Plants and Animals

Two of the best papers that go directly to the heart of the issues on the polar bear listing as endangered by the US government are:

Demographic and Ecological Perspectives on the Status of Polar Bears, by Dr Mitchell Taylor and Dr Martha Dowsley, March 2008,
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/originals/demographic_and_ecological_polar_bear_perspectives.html

Taylor and Dowsley are world class.

Polar Bear Population Forecasts: A Public-Policy Forecasting Audit (Working Paper Version 75), by
J. Scott Armstrong, Kesten C. Green, and Willie Soon, April 2008,
http://www.forecastingprinciples.com/Public_Policy/polarbear.html

Armstrong literally wrote the book on forecasting principles.

Robert Ferguson
President, Science and Public Policy Institute

The genetic blueprint of the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) has been deciphered by an international team that includes Australian scientists, and published in the journal Nature.

More explanation here on the BBC News website: Platypus genetic code unravelled

Nature: Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

The Abstract states:

We present a draft genome sequence of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. This monotreme exhibits a fascinating combination of reptilian and mammalian characters. For example, platypuses have a coat of fur adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; platypus females lactate, yet lay eggs; and males are equipped with venom similar to that of reptiles. Analysis of the first monotreme genome aligned these features with genetic innovations. We find that reptile and platypus venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved despite platypuses laying eggs; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. Expansions of protein, non-protein-coding RNA and microRNA families, as well as repeat elements, are identified. Sequencing of this genome now provides a valuable resource for deep mammalian comparative analyses, as well as for monotreme biology and conservation.

I must confess that I really can’t remember when I first came to believe that Green Tree Ants, presented in the previous entry, farmed aphids concealed under frass. However, I am always willing to learn, so thank you Jennifer for the correction.

Under higher magnification a cotton-like covering becomes more apparent, which reminded me of another image I captured several nights ago of what looks like the Psyllids or jumping plant lice that tamborineman mentioned in the previous thread.

Mimicking the Bumps on Humpback-whale Fins Could Lead to More Efficient Wind Turbines. Biomimetics is the abstraction of good design from nature.

Continue reading the ABC (US) news story: Whale-Inspired Windmills

Thanks to Ann Novek of Sweden for this story.

In matters of antennae, I imagine that surface area correlates with sensitivity. The male Hercules Moth Coscinocera Hercules must find his mate within a very short timeframe.

Adult females emerge from the chrysalis without mouth-parts, her 4-5 day life does not include feeding. After she emerges and her wings unfold and dry, she emits pheromones to attract a male. After mating, she will fly away, lay her eggs on the underside of the leaves of a food plant and die shortly after.