Deep-sea exploration has revealed the existence of ecosystems that are not powered by photosynthesis. For example, microorganisms that are able to metabolize hydrocarbons emitted from methane seeps form the basis of food webs that can comprise hundreds of animal species. Now, a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA shows that some sea spiders (from the class Pycnogonida)

Henry Walter Bates gave the first known scientific account of mimicry in biological systems. To mark the bicentenary of his birth, we present a collection of content that reflects on his life and legacy.

Asarum fudsinoi is one of several plant species whose flowers have a distinctive foul odour, reminiscent of decaying flesh, that attracts pollinators specialized to oviposit on decomposing materials. Writing in Science, Okuyama and colleagues explored the genetic and physiological mechanisms that enable plants to exhibit this form of floral mimicry. The volatile blends emitted by Asarum flowers are

Hoverfly species in the genus Spilomyia are Batesian mimics that have evolved morphological and behavioural similarities with noxious wasps as an anti-predator defence. Although similar instances of mimicry are widespread across extant animal taxa, the fossil record of accurate mimetic forms is extremely sparse. Writing in Current Biology, Daňková and colleagues report wasp mimicry in Spilomyia kvaceki

Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) are both culturally and dietarily important in eastern Asia, but their domestication history is debated: central Chinese cultigens contain the highest level of cultigen genetic diversity (suggestive of a local domestication origin), but archaeological evidence shows the earliest evidence of cultivation in Japan, possibly even earlier than the advent of widespread agriculture

Nature’s Memory: Behind the Scenes at the World’s Natural History MuseumsEdited by: Jack AshbyALLEN LANE: 2025, 336 pp. £25For most of us, natural history museums evoke a sense of wonder, and perhaps a touch of childhood nostalgia, sparked by the impressive and strange creatures on display. Yet, beyond the exhibitions, museums are multifaceted public spaces: part scientific research centre, part tourist

Trees can vary dramatically in size and shape. For instance, isolated oaks growing in a light-exposed clearing tend to be shorter and have a wider crown than similarly aged oaks in a closed forest canopy. Writing in Nature Communications, Jucker and colleagues investigated global variation in tree architecture and revealed a few generalizations to make sense of the great variety of tree shapes. Using

The escalating trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies now menaces ecological systems far beyond the price charts that dominate front pages. At the time of writing, Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products had peaked at 125% and Washington’s counter surge had reached 145%, before a 12 May 2025 accord trimmed the levies to 10% and 30%, respectively, for a 90-day review

European wheat crops are affected by powdery mildew, a major disease that is caused by the ascomycete fungus Blumeria graminis forma specialis tritici (Bgt). We have lacked good understanding of the population biology of Bgt, but writing in PLoS Biology, Jigisha et al. have now analysed newly sequenced genomes of 276 Bgt strains collected in 2022 and 2023 from over 90 locations that span Europe and

Scientists with disabilities face many barriers and challenges related to accessibility during their careers. We can all do more to help make science more accessible — and this is especially true for journals.