience of sharks; during the mass extinctions, including that that spelled the end of the dinosaurs, sharks survived many extinction events throughout their long history. Adaptive to various forms of environmental change, they have evolved into the diverse species we see today. The fact that they can thrive under a variety of oceanic conditions speaks very eloquently about their success through evolution. Apart from these aspects, sharks play a very vital role in the marine ecosystem as they are apex predators. Any marine ecosystem balance is solely dependent on the existence of sharks, and therefore conservation is a huge necessity for healthy oceans. Knowledge about the ancient origins of sharks not only sheds light on such basic research into them in our ecosystem but also calls for their protection for posterity. . . . #SharkFacts #AncientCreatures #Evolution #MarineBiology #NatureHistory #Conservation #tribunetrends

June 8, 2024 . . . Happy World Oceans Day! Today, we celebrate the vast and vital ecosystems of our oceans! These incredible underwater worlds hold a wealth of life, not just today, but throughout history. At the Aurora Fossil Museum, we explore the ancient connections between land and sea. Many of the fossils on display, like Megalodon teeth and prehistoric whale vertebrae, offer clues about the creatures that once swam our oceans. Here are some ways to celebrate World Oceans Day: Learn about the ocean: Visit your local aquarium or museum (like ours!) to discover the wonders of the underwater world. Reduce your plastic use: Help keep our oceans clean by using reusable bags and water bottles. Support ocean conservation efforts: Donate to organizations working to protect our oceans and marine life. Together, we can make a difference for our oceans! #WorldOceansDay #AuroraFossilMuseum #OceanConservation #ProtectOurOceans #digaurora #auroranc #fossils #megalodon #digthepast #fossilhunting #fossilfinds #fossilfun #STEM #STEAM #ncscience #scienceeducation #exploreNC #discoverNC #fossildiscovery #paleontology #ancienthistory #fossilpark #fossilcollection

Scientists have uncovered the evolutionary history of darkling beetles, a diverse group of scavengers dating back to the dinosaur age. The research, led by scientists from ANU and CSIRO, reveals that these #beetles underwent numerous rapid evolutionary events, or "quantum evolution," allowing them to adapt to various environments and develop a wide range of body shapes. Darkling beetles are one of the most dominant animal groups on Earth, with over 400,000 known species. The study, which analyzed #genomic data spanning 150 million years from over 900 specimens, highlights how these #evolutionary bursts enabled #darklingbeetles to thrive after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction and dominate today's ecosystems. Their diversity, ecological roles, and adaptability continue to play a critical part in Earth's #biodiversity. https://lnkd.in/er-gTYiF

Hello friends family and acquaintances today is NATIONAL DRAGONFLY DAY | Second Saturday in June! We are celebrating National Dragonfly Day on the second Saturday in June to bring awareness to one of nature's most beautiful insects. Join us today as we buzz around learning facts about the big-eyed bug also known as the dragonfly. Evidence shows dragonflies are nearly 300 million years old. Paleontologists have discovered dragonfly fossils with 3-foot wingspans. Interestingly, some scientists say dragonflies may have been just as large as the size of an eagle today. Let's celebrate National Dragonfly Day together and learn why this beautiful insect is one of nature's most wonderful bugs. Dragonflies are a common summertime insect living in areas of wetlands where you can see them sliding on the surface of the water and then lifting away. They vary in color, ranging from bright metallic to light pastel colors. Their wings are large making them the fastest of all insect species. However, dragonflies must warm up their muscles in order to fly properly. Dragonflies are expert fliers in comparison to any other insect. The average dragonfly has the ability to fly like a helicopter. In fact, they fly straight up or down, forward, and even hover keeping perfectly level. In addition, the dragonfly is extremely fast and agile. The fastest speed ever documented was 35 mph. Their flying skills and speed help them catch food for survival. If a dragonfly cannot fly, it does not survive. Unusual Facts About Dragonflies Most adult dragonflies live for only a few weeks, but some do live up to a year. The average dragonfly has nearly 30,000 eye facets. In fact, they have 360-degree vision, including the ability to see behind them. Dragonflies help control the mosquito population, eating up to 100 mosquitos per day. Dragonflies can live in the winter but are normally small and stumpy in size. Dragonflies use their feet to catch their food. #NATIONALDRAGONFLYDAY ##dallasharristips

"THE STORY OF EARTH’S CLIMATE IN 25 DISCOVERIES takes the reader on a journey through Earth’s history. In this highly entertaining book, the author addresses questions such as Why do we have phytoplankton to thank for the air we breathe? What kind of climate was necessary for the rise of the dinosaurs, or the mammals, their successors? When and how have climatic changes caused mass extinctions?"—Everything Dinosaur https://buff.ly/3ROWCYD #ClimateChange #ClimateScience #EarthScience #BookReview

"In the case of the climate, we are not the dinosaurs - we are the meteor. We are not only in danger - we are the danger." - Antonio Guterres The same is true for the biodiversity crisis. Silver lining here is, that we can stop & do the opposite. We frequently talk about the meteor event that wiped out life. 🤯 But have you ever heard of the Cambrian Explosion that brought life? It's a remarkable period in Earth's history, roughly 539 million years ago. During this time, there was a rapid burst of evolution & diversification of animal life. Many major animal groups that exist today first appeared in the fossil record during this relatively short span of about 10-25 million years. This event laid the foundation for the diversity of animal life we see today, marking a crucial turning point in the history of life on Earth. 👉 Do we approach another turning point? Nowadays, we love to talk about the doom. But it is equally important to talk about the bloom. Let's create our mini cambrian explosion & go from:  ✅ Exploiting → Restoring  ✅ Consuming → Conserving  ✅ Degrading → Regenerating This is a time in history when we still have a choice. Future generations won't be as lucky. So let's live up to this responsibility & turn us from being a meteor to a seed bomb. P.S. What do you think? Are we the dinosaurs or the meteor? #biodiversity #nature #environment

Exciting Discovery in the Green River Formation: Unveiling a New Bird Fossil In an extraordinary development in paleontology, In Stone Fossils, in collaboration with renowned Rick Hebden, has made a groundbreaking discovery in Wyoming's Green River Formation. This thrilling find took place during an epic tour, which included neuroscientists and other esteemed guests, marking a momentous occasion in the field. As the group meticulously split rock layers within the Green River Formation, anticipation was high. Then, with one decisive crack, a remarkable bird fossil was revealed. The team, with their expert eyes, instantly recognized the significance of this find—a bird fossil of an unknown species, presumably a mousebird. The excitement was palpable as they realized the potential impact of this discovery on future studies and our understanding of avian evolution. This newly unearthed fossil is more than just a rare find; it is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between private paleontology enthusiasts and academic scholars. Such partnerships are proving to yield some of the best results, driving success in the ongoing exploration of the Green River Formation. The specimen's significance is such that it is set to be retained at the state level, ensuring its availability for future research and study. The entire team is brimming with excitement over this specimen, which promises to unlock new insights and advance our knowledge in paleontology. This discovery is a beacon of what can be achieved when passion, expertise, and collaboration converge. The Green River Formation has once again proven to be a treasure trove of prehistoric life, and we eagerly anticipate the new avenues of research this find will inspire. @wyogeosurvey #fossil #fossils #explore #wy #thatswy #kemmerer #kemmererwyoming #eocene #discovered #interesting #focus #dream #museum #PaleontologyExperience #PaleoTourism #FossilExcursion #DiggingForFossils #PrehistoricJourney #FossilHunting #prehistoric #bird #amazing