The South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) has the largest known animal genome, with up to 91 billion base pairs, 30 times larger than the human genome, according to new study published in Nature. It also has more than double the size of the previously known largest animal genome, the Australian lungfish.

Lungfish are considered "living fossils" and are believed to be the closest relatives of the first four-legged species, ancestors of all vertebrates, which likely grew limbs and crawled onto land around 370 million years ago.

"18 of the 19 chromosomes of the South American lungfish are each individually larger than the entire human genome with its almost 3 billion bases," Axel Meyer, one of the study's authors, said.

This genome expansion in the species is driven by the proliferation of transposable elements or "jumping genes," which make up over 90% of the genome, suggesting a weakening of mechanisms that suppress genome repetition.

The study of the lungfish genome offers valuable insights into the mechanisms controlling genome size, the complexity and significance of genome size changes, and the origin of life and the evolution of vertebrates, including the transition from water to land animals.

Advances in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics enable sequencing and assembling macro-scale genomes, including the chromosomes of lungfish.

Sources: DW, LTN, Live Science, Newsweek, Gazeta, Nature, Folha, Olhar Digital, Terra, New Scientist, Canaltech, Welt, Super, BioBioChile, ADN Radio, EVZ, Evrim Ağacı, Naftemporiki

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The discovery of a 12-foot (3.5 meters) long oarfish, found dead and floating near La Jolla Cove in San Diego, marks the 20th such occurrence in California since 1901.

Some cultures associate the appearance of oarfish with impending natural disasters, giving rise to the name "doomsday fish." There is no evidence to support the belief.

Oarfish typically dwell in the ocean depths in total darkness, and can grow longer than 20 feet, or 6 meters.

They surface when their health deteriorates, prompting necropsies and further study to understand their behavior, physiology, and role in the marine ecosystem.

The specimen found was transferred to the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection for in-depth analysis.

Sources: Independent, BBC, Guardian, USA Today, Washington Post, Yahoo, Albawaba, Western Journal, Times of India, K2 Radio, Interesting Engineering, Tribunnews, ABS-CBN, Evrim Ağacı, Daily Galaxy, Recently Heard.

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A zookeeper was moderately injured Sunday while tending to a crocodile at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem. The event unfolded during what should have been a routine animal care procedure at the renowned facility.

Emergency responders promptly treated the injured worker, a man in his forties, on-site before transporting him to the Hadassah Medical Center. Upon arrival at the hospital, he bore visible bite marks on his body but was fully conscious.

While this recent incident highlights the inherent risks of animal care, the Biblical Zoo has long played a vital role in both public education and global conservation efforts. Last year, the zoo celebrated a joyous occasion with the birth of a baby South African giraffe named Eli, marking a significant addition to its diverse animal family.

In 2022, the zoo partnered with the Athens Zoo to bring a two-year-old Sumatran tigress from Jakarta to Jerusalem. The initiative aimed to bolster conservation efforts for the endangered Sumatran tiger species, with plans to introduce a male tiger for breeding purposes.

Also in 2022, visitors to the Biblical Zoo were charmed by an endearing sight after a rare Jerusalem winter storm. The zoo's red pandas, Yin and Yang, delighted onlookers as they frolicked in the snow, showcasing the adaptability of the zoo's diverse inhabitants to unusual weather conditions.

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Over the past nine days, Banksy created a series of animal-themed murals across London, featuring animals including a mountain goat, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, piranhas, and a rhinoceros.

The artworks have sparked theories about the messages Banksy might be conveying, including themes related to refugees, the Gaza conflict, and recent right-wing riots in the UK.

Authorities and the London Zoo have taken measures to protect the artworks, such as covering them with plastic and relocating them to ensure public visibility.

Banksy shared photos of all his murals on Instagram. The series has been a daily occurrence, generating speculation and attracting admirers, in contrast with his usual works being spaced several months apart.

Banksy has become one of the world's most renowned artists, with paintings and installations fetching millions of dollars at auctions, despite speculation about his true identity.

Two recent works by Banksy were vandalized – one stolen and one defaced with spray paint, with a video released by the BBC showing the moment of the vandalism.

The city council removed one of Banksy's works to preserve it, relocating it to Guildhall Yard for safe viewing. Banksy's representatives clarified that the intention behind the artwork is simply to bring a smile to people's faces, not to convey a deep message.

Sources: BBC, AP News, Sky News, Reuters, USA Today, Vertigo Político, Le Monde, CBC, Barron's, O Globo, France 24, La Vanguardia, Zócalo, Yomiuri Shimbun, Los Andes, ABC, El Universal, Infobae, Agência Brasil.

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Researchers attached lightweight cameras, GPS units, and sensors weighing less than 1% of the sea lions' body weight to adult females from two South Australian colonies, capturing nearly 90 hours of footage across 500km and mapping 5,000 sq km of previously unmapped seabed habitats.

Using data from the sea lions, including video, environmental factors, and machine learning, the researchers generated accurate models predicting diverse seafloor habitats off Australia's south coast, effectively mapping benthic habitats in the lowest ecological zone.

The study identified six distinct benthic habitats and new reefs, revealing diverse seafloor habitats like kelp reefs, sand plains, sponge gardens, and invertebrate reef habitats, with nutrient supply, sea surface temperature, and depth as crucial influencing factors.

The study helped identify crucial habitats for conserving endangered Australian sea lions and may benefit other marine species.

Humans have explored only 5% of the world's oceans, limiting the study of sea life in the wild, but marine animals like sea lions can help map and study unexplored areas.

Knowledge of the seafloor across the world's oceans is very limited due to the challenges of using remotely operated robots, which are costly, weather-dependent, and difficult to use in remote marine areas.

The Australian sea lion population has declined by 60% over the past 40 years due to historical hunting and modern threats like commercial fishing equipment, with only about 10,000 remaining across 80 breeding sites.

The study was published in Frontiers of Marine Science and supported by funding from the Australian government and The Ecological Society of Australia.

Sources: The Guardian, Nature, The Washington Post, PopSci, Business Insider, USA Today, New Scientist, The Conversation, DIY Photography, Technology Networks, The Bharat Express News, Evrim Ağacı, The Financial Express, Xinhua News, Foreign Affairs, Interesting Engineering, Cosmos Magazine, Mirage News, DNyuz.

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A vibrant pink, purple, and blue colored lobster, dubbed a "cotton candy" lobster, was caught and donated to the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire.

The "1 in 100 million" cotton candy lobster was caught by 25-year-old lobster fisherman, Joseph Krame in waters off New Hampshire and Maine.

The Seacoast Science Center also houses other rare lobster colorations, including split lobsters, calico lobsters, orange lobsters, and blue lobsters.

The cotton candy lobster's unique color is caused by a rare genetic mutation. Its bright color makes it more vulnerable to predators in the wild, but it has regenerated its claws, surprising a marine science professor.

Different lobster colors stem from genetic mutations, but the exact reasons are not fully understood. The color intensity can vary based on genetic predisposition and diet.

Sources: CBC, Yahoo, CGWall, HeadTopics, ABC7, Indy100

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An outbreak of rabies in fur seals has been reported in South Africa's Western Cape region, potentially the first documented case in marine mammals worldwide. At least 17 seals have tested positive so far, with cases dating back to at least August 2022 and spanning hundreds of miles of coastline.

The outbreak has led to concerning behavioral changes in the seals, including increased aggression, attacks on humans, dogs, and each other, as well as pup die-offs and mass abortions among pregnant females.

The latest case was reported in Mossel Bay. Two cases were detected in Plettenberg Bay, but none in the Wilderness area.

Vaccinations will be trialed to contain the outbreak, starting with seals in regular contact with humans, such as those in harbors or rehab centers, and potentially expanding to other seal species. Euthanizing infected seals may also be considered.

The Cape fur seal population ranges from 1.7 to 2.1 million along a 2,800km coastline, making research and understanding the disease's impact challenging. The seals are highly social and known to bite each other while fighting and mating, which may contribute to the virus's spread.

Those infected with rabies received correct treatment in time, with no fatalities reported. However, anyone bitten by a seal in the past six months should seek medical evaluation immediately.

Rabies in marine life is rare, with only a few cases documented worldwide. Efforts to control it through culling have been deemed unethical and ineffective, leaving vaccination as the only viable method.

Various organizations are working together to establish the extent and timeline of the outbreak through sampling and testing.

Officials are warning people to keep their distance from the seals and seek immediate medical care if bitten, as there are concerns about the virus spreading to other marine mammal species.

Sources: New York Times, AllAfrica, Daily Maverick, TittlePress, Phys.org, Citizen

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A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution has uncovered a unique adaptation in Komodo dragons--their serrated, blade-shaped teeth have an iron-rich coating concentrated along the cutting edges and tips. The coating gives their enamel extra strength, an orange stain, and keeps the edges razor-sharp for ripping apart prey like deer and buffalo.

The study suggests that the iron coatings on Komodo dragon teeth may have existed in carnivorous dinosaurs like T. rex but were lost during fossilization, offering insights into dinosaur feeding behavior and biting mechanics.

Komodo dragons are native to Indonesian islands. They are the largest living lizards, reaching over 3 meters in length and weighing around 80 kilograms on average.

Only around 3,500 individuals remain in the wild, primarily in the Komodo National Park and Flores island. They face threats from habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and climate change.

Sources: National Geographic, Science News, USA Today, Scientific American, Washington Post, Nature, Gizmodo, Daily News, The Guardian, CNN, Independent, New Scientist, ScienceAlert, ZME Science, Boing Boing, SciTechDaily.

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The gray wolf (Canis lupus) population in the European Union has rebounded to around 20,300 individuals across 23-24 countries as of 2023.

This was not always the case. Gray wolves were threatened, and extinct from western and central Europe before the species was protected under the Bern Convention in the 1970s.

The European Commission is considering changing the conservation status of gray wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected," allowing hunting under strict regulation. The proposal is supported by President Ursula von der Leyen, who lost her pony to a wolf attack, despite protests from activists and concerns about potential abuse and threats to the species.

France has seen a surge in its wolf population, with numbers estimated at over 1,000 last year, but also a recent 9% decrease and a rise in attacks on livestock, leading to wolves often being killed to protect livestock under specific conditions. Restrictions allow for a maximum of 20% of the population to be culled annually.

The increasing contact between wolves and humans has resulted in more frequent damages. Wolf-related damages in France reached 4 million euros in 2022, lower than damages caused by wild boars and deer, but still a concern for livestock owners.

Attacks on livestock and more encounters with humans caused heated debates between supporters and opponents of the predator, placing farmers and environmentalists on opposing sides.

Sources: Hurriyet Daily News, Istoé, ABC, News24, Nice-Matin, Orange Actu, RTL, El Ciudadano, VNExpress, La Jornada, Göteborgs-Posten, Dagens PS, Globo, Notiulti, Exame, France24, IBTimes

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Recent findings suggest that the extinct kangaroo species Protemnodon, also known as the "giant wallaby," was primarily quadrupedal, walking on all fours most of the time, rather than hopping like modern kangaroos. This conclusion is based on the analysis of their limb proportions, particularly their short feet and arm bones, which were unsuited for the stresses of hopping.

Another subfamily of ancient kangaroos, the sthenurines, were also found to be bipedal striders rather than hoppers, indicating a greater locomotor diversity and variety of habitats in Pleistocene Australia than previously thought.

Three new-found ancient species of giant kangaroos, named Protemnodon mamkurra, Protemnodon dawsonae, and Protemnodon viator, were discovered based on fossils found in Australia and New Guinea, with Protemnodon viator weighing up to 170 kilograms.

The diversity in movement styles of large kangaroos during the Pleistocene suggests a wider range of environments in Australia at that time, with different species adapting to live in different environments and moving in various ways.

Sources: Yahoo News, Phys.org, Tech Explorist, Borneo Bulletin

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