Evolutionary Biology

Spore secrets: African ‘magic mushroom’ finally reveals its origins

Africa may be the birthplace of the world’s most popular magic mushroom. Scientists have identified Psilocybe ochraceocentrata, a potent psychedelic cousin of Psilocybe cubensis,…

Sheree Bega

3 min read

Peripatopsis barnardi represents the first ever species from the Little Karoo, which indicates that the area was historically more forested than at present. It is one of seven new species from the Cape Fold Mountains described in a paper published in Ecology and Evolution. Image: Savel Daniels

ANCIENT FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

28 MAY 2025

Living ‘fossil’ found: Rare velvet worm species named after teenage explorer

A high school pupil’s nature walk led to a major scientific discovery

Sheree Bega

7 min read