Cacti are usually seen as slow, desert-stoic plants, yet new research finds they diversify far faster than expected. Scientists analyzing flower data from more than 750 cactus species report that flower size, even across an enormous 185-fold range, hardly predicts when new species appear. Instead, the key is how quickly cactus flowers change shape over time. The study challenges older ideas about pollinators and specialized flowers and suggests deserts may evolve rapidly too.
As bee populations fall from habitat loss and climate change, Indian growers are increasingly using rent-a-bee services to secure crop pollination. Scientist-turned-apiarist Nitin Kumar Singh leases his bee colonies to farms nationwide, helping litchi and apple farmers improve yields when natural pollinators struggle to keep up.
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