Posted on 06/01/2009 10:02:51 PM PDT by JoeProBono
The famous Galapagos giant tortoises could be at serious risk from mosquitoes that have developed a taste for reptile blood, experts have warned. Scientists say increased tourism means there is now a greater risk of a disease-carrying insect being transported to the islands. Local mosquitoes that have evolved to feed on reptiles could then pick up the diseases and pass them on.
Galapagos wildlife has little immunity to mosquitoes due to their isolation. The study was published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 'Looking for blood' The world's largest living tortoises are an icon of evolution, growing so large on the isolated islands because of the absence of natural predators. But recent observations by scientists suggest that it is the evolution of mosquitoes that could now pose a very real threat to island wildlife. On the mainland of South America, the insects prefer to bite mammals but they have adapted their behaviour to favour reptile blood on the Galapagos.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Quick grab the DDT. Problem solved.
No credible biologist would ever use the phrase the author did: “Galapagos wildlife has little immunity to mosquitoes due to their isolation”
Smacks of a reporter assigned to a story who has little clue about life sciences. “Immunity” is the keyword.
Kinda like idiot reporters trying to write about aviation or the military.
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