Latest articles by Julio Lacerda

fossils
almost 3 years ago by Franz Anthony

Brazilian sail-backed dinosaur swam long before Spinosaurus

A Brazilian spinosaur’s leg bone shows aquatic adaptation ten million years before Morocco’s iconic Spinosaurus.
Read Article
fossils
about 3 years ago by Pete Buchholz

The dinosaurs that dug their own grave

Recent discoveries in Montana and Idaho have uncovered a previously unknown behavior in dinosaurs: digging. These creatures, known as orodromines, had robust and muscular arms, shoulders, and hips that were well-suited to digging out burrows. Fossil remains of adults and juveniles suggest that these peculiar dinosaurs took care of their young.
Read Article
fossils
over 3 years ago by Pete Buchholz

Saber-toothed kittens were born bruisers

The robust forelimbs of saber-toothed cats are thought to have helped wrestle struggling prey to the ground before using their long teeth to slash a killing blow. This burly build was needed to ensure the long teeth weren’t broken by struggling prey.
Read Article
plants and animals
over 3 years ago by Pete Buchholz

Tardigrade genome reveals secrets of their toughness and evolution

A genetic analysis of two species of tardigrade, or water bear, has given great insight into the genetic mechanisms that help them survive extreme conditions. Although tardigrades look similar to arthropods like insects and spiders, their genes show a much closer relationship to round worms.
Read Article
fossils
over 3 years ago by Julio Lacerda

The long-lost cousin of rhinos and horses

Cambaytherium, a little fossil from India may have rewritten the history of hoofed animals. Despite looking almost nothing alike, we’ve known that rhinos, horses, and tapirs are cousins since the 19th century. But how did scientists found that out, and where did these animals come from?
Read Article
34f1d64c52c45a6bdce31bc5e48b86cc

Julio
Lacerda

Staff Artist and Writer