Stefan F. Wirth

I am a #biologist, #acarologist (my research area), entomologist and #evolutionary biologist. Also nature #photographer and nature and #macro #filmmaker. I am interested in all aspects of biology, and I also have a great weakness for astronomy and perform pictorial arts. Here you can see a mite of the genus #Balaustium (Erythraeidae), but my research is on mites of the #Histiostomatidae (Astigmata). Both Acariformes. I only have this one Twitter profile. © Stefan F. Wirth 2023

Researchers have discovered #geoglyphs in the #Amazonregion using #LiDAR #technology. These geoglyphs cover approximately 50 hectares and appear to belong to a previously #unknownculture. LiDAR (#LightDetectionandRanging) technology allows researchers to #visualize #structures on the #groundsurface from the distance of an #aircraft, even when they are obscured by dense vegetation that would otherwise remain hidden. This is achieved by emitting invisible #laserbeams in the infrared range, the reflection of which is then analyzed. This process produces millimeter-precise images of the landscape under investigation. By applying this technology in the Amazon region, M. Pärssinen et al. (2026) discovered geoglyphs in the southwestern Amazon area. These geoglyphs exhibit symmetrical forms and cover an area of ​​approximately half a million square meters. The researchers thus discovered about 400 previously unknown structures in present-day #Brazil, which they attribute to a formerly unknown civilization. In their research article published in the #journalNature, they refer to this culture as the #Aquiry #culture. The structures apparently served ritual and political purposes. The population lived by clearing land through #slashandburn #agriculture and by cultivating crops such as #maize and #squash, as well as #fruittrees like peach palms. The area was settled over a period of approximately 1,500 years, between 600 BC and 800 AD. The #archaeologists estimate that around 3 million people may have lived in the Aquiry area. Considering the entire Amazonas region and the other ancient cultures inhabiting it besides the Aquiry, the total population could have been in the tens of millions. Like the Aquiry, these cultures must have possessed highly developed skills in land cultivation, as building monumental structures in the rainforest requires logistical, geometric, and organizational expertise. The new findings demonstrate that the Amazon region has apparently been shaped by #historicalhumanactivity to a significantly greater extent than previously assumed. © #StefanF.Wirth, July 2026, Berlin Please support my science communication efforts with a small donation; it is an important part of my meager income: ko-fi.com/sfwirth Reference: M. Pärssinen et al. (2026): doi.org/10.1038/s41586… #Figure: Diverse #earthworktypes with their #topographicalcontexts. a, Piloto. b, D. Schaan. c, Fazenda Atlântica. d, amag34/Lid24_05_43a. e, Lid24_05_44a. f, Lid24_09_1b. Hillshading and colors are applied to #digitalterrainmodels; Numbers in italics indicate relative elevation (metres above sea level) derived from those models. Figure from M. Pärssinen et al. (2026), licensed under creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.…

The science writing #article by Ewen Callaway (2026) addresses a significant topic: the extent to which #culturaltraditions and #everydayperspectives, expressed through the early art of #Homosapiens, played a crucial role in the species' subsequent #expansion and #evolutionarysuccess. The focus here is on #figurative #artifacts discovered in the German cave "#HohleFels" (German for "hollow rock"), located in a river valley of the Swabian Jura, a region characterized by numerous cave systems. These artifacts date back to the #Aurignacian period, representing the earliest humans who, according to archaeological evidence, recorded aspects of their #livedreality for future generations through artistic, specifically figurative, depictions. According to archaeologist Nicholas Conard (University of Tübingen), this form of artistic expression ushered in a "shift in #cognitive and #cultural #development." This cultural transformation, along with this mode of engaging with daily life, and the capacity for such activities, may have constituted an evolutionary advantage that helped these populations and their successors survive the #IceAge in #Europe. this text © Stefan F. Wirth, July 2026, Berlin reference: Ewen Callaway (2026): doi.org/10.1038/d41586…

“We can almost look through the eyes of [Europe's earliest Homo sapiens] and see how they viewed the environment around them” go.nature.com/3U2gsnZ

This text explores #human #dreams, the current state of #scientificunderstanding regarding their #origins, and the question of whether #animals can also #dream. A short overview about the #history of #dreamresearch focussed on humans is additionally presented here. In the #ancientcivilizations of Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece, dreams played a #spiritualrole. #Egyptians and Babylonians interpreted dreams as messages from a realm beyond the physical; consequently, so-called #dreamdictionaries were compiled as early as 4,000 years ago. Around 1900, #SigmundFreud and Carl Gustav #Jung were among the first to explore the #psychological context of dreams, interpreting them as expressions of the #unconscious, with Jung introducing the concept of the #collectiveunconscious. From 1953 onwards, the focus of dream research shifted to the #neurobiological level; #researchers Nathaniel Kleitman and Eugene Aserinsky demonstrated the existence of #REM (Rapid Eye Movement) #sleep. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley proposed the #activationsynthesis #hypothesis, which posits that dreams are merely by-products of brainstem activity, subsequently processed into coherent narratives by the forebrain. In contrast, modern research offers the #continuityhypothesis, suggesting that real-life #experiences, thoughts, and #emotionalstates exert a significant influence on dreams. Research into #luciddreaming employs imaging techniques, such as #MRI, to study how test subjects actively and consciously control their dreams. Lucid dreaming occurs exclusively during the REM phase. Once a state of lucid dreaming is achieved, the #prefrontalcortex becomes active, enabling the dreamer to realize they are dreaming and thereby allowing them to deliberately influence the events within the dream. V. Elce et al. (2026) have investigated how stable #personalitytraits influence dreaming and how emotional states and memories, factors that shape dreams, evolve over time. To this end, a #multimodaldataset comprising 3,366 reports of dreams and waking experiences from 207 adults, collected between 2020 and 2024, was quantified with regard to #semanticstructure. The results indicate that one's attitude toward dreaming, the tendency to engage in #daydreaming and the subjective quality of sleep, acting as stable #personalitytraits, facilitate or influence perceptual experiences such as spatial details, bizarre events, or the inclusion of additional characters in the dream. But how can we understand how animals dream if we lack the opportunity to directly ask them about their dreams? So-called #dreamenactment #behaviors play an important role here. This refers to the #motoracting out of #dreamactions, that is, mechanical muscle activity that physically reflects dream experiences. In humans, dream-enactment behavior occurs when the normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep is disrupted. In animals, but also in humans who cannot express themselves verbally, dream-enactment behaviors, neural correlates, and the "#reexperiencing" of dreams can provide clues about the content of the corresponding dreams, as researchers J.E. Malinowski (2021) report. According to the authors, mammals with brain structures comparable to humans and even birds are particularly #suitablemodels for studying dream re-experiencing and the neural correlates of dreaming. Regarding dream-enactment during sleep, non-vertebrates can also be studied, such as #octopuses. © #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin Please support my science writing activities with a small donation: ko-fi.com/sfwirth References: V. Elce et al. (2026): doi.org/10.1038/s44271… J.E. Malinowski et al. (2021): doi.org/10.1016/j.conc… #Illustrations: © Stefan F. Wirth, AI assisted illustrations based on my hand-drawn storyboards, manually edited: 1) - 3) protagonist character studies from my fantastic current in progress picture story, in which I also integrated some of my #dreamedsituations.

The #Apollo #butterfly, also known as the mountain Apollo (#Parnassius #apollo), is a rare species in #Europe and is listed as endangered (#vulnerable) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (#IUCN). In Germany's Red List, it is listed as critically #endangered (category 1). It prefers calcareous scree #slopes and #boulderfields in low and high mountain ranges as its habitat. The #caterpillar's food plants are members of the #Crassulaceae family, such as stonecrop (Sedum album). Populations in western mountain regions of the Alps, the Beskids, and Turkey have specialized on the #whitestonecrop (#Sedum #album) and related species, while populations in eastern distribution areas avoid these food plants (E. Möhn, 2005). Authors T. Kuras et al. (2026) report a #downwardtrend in the longest existing monitoring after a #reintroduction of the species to #Štramberk (#CzechRepublic). They explain this trend with habitat degradation as the primary threat. © #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin References Edwin Möhn: Papilionidae XII: Parnassius apollo. Text. In: Erich Bauer and Thomas Frankenbach (eds.): Butterflies of the Earth, Day Butterflies. Volume 23. Goecke & Evers, Keltern 2005, ISBN 3-937783-16-4. T. Kuras et al. (2026): doi.org/10.1007/s10841…

@ejartepoesia Don't understand this comment, but thanks very much for your interest in my article

@wirthstef "...SIN BASURA EN PRIMER LUGAR" YO YA PERCIBO EL 2DO LUGAR...ETC ES SOLO MI VISION!. GRADEZCO TU PUBLICACION!.🌻

This article discusses the significance of #colonizing the #Moon and #Mars, as well as #NASA’s current "#MoonandMarsExplorationAnalog" (#MMEA) project, which aims to prepare for #crewed #spacemissions and the establishment of permanent #infrastructure on both celestial bodies. The original #concept of permanently colonizing Mars through crewed infrastructure is a relatively old one. The importance of #lunarcolonization as an #intermediatebase has also frequently been discussed in this context. As early as 1948, #WernhervonBraun provided a #scientifically and #mathematically sound foundation for Mars colonization in his work #ProjectMars: A Technical Tale*. Initially, he did not consider the Moon as an intermediate stop; instead, he recommended a #spacestation in Earth's orbit where Mars-bound spacecraft could be assembled, refueled, and launched. It was only after the Moon landing 1969 that he considered the possibility of testing systems on Earth's satellite, which is easier to reach, to determine their suitability for use on Mars. The idea of ​​using the Moon as a #refuelingstation and #launchbase for #missionstoMars emerged only in more recent times. In 1990, US aerospace engineer Robert Zubrin cited the in-situ utilization of Martian resources as a key argument to highlight the feasibility and economic viability of colonizing Mars. In 2016, the space company #SpaceX announced its initial concept for the masscolonization of Mars. Statements by SpaceX founder #ElonMusk indicated plans to establish a major #cityonMars by the middle of the 21st century using reusable Starship rockets. However, a quick getaway to Mars will not be possible anytime soon, as the #outboundjourney alone, utilizing so-called #Hohmanntransfer #orbits, would take approximately six to nine months given #currenttechnology. In this scenario, spacecraft orbit the Sun, heading toward Mars only when Earth and Mars are in an energetically favorable alignment. Since the crew would be exposed to cosmic radiation for months during the journey to Mars, modern research is focused on developing better technologies to significantly shorten travel time. Advanced concepts try reduce the transit time to as little as 45 days. NASA is currently preparing an Earth-based test project, for which participants are being sought and which is scheduled to begin in August 2027. Is is officially designated by NASA as the "Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA)" project and represents an evolution of two previously separate missions: NASA's #HERA (Human Exploration Research Analog) and #CHAPEA (Crew Health And Performance Exploration Analog). The #transitvehicle designed to simulate the journey to the Moon or Mars is an evolution of HERA; it is a two-story habitat featuring four docking ports. It includes a workspace, sleeping quarters, and a hygiene area. The #surfacestation, which simulates a stay on the Moon or Mars, is based on the second CHAPEA mission and features a significantly more complex design; the goal is for it to be permanently usable under conditions of isolation, making #selfsufficiency, wherever possible, a key factor. In addition to the aforementioned areas, the station includes a crop-growing module, a medical bay, an airlock, and a sand-filled area that simulates surface excursions on Mars or the Moon. #Applications are currently being accepted for future test mission participants. #Requirements can be found via the link in the "Reference" section. © #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin Please support my science writing efforts, I depend on this income, the smallest donations help: ko-fi.com/sfwirth Reference: NASA (2026): nasa.gov/hrp/nasa-seeks… #Illustrations: © Stefan F. Wirth, July 2026, #AIassisted artistic illustrations, based in my hand-drawn storyboard sketches, manually edited and modified: 1)-3) artistically inspired #futuristic simple "city" on Mars, consisting of different modules of different functions

@K_KalantarZadeh Resembles Latrodectus hasselti, and even a female? But in case so, what did it have to do over your couch?

While I wanted to sit on the couch, this spider appeared above my head - any comment?

This interesting scientific #article examines the impact of the #PermianTriassic #massextinction on #marine #vertebrates within the #paleotropical #shallowwater communities of the western Paleo-#Tethys, using #Alpine fossils from museum collections as a case study. The article reconstructs a scenario in which #fish #species #diversity was higher prior to the event than afterward; however, it also notes the rapid recovery of #apexpredators, such as large predatory cephalopods, and the putatively first appearance of the #reptile group #Saurosphargidae. Based on their findings, the researchers challenge the prevailing hypothesis regarding the delayed #recovery of higher trophic groups after the extinction event. this text © StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin reference: B. Karapunar et al. (2026): doi.org/10.1080/027246…

New OA paper out in @JVP_vertpaleo! With a team led by @BaranKarapunar, we report an Early Triassic marine vertebrate assemblage from the Italian Dolomites that includes a possible saurosphargid, one of the earliest records of the group in the world! 🐢 tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…

@ejartepoesia It is an attempt for humanity to survive, trash indeed will be everywhere, where humanity is. What you see on my illustrations are futuristic habitats on Mars, no trash in the first place.

@wirthstef ME PARECE UN HORROR!. NO NOS ES SUFICIENTE CON EL BASURERO TERRESTRE-ATMOSFERICO ETC...🙈🧐

Very interesting work about #methodic #approaches regarding #taxonomy and the use of #morphometric #data. Indeed I think that the #threedimensionality of shapes that might in #2D look similar can significantly differ in the three #dimensions. Thus read the paper about " 2D versus 3D #geometric morphometrics in #biodiversity assessment". This text Stefan F. Wirth, July 2026, Berlin

A new species of #Cilicaeopsis Hansen, 1905 (#Isopoda: #Sphaeromatidae) from the #Philippines, and a new record of Cilicaeopsis whiteleggei (#Stebbing, 1905) from #Singapore #taxonomy #newspecies doi.org/10.11646/zoota…

About #newspecies of #Limacodidae from Asia and about aspects of the general biology of #slugmoths (Limacodidae, Lepidoptera). Slug moths show conspicuous #morphologal characters in their #caterpillars, while adults are more or less inconspicuous and short-living, as they lack functional mouthparts and only live to reproduce. The caterpillars have #suckers instead of their #prolegs, which they use to #move and to #attach to their food plants. They move via wave-like motions similar to #slugs and even produce a #lubricant. It is thus an example for #convergent or independent #evolution compared with for example Gastropoda (Mollusca). The evolutionary #selection might have favored such a character complex in slug moths, because of its multifunctional features to be attachment and locomotion organ. About 1800 species are known, which are mostly distributed in the tropical areas. Author E. S. Koshkin (2026) described two new species of the genus #Prapata from Central #Vietnam and Northwestern #Thailand, respectively: P. #subhyalina and P. #bannapapaeki. This is a typical case of differing single species from a "cryptic" #speciescomplex. This is always a question of suitable methods. In this case the author used morphological features and #COI #barcoding to characterize the species according to modern expectations and concepts. Additionally the researcher described another new species of the genus #Pseudonagoda from Central Vietnam. Also here #morphology and barcoding enabled a distinct characterization of the new species. Regarding the morphology, experienced specialists know, which morphological character complexes are taxonomically relevant for specific taxa. In all three new species, the #malegenitals played a crucial role. The morphology of genitals generally often offer important features in #insects. Describing new species is one of the most important aspects of #biodiversityresearch. In times of human made #globalwarming it is of crucial relevance to recognize the impact of increasing warmth on nature, for example based on #biodiversity studies. © #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin Reference E. S. Koshkin (2026): doi.org/10.11646/zoota…

The #Jerseytiger or #Spanishflag #Callimorpha (synonym Euplagia) #quadripunctaria (Arctiinae) has its natural #distribution range in southern and central #Europe. Its caterpillars feed on a diversity of plants. The #subspecies Callimorpha quadripunctaria #rhodosensis is endemic to the #GreekIsland #Rhodes and its surrounding. The famous "#valley of the butterflies" is an mostly shadowy and due to freshwater sources humid area, to which the butterflies migrate to reproduce. They are attracted by resin scent of the #orientalsweetgum #Liquidambar #orientalis (#Altingiaceae), which grows there in greater numbers. © #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin Further reading: Theodora Petanidou, Despina Vokou, Nikos S. Margaris: Panaxia quadripunctaria in the highly touristic valley of butterflies (Rhodes, Greece): Conservation and remedies. In: Ambio. Band 20, Nr. 3–4, 1991, S. 124–128. www2.aegean.gr/lab_biogeograp…

A meteorite discovered 4 years ago may be the oldest ever identified from Mars, preserving a fragment of the planet’s crust from more than 4.1 billion years ago. Although analyses are still unfolding, the nearly 800-gram rock, which split into eight pieces, is already offering an unprecedented glimpse of the planet’s watery youth—and challenging traditional views about how its crust formed. Learn more: scim.ag/4vvqhYD

How does gravity affect mitochondrial biology - and what are the implications for space travel? go.nature.com/3T1mgOl

A new Science #Immunology Review examines the evolution of innate #immune #memory and considers how environmental factors can shape innate memory over a lifespan. @MazDivangahi @E_v_a_Kaufmann Learn more: scim.ag/4w1xSzz

Researchers who study shark attacks on humans have experimented with a variety of methods for preventing harmful encounters. There is no single solution, but layered defenses can help keep swimmers and surfers safe. Learn more: scim.ag/46uuuDn #ScienceMagArchives

Naked mole-rat queens produce a chemical that prevents other females in their colony from reproducing go.nature.com/3T63qpb

Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) #botany #plantanatomy #taxonomy #plants

Please watch and like my newest SEM based mite editing in full resolution on YouTube: youtube.com/post/Ugkx-s9xK… The shown #mite #Histiostoma cf. #pulchrum (synonym #Seliea pulchrum) was reared from a #sapflux (as far as I remember from an oak in Berlin) and successfully #cultured for only a shorter while. The species practices a #strategy that is called "#mateguarding", means an adult #male secures a still #tritonymphal #female in order to await its hatching and then being the first to #copulate with her. It's all about #spermcompetition. © #StefanFWirth, #SEM 2005, new edit July 2026, Berlin