Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) Larvae Feeding on Cotton Plants
Debra Ferguson/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group (via Getty Images)
The cotton bollworm and corn earworm, recognized as “giant pests,” are currently wreaking havoc on farmers globally. Recent interbreeding incidents in Brazil have resulted in a hybrid that possesses resistance to various pesticides. If this trend continues unchecked, the hybrid strain may severely impact soybean and other crop yields, jeopardizing global food security.
“This can pose significant challenges,” notes Chris Jiggins from Cambridge University.
Many nations rely on Brazilian soybeans for both human and animal feed—“it essentially feeds the world,” Jiggins remarks.
In Brazil, over 90% of soybeans cultivated are genetically modified (GM) varieties containing built-in pesticides. The emergence of resistant pests could precipitate a decline in yields, leading to heightened food prices. Additionally, increased deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions may occur as farmers seek to clear more land for cultivation.
The corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), a moth native to the Americas, features caterpillars that are highly destructive to a variety of crops, particularly corn. They also pose threats to tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants.
Historically, H. zea has not been a significant issue for soybean farmers in Brazil, as soybeans are not their primary food source. However, the detection of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in Brazil in 2013 marked a troubling development. This pest, a close relative of H. zea, has proven to be widely detrimental. Both moth species are categorized as “giant pests” due to their notorious destructiveness and resistance to control measures.
“The concerns are well-founded, given their significant impact,” Jiggins emphasizes. “Moths can travel substantial distances, complicating control efforts.”
H. armigera feeds on multiple plant types, while H. zea primarily reproduces in soybeans, leading to financial strains on Brazilian agriculture with costs totaling billions of dollars, according to Jiggins.
The introduction of Bt soybeans—genetically engineered to produce proteins derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis—has alleviated some challenges posed by these pests.
Initial belief held that hybridization between H. armigera and H. zea was implausible. However, genetic analyses from 2018 identified hybrids within the species. Recent genomic studies of around 1,000 moths collected over the past decade have revealed alarming trends.
Analysis indicates that one-third of H. armigera specimens now possess genes conferring resistance to Bt toxins, a concerning development since H. zea strains have evolved comparable resistances after their introduction in North America during the 1990s. This resistance, now spreading to South America, suggests a perilous progression as hybridization occurs. While hybrid H. armigera has not yet produced severe consequences, experts caution that as resistance continues to evolve, the situation may change rapidly.
Gene transfers between species are occurring, and H. zea in Brazil have gained resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. “The speed of this development is astounding,” notes Jiggins.
Angela McGaughran from the University of Waikato asserts that “as global interconnectedness and climate change enable species range expansion, the looming threat of these megapests could amplify on a worldwide scale.”
Farmers are advised to implement non-Bt crop rotations alongside Bt crops to mitigate the spread of resistant pests. However, adherence to these guidelines remains inconsistent across various countries.
Biotech companies are now researching multi-gene Bt strains—producing two, three, or even five different Bt proteins to combat resistance. However, Jiggins insists that the cost and duration of bringing such innovations to market underscore the necessity for sustainable resistance management, including reducing exposure to existing Bt crops.
While hybridization facilitates resistance, Tabashnik highlights that intra-species evolution remains the leading concern. In China, for instance, H. armigera has developed resistance to the original Bt toxin independently.
Paleontologists have undertaken a thorough anatomical reevaluation of the fossilized remains of two coelurosaurian theropod dinosaurs that inhabited South America during the Early Cretaceous period: Santanaraptor Placidus and Milischia asymmetrica.
Hypothetical reconstruction of Milischia asymmetrica (left) and Santanaraptor Placidus (right), focusing on lizards that existed in what is now northeastern Brazil approximately 112 million years ago. Image credit: Guilherme Gehr.
The holotypes of these coelurosaurs were discovered in Romualdo Formation in 1996 and 2000, respectively.
Dr. Rafael Delcourt from the University of São Paulo and his team stated, “The Romualdo Formation is a renowned Early Cretaceous fossil hotspot situated along the edge of the Araripe Plateau in northwestern Brazil.”
“Its megafossil record encompasses plants, invertebrates, turtles, crocodiles, pterosaurs, theropod dinosaurs, as well as one of the most diverse and well-preserved ichthyofaunas from the Mesozoic era.”
“Spinosaurids are among the most notable Romualdian theropods, with numerous reference specimens including the well-preserved skull of Illitator Challenger and the snout of Illitator ChallengerAngaturama Limai.”
“Both Santanaraptor Placidus and Milischia asymmetrica originate from the same deposits that produced Spinosaurus, specifically the upper carbonate condensation level of the renowned Romualdo Formation.”
In their new study, Dr. Delcourt and collaborators from Brazil, Argentina, and Germany revised and compared the anatomy of Santanaraptor Placidus and Milischia asymmetrica to examine their phylogenetic relationships and potential synonymy.
Their analysis positions both species within an early-divergent group of maniraptoromorph dinosaurs, alongside Juratirant Rangami and Taniko Lagreus Topwilsoni, dating back to the Late Jurassic of Laurasia, indicating an early diversification of coelurosaurs in this region.
While there is some skeletal overlap, notable anatomical differences affirm their classification as separate species.
“The clade containing Juratirant Rangami, Milischia asymmetrica, Taniko Lagreus Topwilsoni, and Santanaraptor Placidus appears to extend back to at least Laurasia in the Late Jurassic, prior to the formation of the Apulian sea route that facilitated faunal exchange in the Early Cretaceous,” noted the paleontologists.
“At that time, a variety of coelurosaurs existed in both Laurasia and Gondwana, including Megaraptorra and branches such as ornithomimosaur, alvarezaurid, and dromaeosaurid.”
“Our phylogenetic model aligns more closely with the existing biogeographical data than one that confines Romualdocoelurosaurids primarily within Laurasian compsognathids or tyrannosaurids.”
“However, further studies and extensive fieldwork are necessary to clarify the early radiation of Coelurosaurus and its affinities with Romualdo morphology.”
A paper detailing these findings was published on November 18, 2025, in Anatomical Records.
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Rafael Delcourt and colleagues. Coelurosaurian theropods of the Romualdo Formation of the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of Brazil: Santanaraptor Placidus meets Milischia asymmetrica. Anatomical Records, published online on November 18, 2025. doi: 10.1002/ar.70085
Named Bakirib Waliza, this newly identified species is the first filter-feeding pterosaur documented to inhabit the tropics.
Artistic reconstruction of the filter-feeding pterosaur Bakirib Waliza in an Early Cretaceous Romualdo Formation environment. The spinosaurid dinosaur in the background represents a potential predator of Bakirib Waliza. Image credit: Julio Lacerda.
Bakirib Waliza thrived in the tropical latitudes of the Gondwana supercontinent during the Early Cretaceous, approximately 113 million years ago.
This ancient flying reptile belongs to the pterosaur group Pterosaurini, part of the clade Ctenochasmatidae.
“Ctenochasmatidae is a clade of pterosaurs that thrived from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous period,” stated Dr. Aline Ghirardi from the University Nordic of the Rio Grande and her colleagues.
“Recent findings have illuminated the diversity and ecological adaptations of this group, especially through analysis of new fossil specimens from various geographic areas and geological epochs.”
“These pterosaurs exhibit a remarkable evolutionary path, showcasing diverse morphological adaptations and extensive geographic distribution.”
“Recent revelations in China, South America, and Europe have significantly enhanced our understanding of their ecology, revealing the dynamic evolutionary history of this lineage.”
“Ctenochasmatids predominantly flourished from the Late Jurassic to the Barremian, but their numbers gradually waned towards the late Early Cretaceous,” the researchers noted.
“There remains limited knowledge about later species and how their lineages evolved and dispersed between Laurasia and Gondwana.”
The researchers suggested that Bakirib Waliza had an elongated jaw and dense, brush-like teeth, akin to the Ctenokasmatine pterosaurs like Pterodaustro, though the teeth’s cross-section and spacing differ significantly.
“Within the Ctenochasmatidae, the subfamily is recognized for its elongated snouts and numerous fine teeth, traits linked to a distinct feeding strategy,” the researchers stated.
“The evolutionary path of this group has been clarified by discoveries such as Riodactylus primus from the Late Jurassic of Liaoning Province, China, which indicates a significant ecological transition from fishing to filter-feeding within this clade.”
“Extreme examples can be noted in Pterodaustro ginazui, which features a lower jaw outfitted with 1,000 elongated, whisker-like teeth.”
“The extreme morphology of Pterodaustro illustrates a high degree of specialization for filter feeding.”
The two fossil specimens of Bakirib Waliza were uncovered in calcareous concretions within the Romualdo Formation in Brazil’s Araripe Basin.
This sedimentary matrix also contained remains of four fish, likely teleosts from the Early Cretaceous period, such as Thalias.
“Pterosaurs and fish were preserved in wackestone deposits, known for their abundant oriented ostracods and foraminifera, typical of other Romualdo Formation deposits,” the scientists remarked.
“The presence of densely packed, semi-articulated, fragmented pterosaur bones (mainly in subparallel orientation) alongside similarly arranged fish schools suggests that this collection is a regurgitalite—a mass of indigestible material expelled from a predator’s mouth.”
Bakirib Waliza possessed a mosaic of traits found in both its South American and European relatives.
“Its distinctive anatomical features, especially the highly elongated jaws and densely packed dentition with elongated teeth, tooth crowns that are nearly quadrangular in cross-section, along with acrodont-like tooth implants in both jaws, provide new insights into the evolutionary trajectory of filter-feeding pterosaurs,” the authors noted.
“The exceptional preservation of this specimen within the regurgitalite, alongside a fully intact fish, offers scarce direct evidence of trophic interactions in the Early Cretaceous Araripe paleoecosystem.”
“This finding not only bridges a paleobiogeographic gap in Ctenochasmatinae distribution but also emphasizes the significance of understudied and long-held museum specimens in uncovering important evolutionary and paleoecological insights.”
“Evidence is accumulating that the Araripe Basin acted as a crucial window into Early Cretaceous biodiversity, ecological intricacies, and continental-scale faunal interactions.”
The research team’s paper was published in the journal on November 10, 2025, in Scientific Reports.
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RV Pegas et al. 2025. Regurgitalites reveal a new filter-feeding pterosaur of the Santana group. Scientific Reports 15, 37336; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-22983-3
Taingraqaskus Bellator inhabited the area now known as Brazil during the Triassic period around 240 million years ago.
This ancient predator measured about 2.4 m (8 ft) in length and weighed approximately 60 kg.
The back of this species featured bony plates called osteoderms, a characteristic also seen in modern crocodilians.
Utilizing their long necks and agile movements, these predators quickly captured prey with swift, precise actions, employing their slender jaws filled with sharply curved teeth to secure their catch and prevent escape.
Dr. Rodrigo Temp Muller, a paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria, stated, “This creature was an active predator, but despite its considerable size, it was not the largest hunter within its ecosystem, which included giants reaching up to 7 meters (23 feet) long.”
Taingraqaskus Bellator was part of the pseudostia — ancestors of modern crocodiles and alligators.
According to Dr. Temp-Müller, “Pseudostia were a diverse group capable of tackling tough prey, along with smaller hunters adept at catching swift animals.”
“It may resemble a dinosaur, yet Taingraqaskus Bellator does not belong to that classification.”
“One of the most evident distinctions from dinosaurs lies in its pelvic structure, where the hip and femoral joints exhibit significantly different characteristics.”
“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator highlights the intricate ecosystem of the time, showcasing various pseudospecies with distinct sizes and hunting methods filling specific ecological roles.”
“This find uncovers crucial phases in life’s history that predate the arrival of dinosaurs.”
A partial skeleton of Taingraqaskus Bellator was located in Dona Francisca, southern Brazil, in May 2025, with its lower jaw, spinal column, and pelvic girdle preserved.
Although the limbs were not found, experts speculate that, like its relatives, it moved on all fours.
“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator provides further evidence of an ancient link between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic period, a time when the continents were fused into the supercontinent Pangea,” said Dr. Temp Muller.
“Despite the variety of pseudonesters, some lineages are extremely rare in the fossil record, leading to a limited understanding of them.”
“The fossils underwent meticulous preparation in the lab, carefully removing surrounding rock.”
“Upon revealing the anatomical details, it became apparent that the specimen represented a previously unknown species, which was incredibly exciting for us.”
“We found a species closely related to a predator, Mandasucus Tanyauchen, discovered in Tanzania.”
“This link between South American and African fauna can be contextualized within Triassic paleogeography.”
“During this period, continents were still connected, allowing life to disperse freely across regions that are now separated by oceans.”
“Consequently, the Brazilian and African faunas share numerous commonalities, reflecting intertwined evolutionary and ecological narratives.”
Taingraqaskus Bellator would have thrived in the same environment where the first dinosaurs arose, in areas adjacent to vast arid deserts.
“Our findings indicate that southern Brazil’s reptiles had already developed diverse communities adapted to various survival strategies.”
“Moreover, this discovery unveils that such diversity is not an isolated phenomenon.”
This research is detailed in the following article: paper published in Journal of Systematic Paleontology.
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Rodrigo Temp Muller and others. Osteology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships of a new pseudoarchosaur from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil. Journal of Systematic Paleontology, published online on November 12, 2025. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2573750
Preparatory ministerial meeting in Brasilia, Brazil ahead of COP30
Ton Molina/Bloomberg via Getty Images
As world leaders converge for the latest United Nations climate change conference a decade after the landmark COP21 summit in Paris, pessimism looms large. With the pivotal 1.5°C target already deemed unattainable and even the more lenient 2°C objective appearing increasingly elusive, the atmosphere is charged with concern.
The United Nations Environment Programme suggests, based on current national commitments, that the world is on track for a temperature rise of 2.3 to 2.5 degrees Celsius this century. Climatologists emphasize that the upcoming 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties in Belem, Brazil, could be crucial in altering the course of global warming, with oceans, forests, and polar ice sheets nearing tipping points. Significant action is essential to assist poorer nations in securing the estimated $1.3 trillion necessary each year by 2030 to transition away from fossil fuels, mitigate climate change, and adapt to its consequences.
Manuel Pulgar Vidal, WWF’s global leader in climate and energy, states, “The climate debate is under serious threat from not just political decisions but also economic, financial, and trade factors.” He adds that this makes the upcoming COP perhaps one of the most consequential since 2009, as vital as Paris but in an entirely different context.
In reality, however, the expectations held by negotiators are muted. The prospect of a groundbreaking multilateral agreement akin to that of Paris seems far-fetched in the current fragmented political landscape.
The previous COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded with disappointing outcomes, as wealthier nations pledged considerably fewer fiscal contributions than poorer counterparts anticipated. Consequently, trust in the COP process has diminished, leading to discussions on whether the existing framework is still viable.
“Private investment is lacking, nations appear to be retreating on their commitments to move away from fossil fuels, and there are no new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) offered,” remarks Claudio Angelo from Brazilian NGO Klima Observatory. “The atmosphere surrounding climate action feels incredibly strained.”
Tensions ignited by trade disputes and geopolitical conflicts have infiltrated climate negotiations, with former President Trump actively opposing climate initiatives. He notably withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and curtailed efforts to limit fossil fuel use, urging other nations to do the same. On October 17, the International Maritime Organization postponed the formal endorsement of a plan aimed at reducing maritime emissions, incited by Trump’s threats of sanctions against supportive countries.
Economic sluggishness, rising living costs, and a rise in populist sentiments are complicating the implementation of climate-friendly policies. “2025 is shaping up to be the worst year for global climate action,” concludes Angelo.
Europe was initially anticipated to take a leadership role in climate diplomacy following the withdrawal of U.S. support; however, the continent remains divided as defense priorities, trade issues, and escalating energy expenses dominate discussions.
In Brazil, the host nation, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—who campaigned on environmental protection—has approved new highway constructions in the Amazon and oil prospecting in the region, with an eye towards the upcoming elections.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits the main venue of COP30 in Belem
Alessandro Falco/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bringing the COP to Belem is also a contentious choice. This first-ever Amazon COP aims to highlight the stories of those and the forests affected by climate change, underscoring the bold vision necessary for global salvation. The Ministry of the Environment has declared that a greater number of indigenous delegates than ever before will attend COP30.
Nonetheless, many participants regard this decision as imprudent. A shortage of available accommodation has driven up prices, forcing NGOs, diplomats, and businesses to seek alternative sleeping arrangements like tents, shipping containers, or hammocks.
The United Nations also restricts accreditation, leading to concerns that rather than being an “implementing COP,” this one may turn out to be an “empty COP.”
“An organization that had eight certifications last year only secured two this time,” notes Carla Cardenas from the Rights and Resources Initiative, a coalition advocating for land rights for indigenous peoples. Cardenas raised worries that civil society groups aiming to hold leaders accountable may face restrictions in attendance while oil and gas lobbying organizations, which possess larger budgets, remain unaffected.
Ahead of the summit, there are some indications of a positive shift. Fears that not enough leaders would attend to achieve a quorum have lessened, as high-profile figures like Britain’s Keir Starmer decide to make last-minute trips.
Amid declining multilateralism, Brazil, known for its mediating role on the global stage, could serve as an ideal host to unite divergent perspectives within climate diplomacy.
The president’s office is adopting a practical stance in negotiations, indicating that no major headline-making declarations are anticipated this time. Brazil’s focus will likely be on implementing existing agreements rather than chasing media-friendly headlines.
While substantial international breakthroughs in Belém are unlikely, there remains potential for cities, regions, and businesses committed to climate action to step forward, according to Thomas Hale from Oxford University. Groups of states collaborating to announce environmental initiatives could still have a significant influence.
“Countries resistant to change, like the U.S., may stay on the sidelines, but that won’t define where the real action occurs,” he explains. “Although we may not see international decisions made at COP that will move us forward fundamentally, it can still provide a framework for many positive initiatives to arise.”
Paleontologists have unearthed the fossilized lower right canine tooth of a significant proborchiid Sparathodont in Brazil’s Taubaté Basin.
The lower right canine tooth of a large proborchiid sparasodont excavated from the Tremembé Formation in Brazil. Scale bar – 5 mm inches (AE) and 20 mm inches (H). Image credit: Rangel et al., doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534.
The newly discovered fossils date back to the Oligocene Desedan period, approximately 29 to 21 million years ago.
This specimen has been classified as a yet unnamed member of the Proborhyaenidae, an extinct family of South American mammals within the Metatherian order of Sparassodonta.
These creatures played the role of carnivorous predators on the Cenozoic continents.
“Sparassodonta represents an extinct clade of metatherians exclusive to South America, which served as the primary predator of terrestrial mammals on this continent throughout the Cenozoic era,” noted paleontologist Dr. Caio César Rangel from the Federal University of Uberlandia and the Federal University of Pernambuco and colleagues.
“Their evolutionary journey included two significant diversification events, first during the Eocene and later in the Miocene.”
“The Oligocene is marked by cooler temperatures compared to the late Eocene and Miocene.”
“This global cooling trend led to substantial environmental changes, resulting in a turnover in fauna across South America, including both extinctions and diversifications among various Metatherian clades.”
Reconstruction of Thylacosmilus atrochus, a type of post-saber-toothed beast that is part of the sister lineage to the Proborhyaenidae. Image credit: Roman Uchytel.
Paleontologists retrieved the new specimen, measuring 5.73 centimeters (2.3 inches) in length, from the lower section of the Tremembé Formation in São Paulo state, eastern Brazil.
The researchers explained, “The Taubate Basin is situated in São Paulo in southeastern Brazil, stretching from the city of Cachoeira Paulista to Jacarei.”
“It measures approximately 150 km (93 miles) in length and 10–20 km (6–12 miles) in width and lies within a rift between the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira mountains.”
“The Tremembé Formation is the sole Late Oligocene fossil site in Brazil that preserves a diverse array of mammalian fossils and native species,” they added.
“The fauna within this area includes representatives from Metatheria, Pteroptera, Rodentia, Singleta, Astrapoteria, Litopterna, Notungulata, and Pyrotheria.”
This ancient predator thrived in wetland and lake environments and is believed to have held the position of apex predator.
The researchers noted, “The observable wear on the crown and the associated undulations found on the canines indicate that their frequent use is likely related to the capture or active processing of prey by adult specimens.”
This discovery broadens the geographic distribution of Proborhyaenidae and marks the second record of this member of the Sparasodontidae in Brazil.
“This record enhances the diversity of large mammals found in the Tremembé Formation,” the authors stated.
“In general, this region serves as a crucial geological and paleontological resource that offers valuable insights into the final phases of the Paleogene period in tropical South America.”
For more about this discovery, refer to the published paper in the August 2025 issue of Revista Brasileira de Paleontology.
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CC Rangel et al. 2025. The “swamp monster” of the Tremembé Formation (Taubaté Basin, Brazil, late Oligocene): description of a carnivorous metatherian (Sparasodonta, Proborhyaenidae). Revista Brasileira de Paleontology 28 (2): e20250534; doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534
The newly identified species, scientifically named Garga Draco Zephilius, marks a significant similarity between species from the Hayeg Basin in Romania and the well-known Brazilian Azdaltid pterosaur.
Reconstruction of the life of Garga Draco Zephilius in the late Maastrichtian environment, highlighting the nostalgia of the Serada Gargaziosite. Image credit: Matheus Gadelha.
Garga Draco Zephilius thrived in what is now Brazil approximately 70-67 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period.
These flying reptiles belong to the Azdaltid family, renowned for hosting some of the largest flying creatures known to date.
“The Azdalcidae family represents the most diverse and widespread clade of pterosaurs during the Turonian Maastrichtian interval (94-67 million years ago),” they noted.
“This context underscores the anticipation surrounding the discovery of Azdaltid in the fossil-rich Baul group of Brazil.”
“Prior to our research, it was widely believed that no pterosaurs existed within the Baul group, despite its extensive tetrapod fauna richness and diversity.”
“Moreover, the discovery of Garga Draco Zephilius bridges a significant temporal gap in the regional pterosaur records, tracing its lineage back to the Lower Cretaceous Kaia group.”
Paleontologists found fragmentary jaws of Garga Draco Zephilius within the Serada Garga layer.
“The specimen originated from the Serada Gargaziosite in Serada Garga (Garga Hill), located 25 km north of Uberaba County,” they reported.
“This site is home to regions typical of the sauropod Titanosaur uberabatitan ribeiroi and is also recognized as the BR-050 site.”
Garga Draco Zephilius was a medium to large pterosaur with a wingspan ranging from 4-5 m (13-16 feet).
This species signifies the first Brazilian azdaltide and shows notable similarities to Albadraco Tharmisensis from Romania.
“Despite being fragmentary, the specimen exhibits distinct morphological characteristics that set it apart from other azdaltids,” the researchers concluded.
“It showcases a unique set of traits that allow it to be categorized as a relative of the European azhdarchids, particularly Albadraco Tharmisensis, which include features like the V-shaped cross-section, low/rounded tomial edges, symmetrically paired rows of occlusal holes, and a high-hole index.”
“The phylogenetic analysis provides support for the relationship between this new form and its sister taxon, Albadraco Tharmisensis.
“Ultimately, the discovery of these rare small specimens with potential hatching remains holds significant importance.”
The findings are detailed in a study published this month in Paleontology Papers.
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Ariovaldo A. Giaretta et al. 2025. The first pterosaur from the Baul group: Azdalcid from the upper Cretaceous period of Brazil. Paleontology Papers 11(5): E70039; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70039
IT is a warehouse resembling the size of 12 football pitches, poised to provide essential employment and development opportunities in the city of Caucaia, northeastern Brazil. Yet, the shelves remain empty. This extensive facility is set to transform into a data center, as designated by TikTok, になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do. part of a 5.5 billion Reais (7.3 billion pounds) project aimed at expanding the global data center infrastructure.
With the increasing demand for supercomputer facilities, Brazil is attracting an array of high-tech companies, buoyed by the AI boom. The selection of Caucaia is strategic. Submarine cables carry data from Fortaleza, the nearby capital of Ceará, to various continents. Proximity to these cables enhances traffic capacity and reduces latency—the response time across the Internet network.
Additionally, Caucaia is home to the Pecém EPZ, where businesses can produce goods and services for export, benefiting from various tax incentives and streamlined bureaucratic processes.
However, data from Brazil’s disaster digital atlas and integrated disaster information system indicate that Caucaia is also prone to extreme weather events, including drought and heavy rainfall.
Between 2003 and 2024, the city experienced drought-related emergency conditions declared at least once. In 2019, around 10,000 residents were impacted by water shortages. The digital atlas of disasters shows that as reservoirs depleted, water quality diminished, leading to crop failures and challenges in access to basic food supplies.
Data centers consume vast amounts of energy and water to keep supercomputers cool. Nevertheless, public agencies are promoting green construction in drought-affected areas. Caucaia is part of a broader trend.
According to the Digital Disaster Atlas, five of the 22 planned data centers are situated in cities that have faced repeated drought and water scarcity since 2003.
So far, China’s social networks have not been mentioned in Caucaia’s permit application. However, in February, the chief of staff for the state government, Chagas Vieira, confirmed in an interview with local radio stations that discussions were ongoing with Chinese firms, and representatives from TikTok and its parent company ByteDance met with senior officials, including the Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin.
ByteDance has been approached for comments.
The truck will deliver water to Caucaia, a city facing repeated problems with drinking water supply. Photo: Marília Camelo/The Guardian
The project is officially led by Casa dos Ventos, a Brazilian wind energy firm that has invested in the data center sector. Mario Araripe, the company’s founder and president, announced last year that he aims to attract major global technology companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to fill the facility with computers.
Casa dos Ventos has already secured one of the three required licenses from the state of Ceará. According to the state’s Environmental Supervision (SEMACE), the project received a license for “30m³/day water consumption in closed circuits supplied by Artesian Well.” Specific details have been withheld for commercial confidentiality.
Casa dos Ventos claims it is “committed to transforming Porto do Pecém into a complex of technological innovation and energy transition.”
Projects requiring significant energy, such as data centers, are required to obtain special permission from the Brazilian government. As of 2024, at least seven of the 21 approvals granted by the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Energy were linked to data centers.
Casa dos Ventos is also responsible for another data center project currently under state review in Campo Redondo, Rio Grande do Norte, a region that has experienced drought for 14 out of the last 21 years. During the water crisis in 2022, local governments sought federal aid, and water trucks were dispatched to address the demand.
A similar situation is unfolding in Igaporanga, Bahia, where a Brazilian renewable energy company plans to establish two data centers. The city has been in a state of emergency due to drought conditions for 12 of the years between 2003 and 2022. In 2021, about 5,500 people faced rural water shortages.
Transparency regarding water usage by data centers under construction in these areas is lacking. Companies have not disclosed this information voluntarily, and the government has withheld technical documents for licensing, citing commercial confidentiality.
In early April, the National Electric Power System Operator (ONS) denied requests for access to the grid for Casa dos Ventos, citing concerns for grid stability. Consequently, the Ministry of Mines and Energy requested a recalculation to assess potential grid adjustments.
bIG tech firms acknowledge their water consumption in water-scarce areas heightened by AI requirements. The 2024 Sustainability Report details that Microsoft reported that 42% of its water usage originates in regions experiencing water stress. Similarly, Google stated that in the same year, 15% of its water consumption fell in areas marked by “high water scarcity.”
Data centers utilize a large volume of water to prevent overheating in computers and machines. However, some water may evaporate, potentially exacerbating the local climate crisis where they are located. As AI technologies evolve, the demand for processing power increases, leading to heightened energy and cooling requirements. Consequently, water and energy consumption are projected to rise.
Workers at a Data Center in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Such facilities utilize considerable amounts of water for cooling machinery. Photo: Jeff Botega
The International Energy Agency projects a significant increase in data center energy consumption to double, reaching 945,000 GWh by 2030—equivalent to Japan’s annual energy consumption. Countries like Brazil will account for approximately 5% of this growth within that timeframe.
Water consumption is expected to surge. Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Texas at Arlington estimate that global AI demand will require between 4.2 billion and 6.6 billion cubic meters of water by 2027, surpassing half of the UK’s annual water usage.
However, Shaolei Ren, a researcher from UC Riverside and co-author of the study, highlights a crucial distinction between consumption (water extracted from the system) and loss (water evaporated).
“Residential users generally do not withdraw significant amounts of water, but data centers often consume between 60% and 80%,” notes Ren, meaning that much water is lost.
Data centers can be cooled through two approaches: one is air conditioning, a widely adopted method for various facilities, while the second is utilizing water.
The outskirts of Caucaia, where inadequate water became unsuitable for urban consumption after reservoirs were depleted in 2019. Photo: Marília Camelo/The Guardian
One method involves recycling or reusing water but incorporates fans and radiators within closed systems, resembling car engine technologies. Alternatively, a cooling tower might use evaporation to expel heat from heated water, allowing the return of cold water to the system. The final method involves misting water into the air, increasing humidity and reducing temperature.
Nonetheless, these methods are not without inefficiencies. “Both evaporation and misting lead to water loss,” asserts Emilio Franceschini, an associate professor at ABC Federal University.
A small data center with a capacity of 1MW consumes around 25.5 million liters of water annually, with an estimated 1% (255,000 liters) lost to evaporation.
In Pecém, alternatives to extracting water include purchasing desalinated seawater or recycled water from Fortaleza.
It falls upon the state government to grant water concessions to data centers as part of the environmental licensing process.
rOnildo Mastroianni, technical director at Esplar, an NGO with a 50-year presence in Ceará, argues that projects demanding high water consumption in semi-arid areas are misguided. “It’s simply pushing for increased dryness,” he asserts.
Mastroianni cautions that such projects could alter the local hydrological basin, which may weaken fragile ecosystems, like the Caatinga, and heighten food insecurity due to rural water scarcity. He indicates that representatives from local NGOs and various Kilombola and Indigenous communities were not included in project discussions.
Due to water stress, many communities have constructed reservoirs to secure water supply during drought periods. Photo: Marília Camelo/The Guardian
Other Latin American nations are also witnessing a surge in the data center industry. Chile has launched 22 data centers in the Santiago region alone. In December, the government announced a National Plan to establish 30 additional projects, projected to place the country at medium to high levels of water stress by 2040, signifying decreased water availability.
In Chile, both governmental and corporate bodies are facing escalating opposition. In 2019, Google disclosed plans for its second data center in Santiago, which sparked estimates from the activist organization MOSACAT indicating the project would extract 700 million liters of water annually.
Following a wave of protests, a Santiago court reviewed the project. By early 2024, the court halted Google’s assessments concerning environmental impacts, pending further evaluation.
Among those advocating against the project was Tania Rodriguez of MOSACAT, who lamented, “That turned into extractivism,” she said in interviews with other outlets. “We will become everyone’s backyards.”
Paleontologists describe the oldest known members of Haidomyrmecinae – An extinct subfamily of ants that were only during the Cretaceous period – preserved as an impression of limestone rocks in the Krato Formation in northeastern Brazil.
Vulcanidris cratensisholotype. Scale bar – 2 mm. Image credit: Lepeco et al. , doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023.
It has been named Vulcanidris cratensisthe new ant species lived 113 million years ago (early Cretaceous period).
This species represents the oldest and most definitive ant known in science, and is also the most complete evidence of the early evolution of ants in the fossil record.
“Vulcanidris cratensis The author, Dr. Anson Lepeco, a paleontologist at Dr. Zloria da Universad de Sao Paulo, stated:
“What makes this discovery particularly interesting is its belong to an extinct “hell ant”, known for its strange predatory adaptation. ”
“Even though it is part of an ancient lineage, the species already exhibits highly specialized anatomical features, suggesting unique hunting behaviors.”
The oldest previous ants were found in France and Myanmar and were preserved in amber instead of limestone.
The presence of hell ants in Brazil indicates that ants are already widely distributed and diversified early in their evolution.
“There was an hell ants explained by Amber, and this was the first time I could visualize them in a rock fossil,” Dr. Lepeco said.
Dr. Lepeco and his colleagues discovered a very well-preserved Ant specimen and systematically examined one of the world’s largest collections of fossil insects from. Krato Layera deposit known for its exceptional fossil preservation.
“When we encountered this extraordinary specimen, we quickly recognized its importance not only as a new species, but also as a potentially conclusive evidence of ants in the Krato Formation,” Dr. Lepeco said.
“The finding highlights the importance of a thorough investigation of existing collections either privately or in museums, and highlights the fauna of Brazilian paleontology and the country’s unexposed fossil insects.”
Using microcomputed tomography imaging, paleontologists discovered it Vulcanidris cratensis It was previously closely related to hell ants, known only from specimens preserved in Burma mber, Myanmar.
This finding shows that ants must have been widely distributed worldwide and repeatedly crossed Cretaceous lands.
But what surprised them most was the professional traits of Hell’s Ants.
“We were hoping to find the features of the hellish ant, but we were shocked by the features of the feeding device,” Dr. Lepeco said.
“Unlike modern ants with laterally moving mandibles, this species had a mandible with face and face projections running forward in front of their head and eyes.”
“Finding such anatomically specialized ants for 113 million years ago challenges our assumptions about how quickly and complex adaptations these insects have developed.”
“The complex forms suggest that even these early ants had evolved sophisticated plundering strategies that were already very different from their modern counterparts.”
“The discovery of this new ant specimen raises broader questions about the evolutionary pressures that have led to the unique adaptation of hell’s ants.”
“Advanced imaging tools allow us to explore these fossil specimens in greater detail than ever before.”
Discovery of Vulcanidris cratensis Reported in a paper It’s published in the journal today Current Biology.
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Anderson Repeco et al. Ants from Hell from the Lower Cretaceous period in Brazil. Current BiologyPublished online on April 24, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023
Paleontologist Tabata Klimek of Santa Federal University and his colleagues said, “The armadillo family is represented by modern armadillos and extinct armadillos.''
“This group is stratigraphically and geographically widespread, from southern Patagonia to southern North America.”
“The paleontological record of armadillos is represented primarily by osteoderms.”
“According to other interpretations, they are known from nearly all South American mammal faunas from the late Paleocene/early Eocene, or only from the early Eocene.”
“Euphractinae is the most diverse clade (subfamily) of Dasypodidae,” they noted.
“The earliest undisputed occurrences of euphractin date back to the mid-to-late Eocene of the Gran Barranca region of Argentine Patagonia and the mid-Eocene Upper Lumbrella Formation of northwestern Argentina.”
“Partetus “It is one of the earliest branching euphractins,” they added.
“The genus was described in 1902 and the type species is Partetus chicoensis I'm from Patagonia, Argentina. ”
8 bone embryo fossils Partetus Oliveirai It was discovered in the Guavirotuba Formation in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
“The Guavilotuba Formation is the main lithostratigraphic unit of the Curitiba sedimentary basin,” the paleontologists said.
“It is represented by distributed fluvial system deposits consisting of immature subalcoholic sand and mud interspersed with limited gravel deposits at the edges of the basin.”
“Geological features indicate a semi-arid environment, with temporary rivers forming during the rainy season, transporting sediment and forming alluvial fans.”
This new species expands our knowledge of the diversity of armadillos, which lived in southeastern South America during the Paleogene period.
“Partetus OliveiraiThe osteoderm differs from other species of this genus in the following ways: (i) More surface glandular and ciliary pores. (ii) flat surface joint areas between osteoderms; There is no groove in the central part of the osteoderm. (iii) large size,” the researchers said.
“Combined, this set of traits does not exist in any other species. Partetus Genus. ”
“The increase in the number and size of surface glandular and ciliary pores may be related to the global cooling that occurred during the mid-to-late Eocene, which affected South American faunas. .”
“Finally, this new species expands our knowledge of the lesser-known diversity of mammals that lived in southeastern South America during the Eocene.”
of findings Published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
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TDF Klimek others. 2024. Uncovering the diversity of Paleogene zonal fauna from Brazil: new species Partetus (Euphractinae) Guavilotuba Formation (Middle to Late Eocene). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 44 (1): e2403581;doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2403581
Paleontologists have described a new genus and species of long-nosed notothids from fragmentary remains found in Brazil's Adamantina Formation.
Epoidesuccus tavaresae is a new species of pyrosauridae from the Cretaceous Adamantina Formation of Brazil. Image credit: Lewis others., doi: 10.1002/ar.25559.
Epoidesuccus tavaresae They lived on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana during the late Cretaceous period, about 72 million years ago.
This ancient reptile was about 4 meters (13 feet) long, had a long, almost tubular snout, and probably lived a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
belongs to pyrosauridaeGondwanidae, a group of crocodilians belonging to the suborder Gondwanana. Notostia.
“Notoschia are an extremely diverse group of extinct crocodylidae found especially in the Cretaceous deposits of Gondwana, with more than 80 species described to date,” said lead author Juan of FEIS-UNESP. Dr. Lewis and colleagues said.
“Such taxonomic richness is also reflected in unexpected ecological diversity, including fully terrestrial and semi-aquatic morphologies, different feeding strategies, and perhaps occupation of many different ecological niches. It has been.”
“The Notothian fossil record is mostly confined to the Cretaceous Gondwana landmass, which included North Africa, Central Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian subcontinent, but the group reached its peak of diversity in South America. It was the late Cretaceous period.
Paleontologists say the pyrosauridae was first described in 1982.
“Despite the description of several species of pyrosauridae over the past 25 years and advances in our knowledge of the group's morphological and unique features, pyrosaurids have largely been excluded from broader phylogenetic studies.” said the researchers.
In the study, the researchers examined a fragment of the skull and one of the elements at the back of the skull. Epoidesuccus tavaresae.
This fossil was discovered in 2011 in an outcrop of the Adamantina Formation (Bauru Group) in the city of Catanduba in northwestern São Paulo state, Brazil.
“Our results provide further evidence for the existence of a two-lineage pyrosaurinae, the oleinilostrinae Peirosaurinae and the longilostrinae Pepestinae,” the scientists said. Ta.
“Furthermore, the results of our morphospatial analysis indicate that pyrosaurids are ecomorphologically diverse, with species exhibiting more putative terrestrial ecosystems or a more semi-aquatic habit, compared to other notothids and neoscidians. This indicates that the morphospace had a wide range of morphospace occupancy, including unexplored spaces.”
“Pepeschinae was widespread in Africa and South America during the Cretaceous period,” the researchers noted.
“This lineage is notable among the notothids in that it has a longer rostra, similar to common extant crocodilians. crocodile There's also a caiman. ”
“Pepeshushiinae have been recorded from strata where semi-aquatic Neosushiinae are absent or rare.”
“In Africa, Strochrosuchus occurred simultaneously with SarcosuchusOn the other hand, in the Bauru group of Brazil, which represents the greatest extreme of pepestinid diversity, only one putative neostinid has been described so far, a large predatory quadruped with a semi-aquatic habit. There are no other records. ”
“In this scenario, pepestinids would have occupied vacant freshwater systems in western Gondwana during the Late Cretaceous.”
team's paper Published on August 29th anatomical record.
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Juan V. Ruiz others. A new pyrosauridae (Crocodiformes, Notostia) from the Adamantina Formation (Late Cretaceous, Bauru Group). The phylogenetic analysis of Sevesia has been revised. anatomical recordspublished online on August 29, 2024. doi: 10.1002/ar.25559
Silesauridae An extinct group of Triassic reptiles related to dinosaurs.
These creatures had fairly long necks and legs and probably had a quadrupedal habit.
Most commonly, they are a group of non-dinosaur dinosaurs and are considered to be the sister group of dinosaurs.
Early silesaurids were carnivorous, and later species occupied a variety of ecological niches, with specialized herbivorous adaptations.
“Most authors agree that silesaurids are a sister group to dinosaurs, forming the clade silesauridae.” Dr. Rodrigo Temp Mullera paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria.
“On the other hand, some authors suggest that silesaurids form a clade within ornithischians, nesting as a sister group to typical ornithischians.”
“A more recent hypothesis is that members of the Silesauridae were recovered as ornithischians in a paraphyletic sequence leading to typical ornithischians.”
“Irrespective of their phylogenetic status, sirsaurids inhabited Triassic landscapes for more than 30 million years,” the researchers added.
“Therefore, to investigate the succession of Triassic faunas, it is important to understand their anatomy, biology, and evolution.”
“There are several aspects of sirosaurid anatomy that are unclear or poorly studied.”
“Part of this problem is a result of the lack of more complete fossils, which are usually limited to hindlimb elements.”
The newly discovered species of Cirsaurid lived in what is now Brazil during the middle to upper Triassic period, about 237 million years ago.
named Gondwanax paracensisit represents one of the oldest dinosaurs of South America and one of the oldest silesaurids in the world.
Animal skeletons were recovered from the ruins. santa maria formation Located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
“Gondwanax paracensis “It is the oldest silesaurid with three sacral vertebrae, a feature commonly observed in more derived forms,” the paleontologist said.
“Furthermore, unlike other Triassic panbirds, this new species has an early fourth trochanter of the femur.”
“This unique combination of features indicates a high diversity of locomotor strategies in early panbirds.”
“Also, what co-occurs is Gondwanax paracensis and Gamatavus antiquus These animals, located in the same aggregation zone, represent the earliest evidence of South American silesaurid sibling. ”
“Indeed, the unique combination of sacral and hindlimb characteristics suggests different behaviors for these species, which may lead to niche differentiation within the same ecosystem.”
of study Published in the Journal on September 30, 2024 Gondwana research.
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Rodrigo Temp Muller. A new silesaurid found in South America's oldest dinomorph habitat provides insight into the early evolution of avian archosaurs. Gondwana researchpublished online on September 30, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.09.007
An illustration Sacesphoroides niedegidonaeImage courtesy of Eduardo Brettas.
A newly discovered species, the northern stingray (Sacesphoroides niedegidonae)teeth, CaatingaA natural area located in the interior of northeastern Brazil.
“Caatinga is the largest seasonally dry tropical forest in the Neotropics, located in northeastern Brazil, and is characterized by a predominantly deciduous forest and extreme seasonality of rainfall,” Dr. Pablo Cerqueira Emilio Goeldi from the Paraense Museum of the Federal University of Pará and his colleagues.
“Historically, this area has been treated as a biologically impoverished region, but recent studies have uncovered new diversification patterns and several new species of frogs, mammals, insects and fish.”
“The region's topography has played an important role in its biogeographical history, with altitudes ranging from sea level in the north to an average of 400-700 metres in the central states of Bahia and Minas Gerais, to over 1,000 metres on the slopes of the Sierra de Espinhaço mountain range.”
Sacesphoroides niedegidonae It is the second known species in the genus. SacesphoroidesThis also includes Sacesphoroides cristatus.
“Until recently, Sacesphoroides cristatus Classified into the genus SacesphorusHowever, new genetic and morphological data have revealed that the genus is non-monophyletic, prompting its transfer to a separate genus. Sacesphoroides” the researchers said.
In this study, a total of 1,079 Sacesphoroides cristatus Sample size (818 males, 261 females).
To investigate song variation, the researchers analyzed a total of 115 different audio recordings.
They also sequenced 58 tissue samples from across the country. Sacesphoroides cristatus The range is wide, with 39 of them belonging to the left bank of the San Francisco River and 19 on the right bank.
Of the 1,079 individuals analysed (skins and photographs), no diagnostic plumage differences could be identified among males, but two main plumage patterns were diagnosed in females, mainly across the river.
“Men Sacesphoroides niedegidonae The feathers are similar Sacesphoroides cristatus“The males are males, but the females have different colouring on the top of their heads, backs and tails than the males,” the scientists said.
“Sacesphoroides niedegidonae It is generally lighter in color (amber) rather than chestnut brown. Sacesphoroides cristatus. “
The back is olive brown Sacesphoroides niedegidonae,on the other hand, Sacesphoroides cristatus It's cinnamon brown.”
“The overall color of the tail is Sacesphoroides niedegidonae Darker than Sacesphoroides cristatusThe most noticeable difference is the black and white stripes. Sacesphoroides cristatus It has a modest dull brown and reddish stripes, and no white stripes at all.”
“Sing out loud Sacesphoroides niedegidonae The general pattern is: Sacesphoroides cristatus“However, the shape of the first note is noticeably different,” they added.
“The new species is almost exclusively restricted to the left/north bank of the São Francisco River, with one population occurring on the right bank in the “Raço da Catarina” region of Bahia.”
“This population, discovered on the right/south bank of the San Francisco River, may have 'migrated' across the river due to changes in paleotopography, as detailed in the Discussion section below.”
Sacesphoroides niedegidonae It is a common species throughout most of its range and occurs in a variety of habitats in the Caatinga, including secondary growth vegetation.
“The range of the outbreak is estimated to be 630,000 km.2not approaching the threshold Vulnerable Status according to IUCN range criteria (<20,000 km2)2),” the authors state.
“Although population data is not available, the mature population is estimated at more than 10,000 individuals, and the species Least Concern. “
“But a new approach using niche modelling for future climate scenarios shows Sacesphoroides cristatus (include Sacesphoroides niedegidonae(same as treated prior to this study).
“When we apply the IUCN criteria to these estimated future range sizes, the threatened category is Near Threatened And more Vulnerable It depends on future global change scenarios.”
Discovery Sacesphoroides niedegidonae It has been reported paper In the journal Zoological scriptor.
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Pablo Cerqueira othersA new ant shrike (Aves: Shrikeidae) endemic to Caatinga and the role of climate variability and drainage change in shaping the potential diversity of a Neotropical seasonally dry forest. Zoological scriptorpublished online June 17, 2024. Source: 10.1111/zsc.12672
Pertocephalus maturin Its shell length probably reaches about 1.8 meters (5.9 ft), making it one of the largest freshwater turtles ever discovered. The discovery marks the latest known occurrence of giant freshwater turtles and suggests coexistence with early humans in the Amazon.
rebuilding the life of Pertocephalus maturin. Image credit: Júlia d’Oliveira.
The newly discovered turtle species lived in what is now Brazil during the late Pleistocene, between 40,000 and 9,000 years ago.
named Pertocephalus maturinthe ancient animal may have reached a carapace length of about 1.8 meters.
Dr. Gabriel Ferreira, a paleontologist at the Senckenberg Center, said: “Freshwater turtles, in contrast to their terrestrial and marine relatives, rarely have such gigantic morphologies and are the only known species to date. “This is very surprising since the youngest giant fossils come from Miocene deposits.” Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment at the University of Tübingen.
“In the past, only a few freshwater turtles with carapace lengths exceeding 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) were known,” he added.
“Such megafauna are most recently known, mainly from the Miocene period, about 23 million to 5 million years ago.”
huge partial lower jaw Pertocephalus maturin It comes from the Rio Madeira layer.
This specimen was collected by gold miners at a site known as the Taclas Quarry in Porto Velho in the Brazilian Amazon.
Morphological and phylogenetic analyzes of this fossil revealed close kinship with modern Amazonian species and suggested an omnivorous diet.
“Pertocephalus maturin “This is the youngest known giant freshwater turtle and suggests coexistence between this ancient species and early human residents of the Amazon region,” the paleontologists said.
“People settled in the Amazon region about 12,600 years ago. We also know that large turtles have been a food source for humans since the Paleolithic period.”
“Freshwater turtles are much more difficult to catch because of their agility, but we wonder if early humans also ate them.” Pertocephalus maturin It is not yet clear whether they fell victim to human expansion along with South American megafauna. ”
“Here we need further data from late Pleistocene and early Holocene deposits in the Amazon basin,” Dr. Ferreira said.
discovery of Pertocephalus maturin is reported in paper in a diary biology letters.
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GS Ferreira other. 2024.Latest freshwater giants: new Peltocephalus (Pleurodira: Podocnemididae) A late Pleistocene turtle of the Brazilian Amazon. Biol.Let 20(3):20240010; doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0010
WorldCoin has discontinued its orb verification service in India, Brazil and France, just months after the crypto startup expanded its helmet-shaped eye-scanning verification device. those markets.
Tools for Humanity, the foundation overseeing Worldcoin’s development, told TechCrunch that it will expand Orb to many markets this year for “limited-time access” and will continue to work with partners around the world to ensure it meets regulatory requirements. He said he would go. We provide safe, reliable, and transparent services to authenticated people.
The orb is a 5-pound colored sphere that scans an individual’s eyeballs to confirm their identity. This authentication system is similar to India’s Aadhaar, which uses biometric data to verify the identity of citizens.world coin shown Similarities of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, dating back to July 2022.
“This multi-city tour began in Tokyo in April 2023, allowing people to experience the Orb for the first time in many locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The tour will conclude in late summer and follow protocols Orb previews were also held in many cities around the world to coincide with the launch of “Orb,” Tools for Humanity spokesperson Lily Gordon told TechCrunch exclusively via email earlier this month.
WorldCoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, is building a trusted solution to “distinguish humans and AI online,” enabling “global democratic processes,” and “drastically unlocking economic opportunity.” In July of this year, we began rolling out the service globally with the aim of increasing the number of customers.
The startup, which has raised a total of about $250 million and whose backers also include Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures and Reid Hoffman, says it is rolling out its identity technology and token internationally. Ta. Individuals can download the World App, the startup’s protocol-compatible wallet software, and access the Orb, the startup’s helmet-shaped eye-scan verification device, to receive a World ID.
Image credits: tech crunch
While Brazil and France were among the global previews of Orb authentication services, Tools for Humanity has launched biometric authentication in India ahead of its global tour. TechCrunch understands that the organization was hiring more contractors to expand Orb-based verification in Indian cities, including New Delhi, through October.
Although Orbs is no longer available in some markets, the World App continues to engage people in India. The organization recently updated its protocol to World ID 2.0 to distinguish between bots and “authenticated humans” and to allow developers to build new integrations. We also announced World ID integration with Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram, Shopify, and Mercado Libre, in addition to existing support for Discord, Talent Protocol, and Okta’s Auth0.
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