Ghana Science News API

{
    "totalArticles": 1318,
    "articles": [
        {
            "id": "21532897c50cbbcc9e08e88d9f27bd26",
            "title": "Evolutionary decoupling between cranial shape and size underlies divergent evolutionary pathways in Cretaceous apex and meso-predator theropods",
            "description": "Apex and meso-predators of the Cretaceous exhibited distinct macroevolutionary trajectories, reflecting differential responses to ecological and environmental pressures. However, the role of evolutionary process in shaping macroevolutionary trends of apex and meso-predatory Cretaceous theropods remains poorly understood. Here, I use the maxillary shape and size, combined with phylogenetic comparative methods, to elucidate distinct macroevolutionary trends among three lineages of larger (apex-pedators) and medium-size (meso-predators) Cretaceous theropods (Carcharodontosauria, Abelisauridae, and Coelurosauria). Abelisaurids primarily explored morphological innovation in skull shape while maintaining relatively stable body sizes through time. Carcharodontosaurids, in contrast, followed a size-driven evolutionary path, achieving gigantism while retaining conservative cranial morphologies. Coelurosaurs, particularly tyrannosauroids, adopted a mixed strategy, displaying early cranial modifications during the Jurassic, followed by an explosive increase in cranial size in the Late Cretaceous. These divergent strategies reveal an evolutionary decoupling between cranial shape and size, characterized by an initial phase of disruptive selection promoting morphological divergence, followed by stabilizing selection and phenotypic canalization that ultimately shaped specialized adaptive responses in each clade. These results highlight how evolutionary history, ecological interactions, and developmental constraints structured the diversification of apex and meso-predator theropods. Apex and meso-predator theropods has followed different skull shape and size trends throughout the Cretaceous, triggered by the evolutionary decoupling between cranial shape and size.",
            "content": "The author thanks Brasil, his little dog, with whom this contribution was born during long walks along the beach, a reminder of the value of inspiration found in beautiful places and in good company. Additionally, he thanks Lucio Ibiricu and Humberto... [1288 chars]",
            "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-10145-8?error=cookies_not_supported&code=fed7151b-89a9-4a9f-abe4-ee4780852e26",
            "image": "https://www.nature.com/static/images/favicons/nature/favicon-48x48-b52890008c.png",
            "publishedAt": "2026-04-28T19:52:38Z",
            "lang": "en",
            "source": {
                "id": "7abf0df285fbe93cdccffcc7c4088737",
                "name": "Nature",
                "url": "https://www.nature.com"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "29bbee8d40aa86d2cac4202a626181f9",
            "title": "NASA chief Jared Isaacman says he's fighting for Pluto: 'I am very much in the camp of 'make Pluto a planet again'",
            "description": "Should Pluto be a bona fide planet again? NASA is working to \"revisit the discussion\" on Pluto's planethood status, according to agency chief Jared Isaacman.",
            "content": "NASA chief Jared Isaacman wants to restore Pluto to its former glory.\nIn 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) stripped Pluto of its planethood, reclassifying the icy world as a \"dwarf planet.\" The decision was controversial, and not just ... [2626 chars]",
            "url": "https://www.space.com/astronomy/pluto/nasa-chief-jared-isaacman-says-hes-fighting-for-pluto-i-am-very-much-in-the-camp-of-make-pluto-a-planet-again",
            "image": "https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2FeWM3eSpaiYcVX2y7ZFB5-1280-80.jpg",
            "publishedAt": "2026-04-28T19:18:59Z",
            "lang": "en",
            "source": {
                "id": "024dd4370bda9e6e6791231c2a935d20",
                "name": "Space",
                "url": "https://www.space.com"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "a837e058af95f76aa6a1a99ab9f6a84c",
            "title": "Invasive cane toads evolved larger bodies in just decades",
            "description": "Invasive cane toads in Japan evolved larger bodies in just decades, revealing how quickly animal traits can change in new environments.",
            "content": "Invasive cane toads in Japan have become bigger and heavier than their Australian relatives in under a century, according to new research.\nThe finding turns a small island invasion into evidence that animal bodies can change far faster than old evolu... [5293 chars]",
            "url": "https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-cane-toads-evolved-larger-bodies-in-just-decades/",
            "image": "https://cff2.earth.com/uploads/2026/04/28122844/Cane-toads-larger-bodies.jpg",
            "publishedAt": "2026-04-28T18:58:33Z",
            "lang": "en",
            "source": {
                "id": "fca72a05020e12df547eedb79c870663",
                "name": "Earth.com",
                "url": "https://www.earth.com"
            }
        }
    ]
}