Over the past decade, the fast-growing seaweed Caulerpa prolifera has taken over seagrass in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. While this seaweed provides some habitat, it supports fewer marine species than the original seagrass, signaling a decline in biodiversity. Now, scientists are closely monitoring an unexpected player: small, green sap-sucking sea slugs that feed on C. prolifera and have surged in number. Their presence is prompting new questions about habitat loss, potential pathways for ecosystem recovery, and the uncertain future of marine life in a seagrass-depleted environment.

A team of researchers from Japan, China, and Brazil has announced the discovery of a new species of pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Japan, marking the first time a pterosaur has been named based on body fossils found in the country.