Top Discoveries at the National Museum of Natural History in 2024

In 2024, scientists at the National Museum of Natural History made significant contributions to hundreds of scholarly publications. These studies introduced new species, detailed geological phenomena, and offered insights into the interactions among early human ancestors.

Here’s a roundup of the standout discoveries made by NMNH researchers that captured public attention in 2024.

Global Temperatures Have Shifted Dramatically Over 485 Million Years

Throughout the Phanerozoic Eon, a significant period in Earth’s history beginning around 540 million years ago, life expanded, colonized terrestrial environments, and survived numerous mass extinction events. All these evolutionary developments unfolded against a backdrop of a constantly evolving climate. However, the incomplete fossil record has hindered scientists from accurately assessing the extent of temperature changes during this era.

Paleobiologists Scott Wing and Brian Huber collaborated with an international team to create a comprehensive temperature curve for Earth over the past 485 million years. Their research, published in the journal Science, indicates that global average surface temperatures have fluctuated more than previously believed and are closely linked to atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Emily Judd, a former postdoctoral researcher at the museum, played a key role in this project, which utilized a technique known as data assimilation to merge geological data with climate models. “This technique, initially designed for weather forecasting, is being adapted here to reconstruct ancient climates instead of predicting future weather patterns,” Judd explained.

The resulting climate curve shows that Earth’s current temperature is cooler than it has been for much of the Phanerozoic. However, the current pace of warming due to greenhouse gas emissions is unprecedented compared to historical rates, putting diverse species and ecosystems at risk.

Bioluminescence in Ancient Corals Dates Back 540 Million Years

Many organisms, from glow worms to anglerfish, produce light through chemical reactions in their bodies, a phenomenon known as bioluminescence. This trait has evolved independently in nearly 100 species, making it challenging to pinpoint when the first glowing creatures emerged.

A research team, including Andrea Quattrini, the museum’s coral curator, and Danielle DeLeo, a museum research associate, recently investigated the evolution of octocorals—an ancient group that includes soft corals and sea fans, which often display bioluminescent properties when disturbed.

By analyzing fossil records and genetic data, the team constructed an evolutionary tree for octocorals. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B in April, revealed that these corals began exhibiting bioluminescence at least 540 million years ago, significantly predating previous estimates by nearly 300 million years.

Fossil Footprints Show Early Human Relatives Interacted

Approximately 1.5 million years ago, on the banks of an ancient lake that now lies in northern Kenya, early hominids left behind their footprints. These tracks were unique, with one set showing a flat foot and wide big toe, while others displayed higher arches.

An international research team, including Kay Behrensmeyer, the museum’s vertebrate paleontology curator, recently analyzed these fossilized footprints. Their findings revealed that the prints were made by two different species of ancient human relatives. The flat-footed tracks were created by the extinct hominid known as Paranthropus boisei, while the high-arched prints belonged to Homo erectus, a close relative of modern humans. This groundbreaking research was published in Science in November, marking the first evidence of coexistence between these two human relatives in the same geographical area.

To protect biodiversity, researchers are considering the moon as a potential biorepository. Scientists are exploring cryopreservation techniques for various species, such as starry gobies, as they prepare for possible lunar storage. This initiative draws inspiration from the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, which is facing challenges due to climate change.

The practice of ant agriculture is believed to have been initiated following an asteroid impact, leading to the co-evolution of ants and fungi over millions of years. Leafcutter ants, in particular, have developed sophisticated agricultural techniques through this long-standing partnership, as detailed in research published in Science in October.

An international team of researchers explored the DNA of over 9,500 flowering plant species to create a detailed evolutionary tree for angiosperms. This study, published in Nature in April, sheds light on the evolution and relationships among various plant groups, including extinct species preserved in museum herbariums.

In a whimsical twist, a newly identified species of proto-amphibian, named Kermitops gratus, pays homage to the beloved Muppet character Kermit the Frog. The fossil skull, discovered in Texas, exhibits traits characteristic of both ancient tetrapods and more modern amphibians. This discovery was detailed in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in March.

Fossilized grape seeds from the Western Hemisphere represent the earliest known relative of grapes, named Lithouva susmanii. These seeds indicate that fruit thrived in the aftermath of a mass extinction event, highlighting the resilience of plant life through time. The original fossil, along with CT scans and artist reconstructions of both sides of the seed, are featured in the accompanying images. The fossil was discovered by Fabiany Herrera, with reconstructions by Pollyanna von Knorring.

The mass extinction triggered by an asteroid impact 66 million years ago wiped out nearly half of all plant species. Yet, this event also created opportunities for new flowering plant species, including those that produce grapes, to flourish.

Led by USDA botanist Gregory Stull, a team of scientists recently uncovered fossilized grape seeds in Colombia, Panama, and Peru. Their findings revealed nine ancient grape species, four of which are newly identified. One of the new species, Ampelocissus wenae, honors botanist Jun Wen.

In September 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission returned a capsule containing rock and dust samples from the asteroid Bennu. These samples, weighing just over four ounces, could provide significant insights into the origins of water and life on our planet.

In June, an international research team, including Tim McCoy, published an initial analysis of the Bennu samples, laying the groundwork for future investigations into the asteroid’s mineralogical and chemical attributes.

Research zoologist Gary Graves collaborated with a team to compare the genomes of 363 bird species. Their findings, published in Nature in April, offer valuable contributions to our understanding of avian evolution.