Title: Evolution in Action
Post by: VanReal on January 31, 2009, 06:33:14 PM
Post by: VanReal on January 31, 2009, 06:33:14 PM
I couldn't wrap my head around the wild strawberry information posted earlier in the week, so this one was interesting. These lizards have actually evolved over the last 30 years and scientists have been able to see it happening. Pretty neat:
http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Langkilde1-2009.htm
http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Langkilde1-2009.htm
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Recusant on February 04, 2009, 03:14:42 AM
Post by: Recusant on February 04, 2009, 03:14:42 AM
Thank you for posting this link.
Run, lizard, run!
(I don't really have an apposite comment to make, and apparently no one else did, either, but I agree that it's an interesting example of observable change occurring in a species. I also appreciated the 'no lizards were harmed' part, which is a refreshing change from the ethics of early researchers in animal behavior. I'm sure that it's still all too common to be quite willing to hurt animals in the name of science; I suppose sometimes it's even necessary.)
Run, lizard, run!
(I don't really have an apposite comment to make, and apparently no one else did, either, but I agree that it's an interesting example of observable change occurring in a species. I also appreciated the 'no lizards were harmed' part, which is a refreshing change from the ethics of early researchers in animal behavior. I'm sure that it's still all too common to be quite willing to hurt animals in the name of science; I suppose sometimes it's even necessary.)
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: crocofish on February 04, 2009, 04:26:47 AM
Post by: crocofish on February 04, 2009, 04:26:47 AM
I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Whitney on February 04, 2009, 05:40:44 AM
Post by: Whitney on February 04, 2009, 05:40:44 AM
Quote from: "crocofish"I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.
I've seen a couple look both ways before crossing.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Kylyssa on February 04, 2009, 02:41:00 PM
Post by: Kylyssa on February 04, 2009, 02:41:00 PM
Quote from: "crocofish"I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.
Wow! I just wrote an editorial about this very thing! I'll link to it once it's published.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Kylyssa on February 04, 2009, 03:23:31 PM
Post by: Kylyssa on February 04, 2009, 03:23:31 PM
Cool, they just put it up today. It's just my musings about the human impact on evolution and the environment, nothing scientific in nature.
Casual Observations of the 900 Lb Gorilla in the Room (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1446807/the_visible_effects_of_the_human_factor.html?cat=9)
Casual Observations of the 900 Lb Gorilla in the Room (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1446807/the_visible_effects_of_the_human_factor.html?cat=9)
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Loffler on February 06, 2009, 05:47:57 AM
Post by: Loffler on February 06, 2009, 05:47:57 AM
Quote from: "crocofish"I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.
I live across the (busy) street from a park full of squirrels. Now that I think about it, in 5 years I've never seen a dead squirrel on that street, though I've seen several deep in the park.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: VanReal on February 07, 2009, 04:10:01 PM
Post by: VanReal on February 07, 2009, 04:10:01 PM
Quote from: "Loffler"Quote from: "crocofish"I keep wondering whether squirrels will evolve to avoid being hit by cars.
I live across the (busy) street from a park full of squirrels. Now that I think about it, in 5 years I've never seen a dead squirrel on that street, though I've seen several deep in the park.
I rarely see one either and it amazes me with the number of them that run out in front of me and somehow make it to the other side. I don't know what I'd do if I hit one, they are cute little critters and I think about them in my backyard on the squirrel bungees and wish they'd go play when they play chicken with me in the street.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Loffler on February 07, 2009, 05:53:31 PM
Post by: Loffler on February 07, 2009, 05:53:31 PM
Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Ihateyoumike on February 07, 2009, 06:32:11 PM
Post by: Ihateyoumike on February 07, 2009, 06:32:11 PM
Quote from: "Loffler"Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.
Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Loffler on February 07, 2009, 10:09:41 PM
Post by: Loffler on February 07, 2009, 10:09:41 PM
Quote from: "Ihateyoumike"Quote from: "Loffler"Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.
Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.
Even better: here's the footage.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5885554944 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7329182515885554944)
Not only do they drop the nuts onto busy roads (not "under car wheels" as I stated), but they even station themselves by crosswalks and wait for the light to stop traffic!
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: McQ on February 07, 2009, 10:25:58 PM
Post by: McQ on February 07, 2009, 10:25:58 PM
Quote from: "Loffler"Quote from: "Ihateyoumike"Quote from: "Loffler"Crows in Japan were observed placing nuts under car wheels when stopped at red lights. Then the car would drive over the nut, crushing it for them.
Is this for real? I certainly wouldn't doubt it because crows (and birds in general) are extremely smart and adapt well.
If you have a link to this story, I'd be really interested to check it out.
Even better: here's the footage.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 5885554944 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7329182515885554944)
Not only do they drop the nuts onto busy roads (not "under car wheels" as I stated), but they even station themselves by crosswalks and wait for the light to stop traffic!
Now, that is just damn cool!
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Ihateyoumike on February 07, 2009, 10:38:01 PM
Post by: Ihateyoumike on February 07, 2009, 10:38:01 PM
Quote from: "McQ"Now, that is just damn cool!
Just watched the video. That is simply incredible. Animals never cease to amaze me.
Loffler, do you know what program that clip was from? I didn't expect it to be narrated by David Attenborough, but he does tend to be involved with all of the best nature documentaries.
Title: Re: Evolution in Action
Post by: Loffler on February 08, 2009, 02:52:54 AM
Post by: Loffler on February 08, 2009, 02:52:54 AM
Quote from: "Ihateyoumike"Quote from: "McQ"Now, that is just damn cool!
Just watched the video. That is simply incredible. Animals never cease to amaze me.
Loffler, do you know what program that clip was from? I didn't expect it to be narrated by David Attenborough, but he does tend to be involved with all of the best nature documentaries.
Not a clue.