Dr. Alex F. Hart
@alexfhart.bsky.social
Biologist and bioinformatician studying anthropogenic influences on insect genomes. Postdoc Researcher @ Stockholm University 🏳️🌈 they/he. Born at 356 ppm
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
When ecologists argue that nature underpins the economy, they are over-simplifying
Nature underpins the survival of humans on Earth
www.frontiersin.org/journals/con...
Nature underpins the survival of humans on Earth
www.frontiersin.org/journals/con...
Frontiers | In the Climate Emergency, Conservation Must Become Survival Ecology
•Earth faces a climate emergency which renders conservation goals largely obsolete.•Current conservation actions are inadequate because they i) underplay bio...
www.frontiersin.org
November 28, 2025 at 7:30 AM
When ecologists argue that nature underpins the economy, they are over-simplifying
Nature underpins the survival of humans on Earth
www.frontiersin.org/journals/con...
Nature underpins the survival of humans on Earth
www.frontiersin.org/journals/con...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
The DNA of butterflies & moths is supporting conservation, shedding light on evolution, and could find new ways to stop pests 🦋
1,000 genomes have been released, and @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to continue until all 11,665 European species have been sequenced🧬
www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/10...
1,000 genomes have been released, and @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to continue until all 11,665 European species have been sequenced🧬
www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/10...
1,000 butterfly and moth genomes to investigate evolution, climate change resilience, and tackle food security issues
These freely available genomes can be used to answer evolutionary questions, inform conservation and improve food security around the world.
www.sanger.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The DNA of butterflies & moths is supporting conservation, shedding light on evolution, and could find new ways to stop pests 🦋
1,000 genomes have been released, and @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to continue until all 11,665 European species have been sequenced🧬
www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/10...
1,000 genomes have been released, and @projectpsyche.bsky.social aims to continue until all 11,665 European species have been sequenced🧬
www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/10...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
One of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved in: Project Psyche! Read all about our ambitions and aims. It's ground breaking stuff, just mind blowing and even surreal (27 years ago we did single genes for lep phylogenetics)! @projectpsyche.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Project Psyche: reference genomes for all Lepidoptera in Europe
Project Psyche is a transnational initiative to generate and study chromosome-level
reference genomes of all ~11 000 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) found
in Europe. Here, we describe t...
www.cell.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
One of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved in: Project Psyche! Read all about our ambitions and aims. It's ground breaking stuff, just mind blowing and even surreal (27 years ago we did single genes for lep phylogenetics)! @projectpsyche.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 🐕
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 🐕
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
It's funny to have to make this case but tbqh we don't make it enough: human efforts to counter fossil fuel use have had *at least some* effect on total greenhouse gas emissions since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, and there's some evidence to back up this position
A lil thread 🧵
A lil thread 🧵
a man is talking about being entirely successful .
Alt: a robot is is talking about not being entirely successful .
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:18 AM
It's funny to have to make this case but tbqh we don't make it enough: human efforts to counter fossil fuel use have had *at least some* effect on total greenhouse gas emissions since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, and there's some evidence to back up this position
A lil thread 🧵
A lil thread 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
#GoodNews
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:23 AM
#GoodNews
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
And we warned them with our new 2025 State of the Climate Report which you can check out here: doi.org/10.1093/bios...
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 AM
And we warned them with our new 2025 State of the Climate Report which you can check out here: doi.org/10.1093/bios...
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀! Want to join @chrisgpackham.bsky.social in supporting the National Emergency Briefing on Climate & Nature?
🖋️ 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 urging MPs to attend: lnkd.in/ecGDM3Ry
🖋️ 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 urging MPs to attend: lnkd.in/ecGDM3Ry
We're delighted that tireless advocate for the natural world, @chrisgpackham.bsky.social CBE, will be opening the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster Central Hall on 27th November.
Chris speaking with @bbclaurak.bsky.social earlier👇
Please make sure your MP is attending: nebriefing.org
#NEB
Chris speaking with @bbclaurak.bsky.social earlier👇
Please make sure your MP is attending: nebriefing.org
#NEB
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM
𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀! Want to join @chrisgpackham.bsky.social in supporting the National Emergency Briefing on Climate & Nature?
🖋️ 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 urging MPs to attend: lnkd.in/ecGDM3Ry
🖋️ 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 urging MPs to attend: lnkd.in/ecGDM3Ry
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
I think about this post every day 🧪
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I think about this post every day 🧪
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Globalization has accelerated the spread of mosquito species that transmit human diseases. An analysis in Nature Communications shows that 45 disease-vector mosquito species have been introduced to non-native regions worldwide. go.nature.com/4hn6ogW 🧪
October 31, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Globalization has accelerated the spread of mosquito species that transmit human diseases. An analysis in Nature Communications shows that 45 disease-vector mosquito species have been introduced to non-native regions worldwide. go.nature.com/4hn6ogW 🧪
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Check out our new insect decline paper. By analysing 36 yrs of German ground beetle distribution data, we show:
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Check out our new insect decline paper. By analysing 36 yrs of German ground beetle distribution data, we show:
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social
Starting my new postdoc position at Stockholm University's Zoology Department today! Excited to work on such an ambitious genomics project 🦋
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Starting my new postdoc position at Stockholm University's Zoology Department today! Excited to work on such an ambitious genomics project 🦋
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
![Comic. [Building with large sign in front of it[ SIGN: Welcome to the *Biology Department* It has been [changeable sign: 3] days since we discovered something existentially horrifying about bugs that makes you question your whole reality](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreigvmzverlrjgqp4mazbkhm43fpvv2hdbkd2t2646dhihozrwdcy24@jpeg)
September 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
June 30, 2025 at 7:15 AM
How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Hear more about the weird—sorry, different—life history of the clouded apollo butterfly from Niclas Backström (@uu.se / @evobiouppsala.bsky.social) on YouTube! 🌍🧪 ↓
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOH...
#EvoSKy #EvoBio #Conservation #BioDiversity #Ecology #Butterflies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOH...
#EvoSKy #EvoBio #Conservation #BioDiversity #Ecology #Butterflies
June 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Hear more about the weird—sorry, different—life history of the clouded apollo butterfly from Niclas Backström (@uu.se / @evobiouppsala.bsky.social) on YouTube! 🌍🧪 ↓
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOH...
#EvoSKy #EvoBio #Conservation #BioDiversity #Ecology #Butterflies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOH...
#EvoSKy #EvoBio #Conservation #BioDiversity #Ecology #Butterflies
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
It is #InsectWeek! Which, as many of my papers show, and @restingdinoface.bsky.social has summarized, means we are in fact celebrating crustaceans.
BUGS. IS. SHRIMPS.
🧪🦋🐝🪲🐞🦗🪳🪰🦐🦐🦐🦐
BUGS. IS. SHRIMPS.
🧪🦋🐝🪲🐞🦗🪳🪰🦐🦐🦐🦐
You Might Think of Shrimp as Bugs of the Sea. But a Remarkable Discovery Shows the Opposite: Bugs Are Actually Shrimp of the Land
A recent study suggests that insects branched out from crustaceans on the tree of life
www.smithsonianmag.com
June 23, 2025 at 12:23 PM
It is #InsectWeek! Which, as many of my papers show, and @restingdinoface.bsky.social has summarized, means we are in fact celebrating crustaceans.
BUGS. IS. SHRIMPS.
🧪🦋🐝🪲🐞🦗🪳🪰🦐🦐🦐🦐
BUGS. IS. SHRIMPS.
🧪🦋🐝🪲🐞🦗🪳🪰🦐🦐🦐🦐
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
#ICYMI Happy summer solstice! 🌞
🌍 This year's solstice happened at exactly 04:42 CEST on 21 June, the moment the Sun reached its northernmost point in the sky.
Viewed from space, these images capture a full year of shifting light and shadow, from one June solstice to the next 🧪🔭
🌍 This year's solstice happened at exactly 04:42 CEST on 21 June, the moment the Sun reached its northernmost point in the sky.
Viewed from space, these images capture a full year of shifting light and shadow, from one June solstice to the next 🧪🔭
June 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM
#ICYMI Happy summer solstice! 🌞
🌍 This year's solstice happened at exactly 04:42 CEST on 21 June, the moment the Sun reached its northernmost point in the sky.
Viewed from space, these images capture a full year of shifting light and shadow, from one June solstice to the next 🧪🔭
🌍 This year's solstice happened at exactly 04:42 CEST on 21 June, the moment the Sun reached its northernmost point in the sky.
Viewed from space, these images capture a full year of shifting light and shadow, from one June solstice to the next 🧪🔭
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
The ocean produces a huge chunk of the world's oxygen a lot from a class of cyanobacteria called prochlorococcus
The ocean produces a huge chunk of the world's oxygen a lot from a class of cyanobacteria called prochlorococcus
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Food systems are the #2 contributor to climate change, the #1 driver of deforestation, the #1 driver of biodiversity loss on land, and the #1 user of freshwater.
(It follows that food systems contain many solutions to these problems.)
Food systems are the #2 contributor to climate change, the #1 driver of deforestation, the #1 driver of biodiversity loss on land, and the #1 user of freshwater.
(It follows that food systems contain many solutions to these problems.)
June 17, 2025 at 2:39 AM
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Spread the word! Turn off the lights (unless you're trapping!), leave the leaves, plant all the native plants in every gap, make a pond, stop using chemicals in the garden. I know I am preaching to the converted but insects are important!
#insect #teammoth #bugs
Spread the word! Turn off the lights (unless you're trapping!), leave the leaves, plant all the native plants in every gap, make a pond, stop using chemicals in the garden. I know I am preaching to the converted but insects are important!
#insect #teammoth #bugs
Insects are dying: here are 25 easy and effective ways you can help protect them
From turning out the lights to letting leaves rot, these small steps can create big changes at home or in the wild
www.theguardian.com
June 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Spread the word! Turn off the lights (unless you're trapping!), leave the leaves, plant all the native plants in every gap, make a pond, stop using chemicals in the garden. I know I am preaching to the converted but insects are important!
#insect #teammoth #bugs
Spread the word! Turn off the lights (unless you're trapping!), leave the leaves, plant all the native plants in every gap, make a pond, stop using chemicals in the garden. I know I am preaching to the converted but insects are important!
#insect #teammoth #bugs
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Every time I post about the astronomical numbers (many, many billions) of wildlife annually killed by cats, someone replies with
"MY cat doesn't do that".
The evidence is crystal clear: many cats are exterminators, and the ONLY way to be sure yours isn't is by keeping it indoors, or not at all.
"MY cat doesn't do that".
The evidence is crystal clear: many cats are exterminators, and the ONLY way to be sure yours isn't is by keeping it indoors, or not at all.
We need to address ALL causes of biodiversity collapse, including pet cats, which make a massive contribution.
www.theguardian.com/environment/....
www.theguardian.com/environment/....
Is it time to end cats’ right to roam?
Pet cats kill songbirds by the million, as well as other wildlife. But how much of a threat do they really pose, and should they be kept indoors?
www.theguardian.com
June 16, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Every time I post about the astronomical numbers (many, many billions) of wildlife annually killed by cats, someone replies with
"MY cat doesn't do that".
The evidence is crystal clear: many cats are exterminators, and the ONLY way to be sure yours isn't is by keeping it indoors, or not at all.
"MY cat doesn't do that".
The evidence is crystal clear: many cats are exterminators, and the ONLY way to be sure yours isn't is by keeping it indoors, or not at all.
I met some lovely creatures at a nature reserve this weekend that I wanted to share with you: a weevil with a snoot, a moth with a snoot, a huge chafer beetle, and a bagworm moth caterpillar - the first time I've seen one in real life!
June 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I met some lovely creatures at a nature reserve this weekend that I wanted to share with you: a weevil with a snoot, a moth with a snoot, a huge chafer beetle, and a bagworm moth caterpillar - the first time I've seen one in real life!
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
the new developments on inat inspired me to make a diagnostic thread for every insect order because there's only like 30something of them. going to try and avoid exceptions and extremely technical characteristics when possible. 🧵
June 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM
the new developments on inat inspired me to make a diagnostic thread for every insect order because there's only like 30something of them. going to try and avoid exceptions and extremely technical characteristics when possible. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Alex F. Hart
Breaking news: it appears Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica are declining faster than predicted.
Latest satellite data shows a massive 22% drop in penguin numbers over the last 15 years in key regions.
This is more than double the rate of loss that experts had expected...
🧵 1/8
Latest satellite data shows a massive 22% drop in penguin numbers over the last 15 years in key regions.
This is more than double the rate of loss that experts had expected...
🧵 1/8
June 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Breaking news: it appears Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica are declining faster than predicted.
Latest satellite data shows a massive 22% drop in penguin numbers over the last 15 years in key regions.
This is more than double the rate of loss that experts had expected...
🧵 1/8
Latest satellite data shows a massive 22% drop in penguin numbers over the last 15 years in key regions.
This is more than double the rate of loss that experts had expected...
🧵 1/8