700 million years ago, a remarkable creature emerged for the first time. Though it may not have been much to look at by today’s standards, the animal had a front and a back, a top and a bottom. This ...

Tiffany Taylor, professor of microbial ecology and evolution at the University of Bath in the U.K., recommends the books that shaped her career and her outlook on life. When you purchase through links ...

Editor’s Note (10/8/25): This podcast was edited after posting to remove some incorrect descriptions of research on crickets in Hawaii. Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m ...

Measuring the pace of evolution is tricky, but some species can evolve as quickly as a few generations. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it ...