{
  "id": 15597422,
  "title": "Researchers are ignoring most living things: Analysis finds vertebrates dominate biodiversity research",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/researchers-are-ignoring-most-living-things-analysis-finds",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-19T11:20:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-analysis-vertebrates-dominate-biodiversity.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent analysis of more than 1 million ecology and evolution papers has revealed that vertebrates dominate research despite making up a minuscule fraction of overall biodiversity. The studies, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, suggest that researchers' personal preferences, cultural attitudes, and exposure to films, TV shows, and zoos heavily influence research topics rather than addressing the most critical knowledge gaps. As a result, vertebrates, particularly birds and mammals, are overrepresented in research, while less popular animals like insects, spiders, slugs, and worms receive far less attention. This bias has led to significant knowledge gaps in our understanding of nature. The researchers emphasize the importance of broadening research and training opportunities to include a more diverse range of life on Earth, as the next major scientific discovery could come from an organism that is currently ignored due to lacking cuteness or excitement.",
  "summary": "According to two new UNSW studies, researchers often choose research topics based on personal preferences and cultural attitudes, including exposure to films, TV shows and even zoos, rather than attempting to fill the most pressing gaps in knowledge. The studies are published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.",
  "key_points": [
    "Vertebrates dominate biodiversity research despite being a small fraction of overall biodiversity.",
    "Personal preferences, cultural attitudes, and media exposure heavily influence research topics."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}