What We’re Reading- Aug 14, 2015

Conservation Prioritization on the Cheap There are many factors that may be considered when setting conservation priorities, one of which is phylogenetic distinctiveness (which we explain here). This paper (open) argues that incomplete phylogenetic trees may be used to identify phylogentically distinct species worth of conservation effort. This goes against the current thinking that perfect…

Evolution of Fashion: Cat Spots

With the recent posts about the beautiful spotted patterns that make up fashion prints inspired by leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs, it would be easy to think that all of the cats (Felidae) have coat patterns. However, as soon as you think of lions and pumas, you realize that some cats are not spotted but have…