In 2024, scientists at the National Museum of Natural History made significant contributions to the world of science, resulting in hundreds of new publications. These works not only identified new species but also shed light on geological processes and the interactions of early human species.

Let’s explore some of the most notable discoveries by NMNH scientists that captured the public’s attention in 2024.

Significant Fluctuations in Earth’s Global Temperature Over 485 Million Years

Throughout the Phanerozoic Eon—a significant period that began approximately 540 million years ago—life not only thrived but also adapted to numerous mass extinction events amidst a backdrop of a constantly shifting climate. However, the fragmented nature of the fossil record has complicated our understanding of temperature variations over this extensive time frame.

Paleobiologists Scott Wing and Brian Huber at the museum collaborated with an international team to create a comprehensive curve that tracks Earth’s global surface temperature over the last 485 million years. Their research, published in the journal Science, indicates that global average temperatures have fluctuated more than previously recognized, closely correlating with atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Emily Judd, who played a vital role in this research, explained that they employed a technique known as data assimilation, traditionally used in weather forecasting. “Instead of predicting future weather patterns, we used it to reconstruct ancient climates,” she noted.

This climate curve indicates that the present global temperature is relatively cooler compared to much of the Phanerozoic Eon. Nevertheless, greenhouse gas emissions are causing temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate, posing risks to various species and ecosystems worldwide.

Bioluminescence in Ancient Corals Dates Back 540 Million Years

Bioluminescence, the ability of certain organisms to produce light through chemical reactions, is seen in a variety of species, from glow worms to anglerfish. This fascinating trait has evolved independently in nearly 100 distinct instances, making it challenging to pinpoint when it first appeared.

A research team, which included Andrea Quattrini, the museum’s coral curator, and Danielle DeLeo, a former postdoctoral researcher, investigated the evolutionary history of octocorals—an ancient group encompassing soft corals and sea fans, many of which display bioluminescence when disturbed.

By comparing octocoral fossils with genetic data, they constructed an evolutionary tree for this group. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, revealed that octocorals began exhibiting bioluminescence at least 540 million years ago, predating previous estimates by nearly 300 million years.

Fossilized Footprints Reveal Interactions Among Early Human Relatives

About 1.5 million years ago, along the shores of an ancient lake in what is now northern Kenya, early hominids left behind their footprints. These impressions varied significantly—one set was left by a flat-footed individual while others were made by individuals with higher arches.

An international research team, including Kay Behrensmeyer, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the museum, analyzed these ancient tracks. The anatomical differences led them to conclude that the prints were made by two distinct species. The flat-footed tracks were made by Paranthropus boisei, while the high-arched prints were attributed to Homo erectus, a close relative of modern humans. Their findings, published in Science in November, provide the first evidence of two different ancient human relatives existing simultaneously in the same region.

In an innovative effort to preserve biodiversity, researchers are exploring the moon as a potential site for a biorepository. They are investigating cryopreservation techniques for samples from various species, such as starry gobies, in anticipation of potential lunar storage. This initiative is inspired by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, which faces threats from climate change.

Research indicates that the agricultural practices of ants began following an asteroid impact, leading to a co-evolutionary relationship between ants and fungi over millions of years. Leafcutter ants, in particular, have developed sophisticated agricultural techniques as a result of this long co-evolution. This research was published in Science in October.

An extensive analysis of DNA from over 9,500 flowering plant species allowed an international team of researchers to construct a detailed evolutionary tree of angiosperms. This study, published in Nature in April, offers valuable insights into the evolution and relationships of various plant groups, including extinct species preserved in museum herbariums.

A newly identified proto-amphibian species named Kermitops gratus pays homage to the beloved Muppet character Kermit the Frog. The fossilized skull, discovered in Texas, exhibits traits of both ancient tetrapods and modern amphibians. This discovery was documented in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in March.

Fossilized grape seeds found in the Western Hemisphere represent the earliest known relative of grapes, named Lithouva susmanii. These seeds suggest that fruit-bearing plants thrived following a mass extinction event, highlighting the resilience of plant species over time. The original fossil, CT scans, and artistic reconstructions of both sides of the seed are displayed above. The fossil was uncovered by Fabiany Herrera, with reconstructions by Pollyanna von Knorring.

The mass extinction triggered by an asteroid impact 66 million years ago led to the loss of nearly half of all plant species. However, this event also created opportunities for new flowering plants to flourish, including those producing grapes.

A team of scientists, led by USDA botanist Gregory Stull, discovered fossilized grape seeds across Colombia, Panama, and Peru, identifying nine ancient grape species, four of which are newly described. One new species, Ampelocissus wenae, honors botanist Jun Wen.

In September 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission delivered a capsule containing rock and dust samples from the asteroid Bennu. Weighing slightly over four ounces, these samples are expected to provide critical insights into the origins of water and life on Earth.

In June, an international team of researchers, including Tim McCoy, published an initial description of the Bennu samples, laying the foundation for future studies on the asteroid’s mineralogical and chemical properties.

Additionally, research zoologist Gary Graves worked with a team to compare the genomes of 363 bird species, producing valuable insights into avian evolution. Their findings were published in Nature in April.