117 posts · 52,646 views
Discussion of all things science with a focus on clarity, rationality and enthusiasm. Discussion topics: Natural Science, Biology, Evolution, Paleontology, Geology, Science Education
Johnny
117 posts
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- September 2, 2010
- 07:10 AM
- 25 views
Alfred Russel Wallace, a Conspicuous Caterpillar and David Bowie
by Johnny in Ecographica
What do Alfred Wallace and David Bowie have in common with a caterpillar? …in this work, Wallace expanded on one of his theories - a theory that he had previously presented to Charles Darwin and to members of the Entomological Society of London… Aposematism refers to signaling adaptations…... Read more »
Lee, et al. (2010) Can dietary conservatism explain the primary evolution of aposematism?. Animal Behaviour, 79(1), 63-74. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.10.004
- August 28, 2010
- 03:20 AM
- 94 views
Why EO Wilson’s Latest Eusociality Paper Fails
by Johnny in Ecographica
The argument presented in the paper is that inclusive fitness theory is an extraneous, unnecessary concept that has failed to provide insights into the evolution of eusociality.
Here are a few of the reasons why I think that their argument fails:
... Read more »
Nowak, M., Tarnita, C., & Wilson, E. (2010) The evolution of eusociality. Nature, 466(7310), 1057-1062. DOI: 10.1038/nature09205
- April 13, 2010
- 05:40 PM
- 196 views
Cottonmouth Moccasins: Adapting to the Beach and Beyond
by Johnny in Ecographica
Even though their preferred range places them in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the conquest of marine ecosystems by the cottonmouths has been - as it has with most aquatically inclined reptiles - blockaded. The physiological demands of maintaining adequate hydration in a high-saline environment has constrained the Agkistrodon genus to a landward life. But things could change. ... Read more »
Lillywhite, H., Sheehy, C., & Zaidan, F. (2008) Pitviper Scavenging at the Intertidal Zone: An Evolutionary Scenario for Invasion of the Sea. BioScience, 58(10), 947. DOI: 10.1641/B581008
- March 31, 2010
- 08:25 AM
- 213 views
Breaking News: Footprints challenge theory of evolution
by Johnny in Ecographica
...a paper in Arizona, which proclaims that “Research by UA assistant anthropology professor David Raichlen and his colleagues provide evidence suggesting that 3.6 billion years ago, hominins walked with the same upright gait that humans do today...”... Read more »
Raichlen, D., Gordon, A., Harcourt-Smith, W., Foster, A., & Haas, W. (2010) Laetoli Footprints Preserve Earliest Direct Evidence of Human-Like Bipedal Biomechanics. PLoS ONE, 5(3). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009769
- March 30, 2010
- 08:10 AM
- 313 views
The Views of Biology Teachers towards Teaching Evolution
by Johnny in Ecographica
The National Association of Biology Teachers has recently published the results of a survey which focused on the attitudes held by Florida’s biology teachers towards the teaching of evolution.... Read more »
FOWLER and MEISELS. (2010) Florida Teachers’ Attitudes about Teaching Evolution. The American Biology Teacher, 72(2), 96-99. info:/10.1525/abt.2010.72.2.8
- March 21, 2010
- 03:15 PM
- 271 views
Tadpole Tails and Predator Induced Plasticity
by Johnny in Ecographica
...chemical signals that switch tail enhancement into overdrive include those compounds released by other tadpoles as warning pheromones during predatory attack and those molecules discharged by the predator while digesting prey-tadpole tissues. So, in other words, a predator’s attack and digestion of a conspecific tad liberates chemicals into the water that are received by other tadpoles during development; as a result, resources are directed away from ‘normal’ growth processes and are directed to tail augmentation. ... Read more »
LaFiandra, E., & Babbitt, K. (2004) Predator induced phenotypic plasticity in the pinewoods tree frog, Hyla femoralis : necessary cues and the cost of development. Oecologia, 138(3), 350-359. DOI: 10.1007/s00442-003-1412-3
- March 13, 2010
- 02:08 PM
- 239 views
Evolving from Promiscuity to Monogamy
by Johnny in Ecographica
...despite the fact that promiscuous mating systems are the prevailing strategy in nature, environmental factors can push typically promiscuous species towards monogamy... case in point, a report published in the April issue of The American Naturalist details how the ‘mimic poison dart frog’ (Ranitomeya imitator) parted ways with promiscuity to adapt a lifestyle as the first scientifically recognized genetically monogamous amphibian. ... Read more »
Brown, J., Morales, V., & Summers, K. (2010) A Key Ecological Trait Drove the Evolution of Biparental Care and Monogamy in an Amphibian. The American Naturalist, 175(4), 436-446. DOI: 10.1086/650727
- February 20, 2010
- 02:43 PM
- 244 views
How Enticing Viruses Manipulate Animals
by Johnny in Ecographica
...undermining the normal life-processes of the host’s cells, viruses are detriments to health; however, more than just illness can remain in the wake of the virus’s biological sabotage. Sometimes included with the observable symptoms of an ailment are other characteristics of viral infection that serve to promote the spread of disease. The genes that such a virus splices into a host cell’s mainframe can code for phenotypes that manipulate unwitting vectors into exposing themselves – purely for the benefit of the virus... Read more »
Mauck, K., De Moraes, C., & Mescher, M. (2010) Deceptive chemical signals induced by a plant virus attract insect vectors to inferior hosts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0907191107
- February 13, 2010
- 02:37 PM
- 328 views
How to Study Invasive Species, a Conservation and Ecological Imperative
by Johnny in Ecographica
...the invasive could theoretically replace the native with little ill effect to the ecosystem; the invasive could fill the niche left void by the out-competed native plant without disrupting the energetics of the plant community as a whole. BUT, at the same time, a newly arrived invasive species may have a distinct advantage over a native transient because it is completely foreign to the ecosystem. For example, being unrecognized by its new environment the invasive may, for a period of time, be buffered against attack by herbivores, parasites and other stressors that may be actively reducing the fitness of the locals. ... Read more »
Simberloff, D. (2010) Invasions of Plant Communities – More of the Same, Something Very Different, or Both?. The American Midland Naturalist, 163(1), 220-233. DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-163.1.220
- February 10, 2010
- 07:04 AM
- 295 views
Is the Evolution Debate Over?
by Johnny in Ecographica
A recent blog post at National Public Radio’s “Cosmos And Culture” by astrophysicist Adam Frank has raised my hackles. The post, titled “The Evolution Debate Is Over; It's Time To Move Forward,” argues that “it's time to put the prejudices that drag down discussion between science and the domains of human spiritual endeavor aside.”
... Read more »
Sedikides, C. (2009) Why Does Religiosity Persist?. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 14(1), 3-6. DOI: 10.1177/1088868309352323
- February 5, 2010
- 10:30 AM
- 171 views
How Science Suppresses the Sex Lives of Republicans
by Johnny in Ecographica
According to Utah State Representative Mike Noel, global climate change is a conspiracy theory. He insists that the whole idea of shifting climates was put together by the world’s biologists, climatologists and other scientists as an elaborate effort to control his sex life.Speaking to climate change, Republican Mike Noel (at left) explained recently that, “This is absolutely, in my mind, in fact a conspiracy to limit population not only in this country but across the globe."Being both a Republican and an enthusiast of the equestrian arts, Noel isn’t the type to quietly lie down and let the lefties fondle his reproductive liberties! To the contrary, he has been an outspoken proponent of Utah’s House Joint Resolution 12; a proposition that aims to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from establishing policies that reduce carbon dioxide. Noel’s good friend, Republican Kerry Gibson, sponsored Resolution 12 because… Well…Well, because there’s a global conspiracy going on!Here are a few proofs of the conspiracy as listed in House Joint Resolution 12:1. “…Climategate, indicate[s] a well organized and ongoing effort to manipulate and incorporate "tricks" related to global temperature data in order to produce a global warming outcome…”2. “…there has been a concerted effort by climate change alarmists to marginalize those in the scientific community who are skeptical of global warming by manipulating or pressuring peer-reviewed publications to keep contrary or competing scientific viewpoints and findings on global warming from being reviewed and published…”3. “…the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a blend of government officials and scientists, does no independent climate research but relies on global climate researchers”4. “…the climate change "gravy train," estimated at more than $7 billion annually in federal government grants, may have influenced the climate research focus and findings that have produced a "scientific consensus" at research institutions and universities”In addition to deducing the above listed ‘hard facts,’ Noel and Gibson also arranged for a hired gun to testify as an expert witness at Utah’s legislative proceedings. The hired gun was non other than the infamous Roy “shunned by the system” Spencer, a climatologist from Alabama whose work has been continuously rejected by the scientific community – yet further evidence of the conspiracy!Checking Roy's facts during the proceedings was a group of 18 scientists from Brigham Young University. The group unanimously concluded that he was full of crap and even “patently false.” Accordingly, they put their findings into an open letter (available here), which each scientists signed. The letter was mailed to the State legislature in hopes of dissuading them from passing the resolution.What was the result of this unified effort?Republican chairman of the Utah farm group Randy Parker publicly demanded a formal apology from Brigham Young University. Parker in part stated that, "I guess the bottom line here, from my perspective, is that science is an open process of ongoing research and debate, and a group of scientists should not make these kinds of statements about another scientist…” (Note: I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment. The art of debating without debating is under-appreciated.)So unfortunately, it looks as though Mike Noel, Kerry Gibson, and Randy Parker’s fight for breeding rights has paid-off for the republicans. House Joint Resolution 12 passed committee yesterday morning. The state of Utah is about to tell the Federal Government that climate change is nothing but a conspiracy theory, take the EPA regulations and shove 'em!This should be great for tourism: Welcome to Utah – the State of Denial!References & Credits:Sovacool, B., & Brown, M. (2009). Scaling the policy response to climate change Policy and Society, 27 (4), 317-328 DOI: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2009.01.003Chris Vanocur-ABC Channel 4Judy Fahys- Salt Lake TribunePhoto: Mike Noel
... Read more »
Sovacool, B., & Brown, M. (2009) Scaling the policy response to climate change. Policy and Society, 27(4), 317-328. DOI: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2009.01.003
- February 5, 2010
- 10:15 AM
- 225 views
How Science Suppresses the Sex Lives of Republicans
by Johnny in Ecographica
According to Utah State Representative Mike Noel, global climate change is a conspiracy theory. He insists that the whole idea of shifting climates was put together by the world’s biologists, climatologists and other scientists as an elaborate effort to control his sex life.
... Read more »
Sovacool, B., & Brown, M. (2009) Scaling the policy response to climate change. Policy and Society, 27(4), 317-328. DOI: 10.1016/j.polsoc.2009.01.003
- February 3, 2010
- 11:01 AM
- 268 views
Tree Plantations as Biological Deserts
by Johnny in Ecographica
If I had a nickel for every time a biologist told me that tree plantations are nothing but “biological deserts” I’d be a rich man!
Well, at least a rich-er man anyway…
... Read more »
Paquette, A., & Messier, C. (2010) The role of plantations in managing the world's forests in the Anthropocene. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 8(1), 27-34. DOI: 10.1890/080116
- February 2, 2010
- 07:27 AM
- 160 views
Buffalos and Birds: Flightless Wings from the KT Extinction to Darwin’s Dinner Plate
by Johnny in Ecographica
Birds undertake a re-conquest of the ground following the KT Extinction and ultimately find themselves on Darwin's dinner plate.... Read more »
Phillips, M., Gibb, G., Crimp, E., & Penny, D. (2009) Tinamous and Moa Flock Together: Mitochondrial Genome Sequence Analysis Reveals Independent Losses of Flight among Ratites. Systematic Biology, 59(1), 90-107. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syp079
- January 10, 2010
- 12:35 PM
- 352 views
Insinuations of Lamarckian Evolution and a Lamenting First Impression
by Johnny in Ecographica
...the paper is saying that the introduction of ACQUIRED CHARACTERS into the germline of a lineage has lead to GENETIC NOVELTIES with the demonstrated ability to translate to the expressed PHENOTYPE of an ANIMAL, thus acting as a source of INNOVATION... Read more »
Horie, M., Honda, T., Suzuki, Y., Kobayashi, Y., Daito, T., Oshida, T., Ikuta, K., Jern, P., Gojobori, T., Coffin, J.... (2010) Endogenous non-retroviral RNA virus elements in mammalian genomes. Nature, 463(7277), 84-87. DOI: 10.1038/nature08695
- January 8, 2010
- 06:13 PM
- 381 views
Arrested Development in Socratic Parasites
by Johnny in Ecographica
An irreducibly complex rant using developmental biology (arrested development) to connect the shortfalls of the Greek Philosopher Socrates to failed creationist arguments; includes a detailed account of a parasitic worm’s lifecycle (Alaria marcianae), and of course, endangered Florida Panthers and Mexican axolotls… A well rounded post!
... Read more »
Davies, S. (2003) Developmental plasticity in schistosomes and other helminths. International Journal for Parasitology, 33(11), 1277-1284. DOI: 10.1016/S0020-7519(03)00161-9
Foster, G., Kinsella, J., Sheppard, B., & Cunningham, M. (2009) Transmammary Infection of Free-Ranging Florida Panther Neonates by Alaria marcianae (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae). Journal of Parasitology, 95(1), 238-239. DOI: 10.1645/GE-1749.1
- January 1, 2010
- 11:55 AM
- 211 views
Plants to People: the Swift Tempo of Spontaneous Mutation
by Johnny in Ecographica
Research published today... tediously analyzing the genomes from multiple generations of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, scientists from the Max Planck... Sanger scientists published work in which the rate of mutation in humans was estimated at around...... Read more »
Ossowski, S., Schneeberger, K., Lucas-Lledo, J., Warthmann, N., Clark, R., Shaw, R., Weigel, D., & Lynch, M. (2009) The Rate and Molecular Spectrum of Spontaneous Mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana. Science, 327(5961), 92-94. DOI: 10.1126/science.1180677
- December 30, 2009
- 12:58 PM
- 251 views
The Poetry of the Convergent Lizards
by Johnny in Ecographica
Whiptails and fencers scurry and make haste,
cross White Sands their paths converge and pace.
Tho' differing by both origin and type,
their causal genotypes follow trace.
Independent mutations had aligned,
and were by adaptation refined.
... Read more »
Rosenblum, E., Rompler, H., Schoneberg, T., & Hoekstra, H. (2009) Molecular and functional basis of phenotypic convergence in white lizards at White Sands. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0911042107
- December 28, 2009
- 01:52 PM
- 265 views
Shield Pennywort - Hydrocotyle
by Johnny in Ecographica
Shield pennywort represents but one of about a hundred different species that belong to the Genus Hydrocotyle, a.k.a the ‘water pennyworts.’ Though often found listed as members of the Apiaceae Family, the Hydrocotyle group is now included in the ‘Ivy Family’ (Araliaceae). The genus as whole enjoys a worldwide distribution; however, the Facultative Wet H. verticillata is native to the Americas where can be found occupying floodplains, swamps, ditches, and just about anywhere with moist soils.... Read more »
CHANDLER, G., & PLUNKETT, G. (2004) Evolution in Apiales: nuclear and chloroplast markers together in (almost) perfect harmony. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 144(2), 123-147. DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2003.00247.x
- December 27, 2009
- 01:16 PM
- 242 views
Sexy Snails and Expensive Males
by Johnny in Ecographica
What are males good for? ... mitochondrial genomes of a freshwater snail species in order to compare the rates at which genetic mutations accumulate during sexual and asexual reproduction.
... Read more »
Neiman, M., Hehman, G., Miller, J., Logsdon, J., & Taylor, D. (2009) Accelerated Mutation Accumulation in Asexual Lineages of a Freshwater Snail. Molecular Biology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msp300
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