Mutations drive evolution and thus knowing how often they occur is fundamental to studying biology. Several methods are available to estimate mutation rates, among which phylogenetic estimates are the most common. In essence, this method consists of counting the number of differences in the DNA... click to read more

Small prey animals are generally much slower than the predators attacking them, but have a distinct advantage that can help them escape: maneuverability. When a prey observes a predator approaching, the change in the predator's visual profile gives it a good idea of the size... click to read more

Microplastics (pieces less than 5 mm in size) have now been discovered in a wide range of aquatic habitats, from deep-sea sediments to seemingly pristine tropical beaches. Their small size and omnipresence mean that microplastics can be eaten by animals at the base of the... click to read more

The bowhead whale is above all, a whale of superlatives. It is the only large whale to live year-round in the Arctic, its "bowed head" allows it to push up through half a meter of ice, it can live up to 200 years and it... click to read more

Under the name "whale" lies an important diversity of aquatic mammals. Usually, scientists divide them into three groups. "Baleen whales", also called whales with mustache, is an extant group including the humpback whales and the largest animals that ever lived on earth, the blue whales.... click to read more