Evolutionary history

Snakes continue to evolve into cannibals – here’s what scientists think is happening

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Snakes continue to evolve into cannibals – here’s what scientists think is happening

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndicate partners may earn a commission. Cannibalism has appeared in several lineages of snakes throughout evolutionary history. | Credit: VW Pics via Getty Images Cannibalism might seem like a rare and unnatural event, but the behavior has appeared in several lineages of snakes throughout … Read more

Giant virus discovered in a Japanese pond may hint at the origins of multicellular life

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Giant virus discovered in a Japanese pond may hint at the origins of multicellular life

Scientists in Japan have discovered a previously unknown giant virus, providing new insight into this enigmatic category of viruses – and possibly also into the origins of multicellular life. The virus was found infecting an amoeba in a freshwater pond near Tokyo, researchers report. They named it “ushikuvirus” after the pond, Ushiku-numa, located in Ibaraki … Read more