Evolution by Bird Feeder

I tend to think of evolution of a species as an event of thousands of years.  A recent study suggests that blackcaps, a Central European warbler have shown evolutionary changes over the last 50 years, possibly because of people feeding birds!
Traditionally their summer migration has been to Spain, but some blackcaps have been lured to bird feeders in Britain where they breed with others and over winter there.  Now German researchers are observing significant anatomical differences between the two populations.  Their British cousins wings are rounder and they have longer narrower beaks--"the better to eat from bird feeders" my dear!
Is this evolution-by-human a problem?  The experts feel not, for the British variety no longer have to make the long migration twice a year.  But now for the big question.  Do they sing with an accent?  That remains to be determined, old chap.
For the whole story and pictures go to Treehugger.com

Importing Invasive Bugs

According to the January 15th Wall Street Journal, 30 new invasive insects are discovered annually.  The increased rate is a byproduct of our increasing global trade and transportation.  The economic impact in the US is estimated at $133.6 billion including "control and prevention such as pesticides, inspection programs at ports and damage to crops."
There have been an estimated 50,000 species of plants, animals and insects introduced through our history as a country.  Many well known examples such as starlings, thistle, and zebra mussels have become a part of everyday life.
Although the current article highlights hemlock woolly adelgids which are destroying the hemlocks in the great Smokey Mountains, it applies just as well to the challenge we have in protecting trees and inspecting imports from organisms such as the Emerald Ash Borer.  We are all interconnected on the same planet in spite of our perceived regional and national differences.

Liking Lichen

The Springfield Chapter's own lichenologists presented an extensive introduction to lichens of the Ozarks this Monday night.  The Darrel and Pat Blech were a tag team with Nancy and Hammons Schanda in explaining the symbiotic relationship which produces organisms covering eight percent of the Earth's land mass.  Lichen are found around the globe in diverse environments such as deserts and the Antarctic.  We are most familiar with those occurring on trees, dead wood, and rocks.
Filamentous fungi provide the structure for algae or cyanobacteria  which photosynthesize the energy that the fungus requires.  These fungi require the photosynthesis to live, essentially creating a completely new organism, while the algae can survive on their own. 
The role of the humble lichen in plant succession, turning rocks slowly into soil, and providing food and shelter to wildlife widely appreciated.  They have been an important source of dyes, used in the manufacture of perfume, and medicinal uses are being explored.  You gotta love those little lichen.

This Bat is No Sucker

As reported in the National Geographic Daily News, the sucker-footed bat of Madagascar is no sucker.  Of 1200 bat species, only six roost hanging head up.  This bat was so named because of its ability to hang on slick leaves, a trait attributed to having suction cup like pads on its feet.
Not so, says a recent study.  Researchers used metal plates with tiny holes to spoil any suction effect and the bats hung on fine.  They use the same surface tension of water that "allows flies to hang on to smooth surfaces like glass ceilings … or wet paper to stick to your windshield."
Furthermore, they describe why they have to roost upright and how they let go.  The whole story is including videos is available at this Discover Magazine site.

Dolphins Learned a New Fishing Technique

I tend to think that feeding strategies are somehow inherent in different species.   As an example, humpback whales use bubble netting bubble netting to corral their schools of fish to feed on, a well known technique that is unique to them and only those in certain areas.  How did they develop the technique?  Surely there was once a whale that saw that bubbles spooked their prey and eventually developed the trick of blowing bubbles in a column to trap them.
Bottlenosed dolphins frequently feed communally by scaring their prey fish into a tightening circle.  A single pod of bottlenosed dolphins has discovered a new technique which gives them a competitive edge and an entertaining way of "catching dinner on the fly".  They stir up clouds of debris from the shallow ocean bottom in a constricting circle.  The panicked fish leap out of the water and the dolphins catch them in the air.  Seaworld, eat your heart out.
As the site says, "Another awesome thing about this technique is that only one female in the pod can create this ring, and it's always anti-clockwise."  Leave it to an intelligent female to find an easier way to fix dinner!  Watch this dramatic video.

Animals That Photosynthesize?

We all were taught that only plants have chlorophyll and get their energy from the sun by photosynthesis.  Right?  Now wrong!

A green sea slug living in the salt marshes of New England and Canada apparently have stolen the genes of algae they have eaten.  They are the only know multicellular animal capable of producing chlorophyll.  Consequently, they are able to survive months with just sunlight alone.  They can even pass on this gene to their offspring, although the kids have to algae to get enough chloroplasts to start photosynthesis on their own.  The story is at this Live Science link.

Parking Lot Pollution

Springfield City Council has been pondering the fate of coal tar sealant on our parking lots over the last month.  Coal tar was the first carcinogen, identified with scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps in the 1770s.  We are now recognizing the risks of coal tar sealant which is washed off pavement into our streams and lakes.  City Council will be hearing more testimony on the subject as reported in the News Leader.
Now there is more evidence that it is commonly tracked into homes where it can contact children playing on their carpets.  Read more in this news link.