That is until the turtles mutate. Then the mosquitoes won't stand a chance...
Posted on 06/02/2009 6:21:52 AM PDT by steve-b
The Galapagos giant tortoise and other iconic wildlife are facing a new threat from disease, as some of the islands' mosquitoes develop a taste for reptile blood.
Scientists from the University of Leeds, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Galapagos National Park have discovered that while its mainland ancestors prefer the blood of mammals and the occasional bird, the Galapagos form of the black salt marsh mosquito (Aedes taeniorhynchus) has shifted its behaviour to feed mainly on reptiles – primarily Galapagos giant tortoises and marine iguanas.
The findings raise fears that these changes could devastate the islands' unique native wildlife if a new mosquito-borne disease is introduced - a scenario which is increasingly likely with the continuing rise in tourism.
Using genetic techniques, the researchers showed that the mosquito colonised the Galapagos around 200,000 years ago and was not introduced by humans as previously thought, giving them time to adapt to conditions in Galapagos. They have also found that unlike the mainland populations that normally live in mangroves and salt marshes along the coast, the Galapagos form of the mosquito can also breed up to 20 km inland and at altitudes of up to 700 metres. The research team believe the shift in feeding behaviour is an adaptation to life in Galapagos, since the islands had few mammal species prior to the arrival of Man some 500 years ago....
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Stories like this are such crap, scientists need to get real jobs or at least admit they are nothing but fiction writers and dopes looking for funding to avoid the 8 to 5 like the rest of us, honestly, between this kind of crap and stories about space these folks have proven they’re all idiots.
What I find interesting is the "mammal centric" view of this article. Mosquitos LOVE bird blood. That's why they fly, particularly at night, when the birds are nesting! They loved reptiles, and they relished dinosaurs.
There are plenty of Muslim places you can live where they embrace the 8th century.
“They loved reptiles, and they relished dinosaurs”
exactly right - they’ve found mosquitos with dinosaur blood still in them.
Reptiles never stop growing. The large lizards we find (and the dragon tales from hundreds of years ago before people wiped them out) were just very old lizards, like over 100 years old. That’s why, of all the things out there, we find that lizards used to get very big when the atmospheric pressure and oxygen content of the air was higher - everything lived longer, and lizards never stop growing.
There are lizards now that look exactly like dinosaurs, but smaller. The triceratops for example, has a mini version, which never stops growing, and if it lived to be a couple of hundred years old, would look the spitting image of a triceratops.
Nasty. Really nasty. Are you that nasty all the time, or just on the Internet where you’re nice & safe? I bet IRL you’re a mouse, with never a word against anyone.
You are right, they should be studying important things like Morgellons and how the moon landing was faked.
“You are right, they should be studying important things like Morgellons and how the moon landing was faked.”
Ugh. What a crappy straw man. Can you argue above a 4th grade level pls? We’re getting bored out here. Have you just woken up or something? That’s really, really poor, even for you. Mo’ coffee needed, I think.
Whatever noob.. if you knew the history of the topics the poster generally finds worthwhile of scientific study (while saying this is a waste), you would understand.. enjoy your little keyboard cowboy attitude.. ye haw!
You can go join him. Now turn off your materialist computer and get out of here.
I hear that Satan uses computers to spread his message.. I wonder if folks will realize this and stop using the Internet.
Psalm 66:11 “Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.” and Psalm 31:4 “ Pull me out of the net, that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.”
It's the safest place on the earth for all creatures (supposedly) - aren't they all on their own to fend for themselves?
A true scientific study would reach a conclusion: mosquitoes are beating the giant turtles 14-3.
In the Galapagos Islands mosquitoes have an equal opportunity at life as the giant turtles. If the turtles can't make it, tough beans!
That is until the turtles mutate. Then the mosquitoes won't stand a chance...
Chuck its you thats the troll...
OK, so you’re an anti-Christian, Bible-mocking atheist, who believes in evolution.
Glad we’re clear on that.
Looks like Creationists can finally do an actual scientific experiment!
Why don’t you take this supposed mini-triceratops and raise it with higher atmospheric pressure and oxygen content and see if it gets to be Triceratops size after “like over 100 years”.
I know you have to believe in some pretty silly things to be a Creationists, but modern lizards and dinosaurs are not even the same taxonomic class, let alone species.
Here is some more information from the University of Leeds who did the study.
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/media/press_releases/current09/galapagos.htm
The lethal West Nile virus that affects birds and humans is carried by mosquitoes and bedevils Central and South Texas every summer, requiring spraying in the evenings.
Do so-called “scientists” ever read newspapers?
Nope, I am a Christian who believes in Theistic Evolution and thinks that there are a lot of people out to harm Christianity by making illogicial and unscientific arguments to make them look like fools.
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