Edson, Alberta
Posted on 12/21/2006 3:49:48 PM PST by blam
Squirrels accurately predict bumper harvests
19:00 21 December 2006
NewScientist.com news service
Roxanne Khamsi
Squirrels can somehow predict which years trees will produce massive amounts of seed, a new study reveals. The animals produce an extra litter of pups months ahead of these unusually large harvests, researchers report.
The scientists analysed 16 years of data on American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) populations in Yukon, Canada.
As part of the experiment, Andrew McAdam of Michigan State University and his colleagues lured the animals into traps with peanut butter and then tagged them. The team periodically recaptured the squirrels and assessed whether the females were pregnant or not.
They also recorded the amount of cones produced by spruce trees in the area. The edible seed inside these cones is the red squirrels' primary food.
The number of cones produced by the spruce trees in autumn varies widely from year to year. A single spruce tree might produce 10 cones one year, but more than 500 the next. By producing very few cones some years, the trees starve their seed predators, giving themselves an evolutionary advantage.
But McAdams and his teammates noticed a curious trend: While squirrels typically mate in January and give birth to their pups from March, they would also produce a second litter in the spring ahead of a bumper cone harvest.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
I was cutting down a tree that was blown over in the wind last week, and it ate my chain saw!
I had to get another saw to free it!
And the little buggers are becoming more self-aware.
I saw them doing a high-five (four?) paw slappin' victory dance on a TV commercial just the other day!
no, but my bumper harvests squirrels...
What is the largest squirrel on Earth?
The largest squirrel is the Ratufa (ratufa indica) sometimes known as the Indian giant squirrel, it can grow to three feet in length. This species is found in southeast Asia, and parts of Nepal.
You know, if I were an evo, I wouldn't be showing up on this thread to defend it either.
Good, glad to know there's an ocean between me and them. A good spot to put on my *don't waste money to visit* list.
I heard that gerbils can determine the sexual orientation of waiters.
Hilarious! Thanks for sharing tree strategy!
Newbie!
It doesn't do conservatives well to be associated with this kind of tripe.
Merry Christmas!
More likely there is some weather related event common to both of these examples.
I guess so, especially concluding that people are ignorant of science because they either disagree with the conclusions of the interpretation of the fossil record or laugh themselves silly over the stupid statements made by the *scientists* in this article. This article is a joke and should be an embarrassment to scientists everywhere.
It's one thing to observe that squirrels have an extra litter when there's a bumper crop of cones but statements like:"By producing very few cones some years, the trees starve their seed predators, giving themselves an evolutionary advantage.Oh they do? They have this figured out?
and "...such as these squirrels as going along with the trees’ game,”..." Game? Is he serious?
It remains unclear exactly how squirrels can predict ... The animals might also notice more of these cone buds in the spring ahead of the harvest and have an extra litter based on this visual cue.
McAdam says he would not trust his stock portfolio to the squirrels, but adds that the animals “sure do better than most investors” in predicting boom and bust years.
If this is considered serious science; science is seriously in trouble.
Are you aware of what research warrants this conclusion? Don't you think it's worth researching that before discounting this as a scientific conclusion?
Are you aware of what research exists on the subject of coevolution between predator-prey systems? Have you checked out the paper in New Scientist, or are you just skimming a press report?
It is indeed a sad day when people pretend that science can answer every question from a naturalistic perspective without reminding everyone that a naturalistic answer is a requirement of science.
'Coevolutionary pressure' is simply "Post hoc ergo propter hoc" and anyone who really understands science knows this.
Therefore, to fail to inform the audience of that circular thought pattern is either a lack of critical thinking ability or...
/s
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