Mountain Misfits

Echoes of the Past: Discovering the North American Cheetah’s Legacy

Explore the fascinating world of the extinct North American Cheetah, its unique characteristics, evolutionary history, and the predator-prey dynamics with pronghorns. A journey into the heart of natural history and the lessons it teaches us about our planet’s past and future.

The Oʻahu ʻAmakihi: A Glimpse into its Biology, Endemism, Evolutionary History, and Phylogeny

Chlorodrepanis flava - Oʻahu ʻAmakihi

Two shots…I got just two shots of an Oʻahu ʻAmakihi (Chlorodrepanis flava), and two photos were enough to scratch my Hawaiian endemic itch. Endemic to the island of Oahu (particularly, the wetter southern area of Oʻahu, this small, vibrantly colored bird has captured the attention of scientists and birders alike, offering a fascinating glimpse into its biology, endemism, evolutionary history, and phylogeny.

Unveiling the Evolutionary Journey of Butterflies Using Phylogenomics

Nero Clearwing - Godyris nero

Unveiling the Evolutionary Journey of Butterflies Using Phylogenomics admin December 5, 2023 Butterflies, with their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, have remained enigmatic in terms of their origin, diversification, and evolutionary interactions with plants. Recently, researchers from the University of Florida sequenced 391 genes from nearly 2,300 butterfly species, creating a robust phylogenomic tree that […]