Zoology articles from across Nature Portfolio

A mischievous red squirrel wreaks havoc on a woodland in search of snacksand a record of life blooming on the volcanic island of Surtseyin our weekly dip in Nature’s archives.

The ability to change your mind in response to better evidence is a hallmark of human cognition. Experiments now show that chimps are capable of rational thought too.

High-resolution imaging reveals distinct muscle fascicle compositions in African and Asian elephant trunksreflecting their preferred grasping modes and ecological niches.

The ascidian tunicate Cionaone of the closest relatives of the vertebratesinhabits shallow temperate waters in the worldwide ocean. A unique combination of simple stereotyped embryogenesisregulative post-embryonic stages and ecologically relevant diversity makes Ciona a premier model for marine systems life sciencesfrom cells and molecules to populations and ecosystems.

The 16^th FELASA Congress took place June 2025 in the cradle of scienceAthens. Upon arrivalmore than 2,000 professionals from 52 countries were welcomed by “Aristotle the Octopus”a mascot alluding to Greek scientific heritageAristotle’s pioneering zoological observations and the values of intelligenceadaptability and ethicswhich are central to laboratory animal science (LAS). The vibrant and friendly atmosphere was fertile ground for discussing advancements in LASregulationeducation and ethicsbut also for catching up with friends and colleaguesexchange ideas and start new collaborations. Having been involved in many aspects of the meeting – chairing sessionsdelivering talks and workshops – we will share some insights and personal reflections on the meeting.

Maria Shrestha works to understand the evolutionary history of crayfish symbionts — and how they might be indicators of trouble.

Analyses of fossils and ancient genomics reveal how early human populations bred less wolf-like companionsand how they might have traded them around the world.

A mischievous red squirrel wreaks havoc on a woodland in search of snacksand a record of life blooming on the volcanic island of Surtseyin our weekly dip in Nature’s archives.

The ability to change your mind in response to better evidence is a hallmark of human cognition. Experiments now show that chimps are capable of rational thought too.