warns that the 'immense and hidden' crisis in biodiversity has been pushed from centre stage by the climate change debate. He spoke to environmentguardian.co.uk editor

This is an extended extract of a phone interview with biologist, author and conservation campaigner EO Wilson.

The problem of biodiversity loss has been "eased off centre stage" as the spotlight has focused on climate change, according to Professor Edward Wilson, the ecologist described as "Darwin's natural heir".

Biodiversity is one of the hot topics of conversation on this week's regular Science Weekly podcast.

Professor Wilson also discusses conservative religious attitudes to evolution in the US, which he calls "bible literalism".

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