Species Watch

Earthworms may seem harmless, but they have the power to transform some of America’s forests—and not in a good way.

In an auction, EnviroBuild paid $31,250 for the species’ naming rights. (Not everyone is happy about that.)

Hawaiians will never again hear the song of George the Snail. The fate of Achatinella apexfulva is a cautionary tale of decorative gardens, imported cannibals, and snail sex (or lack thereof).

Where are South America’s bush dogs? A scientist looks to a Chesapeake Bay retriever for answers.

Scientists turn to eDNA to unlock the secrets of one of Australia’s most ancient animals—whose future may be going under.

In their native habitat in the Pacific Northwest, these imperiled fish are important ecosystem engineers and food web heroes—despite their bloodsucking lifestyle.

As dams have popped up in the Yangtze River, one of the world’s biggest freshwater fish is running out of room—and time.

After a rare shark bite takes a life, some in this beach region want to go after the seals.

Arachnids—even large and aggressive ones like Sri Lanka’s tiger spiders—are important predators keeping ecosystems in check.

Gold mining, fires, and farming have these gorgeous little birds teetering on the edge of extinction.