Posted on 05/26/2005 5:47:35 PM PDT by missyme
HORNY male trilobites may have been fighting it out over the females hundreds of millions of years ago, making them the earliest combatants known to take part in such sexual contests.
Rob Knell, a biologist at Queen Mary University of London and Richard Fortey of London's Natural History Museum noticed that some of the trilobites in the museum's collection had horns on their heads similar to those of modern beetles. Male beetles use their horns to battle each other for supremacy, with the winner getting the opportunity to mate. Knell and Fortey wondered if the trilobites used their horns for the same purpose.
There were other possible explanations: that the horns had a protective function; that they helped reduce turbulence while swimming; that they were sensory feelers; or that they helped camouflage the animal. But none fitted with the shape and position of the horns (Biology Letters, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2005.0304). "The most likely function was in combat between male beetles over access to females," Knell concludes.
The study centred on a trilobite family called the raphiophorids, which lived in the Ordovician, 488 to 444 million years ago. But the researchers say their conclusions also apply to the headgear of other trilobites, such as the magnificent trident borne by Walliserops trifurcates (above) from the Devonian, 417 to 354 million years ago
HAHA..Yes.... by Queen!
Do you like Queen?
I like We are the Champions!
See? We do have something in common. :-)
It looks like we've been abandoned. I always seem to end up on these threads after everyone has gone to bed.
LOL...Yes I know..I am off at 7:30 but many have headed on to bed I assume or at least to go and eat!
I think it's because the men just can't keep up with us girls. They wear out too quickly. Maybe we need to get some younger guys on here that can keep up with us. ;-)
I agree...Need the youngin's to hang out! LOL...
I just remembered that you're on the west coast so it's only 7:15 for you. Does it bug you that by the time you get home from work that everyone on the east coast is going to bed?
Well it helps when I want to know what happened on a TV show that has not been on here yet!
LOL Yeah, you can find out what happens before it comes on. Did you know about the American Idol results before you saw it on TV?
Yes I did! I did not want to know but I always seem to look!
LOL You shouldn't do that.
Were you disappointed that Bo didn't win?
Yeah I did..I really wanted BO but he will get a singing contract anyways...
I'm off my dear...but I enjoyed speaking with ya and hope to chat with you soon *As the Saga Continues of FR!*
So was he really good? I didn't watch it, but I heard a lot about it.
LOL It was nice chatting with you, too. I promise not to hold it against you that you're leaving me here all alone. ;-)
Have a good night!
Queen is my favorite band EVER!!!!!!!!
Reading that gave me a headache.
researchers say their conclusions also apply to the headgear of other trilobites, such as the magnificent trident borne by Walliserops trifurcates (above) from the Devonian, 417 to 354 million years agoand then the Walliserops trifurcates sez:
I've been wearing this magnificent trident for 63 million years, and boy is my neck tired.[rimshot!]
I kbow! This Bug Sex is for the birds!
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