Posted on 05/14/2009 7:43:10 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Tennessee (ChattahBox) – Have a weird genetic flaw? Perhaps an ear bigger then the other, or bulging eyes? Well, as it turns out, this may save your life one day.
Tests performed on blue jays and salamanders has shown that predators are less likely to attack any form of their natural prey that is seen as somehow different.
In an interview with LiveScience, Dr, Benjamin Fitzpatrick explained:
“If one form has an advantage, such as being harder to spot, it should replace all others. Likewise, random drift [genetic change that occurs by chance] alone will eventually result in loss of all but one form when there are no fitness differences. There must therefore be some advantage that allows unusual traits to persist.”
Basically, they took a number of salamanders, one set with stripes in odd numbers, one with no strips in even numbers. They placed them in a field, and over the course of the study changed the amount of salamanders that were more prevalent.
The blue jays seemed to attack those that had most frequently been in greater numbers, even if their numbers decreased on that particular day.
It seems to point to an unwillingness (or perhaps inability to recognize) any variation that makes the creature different. In short, predators don’t like weird prey.
I mated on open boats for blues for three years. If I never see another bluefish, it'll be too soon.
I think we're all going to be hanging out together for a long, long time... :)
Stupid midget won’t EVER get rid of us!
I can certainly see why you wouldn't like them! They are fightin little bastids! Did you ever get bitten by one? Saw a guy lose a thumb, almost, to one.
My dislike of bluefishing is threefold. Although I've killed many, it was to earn a living. I no longer kill fish I'm not going to eat and I don't eat bluefish. Bluefish are just too damned difficult to release in good shape safely. As a bycatch when striper or weakfishing, which I also release, they'll tear up your gear. Lastly is the way people act when the bluefish are on the bite. You ask any open boat captain... they'll tell you. People get their blood up when the bite is on. They instantly lose all respect and courtesy toward other fishermen and crew. You'll see them slamming fish against a bulkheads and onto the deck. Even though I had a policy during bluefish trips, with signs, that said “NO KNIVES ON DECK!” They'll take out their trusty “fishing” knives and stab them.
If you want a fish with a very good fight as well as being unbeatable table-fare, learn to catch blackfish (tautog)....better clientele also.
I’ll never go on a party boat for bluefish. They are fun in the river, but not with 40 other people around.
I love togging! YUM, too!
bump, bump, damn! time for another crab for bait. They are crafty little suckers! Have to be super fast to get them.
The trick is that you have to hit them just before they hit you. };^)
Having a limp will single you out as prey if you are part of herd of water buffalo. So will being small.
Are you kidding? He will be made king!
If you're both small and limp, what reason is there for living?
Viagara?
They advertise products on late night television to take care of that....
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